Thinking of a welding cart...

[4shorts]

Dave. Great job on the cart. Looks fantastic. You'll get a lifetime out of that one :thumbsup:

 

[Haywire]

With the plasma coming, I've been contemplating a cart for the cutter, welder and a shelf for electrodes. Cord hangers would be really helpful too. Whatever I come up with will be a simple box design with wheels.

Ian

 

[SpringHollow]

People use templates or guides versus free hand when they want clean cuts with plasma.

Ken

 

[dstig1]

Thanks, SA & 4 Shorts. Still a bit more to do, but the bulk of it is done now. Need to get drawer fronts and handles on so I can open the drawers more easily. It's pretty hard to do as it is now...

This thing must weigh 400 lbs with tank, welder, cables, etc....

Springhollow - I realize that, and tried for the straight lines, but couldn't figure out a guide that worked with what I had available (didn't have much on hand). Also I wasn't sure about this torch as it is a Miller unit and their instructions generally are very weak (they tell you nothing on how to actually use it). I believed I needed a gap from the torch to the workpiece so I did that instead of dragging it along the surface. Perhaps that was not true as dragging would have helped a lot. I just don't know. Also, for 3 cuts, it was not worth trying to rig something up as a circle guide, though it would have been nice to have. This was my first attempt at it and I was not fully prepared I guess. Will be better prepared next time...

 

[SpringHollow]

If it has a drag tip, you could make an appropriately undersized pattern out of masonite or possibly cardboard. Even if you free hand cut the masonite, you can clean it up easily with a file or file plane.

I have not unboxed my new plasma yet but hopefully I will get the chance soon.

Ken

 

[lostcause]

i like those cable wraps. i used an 8" trailer wheel cut into 4 pieces for mine. they work ok, but they aren't the best and they look kind of bush league. i think i may make some new ones styled like yours and replace mine at some point.

when it came to adding a drawer i wasn't as ambitious as you. i started by finding a junk metal desk and cannibalizing it for the drawers. then i built the cart around the size of the drawer. eventually i'll find the job (or other excuse) to get a small shear/brake/roll so i can do better at making those small details.

 

[bubbacuse77]

i like those cable wraps. i used an 8" trailer wheel cut into 4 pieces for mine. they work ok, but they aren't the best and they look kind of bush league. i think i may make some new ones styled like yours and replace mine at some point.

when it came to adding a drawer i wasn't as ambitious as you. i started by finding a junk metal desk and cannibalizing it for the drawers. then i built the cart around the size of the drawer. eventually i'll find the job (or other excuse) to get a small shear/brake/roll so i can do better at making those small details.

Bush League, No........perfect, I love that Idea. That just inspired me to finish my cart.:thumbsup:

 

[dstig1]

I thought a lot about the trailer wheel trick, as it is a popular one....but I don't have nay donor wheels, I couldn't see paying money for any, and cutting them in half would have been a nightmare with what I have on hand. (I really need to get a metal bandsaw, but no room!). Other than cutting the tombstone shapes, this was pretty easy work. One thing I saw that helped was making them taller on the top so they can hold more cable.

The tombstones are 8" w x 10.5" tall and the 4"dia x 3" long pipe sections are located 4" up from the bottom (on pipe center) and centered side to side. I could have placed the pipes even lower for more cable capacity. Everything is 1/8" thick which seems just about right - plenty sturdy but not too overkill.

I like your cart, lostcause! Nice work. I also agree with you - starting with the drawers is far easier than starting with the case. But the cart was already there as it came with the welder I bought at auction, so I worked with it. I was very concerned that the drawers would come out too big and not fit. They are snug, fer sure, but they work. Don't ask me how that happened :laughing: It's not like I could chew them down on the edge sander like wood drawers so that made be a bit nervous...

 

[deereman75]

i like those cable wraps. i used an 8" trailer wheel cut into 4 pieces for mine. they work ok, but they aren't the best and they look kind of bush league. i think i may make some new ones styled like yours and replace mine at some point.

when it came to adding a drawer i wasn't as ambitious as you. i started by finding a junk metal desk and cannibalizing it for the drawers. then i built the cart around the size of the drawer. eventually i'll find the job (or other excuse) to get a small shear/brake/roll so i can do better at making those small details.

I really like the look of the wheels, a lot better then my cable holder (a piece of bent flat bar screwed onto the top of my tombstone)

 

[dstig1]

OK, had a little time to get R dun and I have the cart basically wrapped up now, except for paint. I added the drawer fronts and handles and the cart handle on the front. Below are a couple views of it. I angled the handle up 10deg or so as it was going to be tough getting into the top drawer otherwise. Plus it looks nicer, IMHO.

The only thing else I can think I might need is some way to store stick welding rods. I have a tote bin with them right now, but I may try to find a way to add something to the section behind the bank of drawers.

Paint will be a while (probably about 5 years, if history is any guide...)

Much easier to open the drawers now with handles. They are pretty tight in the case so they are stiff to move. I may tack the drawer fronts to the drawers one of these days. I thought about it but didn't bother today. That would prevent them from shifting around at all with banging around.