HF MIG Cart Review - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

frankenfab · 10-02-2005, 11:11 AM

I was going to build a new design of welder cart. My design was going to be based on a hand truck, so I went to HF to buy one. I found this item there....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90305

I got it for $39.99, which was too good a price to pass up.

I liked the color of blue. The finish was good, except where the axle tube was welded to the bottom. The paint was a little thin there, and there was rust in the joint. The hardware, although definately not American made, was some of the better Asian hardware I have seen. There were even grade markings on the bolts. It fit together well, and was reasonably sturdy.

I didn't much like the wheels or casters, so I used the ones from my old cart. Here, the original wheels and casters are shown on the ground.

I think it was a good buy, and would recommend it.

.

CrustyJeep · 10-02-2005, 11:56 AM

Nice... I think that may be my next $40 expendature

1985CJ7Laredo · 10-02-2005, 02:21 PM

That's a big improvement from the cart they used to carry in the same price range.

mountain4x4 · 10-02-2005, 04:44 PM

The cart looks OK, but whats that horrible, ugly thing behind it?

Scott F · 10-02-2005, 07:54 PM

That's funny. I went to HF about two years ago and bought a hand truck to convert to a welding cart. The tank and cooler went on the bottom plate of the truck, and the welder got mounted on the rear. It turned out ok, but now I want to build a regular cart. The HF cart has no place for a cooler, so I may have to make my own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankenfab

I was going to build a new design of welder cart. My design was going to be based on a hand truck, so I went to HF to buy one.

Clodhopper · 10-03-2005, 07:56 AM

I picked up the same cart at HF. I was needing to build one when the HF ad arrived with that cart on sale. That is the sale price by the way, they are usually more expensive. At the sale price, it just wasn't worth the time and materials to build one. Besides, one I got it home, my wife and 3yr old son put it together. I didn't even have to do that!

The paint on mine was maybe not quite as good. It appears it was dipped and hung, as one of the trays had a full corner and some bare spots from bubbles. Don't care about the paint as it will get beat up anyway. Although the casters aren't great, they seem to work just fine with the welder, tank and tools on board. I will be adding some standoffs for the tank as it is in contact with the welder.

For a simple cart that functions, it is hard to beat the price.

randii · 10-03-2005, 12:08 PM

When it is empty, is it stiff enough not to rack diagonally? How about when loaded?

A buddy bought the older HF gray model an it racked so badly that it was in the trash the next week.

Have they stiffened up the design?

Randii

Clodhopper · 10-03-2005, 01:28 PM

yep, it is pretty stiff. I have not seen the previous design, so I can't say how it was improved. This one has a solid back panel, limiting racking. I have no concerns with stability, even loaded. It rolls around very steady.

Clodhopper · 10-03-2005, 01:29 PM

Hey Frankenfab, I just noticed you have a liner in the pans on your cart. Did yours come with that or did you add it?

frankenfab · 10-03-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randii

Is it stiff enough not to rack diagonally?

It is reasonably stiff. It could be a little sturdier (a person could easily add reinforcing), but I think it is acceptable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodhopper

I just noticed you have a liner in the pans on your cart.

I added it. It is rubber floor mat.

smitrock · 10-04-2005, 12:50 PM

tag for home

Bob1 · 10-04-2005, 09:57 PM

Yea-I have that thing. After buying I highly suggest upgrading the casters on the front end. My Miller 175 almost took a huge dump because of my cheap cart. The front caster broke and the unit almost fell over, if I hadn't been turning the cart to make an adjustment on the front it would have hit the floor. Get rid of the stock casters and get some good ones to replace them with, if you can while your at it, widen the stance.

dnebout · 10-05-2005, 09:24 AM

I got one for my birhtday. Cheap and decent. Can't be beat for the price.

45acp · 10-06-2005, 05:27 AM

I have it and it works fine. As suggested, it really needs some better casters but overall it is sturdy. I wouldnt recommend your 350lb. mother-in-law jumping on it and riding it down the driveway while screaming "BONZAI!!!" but it is plenty strong for a welder.

Clodhopper · 10-06-2005, 07:45 AM

another hobart welder on a HF cart..... just like mine. Man, we are a bunch of cheap bastards, aren't we?

10-02-2005, 11:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
frankenfab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18989 Location: Utah Posts: 526	HF MIG Cart Review I was going to build a new design of welder cart. My design was going to be based on a hand truck, so I went to HF to buy one. I found this item there.... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90305 I got it for $39.99, which was too good a price to pass up. I liked the color of blue. The finish was good, except where the axle tube was welded to the bottom. The paint was a little thin there, and there was rust in the joint. The hardware, although definately not American made, was some of the better Asian hardware I have seen. There were even grade markings on the bolts. It fit together well, and was reasonably sturdy. I didn't much like the wheels or casters, so I used the ones from my old cart. Here, the original wheels and casters are shown on the ground. I think it was a good buy, and would recommend it. . Attached Images __________________ A flash of lightning illuminated the object, wretch, hideous, filthy daemon. A new species would bless me as its creator. Last edited by frankenfab; 10-02-2005 at 11:12 AM.

10-04-2005, 12:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
smitrock Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 660 Location: Mountain Top Pa Posts: 499	tag for home __________________ 83cj7 amc 401 th 400 full hydro steering dana 60 arb 14 bolt detroit 44x18x16.5 swampers MEMBER East Coast Pebble Crawlers

10-04-2005, 09:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bob1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1486 Location: NJ-I hate this state! Posts: 626	Yea-I have that thing. After buying I highly suggest upgrading the casters on the front end. My Miller 175 almost took a huge dump because of my cheap cart. The front caster broke and the unit almost fell over, if I hadn't been turning the cart to make an adjustment on the front it would have hit the floor. Get rid of the stock casters and get some good ones to replace them with, if you can while your at it, widen the stance. __________________ 85 4Runner-08 Tundra 5.7 DC-77 FJ40 GCLC Vice President

10-06-2005, 05:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
45acp says "yall" alot Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13671 Location: north of Caddo parish Posts: 3,245	I have it and it works fine. As suggested, it really needs some better casters but overall it is sturdy. I wouldnt recommend your 350lb. mother-in-law jumping on it and riding it down the driveway while screaming "BONZAI!!!" but it is plenty strong for a welder. Attached Images __________________ Hey kid, are you going my way? Hop in... we'll have ourselves a field day Last edited by 45acp; 10-06-2005 at 05:28 AM.

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10-02-2005, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
1985CJ7Laredo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11363 Location: Illinois Posts: 66	That's a big improvement from the cart they used to carry in the same price range.

10-02-2005, 04:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
mountain4x4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Member # 39602 Location: Colorado Posts: 303	The cart looks OK, but whats that horrible, ugly thing behind it?

10-03-2005, 07:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
Clodhopper Dirt Engineer Join Date: Oct 2003 Member # 23542 Location: Loveland, Colorado Posts: 327	I picked up the same cart at HF. I was needing to build one when the HF ad arrived with that cart on sale. That is the sale price by the way, they are usually more expensive. At the sale price, it just wasn't worth the time and materials to build one. Besides, one I got it home, my wife and 3yr old son put it together. I didn't even have to do that! The paint on mine was maybe not quite as good. It appears it was dipped and hung, as one of the trays had a full corner and some bare spots from bubbles. Don't care about the paint as it will get beat up anyway. Although the casters aren't great, they seem to work just fine with the welder, tank and tools on board. I will be adding some standoffs for the tank as it is in contact with the welder. For a simple cart that functions, it is hard to beat the price.

10-03-2005, 12:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
randii Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 347 Location: Fair Oaks, CA Posts: 10,082	When it is empty, is it stiff enough not to rack diagonally? How about when loaded? A buddy bought the older HF gray model an it racked so badly that it was in the trash the next week. Have they stiffened up the design? Randii

10-03-2005, 01:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Clodhopper Dirt Engineer Join Date: Oct 2003 Member # 23542 Location: Loveland, Colorado Posts: 327	yep, it is pretty stiff. I have not seen the previous design, so I can't say how it was improved. This one has a solid back panel, limiting racking. I have no concerns with stability, even loaded. It rolls around very steady.

10-03-2005, 01:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Clodhopper Dirt Engineer Join Date: Oct 2003 Member # 23542 Location: Loveland, Colorado Posts: 327	Hey Frankenfab, I just noticed you have a liner in the pans on your cart. Did yours come with that or did you add it?

10-05-2005, 09:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
dnebout Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 36580 Location: Martinez, CA Posts: 251	I got one for my birhtday. Cheap and decent. Can't be beat for the price.

10-06-2005, 07:45 AM	#15 (permalink)
Clodhopper Dirt Engineer Join Date: Oct 2003 Member # 23542 Location: Loveland, Colorado Posts: 327	another hobart welder on a HF cart..... just like mine. Man, we are a bunch of cheap bastards, aren't we?