Clarke mig welders

[Zobman]

Anybody own one and how do you like it?

[weldgault]

I have owned 50 but sold all but 1 and like it. John

[GiantTechGuy]

Is that machine made in the USA?

[MicroZone]

I have one and prefer using it to my big miller. They are made in Italy with a great corp office in the U.S.

Dollar for dollar a great buy and great warranty.

[tommyj3]

I really like the one I have also, great little welder.

[GiantTechGuy]

I have owned 50 but sold all but 1 and like it. John

John, You own an import? Shame on you:nono: :p

[mselvenis]

I am currently shopping for a decent welder....and before a few minutes ago, was set on a Lincoln Pro Mig 140 or 180. While shopping for the best price for the Linc. I came across some CLarke packages. I can get the Lincoln 140 or 180 for between $400-$500, but saw a deal on a Clarke online at the WeldingDepot for $480 and it includes gas hose, valve, cart, and even a 20 cu.ft. gas bottle. Package is $534 shipped.

I have a Lincoln Buzz Box for heavier welding (AC/DC).

WHat do you guys think?

THanks, Mike

[GiantTechGuy]

I am currently shopping for a decent welder....and before a few minutes ago, was set on a Lincoln Pro Mig 140 or 180. While shopping for the best price for the Linc. I came across some CLarke packages. I can get the Lincoln 140 or 180 for between $400-$500, but saw a deal on a Clarke online at the WeldingDepot for $480 and it includes gas hose, valve, cart, and even a 20 cu.ft. gas bottle. Package is $534 shipped.

I have a Lincoln Buzz Box for heavier welding (AC/DC).

WHat do you guys think?

THanks, Mike


Sounds like a great deal to me.

[David R]

How many ams is the clark, and what is the duty cycle?

David

[mselvenis]

The Clarke is like 25-130, but it's the quality I'm questioning. Often times you get what you pay for, and if it's cheaply made, I don't want it.

[stevinator]

I have a clark stick welder and I've abused it for a year or more.I think their quality and warranty are real good.Welding Depot has about the best prices on them I've seen.That's where my stick welder came from.

[David R]

Yer trying to decide between a 130 amp machine and you can afford a Lincoln 180? Whaddyanutz?

David :)

[FusionKing]

Prescionworks swears by his

[kilo2103]

I just got it. It is ok. Brought it back the first time because the amp. gage was broken. Heard it is not so great. For small stuff and wallets is it just fine. I guess.

[Zobman]

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the Clarke Mig welder 125EN which is avaiable at Menards, and the 130EN I see on Clarkes web site (www.clarkusa.com). I don't see the 125EN listed on their web site?

[cmartman46]

I should be recieving my Clark 180 hot spot spool gun welder by Thursday or Friday. I will keep you posted of the qaulity and performance of this unit. I won this unit on EBAY for $341 new with 2manufacturer/10 year warranty on transformer.

[DSW]

Talk about digging up an old post...

Dude, I hate to tell you this but with Clarke in Chapter 11, the warranty's are as good as the paper this post is printed on I'm afraid. I'd make sure you can get tips/ nozels for it and that they are available/interchangeable from some other mfg.


http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=32149&highlight=clarke

[cmartman46]

Chapter 11? As in "Bankrupt?"
I read some where that tweeco tips work.
I won this on Ebay Sunday. I hope to get it by Thursday or Friday.
I did hear good reviews on the machine on here,if the machine works as good as I hear and last atleast 3 to 5 years,I'll be happy enough,"LOL"
I have one machine for stick welding, one for tig and hope this clark will work for spool mig for aluminum.
Can you tell me more of what you know about Clark.
I know Northern tool is still selling welders.
THKS!

[DSW]

All I know is what I've read from others. Mudspaz listed some info in the thread I attached above. I know I've seen other posts regarding info on Clarke being in Chapter 11 here and on other sites. Thats just the one I could remember off the top of my head. I don't have a Clarke machine so have been following it it peripherally.

Hopefully some of the others that have a Clarke machine and may have looked into this a bit can give you more solid info or links.

[cmartman46]

Well I recieved my Clark Hot Shot 185SG spool gun mig welder today that I won on EBAY for $341.00 plus $60.00 shipping.
It seems to be built pretty heffty. Good qaulity wiring. Solid copper transformer.
I did take the cover off to see if any thing was lose. Everything seem to be sound.
The spool gun is made of some type of thick plastic. The wire speed control is below the handle. The spool canister can be adjusted for different angles for personel comfort.
I will connect the correct 220V plug and go at it tomorrow. I have .030" 4043 aluminum spool loaded to try first. Positive ground for 100% argon gas welding.
It is made in Italy. Sears does sell Clark!
10 year warranty on transformer/2 year on the other componets.
So far so good!

[cmartman46]

More pics.

[cmartman46]

I will try welding 1/4 aluminum for starters.

[transit]

¼-inch aluminum, no way, read the labile again, “UP TO ¼ inch steel on a single pass.” Ha!
Try that on steel and bend test it. With prep, the best you’ll be able to do is 1/8-inch, maybe 3/16-inch aluminum.
My Century 170 WAS rated 5/16 steel and couldn’t do ¼-inch without prep. 130A @ 20 v, 30% duty cycle. They’re all over rated.

[cmartman46]

I'm thinking Century and Clark are the same machine.
Do you regret buying your century? I guess it's just some over sized battery chargers! "LOL"
I seen the 80amp spool gun for $ 230.00 or so. I figured the 185 would perform better.
The only reason I purchased this, I heard some guys on here saying they we resatisfied with there welders. And that Sears sells them. It is made in Itally not Japan.
After reading the manuel that came with it, I did read a notice: Every welding machine goes through a vigurous inspection but some past through not meeting there specifications.
I am skeptical now! But I will find out first hand this afternoon after connecting a 30 amp 220V plug.
Since I began welding almost 30 years ago,I always used name brand products.So I will know if this is junk or not.
I keep a post on it!
Thanks for your input.

[transit]

Century and Clark are not the same. Century was a US company that also made industrial Battery Chargers, later Miller bought them out. I’m not sure if Clark has always been produced in Italy.

Satisfied? Sure, it’s ok for what it can do and better than most. I’ve put some mods in and it’s even better now, but not quite up to bridge building.
Hopefully your mig dose meet specifications. Make a few test welds at maximum conditions with and without prepping the joint and see what a bend test shows.
BTW, what is that blue disk on the leads to the rectifier?

[Sandy]

Well I recieved my Clark Hot Shot 185SG spool gun mig welder today that I won on EBAY for $341.00 plus $60.00 shipping.......................................... ...........10 year warranty on transformer/2 year on the other componets.
So far so good!

Well unless things have changed recently, that warranty isn't much good. They started out in chapter 11 but I don't think it worked out.


http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090430/BUSINESS03/904300333

[lugweld]

Century and Clark are not the same. Century was a US company that also made industrial Battery Chargers, later Miller bought them out. I’m not sure if Clark has always been produced in Italy.

Satisfied? Sure, it’s ok for what it can do and better than most. I’ve put some mods in and it’s even better now, but not quite up to bridge building.
Hopefully your mig dose meet specifications. Make a few test welds at maximum conditions with and without prepping the joint and see what a bend test shows.
BTW, what is that blue disk on the leads to the rectifier?

Transit,

Miller did NOT buy out Century. Lincoln did. They own the rights and are still producing units in offshore factories under that name.

[transit]

Transit,

Miller did NOT buy out Century. Lincoln did. They own the rights and are still producing units in offshore factories under that name.
Just for grinds and giggles, I googled century mig welders. Surprisingly the screen lit up. The last time I looked, old stock was being dumped and replacement parts were getting hard to find. I guess it took a little time to reorganize and get production going again. Interestingly, the 180 has many of the same specs as the 170, 130 a @ 20 v, 30 duty cycle. I find it hard to believe the boast of ½ on a single pass.

[fastopel]

I should be recieving my Clark 180 hot spot spool gun welder by Thursday or Friday. I will keep you posted of the qaulity and performance of this unit. I won this unit on EBAY for $341 new with 2manufacturer/10 year warranty on transformer.

So you're the one who out bid me. I went to 300.00. lol Darrell

[cmartman46]

If your talking about the green disk? It is a electrical choke 40X40 AL.

[cmartman46]

LOL! I hope I out bid you for a good unit? I'll find out soon. Do you have any experience with the Clark Hot Shot spoolgun 185SG "fastopel"? The most I was gonna bid was $350.00 and that was pushing it.
Well I put a 220V plug on the welder and still need to hook up a separate breaker. I have everything ready to hook up. It's just too cold out side. I have the unit in the house and not ready to keep it outside yet. I want to build a nice welding cart for my thermal arc and clark welder.
It will sweat too much if I'll bring in the welder cold like it is.
Let me know.
THKS

[cmartman46]

I'm not positive if thats what your talking about. I see a green disk on the rectifier.

[Bluewelders]

If you mean the green disk, it is probably a varistor.

[GiddyWelder]

I did at one time briefly consider a Clarke welder some months ago but dropped that like a hot potato when doing my research that they went into bankruptcy. All thing considered now I'm still looking to get a Miller welder when the right deal comes along,I hope you don't ever have any trouble getting yours fixed if something goes kablooy.

[transit]

If you mean the green disk, it is probably a varistor.

That green disk is about the size of a nickel, it could be as you say a varistor or a ceramic cap, cant tell without seeing the numbers.

[fastopel]

No I never had a clarke machine before but was willing to gamble for 300.00 plus the 60.00 shipping. I wanted a 220 volt inexpensive machine with a spool gun the will run flux core wire outside and some light alum. inside. I've read some reviews that people have had good luck with the clark machines.
I think there's a post on this forum that HTP sells consumibles for clark machines. Hope everything works good for you. Darrell

[cmartman46]

Tested my Clark 185SG Hot Spot spool gun welder.
Pluged it in,hooked the gas up(100%argon)15/20 CFMs aluminum.030 4043 spool.: switched it on.
Fan came on.
On old exposed marine 3/16 aluminum plate, stainless steel brushed.
Settings: Max/Min A-B-C.
First test- Max-C. too hot but little gas flow:
Result: blackened ugly gouged weld Checked for flow.selonoid cut off valve ok: hose was pinched at gun handle by cable tie. Had to cut a relief.
Good gas flow, best
Next setting : min-B with 3/4 wire speed on the speed control knob..
Decent looking weld for starters. Had to adjust wire wheel tension. I had tension to tight.
Wire wraped around idler wheel. Made adjustment. A small needle nose pliers or hemistates work best to guide the .030 wire through the feed hose.
I was able to put down a few beads.
In short I am impressed with this welder so far.I did'nt have a whole lot of time today to mess with it but was surprised that I had to turn down the machine.I can see the penetration from the opposite side.
I pulled the trigger and it arcs perfectly. It's been about 10 years since I used a spool gun.
It is a faster moving type of welding.I will put it through it's paces when I have more time.
The welding I will do will be light fabrication and repairs.
So for so good .I need to build a cart for my Thermal arc 185 and my new Clark 185SG.
I need to get into another shop to have a better set up of my tools.. For now I have a carport.

[cmartman46]

I will take better pictures on the next test.

[cmartman46]

I'm impressed with my Clark hot spot 185 SG mig spool gun.
I can weld 3/16 aluminum with no problems. Good arc start.
I like tig welding but to make quick aluminum welds, a spool gun is the way to go.

[FusionKing]

For that level of performance and quality, combined with the price you paid, warranty would be of little concern to me. That is the price of less than most used machines in it's class....looks like you did yourself good here.
I am sure someone can repair these units when you consider how many were produced and sold. I believe this company who made the Clarks also produced some sister brands as well.
For that price you could get a second one as a back-up IMO.
Maybe I should get one next summer to go along with my Dynasty in the van.
I could own 3 for the price of a MM211 with a spoolgun.

[David Chisholm]

I am a new guy here. I'm not sure how to run this message thing. However if I do get it to work HTP sells Clarke parts. I just bought a Clarke 130EN. I'm very pleased to see that some people on this site have one and are pleased with it. Just got off the phone with HTP, 1-800-872-9353 Diana Ditchman http://www.htpweld.com/.
I have dealt with them before, bought an HTP 201. Beautiful welder! Inside it looks as good as some of the military Radars I used to work on.
David Chisholm

[Dirty1]

Hi, im new here, and to welding, I got a Clarke 185sg spool gun welder off ebay used i paid $225.00 plus $30.00 for shipping. It was used very little the origional roll of flux core is still on it, The problem im having is it didnt come with a manual i tried to contact Clarke in the USA,both emails returned undeliverable, Phones are dead. So i found a welding forum in the UK a Guy gave me a link to Clarke in the UK i emailed them last nite but with the Holidays im not expecting a response til monday. But the email wasnt returned undeliverable so there still mite be hope. Clarke USA and UK websites are up and running but no manual for this model welder. If anyone can help me with a photo copy or a PDF. file it would be much appreciated. Thanks Dean.

[Dirty1]

I found it at summit racing web site.

[Only2cylinders]

Hey Guys
New to site. Picked up a Clarke mig at a sale (cheap ! ) As best I can tell I need a wire liner. It appears to be just a plastic (?) tube. (much different than my liner for my SP 100) Anyone know where I can get a liner? I would like to have the Clarke as a back up as I have three sons and my SP 100 is rarely at home.
Thanks

[John Mc]

Well unless things have changed recently, that warranty isn't much good. Clarke started out in chapter 11 but I don't think it worked out.


http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090430/BUSINESS03/904300333

I grew up near Perrysburg, OH, where the Clarke plant was. They fact that thy did not survive Chapter 11 has me wondering... If the Clarke MIG welders were made in Italy, as someone here noted, then maybe they were rebadged as Clark. I wonder if the actual manufacturer is still in existence, and perhaps selling these units under another name. That would bode well for someone searching for parts...

[mudbugone]

Clarke is still in operation in the UK and I think Forney & Sears welders are re-badged Clarke units... FWIW

[Charleyhorse]

Clarke is still in operation in the UK and I think Forney & Sears welders are re-badged Clarke units... FWIW

I have a Clarke 180EN Mig Welder that's worked fine (farm/hobby use) for me for the last 5 years. I'm also concerned about parts availability. A while back, I wanted to try welding aluminum with it, but I couldn't find one of the special liners for use with aluminum wire, so I gave up on that idea. Recently, I noticed a new MIG machine for sale at the local farmer's COOP, it has the Forney label on it. It looks identical to my Clarke 180EN. So it seems that the plant in Italy is making these machines for Forney. If true, then parts may still be available now or in the future from Forney. I like my Clarke MIG, I'd hate to have to abandon it due to unavailable parts and accessories.

[crawler]

Hey Guys
New to site. Picked up a Clarke mig at a sale (cheap ! ) As best I can tell I need a wire liner. It appears to be just a plastic (?) tube. (much different than my liner for my SP 100) Anyone know where I can get a liner? I would like to have the Clarke as a back up as I have three sons and my SP 100 is rarely at home.
Thanks

You can buy the liner from HTP. I'll be replacing the liner in one for a friend.

The drive motor on the 130EN has a diameter of nickel. Very small. Most parts in the welder looks cheaply made compared to a Miller.

[Luckydog]

Hi, new to the forum.

I have a Clarke 180EN that I bought 12-13 yrs ago. Never had a problem with it until my ex-"tool killer" room mate had a go with it. I just had to do some gun repairs on it and found most of the parts available on e-bay. Plus, I needed a swan neck liner (jump liner) and found that one from a Harbor Freight 130 worked just fine. While I was looking for the jump liner I bought a new Bernard Q-200 gun & cable off of eBay for $35, plus shipping. After rounding up the neck, diffuser, liner & tips I had another $109 into the rig and am now adapting it to my Clarke. The only mod I needed to do was add a gas solenoid valve to replace the mechanical valve in the Clarke gun and buy a few brass fittings to adapt the cable to the Clarke. Bernard makes the Q-Guns for Miller and they sell a full line of adapters if you want to convert the gun & cable to a quick connect. I found a perfect adapter on the Bernard website that would fit right into the 180EN with minimal modification. If I ever get a high-end welder like a Miller or Lincoln, I can buy an adapter and use this wonderful gun on my new rig.

If you need to replace the 180EN liner you can use a Tweco or similar liner. I picked one up from a local supplier for $10. Just cut off the factory end to shorten up the liner. You also can use the cut off piece to replace the jump liner in the neck. You just need to drive a punch into the end of the coil to flair it out a bit. If need be you could braze a bit of brass onto the end and use a countersink bit to give it a bit of a flair to guide the wire into the neck. For that matter, I don't see why you couldn't just run the liner all the way through the gun, up to the tip, since the neck is fixed anyway. Since the gas inlet originates at the trigger valve inside the gun, you might want to stretch the coil just a bit, inside the valve, to let gas through the liner into the neck & diffuser.

I bought tips & shield at my local welding supply house. They are a pretty standard size. Also the Harbor Freight tips work in the Clarke. I didn't see anything inside of the unit that I couldn't find a replacement for, even if I had to do some re-purposing and a bit of modding to make it work. Even if Clarke goes out of business I should be able to keep my 180EN running for many more years (or at least until my new Miller falls out of the sky).

LuckyDog