Looking for a cart for my MIG welder. I would like something with storage drawers and s space large enough to store my welding helmet. I can find a ton of typical Chinese import stuff, and a couple are possibilities, but dies anyone know of something less main stream? Something other than Harbor Freight and Northern Tool?
Looking for a welding cart
- Thread starter PoorUB
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BTL-A4
Well-known member
How much you wanna spend? I got a welder and just bought the HF cart for now to see what I like/need/use. Many welders make their own.
I was going to say, got a welder? make what you want! 
Nortonscustom
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- Jun 5, 2008
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You might want to check out these guys. They have a number of kits plus a bunch of bits and pieces to turn different tool boxes into welding carts.
https://www.all-a-cart.com/
https://www.all-a-cart.com/
Many good ideas, but crazy prices! Even more so when you have to add the tool box to many of them. I can duplicate a simple cart easy enough. I don't heed a kit for that.
I am considering this one.
https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...ts/286-lb-capacity-welding-cabinet-61705.html
The local store is out of them right now.
If I wanted a plain cart and didn't want 2-3 drawers I would weld something up.
Kind of tire kicking to see what I can find.
LopezBart
Well-known member
I'd hang your helmet up w/ the rest of your welding PPE w/ a cover, since when (not if) you get another welder (TIG, stick) your needs will change. Also, unless you have no friends who like to hang out at the shop, you'll want a simple hand-held helmet so they can watch and kibitz while you fix their stuff 
.
Extra wire, tips/extra cup maybe, MIG pliers, anti-spatter/stick spray, wire brush, cylinder cap seem like good stuff to plan for in the cabinet.
You can probably pick up a used desk side file cabinet w/ different size drawers for not too much green or even free, and some rear wheels from a junked mower (lots of those around) and a couple of caster, and you're off.
.Extra wire, tips/extra cup maybe, MIG pliers, anti-spatter/stick spray, wire brush, cylinder cap seem like good stuff to plan for in the cabinet.
You can probably pick up a used desk side file cabinet w/ different size drawers for not too much green or even free, and some rear wheels from a junked mower (lots of those around) and a couple of caster, and you're off.
I have been welding for 35 years with a Snap On MIG, I will never buy a stick, and not looking for a plasma either. I don't see any more welding equipment in my future. I put away my cutting torch ten years ago and don't miss it much.I'd hang your helmet up w/ the rest of your welding PPE w/ a cover, since when (not if) you get another welder (TIG, stick) your needs will change. Also, unless you have no friends who like to hang out at the shop, you'll want a simple hand-held helmet so they can watch and kibitz while you fix their stuff
Extra wire, tips/extra cup maybe, MIG pliers, anti-spatter/stick spray, wire brush, cylinder cap seem like good stuff to plan for in the cabinet.
You can probably pick up a used desk side file cabinet w/ different size drawers for not too much green or even free, and some rear wheels from a junked mower (lots of those around) and a couple of caster, and you're off.
PPE? What ever shirt and jeans I happen to be wearing. I have some denim work shirts I wear. Helmet and glove, I am good. I have wheels. Just looking for a cart.
Trust me I can figure out how to make one if I want to!
strength_and_power
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- Apr 26, 2015
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- 1,424
ZT Fab carts are expensive but the quality is top notch and it is USA made. I’m hopi g to find some free time to weld up the cart I got from him for my Miller 220
nadogail
Well-known member
My AC/DC Buzz Box sits proudly on a cart i built from repurposed steel and Harbor Freight casters.
finn
Well-known member
My Multimatic sits on a HF hang on side box, which in turn is on an angle iron frame, extended past the box to hold the straight argon and argon / co2 mix tanks. The wheels are probably 5’ fixed and 3” casters. It’s a lot more stable than the budget HF carts the HTP and plasma cutter sit on.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Just find an old toolbox & build a frame around it to hold the gas bottles on one end & a rack of tubes along the back for welding rods etc. All the associated gubbins including the helmet etc goes in the drawers, magnets stick to the opposite end to the bottles.
Can be simple:
Or not quite so simple...
Can be simple:
Or not quite so simple...
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jonesg
Well-known member
exactly what i was thinking, a file cabinet on a dolly.I'd hang your helmet up w/ the rest of your welding PPE w/ a cover, since when (not if) you get another welder (TIG, stick) your needs will change. Also, unless you have no friends who like to hang out at the shop, you'll want a simple hand-held helmet so they can watch and kibitz while you fix their stuff
Extra wire, tips/extra cup maybe, MIG pliers, anti-spatter/stick spray, wire brush, cylinder cap seem like good stuff to plan for in the cabinet.
You can probably pick up a used desk side file cabinet w/ different size drawers for not too much green or even free, and some rear wheels from a junked mower (lots of those around) and a couple of caster, and you're off.
my first cart was made from a discarded bbq cart.
i have the cheap hf cart now , the wheels are too small and the shelves too close to find anything without kneeling down.
Jswain
Well-known member
I honestly think that's going to be your best bet, unless you're ok with the HF one and there's nothing wrong with that.
For premade looks like all the same bolt together sheet metal in 3-4 different drawer versions.
I like the ztfab end cabinet design, thank them for their pictures and make your own lol
Either way post pics of the new welder/welds!
larry4406
Well-known member
I can't stand the small caster wheels! One small pebble and it jambs the wheel.
I have a Lincoln Pro-Mig 175 and their K2275-1 cart and hate the cart. The handle is flimsy, the dinky front wheel that can't accommodate a pebble, absolutely no chance to wheel it across the grass to the barn from the garage. Did I mention that I hate the cart?
One day I will build a cart with large caster wheels and better storage.
I have a Lincoln Pro-Mig 175 and their K2275-1 cart and hate the cart. The handle is flimsy, the dinky front wheel that can't accommodate a pebble, absolutely no chance to wheel it across the grass to the barn from the garage. Did I mention that I hate the cart?
One day I will build a cart with large caster wheels and better storage.
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seber
Well-known member
My welding equipment sits on a repurposed rolling tool box. Just added a platform for the bottles. It was a Kennedy with open bottom compartment. I did need to add reinforcement to the bottom and and heavier castors. If I were to do it again, I would use external wheels on the bottle end and smaller castors on the other to make it lower. Or even externally mounted castors to drop the bottom to one inch from the floor.
IRQVET
Well-known member
I have the Harbor Freight one, its surprisingly built very well, just like their US General Tool Cabinets. I wouldn’t discount it at all, in the 7 years I’ve owned one its been fantastic.
Jayman17
Well-known member
I agree with IRQVET, I have one too and it has worked out great for me but admittedly I am just an occasional welder.
steel 35
Well-known member
steel 35
Well-known member
Jeg's has one that's close;
I like the HF Drawer one so far !
Sure don't like the low rider one.
I like the HF Drawer one so far !
Sure don't like the low rider one.
Trust me, I have thought that too, but by the time I buy the materials and spend the time I cam buy one and have money left over and a whole bunch of spare time.
aka Larry
Well-known member
That's the one I have and I've been totally happy with it. I covered the HF "Chicago Electric" logos with some Lincoln Electric ones just for my own vanity...LOL.
UB,
I have that HF cart.
It's ok, but I upsized the rear wheels. Same axle size (5/8") so easy swap, but bigger diameter and wider tread/tire width. A couple of washers as spacers and all done. Bigger wheels are also from HF.
I still have to upsize the front casters, so now the cart has a little bit of rake like a 70's muscle car with the back end up a little bit compared to the front end. Since the front end is tipped down a little (or the back end is tipped up
) right now, the drawers and the lower door sometimes pop open a little when I wheel the cart across my paved driveway.
I have that HF cart.
It's ok, but I upsized the rear wheels. Same axle size (5/8") so easy swap, but bigger diameter and wider tread/tire width. A couple of washers as spacers and all done. Bigger wheels are also from HF.
I still have to upsize the front casters, so now the cart has a little bit of rake like a 70's muscle car with the back end up a little bit compared to the front end. Since the front end is tipped down a little (or the back end is tipped up
) right now, the drawers and the lower door sometimes pop open a little when I wheel the cart across my paved driveway.I figured on updating the wheels. Years ago I was given a box of tool box caster wheels. A buddy worked on maintenance at a local hospital and they bought a ton of Craftsman tool boxes for use all over the hospital. Of course the hard plastic wheels that they come with are no acceptable for a quiet hospital so the swap out the wheels with a softer rubber compound. He gave me about 20 sets of wheels and I have a few left.UB,
I have that HF cart.
It's ok, but I upsized the rear wheels. Same axle size (5/8") so easy swap, but bigger diameter and wider tread/tire width. A couple of washers as spacers and all done. Bigger wheels are also from HF.
I still have to upsize the front casters, so now the cart has a little bit of rake like a 70's muscle car with the back end up a little bit compared to the front end. Since the front end is tipped down a little (or the back end is tipped up
It was funny as I couldn't find them and one day my wife was digging around in that garage attic and asked me what all these wheels were for. She found the box buried behind some of her stuff.
I figured some larger wheels on the back and a couple Craftsman swivels castors on the front.
cliffcharb
Well-known member
That’s the first thing I welded up when I purchased my mig.
BigMike782
Well-known member
Ummm…..ok.
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I found that site already. They are fairly proud of that Chinese built cart. Not much different that the HF one and the HF one is 20% of the price!This is a real nice cabinet type.
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If
Only only you had a welder that could be used to make some drop spindles to lower the back end...UB,
I have that HF cart.
It's ok, but I upsized the rear wheels. Same axle size (5/8") so easy swap, but bigger diameter and wider tread/tire width. A couple of washers as spacers and all done. Bigger wheels are also from HF.
I still have to upsize the front casters, so now the cart has a little bit of rake like a 70's muscle car with the back end up a little bit compared to the front end. Since the front end is tipped down a little (or the back end is tipped up
Oh, I -may- look into replacing/upgrading the magnetic latch on the lower door too.
The door seems to pop open a lot. Might be related to the slight tilt to my cart with the bigger diameter rear wheels and the OEM smaller diameter front casters or in combination with the slight bumpiness of my paved driveway when I roll the cart or the slight slope of sections of my driveway, but the door still seems to pop open or not latch the best. Not the end of the world but still an annoyance.
Same with the drawers. They don't really latch closed reliably.
I might add some small rare-earth magnet(s) or find a replacement size rare-earth magnetic latch for the lower door. A lower priority to me than replacing the front OEM casters with slightly larger diameter ones, unless I run across a one-to-one replacement magnetic latch that has stronger rare-earth magnets. Maybe I'll measure the OEM latch and check the KJ Magnetics site for a replacement latch.
Rolling on a smooth and level concrete floor in a shop you might not have either issue, but for me I'm always rolling the cart and welder to or across my paved driveway.
The door seems to pop open a lot. Might be related to the slight tilt to my cart with the bigger diameter rear wheels and the OEM smaller diameter front casters or in combination with the slight bumpiness of my paved driveway when I roll the cart or the slight slope of sections of my driveway, but the door still seems to pop open or not latch the best. Not the end of the world but still an annoyance.
Same with the drawers. They don't really latch closed reliably.
I might add some small rare-earth magnet(s) or find a replacement size rare-earth magnetic latch for the lower door. A lower priority to me than replacing the front OEM casters with slightly larger diameter ones, unless I run across a one-to-one replacement magnetic latch that has stronger rare-earth magnets. Maybe I'll measure the OEM latch and check the KJ Magnetics site for a replacement latch.
Rolling on a smooth and level concrete floor in a shop you might not have either issue, but for me I'm always rolling the cart and welder to or across my paved driveway.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
It hurts me to say, "You might be a long time looking if you will not accept imported tools." Made in North America has all but become a distant and fading memory. It also pains me to admit that there is a good selection of quality imported tools and tool-boxes.
I used to buy and sell toolboxes. I had more than a few COO surprises.
My wife answered the door to a strong knocking. She opened to door to find a tall gorgeous red-head standing there. The redhead said, : I went to school with your husband in the 1960s. He might remember me as Steven. I am now Stefani, may I come in?" Well, we had a good visit. Stefani told me she had a little work done in France and she felt so much better after being "abroad".
If
Only only you had a welder that could be used to make some drop spindles to lower the back end...
Nah, front end lift blocks or bigger front casters. Don't want to lose the greater ground clearance from the bigger rear tires.
Serious answer there, not a joke one. That extra ~1" of ground clearance in the back from the bigger diameter rear wheels is nice (for me). YMMV and all that, but the bigger rear wheels (width and diameter) roll better and more smoothly across the paved driveway and the lip from the driveway to the garage floor.
That and the OEM rear tires were showing some noticeable wear on the tread after only a little while of use/rolling around (see the picture, the wear is more noticeable in person, but it still is there in the picture). The bigger tires are still looking good after as much or more use/rolling.
And bolt on replacement (with just a few added washers as spacers) meant less fabricating time and effort on the cart.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I have the HF cart and like it, but I don't weld often enough to have put it through the paces, drawer slides, etc. It just sits in the corner and gets drug out a couple of times a year. Do you have a Northern Tool close? This is pretty much the same cart with the Klutch name. Backordered online, but might be in stock at a local store.
Nope, they don't have it, plus it is $40 higher priced.
I have no issue buying an imported cart. My point was doing a Google search, or looking on Amazon and a few other places all that shows is the same imported carts. I know there are a handful of small US manufacturers and am trying to find them.
driftpin
Well-known member
I bought the inexpensive HFT cart because I needed something to hang the equipment on. I figured that I could get ideas from how this one worked, or didn't work for me. So far, it's doing what it needs to. I have two bottles of gas, one argon/CO2 and a second, argon. I only carry one at a time, and that makes it easier to move the rig into my pick-up if I need-to. A bigger cart w/drawers would be nice, but harder to load into my truck bed. I'm space-limited in a 2-car, so no leviathan rigs will work.
I use large ~20" canvas bags to hold things I need to transport. That's easier for me to manage than one 'too-heavy' rig.
I use large ~20" canvas bags to hold things I need to transport. That's easier for me to manage than one 'too-heavy' rig.
An eye bolt at the top, and another at the bottom and a long rod that will drop through and keep the doors from opening. Easy to remove and hang on the side.
Also, a piano hinge along the side of the drawers from the top to the bottom, with a latch at the top.