Welder cart from metal computer cart?

[signcrafter]

Saw this for sale and thinking it might make a decent welder cart. Think these were used in schools back in the days before every kid had a computer. If I remember right from way back then the school had a few computers and would wheel these to the class rooms as needed. But that was 40 years ago.

I'm always looking for deals on repurposing things to useful shop stuff. They were pretty sturdy from what I remember. I have a welder cart that a friend made for me a long time ago from scrap steel he had when he was going to school for welding. It works ok but not great. Saw this and was thinking to put a shelf on the bottom for the welders. Not sure if the table part would be functional for small quick welds or not if I sandblasted the paint off. If it would work for small stuff great, if not just use it for welding stuff storage. Could make holders for grinders on top shelf. Would have to come up with a gas bottle holder. The cart is 2'x3' so think it would make a good sized cart.

I have a miller xmt304 and 60 series wire feeder. Also have a miller thunderbolt stick welder I rarely use but was my grandpa's. Also have a miller spoolmatic 3 that I have never used.

Just seeing what other more experienced guys think about the idea before I go get it and it doesn't work out and just takes up space. I think it would work good from the pictures with some modifications but maybe I'm missing something.

 

[KwikFab]

You weld, make your own.

I made this almost 2 years ago and it cost me a grand total of under $27

 

[signcrafter]

You weld, make your own.

I made this almost 2 years ago and it cost me a grand total of under $27

I was planning on making a new cart sometime but it's way down on the priority list. I dont use my welder very often. But I would have to buy metal stock and I know it's not cheap. This cart is listed for about 1/3 the cost of yours. Plus it's already mostly done. I would need to make a shelf on the bottom.

 

[LXCam]

Scott, you need to grab it. Turn it into a welding cart so someday, you can use it to make a welding cart.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Scott, you need to grab it. Turn it into a welding cart so someday, you can use it to make a welding cart.

This is the way

 

[signcrafter]

Scott, you need to grab it. Turn it into a welding cart so someday, you can use it to make a welding cart.

I like your thinking Cam. For 10 bucks I think I will get it and see if it will work out. Not out much if it doesn't. Wouldn't mind building one at some point but no time right now and I haven't bought any steel in probably 10 years but last time I did it wasn't cheap like it was 25 years ago. If it works it works, if not then I can use it for something else or give it away and out less then a meal at McDonald's.

 

[LXCam]

I like your thinking Cam. For 10 bucks I think I will get it and see if it will work out. Not out much if it doesn't. Wouldn't mind building one at some point but no time right now and I haven't bought any steel in probably 10 years but last time I did it wasn't cheap like it was 25 years ago. If it works it works, if not then I can use it for something else or give it away and out less then a meal at McDonald's.

Bud, I've had more interim stuff then I can remember in order to make whatever the final goal was. No different then this, its an almost instant solution to an immediate problem and at some point it'll get you going on what you really want.

 

[signcrafter]

I went and picked it up tonight for 10 bucks. Did some measuring and looks like it might work good. It's really sturdy too and rolls nice. Brings back memories of grade school when the whole school only had a few computers to share and they would wheel one of these in once or twice a week for the class to share. Now my kids get their own chrome book to use.

Need to make a shelf on the bottom. Probably just going to do wood for now because I have a ton of it and don't have any metal. This winter I will get it setup with some kind of holder for tanks and figure out how I want to set up the top shelf to hold consumables and grinders and whatever else. Might even put my cold cut saw on there and maybe the mag drill I picked up a few weeks back. Think it's going to make a cart for a lot of storage in a small package.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Look at the commercial size cookie sheets. It might be a cheap way to get a shelf.

 

[dscheidt]

Look at the commercial size cookie sheets. It might be a cheap way to get a shelf.

a full sized sheet pan is 18x26. They're aluminum, though.

 

[yatg]

a full sized sheet pan is 18x26. They're aluminum, though.

can get a 24x36 drip tray at autozone for $15. website says its steel.
would still put something under it for support.