Homemade Welder Carts

[preach]

I plan on making one this weekend and want some ideas...

Additionally I need to know the diameter of a standard gas bottle.

I am planning on a compartment for consumables in the mix somewhere.

Please discuss.

[Murph]

Two good places to visit often -

http://www.weldingweb.com/
http://www.weldingweb.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=31768&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=124409&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

I picked up a bunch of 1.5 square tubing to finally make a cart, but it went towards a flat skid instead...

Edit - my 80cf bottle is about 7.5" in diameter.


Andy
MM175

[preach]

Signed up on the Hobart forum. Thanks.

Laugh if you want but my cart will be made from collected bed frame angle iron. :laughing:

I'm in real estate with a heavy interest in rental property and people leave angle bed frames all the time. I must have 6-7 of them right now, I use the angle all the time for different crap.

Sometimes good for mediocre casters too.

My welding table will be framed from the same stuff capped by an old 3'x3' stamped steel grate that used to be an inlet for an archaic furnace.

[chumly2071]

another real good welding/fab site that is getting off the ground is www.shopfloortalk.com . A lot of the people that made the other two boards what they are are now hanging out there. new site, but growing rapidly.

[ironpig70]

Signed up on the Hobart forum. Thanks.

Laugh if you want but my cart will be made from collected bed frame angle iron. :laughing:

I'm in real estate with a heavy interest in rental property and people leave angle bed frames all the time. I must have 6-7 of them right now, I use the angle all the time for different crap.

Sometimes good for mediocre casters too.

My welding table will be framed from the same stuff capped by an old 3'x3' stamped steel grate that used to be an inlet for an archaic furnace.

my dad is a landlord and he does the same thing :D

[Murph]

another real good welding/fab site that is getting off the ground is www.shopfloortalk.com . A lot of the people that made the other two boards what they are are now hanging out there. new site, but growing rapidly.


A lot of familiar names over there, I just signed up. Thanks.


Andy

[Pdaddy]

I scored a SBC engine cradle real cheap that was missing a few parts (cross braces I didnt need) and welded angle to the front and rear of the sides to make it fit my welder, need to finish it but it works great and I have 15 bucks in it with the casters :smokin:

[D60]

Well, in keeping with the bed frame angle, here's my plasma cart:

http://www.superford.org/getfile.php?id=97249&toggle=fullsize&f=.jpg

Not exactly what you're looking for, but I'll offer this: design something into your cart to place/wrap your ground strap and gun lead. My Hobart 210 is self-contained so it didn't need a cart, but my buddy's Miller 210 has a nifty rubber "thing" on top to "plug in" the tip of your gun..............I wish my Hobart had that. I can wrap everything around the body of the welder kinda sorta, but it's a PITA. There's nothing more annoying than trying to navigate your welder/welder cart thru your cluttered shop floor during a project while holding your cables in one hand so they don't get sucked under the wheels and stop forward progress.

So, basically, two things: 1)someplace to store the cables out of the way and 2)a hole or holder (holster?) for your gun *while* you're working.............ya know how you always go to set your gun down somewhere within reach and it manages to snake it's way onto the floor 'cause the lead is so stiff?

[The Joker]

I just used a piece of 3/4" plywood put some casters on the bottom and used some "L" brackets to hold the tank up. Nothing to fancy but I can move it around easy enough.

[LazyDog]

IMO, make a cart that will carry two bottles.

Just to give you some ideas, here are some pics of the cart I made for my TIG machine.

[LazyDog]

and some pics of my plasma wagon...

http://homepage.mac.com/jimlambrt/jeep/projects/plasma-cart/plasma-cart-Images/0.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/jimlambrt/jeep/projects/plasma-cart/plasma-cart-Images/3.jpg

[yager]

heres mine,

first one i made was from a generator tube frame with some stuff added.

This one is much better suited for my garage... and it has some drawers... I've since added some cheep-o brackets on the back side and front to hold the cables/cords etc..

edit: i sould point out, i cut a hole in front to operate the welder and a hole in back for the cord/hose to enter... i typically leave it open when im welding so air flow isnt a prob...

-mike

[frankenfab]

I'm about to build a new design, but here's my current cart:

[preach]

I'm about to build a new design, but here's my current cart:

Why did you mount it so high?

[BadDog]

Another forum with good stuff you can check for the cart, shop stuff, and general fab info... OFN (http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/)

Mine along with my table.
http://www.members.cox.net/baddog4x4/shop/table1.jpg
http://www.members.cox.net/baddog4x4/cart/cart1.jpg

[frankenfab]

Why did you mount it so high?

Ever weld on the roof of your junk? With the machine low, the leads are not long enough to reach. I also don't have to bend down to adjust a setting or change wire.

[Eric]

Hey BadDog.....Can you give us a little more info on the welding table?

[K2Orion]

I can't find the pic of it but somebody over on CK5.com used a $20 2 wheeled hand cart from HF as a base. Like the kind movers and stuff use. They built 2 shelves for the welder and stuff, put casters on the front and strapped the tank to the back of the cart. It worked good cause you could roll it around on the shop floor or lean it back on the rubber tires and go offroad with it to roll over crap in the shop or out into your crappy rock driveway.

[BadDog]

Hey BadDog.....Can you give us a little more info on the welding table?
Not much to say, and OT, but here goes...


4 x 4 x 1/2 top plate.
2 x 2 x 0.120 square tube legs.
3" x 1.5 x 0.188 channel "belt" around the top of the legs and forms the base for the top.
1 x 1 x 1/16 square tube for the shelf frame.
1/2" expanded metal shelves for shorts, clamps, etc. No worries about accumulating grinding dust and such since it just falls through. I hate cleaning…
2 "Receivers" on the back for mounting things like my bead roller, strap bender, and anything else I care to build a 2" adapter for.
Piece of scrap roll bar tube about 6" long on the front right corner used as a "holster" to hold the MIG gun so it's not in the way on the table, dropped, or accidentally getting triggered by laying it down.

The top just sets there. I was going to add tabs to the top for a mechanical attachment to the frame, but it sets fine without it and I have had no trouble with it moving. Plan was to weld on some short (1/4") pieces of angle that would lock on the legs inside the "belt". That way I can still separate the top plate for moving (which we plan to do within the next 1-2 years).

[preach]

Here is what I ended up doing using your ideas...thanks. :)

Points of interest include:

AMC20 side gear gun holster
Random 2.5" ID exhaust connector beer holders
Stock CJ tierod push handle

Holds 400+# easy.

4" castors.

Thanks for the help.

[kpj]

All you need now is a place to put the empties and you are good to go. :D

[jerseyzuks]

I just built mine yesterday.

I put 6" wheels on the back and little legs on the front. Tilt it back to roll it (like a hand truck). Top has a flat unfinished metal surface that I can use as a portable welding table.

8' of 1" angle iron (had in the shop)
22' of 1" square tube $22 (.99 a foot, used to be about .30 a foot)
2 pieces 18"x24" 12 gauge sheet metal (had in the shop)
22" piece of roundbar, for axle (had in the shop)
2 6" wheels $12
A few random pieces of scrap, to hold the axle

[clutter1]

here's mine........ one day plasma cutter on top

[wilber]

does it matter if a mig welder sits horizontal? or can it be tilted on an angle or almost vertical?

[Brandon]

I just dumped my old rickety cart, "acquired" a small shopping cart from the 99cent store as a basis for the new one. Any reason the bottle can't lay back at an angle? Anyone have any "cart conversions" to share?

[Antman]

Two good places to visit often -

http://www.weldingweb.com/
http://www.weldingweb.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=31768&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=124409&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

I picked up a bunch of 1.5 square tubing to finally make a cart, but it went towards a flat skid instead...

Edit - my 80cf bottle is about 7.5" in diameter.


Andy
MM175


Hey, Thanks for the info on the Hobart forum! Interesting! :flipoff2:

[Murph]

Hey, Thanks for the info on the Hobart forum! Interesting! :flipoff2:

Try this one also - http://www.shopfloortalk.com/



Andy

[jjlaughner]

Made from a $12.99 2 wheel cart and left over angle and tube, diamond plate, still need to put expanded metal in the bottom, it slants up slightly and I have pull handles on it now.

http://www.jjlaughner.com/ck5/cart1.jpg http://www.jjlaughner.com/ck5/cart2.jpg http://www.jjlaughner.com/ck5/cart3.jpg http://www.jjlaughner.com/ck5/cart4.jpg

[morpheus]

I just dumped my old rickety cart, "acquired" a small shopping cart from the 99cent store as a basis for the new one. Any reason the bottle can't lay back at an angle? Anyone have any "cart conversions" to share?

Check this out B, I saw it on the Hobart board a while back:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=29637&width=0

[fj40guy]

IMO, make a cart that will carry two bottles.

Just to give you some ideas, here are some pics of the cart I made for my TIG machine.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=132977

Where is the cooler?

I started building a big ol' large cooler. TIG buddy mentioned "na, just use a 5 gallon bucket of water, all you need". Yep, I wore out long before the water got warm at all. Found a aluminum cylinder about the same size as the tank (7.5" diameter) to use as a "high tech" water bucket. :)

In my case big ol' old Hobart TIG welder (250Amp) that weighs around 400 pounds (big copper windings), so added a bottle rack to the back of it.

Only thing I'd do different... room for a SECOND Argon tank (for back purging).

Tom :usa:

[JeepinDoug]

I couldn't remember where I seen it until now. I stole Yager's idea.
That's my old welder, the new one's a 175 plus.
http://www.crawltech.com/albums/album110/New_Cart_1.jpg

[toymoto]

Mine is not a mig but this might be a good idea for anyone who has a shop without a concrete floor.


Old push mower + fourwheeler rack = Texas style welding cart :D

http://www.texasoffroad.net/albums/lonestar/album418/DSC00250.sized.jpg

[ihojeff]

Here are some pics of my patent pending welding cart. 4 wheel independent suspension, welder sits on a turntable, cart holds most everything you need for fabricating. Handle can be swapped out for hitch type mount to be towed behind ATV's. Several other features. If you fabricate outside your shop than this cart is for you. If I ever get some free time I plan on building a few more prototypes with some minor design changes before taking out to manufactures for production estimates. These carts are kickass and someday I hope most of you will agree. I can't wait to start this business as wrenching on rigs is strating to get old.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=142334&stc=1&d=1135959003
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=142335&stc=1&d=1135959003
Jeff

[Bondage]

Jeff, you have waaaaay to much time on your hands, Looks like you Mandera'd it.

edited for comma

[ScoutIITD]

Here are some pics of my patent pending welding cart. 4 wheel independent suspension, welder sits on a turntable, cart holds most everything you need for fabricating. Handle can be swapped out for hitch type mount to be towed behind ATV's. Several other features. If you fabricate outside your shop than this cart is for you. If I ever get some free time I plan on building a few more prototypes with some minor design changes before taking out to manufactures for production estimates. These carts are kickass and someday I hope most of you will agree. I can't wait to start this business as wrenching on rigs is strating to get old.

Jeff

To cool!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :smokin: :smokin: :cool: :cool:

[oldjeep]

Since i used this thread as a reference, might as well post a picture of the one I built. Still needs some pdiamond plate on the shelves, but it will hold my Hobart 180 and a future Cutmaster 38.
http://www.oldjeep.com/images/WelderCart/weldercart.jpg

[Junk Driver]

any updates on that last one?

:grinpimp: Theres a lot of sweet carts out there, sure made glad I didnt bother with the miller piece of junk when I can build me a nicer one for cheap. :smokin:

[oldjeep]

any updates on that last one?


Here you go.
http://www.oldjeep.com/images/WelderCart/weldercartFinished.jpg

[LazyDog]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=132977

Where is the cooler?

I started building a big ol' large cooler. TIG buddy mentioned "na, just use a 5 gallon bucket of water, all you need". Yep, I wore out long before the water got warm at all. Found a aluminum cylinder about the same size as the tank (7.5" diameter) to use as a "high tech" water bucket. :)

In my case big ol' old Hobart TIG welder (250Amp) that weighs around 400 pounds (big copper windings), so added a bottle rack to the back of it.

Only thing I'd do different... room for a SECOND Argon tank (for back purging).

Tom :usa:

Homemade cooler? I'd like to see some pics and specs on that. I'm still running an air cooled torch. Which is good and bad. It sucks because I have to stop so much to let the torch cool. it's nice because I have to stop so much and drink adult beverages :cool:

I want to get a water cooled torch, but I just can't justify the expense (it's a hobby for me, so having to stop and let the torch cool doesn't cost me money). A cooler is around $500, so if I could make my own, I'd only have to get the torch.

[fj40guy]

Homemade cooler? I'd like to see some pics and specs on that. I'm still running an air cooled torch. Which is good and bad. It sucks because I have to stop so much to let the torch cool. it's nice because I have to stop so much and drink adult beverages :cool:

I want to get a water cooled torch, but I just can't justify the expense (it's a hobby for me, so having to stop and let the torch cool doesn't cost me money). A cooler is around $500, so if I could make my own, I'd only have to get the torch.

I did post a pic of the pump and bucket in the past. Nothing fancy at all, but was a electric pump (perhaps 1/4 hp) with a water pump (circulating pump). Both were surplus scrap items. Pump had 1/4" fittings, so was "about the right size". Just sucks water out of a bucket, where the return dumps back into that. Nothing fancy at all.

I had originally thought I needed a fan, radiator, etc. Nope. Bucket of water never got above 10F (if that). Machine is rated at 200 Amp, 60% duty cycle, but like you mentioned I needed a break more often than the pump.

I'll get around to something that looks nicer, but too many other projects to work on first.

Tom :usa:

[Dazz]

Here is mine...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/Dazz1/Axle/DSCF0348.jpg

[FastScan]

Here is my setup:

Mig - Plasma cart (http://www.abernard.net/Workshop/MetalWorking/default.htm)

http://www.abernard.net/Workshop/MetalWorking/DSC03398.JPG

Ive added a crap catch above the units for weld and plasma spray. cart works really well.

[Junk Driver]

Here you go.
http://www.oldjeep.com/images/WelderCart/weldercartFinished.jpg

Thank you! :)

[Landmonster]

http://img67.exs.cx/img67/7329/dscf3079small3fv.jpg

Here's one I never got around to finishing. The welder itself is bolted to the cart, so it's not going anywhere.

Still needs a handle, support for a tank, and some expanded steel on the bottom for storage.

[Hiapo]

Here you go.
http://www.oldjeep.com/images/WelderCart/weldercartFinished.jpg

I love this cart, do you have dimensions on it?

[Brandon]

I just dumped my old rickety cart, "acquired" a small shopping cart from the 99cent store as a basis for the new one. Any reason the bottle can't lay back at an angle? Anyone have any "cart conversions" to share?


I upgraded welders to one with build in running gear, if anyone wants mine they can have it :smokin:

http://rcrc4x4.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=53&?action=dlattach;topic=3508.0;id=977