Pit Cart Project Started

[Don Campbell]

I been wanting a pit cart type portable work table for many years. Yesterday I finally started one. I had a old steel table with small wheels that I hadn't used for a few years. I mounted a vise and a drill press and the Lincoln Buzz box to it and today I inserted a lower tool box and a small wire welder at the rear . I also got a idea of the axle width for my eight tires I will be mounting . Tomorrow I will build a frame to mount the plasma cutter on the front of the frame. I will build a T handle to pull this cart by hand or with a garden tractor . I will also mount a dozen or so electrical plugs on it along with a few hand grinders and a band saw. Everything will be tucked in clean to fit through my narrow walk in shop doors. I work on several projects in my backyard and in my back shed and my front garage and the workshop every year. It would be so handy to have everything easily moved to each location in just a few minutes. Over the years I have spent so many hours walking back and forth the the workshop and back getting tools. The drawers will be stocked with sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers , wire cutters, hammer , etc. The duel wheels will give me plenty of flotation in the back yard with all that weight . I have 40 feet of 220 V extension cord to plug in the welders or plasma cutter. Also have 40 feet of 110 to plug in the dozen 110 outlets. Trying to add the first progress pic??? As I get older I struggle on the computer more.

 

[Don Campbell]

First pit cart progress picture

 

[Strouty]

Your projects are always cool Don, looking forward to this one as well!

 

[Thumper68]

Very cool!!

What kind of steering are you planning?

 

[Lelandwelds]

I didnt know this was a thing. What form did your madness take? ( Oval? Drag? Retro HD?) How do you get that heavy unwieldy contraption in and out of your trailer?

Google tells me yours is missing the BBQ and adult beverage dispencer.

Kidding aside, I dont get the tailgaters either.

 

[Bears Fan]

Awesome build! Love the dual tires! I will be subscribing to see how it turns out and to steal some ideas! I have wanted to build something similar to that to mount my grinder, disk/belt sander and chop saw on so I can grind, chop and and sand outside, so I don't have all the dust inside... I will probably go with blue paint instead of red though

 

[Don Campbell]

I have a couple different ideas because of the duels it will have to be designed a little different to give plenty of strength to the outside wheels too.

 

[Don Campbell]

I got some crazy BBQ Grill project ideas, ha,ha.

 

[Don Campbell]

Something so simple is going to be so handy !! The red paint is a nice change from all the green, ha,ha.

 

[Strouty]

Something so simple is going to be so handy !! The red paint is a nice change from all the green, ha,ha.

Wait, it is going to stay red???? I am not sure that is allowed.....

 

[captain14]

Will you install handle to push and pull it around the work area?

 

[Lelandwelds]

So,this never actually goes to the races? It stays in the shop? How do you use this where it is handy to have such general purpose tools on the same cart? Just reducing steps? Do you have a big place and work on things impossible to move into shop?

I have seen similar carts for orbital welding or QC work. But all the tools were extremely specific to one type of job, always used together, and never used anywhere else.

Share some of that wisdom.

 

[Don Campbell]

Yes it will have a t handle to pull it and a hitch to pull it around the yard with the garden tractor. My workshop is too small to fit a car into . Several of my projects are done outside the little workshop on nice days . My garden tractor projects I can work on in the shop but the bigger projects have to be worked on outside or in my front garage . My back shed is too narrow to work on a vehicle also . I live in town and the I have reached my limit with the zoning people. This cart will never leave my yard. Basically I am just organizing a portable workbench but with big tires and a T handle like a pit cart.
Mostly just a fun project that might also come in handy a few times a year. Today I worked on the rear frame section that will support the rear 4 wheels.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Wow. Nice models. Are you in the movie biz? Google tells me you're a little bit famous.

I am one of those guys who really only had a shop because I will never have the money to hire for every project. My current work area is either a shade tree or a gravel driveway. Changing oil on my back on gravel with a car up on cribbing is getting old.

 

[Don Campbell]

No, not in the movie business, ha,ha. Just always loved puttering and I ended up making some one of a kind projects. Just over 12 million visitors over the years so it has been fun sharing my projects with so many people around the world. I have never considered this a business , it has always been a labor of love. I am just as excited working on this simple pit cart project as many of my other projects. I still love looking at other peoples projects on great sights like this one . I still like sharing my projects thinking others will enjoy seeing my projects. I actually enjoy working out in the fresh air on nice days in my backyard. Most things fit in my front garage but my little loader has to be worked on in the backyard so the welder will be great moving it around.

 

[Don Campbell]

Here is a little more progress on the frame . Today I welded the four frame extensions to the main frame . The axles fit through all four of these frame pieces. The axles are two pieces but are joined together with a quick adapter type fitting . The plasma cutter will sit 8'' higher than it is in this photo. I got the shelf cut out and bent but not mounted til tomorrow. I will work more on the rear frame and rear fenders tomorrow. I will be able to adjust the width of the wheels in or out a few inches if it is too top heavy.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Your projects are always cool Don, looking forward to this one as well!

Don doesn't lack for speed either. I expect it will be all done, painted, and ready to go in the morning.

 

[Don Campbell]

Ha, Ha, Ha , I turned 65 and I am moving slower these days ?? Maybe TUES , LOL

 

[kbs2244]

Think about 12VDC drive for a box that heavy.

I always thought this guy had the "biggest on the job box" award.
And I like his sense of humor.
He spent his day putting out "fires."

 

[Benw455]

That is sweet!!! I wish I had the time to make one. Great design and work!

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks , I think I will be able to move it around on cement pretty easy . off the cement I will pull it around with the garden tractor. That will be rare. Today I made a little more progress. I cut out the first tire fender radius and worked a little on the first rear corner and the first lower section panel. Also started working on the two end shelves for the plasma cutter and the hand held bandsaw. I am very pleased with the early rear stages stages . Tomorrow I will work on the other rear corner and fender and more of the front lower section panel. Not going to use wagon type spindle /tie rod steering on the front with duel wheels . Instead I will build a center pivot fifth wheel steering type set up. That way I can have support in between the front two duels similar to the rear setup. I will design it not to turn more than 25 degrees either direction as not to compromise safe support on the front section during turns. It will be rare it leaves the shop or front garage areas. Just going to be so handy everything on one cart.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress on the welding cart I built some hangers for two of my hand grinders and one hanger for my steel nibblers. Also added two places to hold two of my air drills on the back corner. Added 12 outlets , 6 on each end. Finished bolting the tool box and center welder in place. Also boxed in the lower center axle frame . A little red paint and a preview how it will look when the front steering is fabricated . I will also build hangers for more tools up front . I will design the rear last and try to have it very organized with electric cords and air hoses all nice and neat. Once the rear is done, then I will attach the big screen TV, the boom box and the frig. Oh, and some cool lights . I should be the only one on my block with this welding setup

 

[Don Campbell]

Today I did the design for the front axle with the duel wheels setup. I also built the pivot pin with faceplate to match the faceplate on top of the axle. Everything went together nice. Nothing fancy and nothing complex or expensive. Just basic fifth wheel type steering
but with double wheels on each side for more stability. Next I will extend the front of the cart frame to support the main pivot tube. It will take some good braces to support all that weight on that little pin. I should have no problem with the design and fabrication . Last I will build the fold down pull handle / hitch . By the end of next week that cart should be my go to workbench from then on.

 

[rk_tek]

this looks great, just like all your other projects. You're probably putting a final coat of wax on this by now, but as i was reading, I had an idea. Since you will have a handle/tow bar on this, I would look at having the handle raise and lower the front wheels so that when the handle is in an upright locked position, the frame/feet are on the ground, but when you lower the handle(it may cam over or have a lock pin to keep it raised/lowered) the front wheels are lowered and the box rolls around.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks for the kind words. I had thought of four corner stands that raised and lowered quick with a cordless drill.
Today I cut out the parts for the front frame and welded everything in place. Now I can move the cart with two fingers. Next I will work on the pull handle and redesign the front shelf for the plasma cutter and more power tools.

 

[Don Campbell]

Progress today I cut out the parts for the T-handle and hinge brackets. I got them drilled and welded together. Tomorrow I will weld them to the front axle . Then I will build the front shelves and cut out the front fenders and box in the front of the cart.

 

[Don Campbell]

OffRoad Welding Cart Progress- Today I got the two front fenders attached and boxed in the front new extended frame pieces. I painted the new metal red. Next I will start on the back side. It steers very easy and that is before it gets a good layer of grease in the pin and on the plates.

 

[Don Campbell]

Slowly making progress on the portable workbench , I got the rear cords looking much neater and organized. Also all the welder cables and plasma cutter cables nice and neat. No more tangled cords or cables. Next I will move up to the table top , I will have 21 electric outlets . Three retractable units will be mounted on the corners, one three outlet electric plug, one trouble light and one air hose unit. Also a radio .

 

[Don Campbell]

Here are the last four additions to the portable welding cart . This afternoon I built the brackets and shelves for them and got them all painted. Should get assembled tomorrow and finished. I am so glad I built it with eight tires instead of four. It is very stable and not top heavy.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just going to be so handy everything on one cart.

Where is the 10kw generator for when you do take it on the road ?

 

[Stuart in MN]

That's going to be slick. Who needs a permanent bench when you have that one with everything you need built in. About the only addition I can think of would be to motorize it so you don't have to pull it.

 

[Don Campbell]

Ha, Ha, No need for a generator , just using it around the backyard and in the front garage and workshop. Plenty of 110v and 220v and air lines to reach . It is 5.5 feet long now, no motor !! would be 10 feet long , ha,ha. Here is the finished portable workbench / welding table, pit cart. I have 13 tool boxes and I put a nice variety of tools in it a week ago and I am using it 95% of the time already, I love this setup.
I will post a video of me pulling it outside . It does pull harder than I thought but it rolls very smooth and steers great.

 

[Don Campbell]

Video of finished pit cart on You-Tube , doncampbellmodels, video number 215 .tried attaching?? no luck

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here's the link:

 

[locul]

Here's the link:

Screams for an electric engine. Nice job.

Sendt fra min SM-N9005 med Tapatalk

 

[JC23]

Nice work. Folks usually don't realize with a good pit wagon, you only need one set of tools. I use this one.

Tools are always in the same place - that is, if'n I put em away after using.

 

[taumac]

Great work Don!!!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Bad *** Saw lots of pit wagons at the races in Chandler, AZ a few weeks ago and started dreaming about building my own!

 

[skrap metal]

nice job

 

[Don Campbell]

Very Nice !!!!! looking Pit Cart . Thanks for the positive comments. I have 13 cheap tool boxes and this week I am dissasembling them cleaning every drawer , removing the slides, readjusting the guides, and lube on them. I have never done this and on cheap boxes it is making a big difference. I moved two top boxes under the main work bench and two smaller tops under the old welding table. Moved a bottom between two other bottoms under another bench. I'll post a few pics this week. Also want to build another pit cart. This one will be much simpler , no welders, no vise no drill presses . Just going to lengthen another steel table and combine two bottoms together . I have many smaller tires I can use now without the welder weight . I am trying to condense my space in my small shop. I'll share that project too as I build it. maybe starting next week.