Clarke welder or Hobart?

DORIGTT · Post by **DORIGTT** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:34 am

I'm looking at purchasing a new welder for my hobby. I can get a Clarke 130 welder or a Hobart of similar output for <$500. Any experience on either?

JayInMI · Post by **JayInMI** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:18 pm

I've got a Clarke 130EN, it came with everything including a cart, gas conversion parts, mask, etc, for about $329. It works pretty well for small body work, and stuff up to about 1/4". I bought it at Performance Tool a while ago. I'll probably upgrade to a Miller later so I have moe adjustment.

Jay

DORIGTT · Post by **DORIGTT** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:07 pm

Hey Jay,
I'll just drag the carcass to you!

JayInMI · Post by **JayInMI** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 7:29 pm

My welding isn't real pretty, but it seems solid. I can see inside the tunnel on my 67 that I shortened and I got good penetration all the way around.

I tried to use it to do the floors, but I kept blowing through the mexican floor pans. I think it's a combination of my (just learning) technique and the thinness (?) of the metal. So I bought the Klokkerholm floors from Denmark...they're thicker.

Jay

Post by **Leatherneck** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:57 pm

Which ever you get make sure you can get parts, wire whatever you need without having to wait. Pain in the butt when you need a tip and the only place that carries it is closed.