Clarke 160 or Portamig 185

[ftnbase]

I am looking to buy my first mig welder - I have little or no welding experience but I have a friend who has promised to teach me.

My main use will be for bodywork - purely as a hobby - one car every 5 years at the rate I am going.

I see that the Portamig 185 has very low "low" amps which would make it more suitable for a novice like me doing thin metals but is the extra £200 (compared to the Clarke 160) justifiable.

I would appreciate any views

Also Mr. Weldequip - if you happen to read this post perhaps you would pm me your e-mail address - for some reason the one on the forum keeps bouncing back to me.

 

[malcolm]

I upgraded from a Clarke 155 to a Portamig 185 a few years ago. The Clarkes are the cheapest welders we would recommend on the forum - they will work OK on bodywork, but spending a bit more gets you ease of use - learning will be much quicker and results generally neater as the welder will be more tolerant. So I'd go for the Portamig.

Not sure what's up with emails - try sending a private message from the forum.

 

[Marty2005]

As a Clarke and Portamig owner I would definitely say go for the Portamig if you can. The Clarke is a good little welder but the Portamig is in a different class. Being a bit of a 'destroy it yourselfer' I've always thought that I should at least give myself a fighting chance by using the best tools I can ... although that doesn't make up for my lack of skill

 

[ftnbase]

E-mail sorted

BTW I just figured out that I used the wrong e-mail address

Thanks for advice received so far - I like "Destroy it Yourself" - sound familiar.

 

[SwissTony]

Just be aware of the month delay for the portamig, as they are made to order and have a backlog at the moment.

 

[BChild]

I haven't found a single reason to regret buying my Portamig - OK the price hurt a bit but I was determined not to have to buy again.....

 

[clueless77]

again portamig, got a 215 recently and i'm very pleased with it. the delay in delivery only bothered me a bit cos i was keen to use it but looking back it was no big deal.

 

[slimjim]

Just be aware of the month delay for the portamig, as they are made to order and have a backlog at the moment.

I am told it is a little less than that more like 2-3 weeks

 

[zardoz]

At least you know they are being made for you in the UK. I bought a 185 a few years back (from Weldequip) and have never regretted it.

 

[ftnbase]

Thanks

Thanks to all for their advice. I have decided on the Portamig.
Cheers