Mig welder question!

I've got a Clarke 150te and have had no issues with tripping/fuses either...

 

mines an old clarke hobby mig with 4 settings + wire speed etc and I converted it to run a larger sized "pub" gas bottle full of Co2. works a treat

used a full size co2 reg and a length of pipe. 1 end has a joining piece small enough for the hobby mig gas pipe to screw into and the other had one big enough to fit the reg. about 4quid + the cost of the reg from my local welding supply and the Co2 pop bottle will last forever

but I did spot one small flaw in you're plan...

...blue book states 3mm minimum for tube wall and reinforcing material etc.... please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Clarke give the best value for money for the budget end of the range, SIP have issues with the wire-feed though this can be fixed - but if you're buying new why give yourself extra hassle. For auto welding you need as good a control over the current as possible, so extra points for more adjustments - the lower current jobbies like the Pro90 have 4 current settings, the bigger ones like the 150 have 6 settings - plus it's got more grunt for the odd garden gate, fire-iron or whatever else you take to welding.

Co2/argon mix is better for cars as the arc is a bit cooler and you get less spatter.

 

Once had the displeasure of using a one of those little 240v mig sets with only 3 power settings, got terribly frustrated with it along with the erratic wire feed, still I managed to coax a decent weld ot of it, 150amps is far too heavy handed for car applications but try and get something with a fine adjustment on the power.

 

I've and SIP, not sure which one as its dark and cold outside !

http://www.sip-group.com/catalogue/20.pdf Thinks its the 195, been great and never blown a fuse!

 

Rubbish tbh

 

welding forum

i have a clarke 160t good little bit of kit, but the mig forum wil give u more than enough info!

pm a guy weldequip for good deals! will beat MM prices.