Welder Broke!

I have been using a cheap Clarke brand mig welder for probably 18 years on everything I've ever worked on...Friday I took the day off to get 8 hours of uninterrupted garage time to finally finish putting the floor into the driver's side.

Long story short, my welder started being weird and not pushing the wire through properly.

I tested it out on the bench and it was definitely broken. I tore it down and it has a stripped gear in the gearbox that drives the wire.

I started looking for a replacement welder on craigslist, and then it struck me to check eBay. I found brand new units that are motor and gearbox all in one unit so I should be back in business in a few days.

I have a large TIG welder also, but when you are hunched over a floor, tucked between bracing members, a mig welder is so much easier to use.

Wadoyado, I did not know that. I think that would be a handy thing. Is that made by Tweco or some other company?

leecarr wrote: I had one of those hand controls, small sliding switch that had velcro straps to fasten to torch. I liked it but my son didn't and took it off, he uses one of those wireless pedals know.

           Yup that's what I was talking about. I used one on a Lincoln welder in a die shop I worked at.(not as much current control as a foot peddle but worked).....Bob you said large tig welder not knowing the brand might want to check your local weld shop. Also I checked on prices for my Miller 175.00 not cheap. Leecarr wireless pedals? Wow! I've been out of it too long. Hows that work? Thanks joe Wadoyado

I think the wireless pedal can be hooked up to any welder, there's a small transmitter that plugs in where the cable from the pedal goes, not cheap though.