Too late - - Clarke MIG 180EN Welder

[Lunatic]

Just got a Summit flyer - There's a Clarke 180EN MIG on sale. Dropped from 522.69 to 275.00

So I ask - What does anyone know of the Clarke reputation. Just a quick Google turned up all sorts of "What about this Clarke 180EN", only to read a resulting purchase of a Lincoln, Miller or Hobart.

Also read something to the effect of Clarke has product lines of various sorts while Lincoln, Miller and Hobart concentrate solely on welding equipment.


Is this welder worth the purchase. I have a Lincoln 180 MIG in mind for when the time comes - But currently have nothing for welding. Im not pressing to buy one atm - But if this is a quality brand - I'd definitely take the sell, being its on sale.

What do you guys think ? Quantities limited, once gone - Its gone.




Thanks for your insight, thoughts, suggestions, comments.....etc




Troy B
Ft Hood, TX

 

[86chevyk10]

Well I dont personally have any experience with clarke welders, but I searched a while back and people ofcourse say buy miller/lincoln/hobart/esab. But $275 isnt bad, just remember it is 220v, so make sure you got the 220 receptical. Id personally hold off and try to find a used welder. I like hobart, you can get a good used one for around 300+- on CL. Just my .02

 

[Lunatic]

Thanks for the response.

Power supply isnt issue. Ill just drop another 220 next to my compressor's 220 - I was a licensed electrician back in the day.




Troy B
Ft Hood, TX

 

[rdn2blazer]

I think I would be willing to pull the trigger on it. Hell 275 aint a bad price.

 

[dfl701]

It makes you wonder why it's so cheap. I would wait for Rene to chime in

 

[4X4HIGH]

I think i remember that Clarke is or was owned by one of the big 3 companies (Hobart IIRC).

 

[tRustyK5]

I've never used the Clarke, and i don't know if like Scott says it is owned by one of the big two or three or not...

At that price I think you could easily recoup the money selling it "slightly used" on CL if it isn't as good as you hoped. You may be able to give it a test run at the store itself. I know of a few places here that will let you try a demo machine before buying.

Rene

 

[Lunatic]

One night later (who knows how many since the sale started) for me and the welder is already gone.

I placed it in my cart, being shown as still available, and first stage of checkout threw an error - Cant be shipped to my location.

Dialed Summit - "It's no longer available sir".....So your website is behind the curve then.... "Apparently so - We're sorry for the inconvenience"..





Crap.

and "oh well"





Troy B
Ft Hood, TX

 

[blazinzuk]

I know parts for certain machines are virtually impossible to find. I know a couple friends with them, when they work they work fine but replacement parts are tough to get a hold of. Plus the fact the torch is only like 4 ft long (on all the Clarkes I have seen at least) if its 4 ft long. You end up having to move the welder a ton.

Just from what I have seen, when they work they are decent welders, but when it breaks just toss it, or buy another so you might have the spare parts you need later on.

So I say no great loss on the missed purchase

 

[Lunatic]

I was still trying to find information about that particular model and had little to no success - All I could find was other sites selling it, and they all contained (basically) the same info.

I found the Clarke site - But it was so blah that I found absolutely nothing helpful.

Thats when I realized what you pointed out. If I couldnt even find information on the welder itself - How would I find parts if needed ?

SO - I have to agree - No loss.




Troy B
Ft Hood, TX