First welder...Clarke 131e for $125?

[pipsters]

Locally a guy wants $125 for a new "never used" Clarke 131e stick welder. It's 120V. Just wondering if that is a good deal or should I cancel?

I've never welded before but from my understanding the stick welder is pretty versatile, and I need 120V because I don't have 220 at my house and won't be unless I hook it up to my dryer outlet.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MRRZNG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

From my understanding these aren't Made in China, however the company has closed down and is no longer in business, so parts availability isn't there any more in case it breaks.

 

[djjsr]

Just my opinion, but if you're only going to have one welder it should be a mig.

 

[pipsters]

Yeah but those require gas and stuff. I want something super easy to use and play with.

 

[Tool Maker]

First off if you've not welded before then you shouldn't start with a 120 volt stick welder. 120 volts is such a small amount of power that to run a stick with it is almost impossible for an expert welder. Start with a small mig even if you have to run flux center wire. Ive been welding for about 60 years and its still hard to establish an arc and sustain a puddle with 120 volts on a stick. with a mig you can run such small wire that you can weld 22 gauge sheet metal successfully with out burn through. It may take some practice but you've got time. Mac

 

[pipsters]

So am I researching this right, MIG actually can use wire and not gas, and is better for the smaller thinner metals?

Thanks tool maker for your advice

 

[pipsters]

Ok so I'm going to pass on that Clarke; it will run over 20 amps on a 120v which kinda makes it useless anyway, it'll pop breakers left and right.

So, I found a Lincoln 225 on craigslist looks in good condition for $125. I might pick that up. And get a cheapie HF MIG welder that folks on youtube have reviewed and used. Looks good to have a smaller MIG welder for the small stuff and a bigger 220v Lincoln for the heavy stuff. Won't need that any time soon but might as well get it while I can.

 

[southern iron]

im pretty sure it uses the same consumables as the harbor freight machines ...if not look into htp they make consumables for almost anything

 

[tyjoja]

I, like you wanted a cheaper welder. I did a little research and found that a basic stick welder with ac and dc was a good option for not much money. Found a miller thunderbolt on craigslist for 115.00. Took the cover off and blew it out with air and regreased the adjuster. Have used it on a couple projects now and work well for me. Welding in dc with reverse polarity has a smoother weld and less spatter. also it is 220v. Good luck and have fun, bob

 

[c39er]

I started with a AC/DC 225 "Thunderbolt" too. Did all I wanted when 1st starting out. Was a good machine-still have it and a lot of other high end miller equipment nowdays.

 

[ibedayank]

the lincon 225 tombstone are great MUCH easier to start an arc than a cheapy 120 volt arcwelder or even the 240 wolt ones from hf
But the lincoln does use a 50amp circut and 8 gauge wire to it at the minimum

 

[lilredex]

the lincon 225 tombstone are great MUCH easier to start an arc than a cheapy 120 volt arcwelder or even the 240 wolt ones from hf
But the lincoln does use a 50amp circut and 8 gauge wire to it at the minimum

True, but you can get by on dryer circuit current in a pinch.

The guy that had our house previously, did almost everything right, except only ran 30 Amp. to the garage which is what most dryer circuits are. With SLOW BLOW (screw in) type fuses my Lincoln AC225 can be operated at the 105 Amp setting, but only in short bursts. With 3/32" rods it will weld small pieces of 1/2" material.

In order to run higher, the service needs an upgrade. Already have the AC on the garage circuit, so it is an "either - or" situation in the heat of the summer. Have been living with this for twenty years now.

And yes, I'll echo the advise of others..........don't waste your time with 115V stick welders. Been there too!

 

[sberry]

Actually a 225 can run on a 12 wire, single circuit in pipe with 50A breaker. Its the code minimum, not really a very good idea though. Have ran lots of them from 10.