Building a welding cart, looking for ideas & guidance
- Thread starter DarkMonohue
- Start date
Treadmill to TIG Cart
My TIG cart started with treadmill that the neighbor set out for the trash. I collected it for the DC motor which works fine.
I spent an afternoon letting my horizontal band saw whack it into usable bits. I wanted to use as much of the treadmill as possible.
Here is what I ended up with. Just need to finish welding and paint. Perhaps install some hooks for the cords and holder for the rod. All that I had to buy was the wheels and some Velcro straps
My TIG cart started with treadmill that the neighbor set out for the trash. I collected it for the DC motor which works fine.
I spent an afternoon letting my horizontal band saw whack it into usable bits. I wanted to use as much of the treadmill as possible.
Here is what I ended up with. Just need to finish welding and paint. Perhaps install some hooks for the cords and holder for the rod. All that I had to buy was the wheels and some Velcro straps
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datsbooksleia
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- Nov 15, 2010
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rwhite692
Well-known member
Here is one I just finished up. MM211 upstairs/powermax30 downstairs.
I added several hooks on the sides of the cart, for holding gun lead and hanging up cables.
I bought two of these "rafter hook" things, which are nice and heavy (3/8" dia material) and have a nice coated portion (rubber/grippy foam stuff)...And I cut them in two (cut them about where the top of the product label is shown in the pic) So now I have two hooks from each, one big and one small....They are welded to the cart (drilled a 3/8" hole in the tubing and just plug-welded them in)....
I might add a "third story" to the cart, at some point.
I added several hooks on the sides of the cart, for holding gun lead and hanging up cables.
I bought two of these "rafter hook" things, which are nice and heavy (3/8" dia material) and have a nice coated portion (rubber/grippy foam stuff)...And I cut them in two (cut them about where the top of the product label is shown in the pic) So now I have two hooks from each, one big and one small....They are welded to the cart (drilled a 3/8" hole in the tubing and just plug-welded them in)....
I might add a "third story" to the cart, at some point.
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Robert Haas
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I saw another member build a welding cart that held his MIG and his plasma cutter, thought to myself what a fantastic build it was so decided to copy the living **** out of it.
So with no shame what so ever here is my version
water separator/purifier caged for protection
Side table designed to carry a load
place for the Spool Gun to sit
The shelf is mandatory for me, I always need to toss my helmet and clamps onto something, not to mention it serves as a small fab area if needed so it will support quite a bit (note the 2" x 2" diagonal brace)
So with no shame what so ever here is my version
water separator/purifier caged for protection
Side table designed to carry a load
place for the Spool Gun to sit
The shelf is mandatory for me, I always need to toss my helmet and clamps onto something, not to mention it serves as a small fab area if needed so it will support quite a bit (note the 2" x 2" diagonal brace)
Robert Haas
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At home next to its big brother
blacksuit99
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- May 21, 2007
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Ill throw mine in too! Nothing fancy...
In the beginning
In the beginning
3oheight
Well-known member
Album for more pics:
http://imgur.com/a/gHaEd
The idea:
The cart:
Loaded:
The tank holder wasn't done at the time of the pics, and still hasn't been completed as I'm not happy with the way I made it (I was being rushed by another project.)
Overall I am very happy with the build, I can stand on it without any signs of flex. It is also very quiet to roll as I made sure the expanded steel was welded enough to not rattle.
Shortening the wheelbase was great also as it's very easy to turn and maneuver vs having the rear wheels all the way at the back.
http://imgur.com/a/gHaEd
The idea:
The cart:
Loaded:
The tank holder wasn't done at the time of the pics, and still hasn't been completed as I'm not happy with the way I made it (I was being rushed by another project.)
Overall I am very happy with the build, I can stand on it without any signs of flex. It is also very quiet to roll as I made sure the expanded steel was welded enough to not rattle.
Shortening the wheelbase was great also as it's very easy to turn and maneuver vs having the rear wheels all the way at the back.
bullfrog123
Well-known member
I find it funny how some guys are so against the ratchet straps but yet are ok with pneumatic wheels. To me the strap is so far away from welding sparks and slag but the tires are right in the middle of it. 
Anyhow.... here is my newest cart build. Wife found this cart with side cab on craigslist for $40 bucks. Really it wasn't in too bad of shape other than some loose bolts and one caster was tweaked. Tore it down and did some minor body work. The inner side of the trays are sprayed with Rustoleum bed liner and the rest is Rustoleum sunset red I believe. I built the bottom tray for the tank and bed linered it too. The side cab is nice to hold my helmet and keep it nice and clean when not in use. The pics speak for themselves. With 4 wheel castors this thing is a breeze to locate where I want it and lock er down. Also mounted a couple used wire spools to the back to hold the ground, torch, and extension cord, (still need one more spool).
Anyhow.... here is my newest cart build. Wife found this cart with side cab on craigslist for $40 bucks. Really it wasn't in too bad of shape other than some loose bolts and one caster was tweaked. Tore it down and did some minor body work. The inner side of the trays are sprayed with Rustoleum bed liner and the rest is Rustoleum sunset red I believe. I built the bottom tray for the tank and bed linered it too. The side cab is nice to hold my helmet and keep it nice and clean when not in use. The pics speak for themselves. With 4 wheel castors this thing is a breeze to locate where I want it and lock er down. Also mounted a couple used wire spools to the back to hold the ground, torch, and extension cord, (still need one more spool).
bullfrog123
Well-known member
Some more pics..... It's nice to have room to expand also, ie. plasma or tig will still fit nicely on here.
R.Anderson
Well-known member
I did the same kind of thing and modified a $10 file cabinet... Works great for me so far:
-
I saw this and fell in love with it!!! So...I made one today in the shop!!! I got the file cabinet free, and the steel to make all the parts cost me about $40, so now I have one FINE cart!!! I just LOVE the drawers for storage!!! Thank you so much for posting the pic of yours, or I would never have thought of this idea.
SatisTraction
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- May 28, 2013
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one question before I start my kart. can the argon bottle be horizontal? I want to store the kart under my welding table but the bottle cant be verticle and fit.
crazy5
Well-known member
Re: Building a welding cart, looking for ideas & guidance (got pics)
I'm pretty sure that shielding gases are fine on their side (double check with someone more experienced to be sure). Don't do that with acetylene though.
I'm pretty sure that shielding gases are fine on their side (double check with someone more experienced to be sure). Don't do that with acetylene though.
kf4zht
Well-known member
Re: Building a welding cart, looking for ideas & guidance (got pics)
Yeah, its fine for most shielding gases to be on their side. Many welding trailers/beds do this.
I would be careful and ask the welding supply place if you run pure CO2. I know that some tanks are top draw and some have siphon tubes. Worst case would be liquid entering your reg and freezing it up. Doubt it would be a safety issue but it may just stop flowing.
Yeah, its fine for most shielding gases to be on their side. Many welding trailers/beds do this.
I would be careful and ask the welding supply place if you run pure CO2. I know that some tanks are top draw and some have siphon tubes. Worst case would be liquid entering your reg and freezing it up. Doubt it would be a safety issue but it may just stop flowing.
ckadams00
Well-known member
Just finished mine this weekend
Always_Thinkin
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neonnblack
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kf4zht
Well-known member
Just curious what everyones opinions on multi machine carts is. I have a giganic cart that used to hold 4 machines (Plasma, MIG, Flux and Stick/Tig) with 2 bottles of gas. TIG is downstairs only now and Flux went away since I have a better garage to work in and can close the door.
What does everyone think of a dual cart (Plasma bottom, MIG top) vs separate carts for each? Together is one thing that has everything, one power cord, etc. Separate carts means more floor space but I can make them fit under a bench easier and can move them to different spaces if I want to do cutting in another area.
What does everyone think of a dual cart (Plasma bottom, MIG top) vs separate carts for each? Together is one thing that has everything, one power cord, etc. Separate carts means more floor space but I can make them fit under a bench easier and can move them to different spaces if I want to do cutting in another area.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
I don't know about everyone else but I would rather have a smaller cart with one or two tools on it than a large one. Of course my shop is rather small so a large cart would be hard to maneuver.
cm1seabee
Member
I am currently building a welding cart. Does anyone know the height of a 40 Cubic foot CO2/argon tank.
Thanks
Thanks
This appears to be the definitive welder cart thread of the many around here so I'll throw mine in as well.
The basic homeowner series Craftsman box and a chopped up hand truck. I had to section the top drawer for grinder clearance below. The top box with the lid cut off fits nicely in the big section of the cabinet. A little rustoleum red is close enough to match that you'd have to be really looking to tell.
The basic homeowner series Craftsman box and a chopped up hand truck. I had to section the top drawer for grinder clearance below. The top box with the lid cut off fits nicely in the big section of the cabinet. A little rustoleum red is close enough to match that you'd have to be really looking to tell.
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btrnuthatch
Well-known member
After buying my first welder, I went looking for welding cart designs and found this thread. Inspired by elmo_4_vt's file cabinet model back in 2009(!), I built up a version using salvaged steel and stuff I had in my stash. I decided to opt for a used file cabinet with uber drawer extensions so that set me back $50 (unnecessary but it feels nice). I'll keep the TIG torch and pedal, consumables, gloves and helmet in the drawers. Since I bought a multiprocess machine, I needed 2 tanks for the MIG and TIG. I'm still thinking about additional "cable management" solutions. (Sorry, I can't figure out why the images appear sideways.)
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PhantomEB
Well-known member
My little cart
I think my next one be similar with having the chop saw underneath but with taller bottle and bigger casters to roll around easier. Good job though!
having a miller35 and a Lincoln sp130 with no spoolgun capability I got this Hobart 210 on sale a week ago at a farm store for $775 about as cheap as I've seen them.ordered the spoolgun from northern tools for $200 minus $25 discount card.so I made this welding cart this week end. $130 toolbox from home depot and about $50 in materials
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bileshake
Active member
I love this design because I hate dragging the chop saw around and they always go together. I would use bigger wheels, outdoor wheels.
chaosracing
Well-known member
Just found this thread. Thought I would submit my welding cart set up. Its still a work in progress. I had a cheap harbor freight cart that I had welded together, but due to weight, it twisted anyway since it was thin angle. Looked around and saw some carts made with file cabinets. After a craigslist search, I came across a heavy duty file cabinet, that looked like an old military cabinet. I had a cart with wheels on it. I welded the cabinet to the cart, made a drop box out of 3/4 OSB. I still need to make the tank strap, but for now a ratchet strap works. Also need to make something for the cords and nozzle. Since I took these pics, I also made a spray can holder out of flat stock and some exhaust tube.
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royce
Well-known member
smooth72
Well-known member
looks great, a lot of equipment in a small footprint.
jarrodblake
Member
Well my harbor freight welding cart was not cutting it any more as I bought another welder and needed more room that and I always hated having to switch out tanks. So I added a rolling tool box to it. Its not completely finished I want to build a set of tank mounts and maybe a handle on the front of it.
larry4406
Well-known member
Bumping this thread.
Why do 99.99% of the welding carts have wheels/casters that are in the 2-4" diameter range? I have the Lincoln cart and the front casters get hung up on the smallest piece of **** on the garage slab, driveway, etc.
I would like for it to have much larger diameter wheels/casters so that it can be more "off-slab" friendly. For example, wheel it across the yard to my barn.
Post up your large wheeled off-road friendly carts please!
Why do 99.99% of the welding carts have wheels/casters that are in the 2-4" diameter range? I have the Lincoln cart and the front casters get hung up on the smallest piece of **** on the garage slab, driveway, etc.
I would like for it to have much larger diameter wheels/casters so that it can be more "off-slab" friendly. For example, wheel it across the yard to my barn.
Post up your large wheeled off-road friendly carts please!
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How 'bout an offroad cart with retractable front casters, 13" rear tires, 2 axis adjustable lifting eye, towable, tilted back becomes its own hand truck, cage designed to also protect the gauges, etc? Not quick to build, but works really well. Started as a corner of a safety cage brought home from work about 20 years ago. Easier to post a link with most of the pics, sorry -
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/387658-container-weld-shop-build-20.html
Works really well, probably NOT for a transformer welder unless you keep it REALLY LOW
... Steve
Any more details needed, I have 78 pics of the build; just ask, I'll post more here...
Example - this pic shows the balance point for hand truck mode; cart is standing by itself with nothing supporting it but the floor.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/387658-container-weld-shop-build-20.html
Works really well, probably NOT for a transformer welder unless you keep it REALLY LOW
... SteveAny more details needed, I have 78 pics of the build; just ask, I'll post more here...
Example - this pic shows the balance point for hand truck mode; cart is standing by itself with nothing supporting it but the floor.
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sberry
Banned
I just posted this in the welding thread, so please let me know if I am posting this in too many places.
That said, my favorite parts are the vertical tubes used for the tig rods and the amount of room for the other parts and tools. Not sure if I should paint it though.
That said, my favorite parts are the vertical tubes used for the tig rods and the amount of room for the other parts and tools. Not sure if I should paint it though.
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Because they are cheap and round. By the time you realize how crappy they are, you've probably become a good enough welder to make your own cart anyway. The profit margin on those little carts is insane, especially if you buy the official name brand ones.
Speaking of replacing carts with crappy running gear, here's the file cabinet cart I made to replace the cart that came with my welder. I'm leaving it unpainted for awhile in case I want to add hooks/brackets/handles to it. Its tough to see in this pic, but the bottles are secured to the cart.
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