Harbor Freight welding cart comparison

[miketyler]

I need a welding cart for a Miller 140 Autoset I just bought. I have read several threads on their blue cart (item 90305) but fewer on the black cart (item 69340).

Are these two identical except for color? One is made by Chicago Electric while the other is made by Chicago Welding. Maybe they are one in the same?

One supposedly has enamel finish while the other has powdercoated finish. I got the blue one for a Father's Day gift and was wondering if I should swap it for the black model. Reportedly the blue one has had some issues with rust and paint peeling. They both are rated for 100lbs and the manuals show specs that are identical. I know they both have cheap hardware and cheap casters and wheels. Anyone taken a hard look at both of these and can make a recommendation?


The blue one is here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/welding-cart-90305.html
and manual:
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/90000-90999/90305.pdf

And the black one here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/100-lb-capacity-welding-cart-69340.html
and manual:
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/69000-69999/69340.pdf

 

[super-six]

I had a coupon for $34.99 for the blue one and bought it. I didn't see a coupon for the black one. It seems to be worth the money. As you say, I'm sure the wheels and casters are not hi-quality. You may have to install the top shelf upside down or elevate the welder so the side door will clear the flange.

 

[miketyler]

Yes, there is a coupon that is valid for either model for $39.99 thru end of month. And yes, my Miller would probably hit the return flange on the tray if not mounted upside down. Good idea on that.

 

[Warrenator]

I have the blue one for my Lincoln Weld-pak 180. Can't open the wire door because of the little flange, so I need to elevate the welder like super-six said. On this welder to change wire you flip the little wing nut and top drive wheel up and forward to thread the new wire through the little hole. Because the welder is slanty on the cart, it flips back. Flip forward, flip back. Repeat 12 times while trying to thread the wire. Think Dark Thoughts about why anyone would want thier mig tilted up on a cart anyway. Are they showing off? Look! I have a Welder! Ta Da!

So i need to weld up a little wedge shaped shelf spacer to hold the welder level and clear of the flange. Right now I have a 2 X 4 wedged under it, very classy.

Other than that the cart is OK. None of them have a way to effectively store the gun and cable. It always flops out. Need design my own cart one of these days........

 

[pepi]

I had a coupon for $34.99 for the blue one and bought it. I didn't see a coupon for the black one. It seems to be worth the money. As you say, I'm sure the wheels and casters are not hi-quality. You may have to install the top shelf upside down or elevate the welder so the side door will clear the flange.

You can also put wood shims like a paint stick under the welders feet. That way you can open the door and have the welder secure so it will not slide off the top.




Looking at the picture you can see the door open, look at the RH lower corner you can see the shim. The welder is secure and will not slide around.




Made a few other mods also that made the cart easy to get along with. Do not under estimate the value of having the cart easy to move around. It will weigh a lot more than you realize once you get the bottle and some tools loaded. Do not know if you assembled it but if you do word to the wise red locktite.

 

[ovilla]

I looked at the blue cart the other day and it just looks like a big gas bottle (like my 80 bottle) is going to hit the back of my welder, especially with it tilted up like that. BTW, I have a Lincoln 180. Also the lady at HF told me that its the same cart, just in black and with different rear wheels.

 

[ovilla]

I have the blue one for my Lincoln Weld-pak 180. Can't open the wire door because of the little flange, so I need to elevate the welder like super-six said. On this welder to change wire you flip the little wing nut and top drive wheel up and forward to thread the new wire through the little hole. Because the welder is slanty on the cart, it flips back. Flip forward, flip back. Repeat 12 times while trying to thread the wire. Think Dark Thoughts about why anyone would want thier mig tilted up on a cart anyway. Are they showing off? Look! I have a Welder! Ta Da!

So i need to weld up a little wedge shaped shelf spacer to hold the welder level and clear of the flange. Right now I have a 2 X 4 wedged under it, very classy.

Other than that the cart is OK. None of them have a way to effectively store the gun and cable. It always flops out. Need design my own cart one of these days........

What size bottle are you using? Is it taller than the top base of the cart? If so, does your gas bottle rub against the back of the welder? It just looks like you would need a 2x4 between the wall and the gas bottle to provide enough offset for the tilted welder orientation. I don't get why all the MFG's make a tilted cart.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I have the blue cart and a tall bottle. It's pretty straightforward to use some scrap wood to allow the door to open and to move the welder far enough forward so that the bottle doesn't bump it. For $40, it's a perfectly good cart.

 

[crewchief888]

I have the blue cart and a tall bottle. For $40, it's a perfectly good cart.

i've got one as well, it's survived in my damp, dark, unheated garage for 4 or 5 years, without rusting, or the wheels falling off.

 

[loranger]

I bought the blue cart for my MM211. The welder hit my tank when I put it together right. I ended up moving the shelf down and straightening it out (I hate having my welder tilted). I cant get in the side door without taking it off the cart, but the only time I have to get in there is to change wire which is almost never. I did change out the front wheels for the locking blue ones since the ones that come with the cart ****.

By the way, I picked up the cart when it was on sale for $29 and used a 20% coupon on top of that. Very hard to beat that deal!

 

[Stephenw]

I'm using the blue one for my welder and plasma cutter. I used better wheels and casters.

Here is how I mounted the regulator for the plasma cutter.

 

[miketyler]

I went ahead and exchanged the blue one for the black one just because of all the reports of the paint coating issues. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality. Loaded up my 140 and my HandyMIG. Good idea on losing the top shelf and lowering the center of gravity. Great Father's Day gift too. Beats socks or a tie that I will never wear LOL.