Euro Torch Conversion For Clarke Mig

[Rob Turbo 3]

I've been looking at euro torch conversion kits lately, I have a Clarke 160en turbo that I bought cheap (£130 ish in great nick), it's a great welder for my needs, does everything I've needed it for so far!

 

My main problem is the length of the torch line, and it now needs a new shroud and a seal for the gas part of the trigger, both very cheap parts, but I've heard that euro torches are better than the standard ones.

 

The kits are around £70 with the solenoid, so if I did get one, I still wouldn't have as much in the welder as I would if I bought it new, and it will have a (supposedly) better torch, but, is it a worth while upgrade?

 

I don't want to buy and fit it just to find it's poo!

[M_R_205 5 1 Cars]

How much better can a Euro torch really be?

 

In my mind, if it aint broke, dont fix it

[Rob Turbo 3]

The biggest advantage that I know of is the length of the torch line, the euro torch is much longer, 3-4 metres would do me I would have thought, and apparently the wire feed is much better, but I don't know for sure, I've not used one I don't think (I may have used one last weekend, whatever it was it felt better, more like a tool than the standard clarke torch, but I only used it very briefly!)

[omega 82]

rob dont know if this helps but i had a clarke 130 and had a euro torch fitted now i am not a very good welder but i found it easier to use and i could do wider beads when welding.also my mate could get me free tips .shrouds from his work.

[wracing 19]

the liners are better in a euro torch so the wire feed can be better. also it makes the trigger softer as the gas switch is remote rather than on the torch. But to be honest sell the clarke and buy a proper secondhand murex tradesmig or similar and you weld quality will increase.

 

James

[welshpug 1,666]

what kind of liner does the eurotorch use? you can get metal ones for the standard clarke mig instead of the plastic ones.

 

tbh I'd just service it with standard bits and buy a better extension lead and just deal with having to move the welder more, easier I think than risking damage to a long line.

[Rob Turbo 3]

I don't need a new welder, especially not at the price they go for, I can get good welds out of the clarke and with it needing a few bits I thought I might go the whole hog and get a better torch, I'm not thinking of doing it because I can't get a good weld.

 

Edit: the clarke has a metal liner anyway.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Rob Turbo

[jam670 0]

I retro fitted a euro torch to my old cebora its improved the wire feed and replacement parts are easyer to get its just the initial cost on a side note propper gas not disposable bottles will make a huge diffrence to the quality of weld

[Rob Turbo 3]

I don't use the disposeable bottles, I only used the 2 that came with my welder (one co2, one argon/co2 mix), then I swapped to using my dad's co2 bottle, I'll be getting a bottle of argo shield soon hopefuly.

 

I haven't bought the euro torch kit yet, but think I'll order one before I start the bike engined car project so I can give it a good work out!

[Cameron 16]

Not worth it in my opinion, you can get just as much improvement in wire feed by making sure you keep the lead as straight as possible, coiling or looping it will create resistance. Your wire feed woes with a cheapy welder will be mostly down to low quality speed controllers, motor and rollers. If replacement shrouds and tips are readily and cheaply available for your current torch then I'd stick with it.

[Rob Turbo 3]

I don't really have any feed problems, I'd just heard that it's better with the euro torch, TBH I think I'll just buy a new shroud and see if I can find an O ring to stop the gas leak.

 

The thing is I had some spare cash and I'm torure for letting money burn a hole in my pocket!