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Yeah I know, Another welding cart.

JonBoehman

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Joined
Oct 7, 2011
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364
Location
Philpot, Ky
Well I have lurked around this site in awe for too long, posting an occasional comment or two on some threads. Its my turn to finally post a build of my own. I know its the all too common Welding cart that everyone post but, hey we have to get started somehow. Any advice and criticizing is welcome. So here goes....My plan is to Take the Black US General tool cart that I purchased for $99 from HF and make it a welding cart/ welding station, along with a few other items I picked up there. I sketched up on a note pad of how I envision it to be.
 

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rsanter

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Dec 22, 2007
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visalia ca
That's actually a good idea. I like it
Better patent the idea now or next week they will be available just like that at HF

Bob
 

IrishGuy

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Jan 24, 2014
Messages
23
Nice over all -- the only problem I see if you still have the top opening upward and if you have a bunch of stuff on top and need to get something in there!

Good luck - I wanted to finish mine last weekend, still scrap on the floor.
 

PCO6

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Dec 25, 2008
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Newmarket, Ontario
The only problem I see is that loading wire is going to be a bit of a pain with the welder being that low. The side access panel hinges up on the Lincoln 140, 180, etc. and you'll have to prop it up (easy enough) but getting the spool on and feeding the wire will probably require that you lay on the floor to do it.
 

MillerMav

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Feb 6, 2013
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269
If it works dimensionally I would raise the welder up enough so that you can open the access door to change spools without having to remove the welder.

If I were doing this project I would use the tool box part and then build the rest out of 2" angle or something. But its a good idea non-the-less
 

joshgn

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Nov 29, 2008
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Location
Central Oklahoma
If it works dimensionally I would raise the welder up enough so that you can open the access door to change spools without having to remove the welder.

If I were doing this project I would use the tool box part and then build the rest out of 2" angle or something. But its a good idea non-the-less

agree...
 

nine4gmc

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Mar 24, 2012
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Dallas
I have both a Hobart 140 and a miller plasma cutter on my HF cart. The welder faces forward and the plasma sideways behind it. I used a couple 2x4's on edge to raise the welder so I can easily access the flip up door. I welded a half moon shaped pan on back with a bracket that bolts to the lower shelf for the bottle to sit in and used the "u" plate and chain from the welding machines original bottle holder on the middle crossmember so I can use short/tall bottles. I left the wheels as they are. All of my welding c clamps hang on the handle and my electric grinders hang on center crossmember below. Drawers contain welding supplies, welding vise grips, grinding discs, flap wheels etc.

Pros:
Everything in one place, cutting, welding.
Easily reversed with only a few bolt holes left in cart so it's not permanently damaged.
Provides a flat top to act as work bench.
Both machines and grinders are all 120 so one heavy extension cord and I can work anywhere around the shop and outside.

Cons:
The plasma whip protrudes from the side 4-6" so I have to be careful not to drag it into doorways, walls etc.
I never need anything from a drawer until I have something heavy on the top and can't open them.
OR I leave the drawers open just a tad so that when I am working with something on the top I can access the drawers but when I roll the cart they fly open catching a doorway, wall or whatever...
The cart is ****** HEAVY now, totally exceeding the rated max, my fault.
c clamps cover the entire handle making it hard to navigate with all that weight and nowhere to grab. I could probably make another clamp bar to hang them on the rear but haven't got around to it as I'm still deciding if I want to make a dedicated vertical cart with machines stacked.
 

nonhog

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Nov 6, 2007
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2,449
Location
Arizona (Tucson)
I had my welder on the bottom shelf and it was a pain. But I'm getting older
:) So if your young, have good eyesite why not? Otherwise I'd sacrifice the top lid and have the welder more accessible. On top.
 
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JonBoehman

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Oct 7, 2011
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Philpot, Ky
Well, the bottom shelf isn't going to interfere with the door but, I do have to raise the box in order to open the panel. I've already got that figure into the works. I am also going to make a prop rod sort of like a car hood for it. Yeah its going to be low to the floor but I can deal with it. I am going to use 2" angle to redo the supporting frame. As for the tank, I plan on making a cup and a hinged tank strap to keep it in place on the frame. I made the axle and mounted the HF wheels on it today. I don't know where I am going to put the extension cord reel until I get the frame done. I plan on using some sort of heavier plate for the top and if I do put something in the storage it will be seldom used items. here is what I have so far. Its going to be a slow build due to my 12hr night shift.
 

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JonBoehman

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Philpot, Ky
Well I got the hinged tank strap done today before going in as well as the cup ring that the tank will set in but didnt snap a pic of it. I clamped it on the tank and it seems like it'll work great.
 

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buiboy

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Jan 8, 2013
Messages
24
Location
New Hampshire
I did something similar where I bought a small rolling cabinet and and made a bottle rack to hang off the cart.
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Engine

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Jan 9, 2014
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646
Location
Kentucky
I had the same general idea as you, but I made one from a cart I bought on sale at Lowes a few months ago. It doesn't have a toolbox on top and it is a little lightweight but it works. For the tank support, I ran a 2x8 board along the underside of the cart and bolted it to the bottom with about 10" sticking out to sit the tank on.

I like everything about the setup that except like PC06 said, it is harder to load the wire with the unit on the bottom. But, that isn't done too often so it's not bad. I mainly like the setup because the cart is longer and wider than the usual mig cart and with the center of gravity being lower it is more stable on rough surfaces.

Another advantage is that you can keep most of your welding stuff like tools, gloves, etc. near the welder so you don't have to go looking for them every time.

I probably would have gone with the box you are using if I had thought about it since the little cart I'm using is about maxed out at this point.
 
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JonBoehman

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Oct 7, 2011
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Philpot, Ky
I got a little more done to the cart this evening. I cut, drilled, and bolted on the legs for the added strength and clearance for the welder under the drawers. I also got the tank clamp on and the cord reel. Still have a lot to do on this thing before its finished.
 

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Engine

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Kentucky
I got a little more done to the cart this evening. I cut, drilled, and bolted on the legs for the added strength and clearance for the welder under the drawers. I also got the tank clamp on and the cord reel. Still have a lot to do on this thing before its finished.

Keep updating with your progress. It looks like a great project. I'm hoping to get some ideas that will help me make one that's as useful as the one you are doing.
 
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JonBoehman

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Oct 7, 2011
Messages
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Location
Philpot, Ky
Well I havent gotten as much done on this thing as I would have hoped. Just been to busy with some other projects, like making some cabinet doors and some trim work. But I did manage to get some done on it. Got the power strip mounted in place and I think I am going to weld the mount tabs into place for it next. I also got the receptical box for the welder mounted and the wiring run. I just need to go get a receptical to finish it off. I still have to build the lower frame section for the wheels to mount to and I should be able to paint and wrap it up.
 

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JonBoehman

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Oct 7, 2011
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Philpot, Ky
Well I have been out for a while. I gave up the internet for lent so I haven't been as time wasting as previously. Actually got lots of stuff done. Pics will come soon.
 
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JonBoehman

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Philpot, Ky
It didnt end up being to far off from my rendition. I have used it several times now and have a few odds and ends I still would like to do to it
 

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Engine

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Kentucky
It didnt end up being to far off from my rendition. I have used it several times now and have a few odds and ends I still would like to do to it

It looks real nice. A combination tool cart/workstation/mig cart.

The power strip is a good addition. I might add one to my welding table since I've had about enough of tripping over cords all the time.
 
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