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First Welder Will This Do?


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#1 bangermadness08

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Posted 31 August 2015 - 09:24 PM

hi guys im looking into getting my first welder ive done welding a few times at collage but some years have past since then. as ive found my rot with my mini its probably best and cheaper if i do. i just would your opinions on this clarke welder it fits in with my price band that i have. thanks Attached File  010110135.jpg   36.69K   24 downloads

 



#2 OhDear

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Posted 31 August 2015 - 09:28 PM

yea good diy I have a clarke 150 te no issues art all

#3 alex-95

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Posted 31 August 2015 - 09:29 PM

Yesss!!! It's an excellent hobby welder, A lot of people on here have one and recommend them. Don't forget you'll need an auto dimming mask and also a refillable gas bottle is better than the disposable ones you can get. Argon/Co2 mix is the best gas for the thin bodywork.


Edited by alex-95, 31 August 2015 - 09:29 PM.


#4 FlyingScot

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Posted 31 August 2015 - 09:31 PM

Got one myself, great bit of kit.

FS

Edited by FlyingScot, 31 August 2015 - 09:31 PM.


#5 bangermadness08

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Posted 31 August 2015 - 10:53 PM

and also looking on ebay whats the best price for a auto mig wleder mask most are around £20 on wards they too cheap i just dont want to be spending 60quid on a helemt if most 20quid masks work just as ggod



#6 kyle9832

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Posted 31 August 2015 - 11:11 PM

and also looking on ebay whats the best price for a auto mig wleder mask most are around £20 on wards they too cheap i just dont want to be spending 60quid on a helemt if most 20quid masks work just as ggod

dont be scrimping on a mask! its the most important bit! wont be doing any more welding if you cant see;)



#7 bangermadness08

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Posted 31 August 2015 - 11:26 PM

i know all that saw pics of arc eye when i was at collage lol just wanted to make  sure as this is all new t me



#8 Ben_O

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Posted 01 September 2015 - 09:09 AM

I have 3 auto shields. 

 

One was around £100 and is a Speedglas one which takes a battery.

The second one is a HobbyWeld one which was around £70. This is a solar powered one

And the third one was a bit of a novelty one with skulls and flames on it.Also solar powered and around £25 on eBay.

 

All 3 work perfectly but i do tend to use the Hobbyweld on the most as it is more comfortable IMO But the £25 one works as well as the dearer ones and i have had no trouble at all with it.

What you need to make sure is that you have it set up correctly. This is the most important thing. Reaction times and delays need to be spot on. You don't want the shield to slowly fade to dark when you start welding, it needs to go instantly dark.

 

If you are not doing much welding, then there is no point spending fortunes on an expensive shield. However, i would recommend the HobbyWeld one all day long.

 

Remember you will need a decent pair of Gauntlets and preferably some fireproof overalls to protect you arms.

 

I cannot comment on the welder as i have never used that model but lots here love them so must be decent.

 

Ben



#9 bangermadness08

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Posted 01 September 2015 - 01:51 PM

oh wow thank you for that mate really helpful. just one thing when you say the shield needs to be set up correctly will this say with instructions with the shield as ive never used a solar panel one just used a normal black out shield .



#10 sonikk4

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Posted 01 September 2015 - 02:19 PM

There will be instructions with it. Set everything to max and then you can dial back from there. DO NOT start on the minimum setting, it will still shield our eyes however better to play safe. On my particular mask the reaction time is set to max and so is the strength of the shielding. Been welding with this for 6 years now and love it. Certainly was not expensive either. My son bought it for me and i think it was around the £50 mark. I will be buying a new one soon though.



#11 Ben_O

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Posted 01 September 2015 - 03:59 PM

Exactly what Neil said  :D



#12 megamini_jb

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Posted 01 September 2015 - 06:24 PM

Great choice of welder.

I also have the Clarke mask too which was reasonably priced and is very good.




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