Nothing wrong with a clarke... I bought mine (130E) because I could order it through Autozone...where I used to work. Have had it for over a year now. Great price for a welder with a cart if you ask me. Came with a helmet, cart, different sized tips, a spool of mig wire and a spool of flux, slag hammer, wire brush, and all the parts and regulator to add gas. Mine has held up to everything Ive done. Including welding 1/4 plate with no problems. I chamfered the edges and was able to weld on both sides. Spring perches and axle brackets are no problem either. You just have to know its limits. Would I rather have a Miller?? Heck yes! Ive never had a problem with my feed motor, or any of its functions. If you can afford a Miller by all means grab one of those. If you want an affordable welder to learn with or to practice, I say clarke isnt such a bad choice. I wouldnt go building people extreme cages with it, or try to build a chassis...but light duty, DIYer type stuff is fine.
Now...if I can just learn to weld upside down...
Justin