Looking for suggestions on my welding cart

[Doug19]

Here are some plans for a welding cart I plan on making. This will be my first welding project and first cart. So I am looking to you guys for some suggestions as to how you would improve on my design and things you would add. Everyting will be made out of 1"x1" square tubing except for where the welder sits will be 1.5"x1.5" angle.

I will add some brackets down by the front on both sides to contain the gun and ground cables. Also there will be a hook for my helmet.

* Thats a 80cf C25 tank on the back *

 

[ears]

Looks good.

A couple things to watch for.

Make sure the angle iron doesn't keep you from opening the side door.

Weld in a little piece of metal behind the welder to keep it out of the uprights and have space to get the cover on.

You might think about making the back end wide enough for two bottles in case you ever want to weld aluminum.

 

[brianpgriset]

Put a big sturdy handle on it thats easy to get to, so you have something to grab when you role it around. Heres a cart I did for my Handler 140, which appears to be what your getting (or a 187... or 210)

 

[Doug19]

Looks good.

A couple things to watch for.

Make sure the angle iron doesn't keep you from opening the side door.

Weld in a little piece of metal behind the welder to keep it out of the uprights and have space to get the cover on.

You might think about making the back end wide enough for two bottles in case you ever want to weld aluminum.

Base is wide enough for two bottles and i'll have to keep the other suggestions in mind and may add them to the drawing next time I update it.


Also Brian how did you do the corners on your cart?

 

[Jack Olsen]

Consider expanded metal for the bottom shelf, since grinding dust is going to collect there.

A handle like brian did is a great idea. It seems like your design should have a cross piece there, too.

Make sure the valve can't hit the top shelf when it falls forward. There should be a bar keeping it from going to far forward and a chain keeping it from falling in the other three directions. I think it makes sense to also have a rubber bungee around it, since a big bottle will constantly try to fall over, and chains can come undone pretty easily.

Is the top like an open drawer? Make sure your scheme from hanging c-type clamps and vice-grip-type clamps doesn't require that you screw them back to a standard position. Eventually, you'll probably end up tossing them wherever you can.

 

[tcianci]

You may want to consider a little space for a fire extinguisher on your cart. I keep one on my cart at all times because it would by my typical luck to set something off and then waste time looking for a extinguisher that I could instantly lay my hands on.
As far as holding the bottles, bungees deteriorate over time, I have my MIG bottle mounted to a bracket with a big stainless hose clamp and my oxy/acetlyne bottles are held in place with a chain that is anchored on one end and then wraps around the bottles. The other end is attached to a stout extension spring. The other end of the spring is attached to a screw eye that goes through a hole in the cart and retained by a nut. When you haul up on the nut, you tighten the chain around the bottles through the spring. Everything stays nice and tight

 

[mjb]

Buy quality wheels and casters. I tried using mower wheels and they were not hard enough to support two full tanks. I replaced them with phenolic wheels and it is very easy to wheel around.

I bought the cylinder clamps at Airgas for $30. They hold the tanks secure(except for the nitrogen tank in my pic) and there is no rattling.

Also, make sure there is room to put a larger gas cylinder than the one in your drawing.

I am looking forward to seeing your cart.

 

[Major Ramifications]

What is the idea behind the boxed-in area at the top? Will that be an open-topped storage box or ?

Also, what software did you use for your design?

 

[Doug19]

What is the idea behind the boxed-in area at the top? Will that be an open-topped storage box or ?

Also, what software did you use for your design?

Yea the top is open with 3 storage compartments for consumables and anything else I find to throw in there. The box is lined with corragated metal.

I did the design in Google SketchUp.

I see some good suggestions so far and am working on updating the model.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Take a look at this cart. I have personally used this cart, and there is no other like it on the market. It is superb.

http://www.allterraincarts.com/

Obviously you want to build your own, but you may want to incorporate some of the features of this one. The suspension and large tires are the best feature.

JP

 

[JCByrd24]

1 suggestion, move the back wheels in (forward) a few inches. Mine are all the way back like yours and while it really isn't hard to manuever, I feel like the back wheels should be closer to the front to make it easier to drive around.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Also Brian how did you do the corners on your cart?

Yes, I am wondering the same thing. I like the rounded corners, but I can't think of a simple way to accomplish them.

 

[brianpgriset]

Yes, I am wondering the same thing. I like the rounded corners, but I can't think of a simple way to accomplish them.

http://www.wagnercompanies.com/site/Viewer.aspx?iid=2456&mname=Article&rpid=553

i try to keep a variety of elbows and fittings from Wagner for projects like this. They sell raw components for handrails. They carry many different shapes, angles, and alloys, plus the prices are reasonable. The link above is for the square tube coners, im sure you can find your way to the rest.

 

[Brad54]

I'm modifying a vintage Craftsman roll-away for my welding cart. It's got three or four drawers (don't remember right now) and a storage area underneath with a drop-down cabinet door.

I'm building a full frame under it, and the bottle will be off to the right side, as you're facing the box.

The tool box drawers hold all the tools I need (tip pliers, wrench to change bottle, copper backers, Cleco clips, spare tips, different sizes of wire, gloves, etc. etc. etc.)

The bottom storage area has my leathers and masks (mine and The Buddy Mask), and the cabinet door keeps them from getting dusty in the shop.

-Brad

 

[Vicegrip]

I knocked one up from some leftover Costco wire shelving. I cut the 4 foot shelving down some and welded it back together then cut a section out for the 80 CF bottle. I added a small O&A rig on the back for light gas work, cutting and preheating. Took some unused side boards that came with the shelving and welded in some storage bins in the bottom shelf. For welders storage is like angle grinders. Can't have enough grinders. One for each type of wheel and grit and even more for the wire wheels and cups.

 

[lilredex]

Here is one I made a while back. The mounting for the tank was done with a H/F ring roller. Although it is very stable and maneuverable a couple of things that will be changed, two bigger wheels at the back and move the front ones underneath so they do not bump things (I just used what I had at the time). Presently the rear wheels swivel. Then, offset the tank mounting so the gauges do not stick out and hit things. The storage area works OK, and there is room to open the side cover and pull on the "Miller" cover. (most of that material is bedrails and assorted junk)

 

[murph64]

I'm modifying a vintage Craftsman roll-away for my welding cart. It's got three or four drawers (don't remember right now) and a storage area underneath with a drop-down cabinet door.

I'm building a full frame under it, and the bottle will be off to the right side, as you're facing the box.

The tool box drawers hold all the tools I need (tip pliers, wrench to change bottle, copper backers, Cleco clips, spare tips, different sizes of wire, gloves, etc. etc. etc.)

The bottom storage area has my leathers and masks (mine and The Buddy Mask), and the cabinet door keeps them from getting dusty in the shop.

-Brad

That's what I did a while back -

Andy

 

[35mastr]

Quite a few good ideas an suggestions here. But just a note. Do not ever use BUNGEE CORDS to ever hold a compressed gas cylinder. That is just looking for a death wish. They will not hold it properly and are not designed to.

Either use The clamp style,Chain style or a good 2 or 3 inch ratchet strap.