I'm Looking To Build A Welding Cart

[Iplayfarmer]

I was going to do some sandblasting tonight in preparation for paint, but I ran out of daylight. I took a minute instead to test fit stuff in case I need to modify anything. It fits great! I think this cart is going to be very handy.

 

[jayste]

Looking good, Farmer!:thumbsup: I'm getting the picture now.

 

[varmint]

I had meant to ask this a while ago here, but I got so distracted by 4Shorts fine cart project, I forgot! I notice that about all the commercial carts have large casters on the back, small on the front- I am tending to put my big casters on the front, not quite sure why, though. Can anyone shed any common sense or reasoning on this?

thanks

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I had meant to ask this a while ago here, but I got so distracted by 4Shorts fine cart project, I forgot! I notice that about all the commercial carts have large casters on the back, small on the front- I am tending to put my big casters on the front, not quite sure why, though. Can anyone shed any common sense or reasoning on this?

thanks

I don't know the answer, but I'd suggest you put the biggest casters under the most weight. That's why my big wheels are under the welder and my swivel casters are under the other side.

 

[varmint]

Well, I think I've answered my own question: I looked at some carts, in the flesh, so to speak, and noticed that the large rear wheels were on a straight axle, while the fronts are small swivel casters. So, dah. Since I have casters on all 4 corners, makes sense to put the big ones on the front, which will be heavier.

 

[4shorts]

She's look'en good Farmer. That's what I call a very practical cart. I'm bett'en your love'en it already. See what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it.

As for the different size of wheels. I think it's what ever you decide to use. When I made the Crazy Cart I went with different size wheels because of styling more than anything else. I have three different factory made carts here in the shop and they have the same size wheels around them so I think it's what ever you want to use, use.

Anyway it's nice to see the progress you've made Farmer. Keep up the good work buddy and don't forget to add a flick of paint on the thing :thumbsup:

Thanks Varmint for the kind words on my cart!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...Anyway it's nice to see the progress you've made Farmer. Keep up the good work buddy and don't forget to add a flick of paint on the thing :thumbsup:

I'm realizing that test fitting may not have been the best idea. It's taking intense self control to not load up the tool box and start using the cart "in the raw". I like building, but paint and finish is not my favorite part.

What I need to do is take the toolbox back off now while I still can. Then I won't be tempted to load it up with tools.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I made myself do it. I painted the cart. I even tried my hand at stenciling. The flat parts of the cart were a little streaky, so I put some pictures on them to distract the eye from the poor paint job.

I put the question to the kids what picture I should put on there. My oldest daughter won by suggesting a horse. My son suggested a dinosaur, but I can't really relate to the dinosaur. I can relate to the horses. The top horse is supposed to be our grey gelding. He's in the second picture so you can see what the stencil is supposed to look like.

I still have to put the cord reels on. I'm going to paint the cord reels separate and then weld them on. I'll have to do a little touch up painting.

 

[dcyrilc]

Nice job farmer. It looks good.:thumbsup:

The only problem that I can see is that you've got me thinking again that I've got to get myself a welder. :laughing: :laughing:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...you've got me thinking again that I've got to get myself a welder. :laughing: :laughing:

You do. :thumbsup:

 

[4shorts]

I'm realizing that test fitting may not have been the best idea. It's taking intense self control to not load up the tool box and start using the cart "in the raw". I like building, but paint and finish is not my favorite part.

What I need to do is take the toolbox back off now while I still can. Then I won't be tempted to load it up with tools.

Patience is a virtue my friend. By you taking your time and not taking short cuts will prove you have what it takes to get it done and done right. When ever you do something remember what I'm going to tell you now.

" ...Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude..."

Nice job farmer. It looks good.:thumbsup:

The only problem that I can see is that you've got me thinking again that I've got to get myself a welder. :laughing: :laughing:

Jeeze. I thought you had a guy up in Canada that did welding for you :laughing:

I made myself do it. I painted the cart. I even tried my hand at stenciling. The flat parts of the cart were a little streaky, so I put some pictures on them to distract the eye from the poor paint job.

I put the question to the kids what picture I should put on there. My oldest daughter won by suggesting a horse. My son suggested a dinosaur, but I can't really relate to the dinosaur. I can relate to the horses. The top horse is supposed to be our grey gelding. He's in the second picture so you can see what the stencil is supposed to look like.
I still have to put the cord reels on. I'm going to paint the cord reels separate and then weld them on. I'll have to do a little touch up painting.

Man oh man that looks good! What a difference a flick of paint does! You've arrived sir and you did it right (pat on the back) If your not proud then you should be

See what using your imagination and not taking short cuts did to your project? It did a mighty fine job. Tip my lid to you :thumbsup:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...See what using your imagination and not taking short cuts did to your project? It did a mighty fine job. Tip my lid to you :thumbsup:

I borrowed some imagination from my kids, but I am pleased with the result. Thanks for the compliments.

I appreciate the phrase in your signature about excellence being an attitude. That's comforting because the skill is not my strong point. I'm a whole lot better at design than I am at building, etc.

 

[dcyrilc]

...you've got me thinking again that I've got to get myself a welder. :laughing: :laughing:

Jeeze. I thought you had a guy up in Canada that did welding for you :laughing:

OK, you got me there. I guess what I really need is a transporter like on Star Trek.:laughing::laughing:

 

[sandman2234]

A couple of comments...
On your rod holders, add small light bulbs to give it a headlight appearence and keep the rods dry...lol. Taillights are also going to be needed!
A two wheel dolly with the bottom extended works just as good, but not nearly as COOL.
Split one of the extra wheels you have, and use half as a hanger for the cords. Takes up less room on the cart, less weight, etc. (split in half at a horizontal plane, giving a half moon appearance). Allow the leads to hang, rather than wrapping them tight, as it is better for the leads in the long term (many years). Plus there is something about generating a field when you wrap a wire in a coil, but that is another discussion.
When pricing extra leads for the positive/grounds, consider putting 50 feet on the stinger end and 25 foot on the ground. That is what I use, and it seems to work out well and keeps me from having to rush to put everything up in case of an unexpected shower. If the ground doesn't reach, just grab a piece of angle iron (or whatever is handy) and tack it to the work piece, to bridge the distance back to the welder ground lead. Won't work well for the positive (stinger) end but it shouldn't matter on the ground.
David from jax (currently in Hagerstown, Md)

 

[Iplayfarmer]

A couple of comments...
On your rod holders, add small light bulbs to give it a headlight appearence and keep the rods dry...lol. Taillights are also going to be needed!
A two wheel dolly with the bottom extended works just as good, but not nearly as COOL.
Split one of the extra wheels you have, and use half as a hanger for the cords. Takes up less room on the cart, less weight, etc. (split in half at a horizontal plane, giving a half moon appearance). Allow the leads to hang, rather than wrapping them tight, as it is better for the leads in the long term (many years). Plus there is something about generating a field when you wrap a wire in a coil, but that is another discussion.
When pricing extra leads for the positive/grounds, consider putting 50 feet on the stinger end and 25 foot on the ground. That is what I use, and it seems to work out well and keeps me from having to rush to put everything up in case of an unexpected shower. If the ground doesn't reach, just grab a piece of angle iron (or whatever is handy) and tack it to the work piece, to bridge the distance back to the welder ground lead. Won't work well for the positive (stinger) end but it shouldn't matter on the ground.
David from jax (currently in Hagerstown, Md)

I love the headlights idea!! Especially because it's functional. Now I'm always going to be looking for a way to make that happen. There has to be a way.

Regarding the idea to cut the wheel... I thought that was a great idea. See the attached picture. That's what I did last night before calling it quits. Don't mind the ugly glops of slag hanging from the crooked cuts. Have I mentioned that I suck with a blow torch?

 

[dcyrilc]

Regarding the idea to cut the wheel... I thought that was a great idea. See the attached picture. That's what I did last night before calling it quits. Don't mind the ugly glops of slag hanging from the crooked cuts. Have I mentioned that I suck with a blow torch?

All I can say is practice, practice, and more practice.:thumbsup:

Even so, I'm willing to bet that it looks better than it would have if I had tried. I've yet to ever put my hand to a torch.:laughing:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

A slight change of plans. I decided to weld tabs onto the wheel halves and bolt them to the cart. I got them welded up tonight and painted. By tomorrow night the paint should be dry and I'll put it all together.

The end is near!!

Note to self: Buy 1/4" bolts at the hardware store before coming home tomorrow.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

For all practical purposes, the welding cart is now finished. I still want to cut out a piece of wood to put over the welder, but I need to do some serious cleaning in the garage before I can do that. I also want to put a piece of Hardibacker on the top of the toolbox to make it easier to use as a welding platform.

I loaded up the toolbox this evening. It is really nice to have a place to put my welding stuff. I had it scattered all over the garage.

The first picture is of the cart under the workbench where it will stay.
The second picture is of the bottom compartment. I'm not sure what I'll do with that, but for now I have angle grinders down there.
The last two pictures are of the top two drawers. One holds my rods, the other holds all of my other welding stuff.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm throwing in a picture of the large drawer that will hold my sleeves and other protective gear, and a picture of my welding helmet collection that hangs over the door to the garage. There's also a shot of the clamp collection hung on the side of the cart. I have room for a few more.

I'm eager to hear any suggestions from the brain trust for better ways to organize the cart.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

One more thing just for the record... The crappy overspray paint job on the fronts of the drawers is not my handiwork. I bought the cart like that. I thought about painting over these drawers with the same red paint that I used on the cart, but I hate painting. Plus I knew that if I didn't draw the line somewhere, I'd never get it to a point where I can use it. I did paint the top and the cover over the bottom compartment. These both were originally black and they both were rusted. I only painted them to hopefully provide some protection to the underlying metal and extend the life of the toolbox.