cheap gasless mig welders

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does anyone have or have used the new craftsman gasless mig welders that go for $200 bucks. they look to be the same as the clarke model. anyways i was wondering how they work? iv already got a good mig so i don't need to be talking into a better mig machine. Just wonted to know if those clarke or new craftsman are any good for the money or are they crap? would like to hear from anyone who has one...thanks
Reply:Welcome aboard, hardihood.As best I recall, of the several comments I have seen from owners of the Clarkes, all but one or two have regretted the purchase before very long.  Unstable arc, short duty factor and general tinny construction  have been the main reasons, I think.   OTOH, one or two guys have defended them pretty fiercely but I looked at one real close sitting side by side with a Hobart before I decided which to buy.  One thing that got my attention was the tiny plastic tube the Clark used for the shielding gas - makes it look like it should be hooked to a life support IV or something & I took that to be an indication of a "cut all corners' approach to the design.  And the sheet metal was definitely thinner and carelessly shaped.  I have been told there is no arc filtering, cheaper transformer and so forth all through the machine.I bought the HH 135 as a minimum startup mig & I am glad I did.
Reply:I have a Clarke 95 gasless and it welds great for what I use it for.I know it's intended use and I don't use it for anything else.  I am somewhat disappointed in it's duty cycle though.  I was suggested to add a cooling fan to it, and I thought about it, and I will.  The Clarke 130 would be the way to go if you wanted a cheaper 110V gasless.  It has a cooling fan and will also do both gas and fluxcore.  I can get one for the Mid $200 here.  That will be my next mig welder after I use up my Clarke 95.  I know that a Hobart or Miller 135 is a better machine, or was at one time but thery are too expensive for me.  I could get two Clarke's 130's for the cost of one Miller 135.  My Clarke 95 doesn't get 8 hour, 5 days a week workout, but not many Millers 135 do either.  My Clarke welds nicely for want I weld with it.  Heavier welding I use stick, because I just like it , the longer leads and strength of welds are what I need on bigger welding demands.  The Clarke's are made in Italy, and most of the Millers and Hobarts are made from China parts anymore.  So I think, personally, built quaility is equal anymore.  Once, not long ago, I would have said, "get the one made in the USA".  I would if I could find one.
Reply:Welcome Hardhood.  I've been thinking about the same thing.  All my welding is done outside and only on the weekends.  I want something that will weld thinner material than I can use with my AC welder.  I've heard both good and bad about the cheap (relative) gasless wire feed welders.  Some like 'em, some hate 'em.  For what they cost I think I'll decide after I buy it which end of the pole I'm on.
Reply:Welcome to the forum,  the general impression that I have gotten in relation to the Clarkes is that the higher end machines were decent machines.  The golden rule seems to be that 90% of the folks in here had under estimated the amount of capacity they needed, usually as a result of taking on bigger jobs as they became proficient at welding.
Reply:thanks for the info. iv got a lincoln gas mig welder already and use that alot. i was just check out the new sears gasless welders the other day and did a search on the web and found out their the clarke painted red. their cheap and i know you get alot of slag but i was just wondering if anyone has one? and if their crap or are they okay for lighter jobs? not planning on buying one at this time just wondering if their any good or not???
Reply:They cost 200$ and a good one is 5 or 6,,,, what do you think????www.urkafarms.com