Clarke welder

[duber34]

I know there are a bunch welders here on TBN so I figured I'd ask for some input/experiences with this welder. Clarke Welder I'm only looking to complete a few projects and then have the welder around for repairs and such. With that in mind, I believe a welder of this size is a good match for me. Now, I know I couldn't go wrong if I bought a Hobart or Lincoln but I saw this Clarke and the package and price really piqued my interest. I'm just a little hesitant about the brand though. I had never heard of them before and I'm wondering what the quality is like? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.


Regards,
Duber

 

[MadReferee]

To get an accurate and precise answer to your question, you should ask it over on the Miller/Hobart welding forums. They are not brand specific over there and they can give you a much better evaluation of that unit. They can probably even tell you who makes it (it looks like a repackaged Hobart).

Miller/Hobart welding forums

 

[Chuck52]

I wonder if Clarke is one of those generic brands of tools probably made in China. The local tractor supply place, Orscelns, sells Clarke brand air compressors at a pretty low price.

Chuck

 

[tawilson]

Can't speak for their welders, but while in TSC a few weeks ago came across their line of tools. I picked up their metal cutting skil saw for $100 and am pleased with it. I had never heard of them before either.

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="green"> I wonder if Clarke is one of those generic brands of tools probably made in China. The local tractor supply place, Orscelns, sells Clarke brand air compressors at a pretty low price. </font>

I suspect a lot of it is made in China. The Clarke stuff I have seen close up looks pretty low end. Don't know about the welder, though. I do know the brand is also sold in the UK.

 

[slowrev]

I think you are right, Clarke seems to be a rebranded chinese tool deal. Same as some of the low end brand name tools/welders.
With that said I have a ($19.99) clarke angle grinder that has held up well for a couple of years.
Ben

 

[duber34]

Thank you all for your input. I do appreciate it.

Madref, thanks for the link to the welding forum. They pretty much confirmed my suspicions over there. I think I'll be spending my money wisely and sticking with one of the big three.


Regards,
Duber

 

[Bully]

I have a Clarke 210 amp stick welder 100% duty cycle had a dent in the case when I bought it, so the hardware store sold it to me for $100. I hammered, and dollied the dent out, and it looks great. I works great too, and it's a lot lighter than the old Lincoln. I remember back that the hardwood floor drum sanders ,and edge sanders were Clarke's.......

 

[JimMorrissey]

Duber,

I have that exact welder. I completely rebuilt an old trailer recently from top to bottom. The welder worked flawlessly for over six small spools and part of a large one (lot of welding). For the money I would recommend it. It'll take gas too and gas is nice if you weld indoors or out of the wind.

I don't know about the China end of things....I know it's not a rebranded Hobart. I've taken it apart from top to bottom and it's a great tool for the money. A welder is really a pretty simple device. Unless you weld for a living and require high end stuff, I think it's a waste of money to buy Miller. They are something like twice the money, but it's your money so spend at will. All I can say is it works great and the paint and metal parts are cleanly put together. I don't buy junk, but I'd buy another Clarke welder.

One other interesting thing is the customer service....On like my sixth spool of wire, one of the gears on my feeder started to spin (think it was my fault). I called Clarke and they immediately connected me to the engineers. They asked a few questions...I was vague /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif and they said they'd send out the "necessary parts" the next day. Two days later UPS shows up with an entire new motor and feed mechanism. Excellent customer service! I say buy it if you are only looking for a little garage welder. -It was out of warranty too. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[duber34]

Jim,

I'm sorry I haven't thanked you for your input about the Clarke Welder sooner. I got busy with other things and lost track of this thread. I wish I would have read your reply sooner, I may have considered purchasing it based on your experience. It really looked like a nice package deal that Northern was offering.

I ended up buying a Lincoln 135. The package contained everything the Clarke had except the cart. Cost me $50.00 more than the Clarke though. So far I'm very pleased with the Lincoln. I know this welder will do everything that I can see myself doing. My first project will be fabricating a cart. I'm in the process now of collecting old bed frames! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway, here's a picture of my very 1st weld. Just some scrap that I had laying around. Now, I've done a fare amount of gas welding and just a little stick welding. This was the first time I had ever touched a wire fed welder. Y'all please keep that in mind when you look at my bead. Go easy on me. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif



Regards,
Duber