Welding on your welder

[woodlandfarms]

OK, This is such a good idea I think it may end terribly bad. I have an old Tombstone welder. I wanted to make a cart for it. Saw online you can buy wheels and a handle, looked at my scrap pile and realized why bother, I have it in scrap if I were to just weld the handles on....

So, can you weld on your welder while it is welding? (say that three times fast).

 

[radioman]

good question. however, I am not familar with your model. I do know that with mine the hobart exwelder has a skin that can be removed in mins with a hand drill and bit. Can you remove the skin where you want to weld off ? might be easier to do it this way - just saying..

 

[George2615]

I'd weld up the cart and set the welder on it. Probably make the cart larger so you have room to store extra rods, gloves, helmet etc.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Sorry, this is it...

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I have not looked at it closely yet, it was more a welding theory and doing something stupid question.

I ask because if I pull it apart to weld I expose the wires to my ignorance and possible electrocution, If I leave it closed, do I create a loop or worse?

Maybe I will just go by the cart adapter...

 

[bota7800]

My tombstone has exactly what you want to do on it. The previous owner welded a handle and axle mounts on it.

Did a sturdy job but he got a little "overenthusiastic" on a weld and melted a hole in the top. I will try and fix it if I ever get MIG - No way I am skilled enough with AC stick to do anything but make the hole larger ;-)


As a practical matter, I find it somewhat cumbersome to maneuver. I think a 4 wheeled cart would be easier to use.

 

[2manyrocks]

Mine still had the shipping wood attached to the bottom and I just screwed swivel wheels to the wood. Works perfectly fine.

If you get those elcheapo chincom wheels, they may snap off on you and you'll wish they were just screwed on so you can replace the ones that break.

 

[GLyford]

I made a cart for mine, using a couple of larger wheels and a couple of casters. If there is something too big for the casters to roll over I put my foot on the back axle and tilt it back. I eventually turned the toolbox around and mounted it further out, so it now opens back towards the welder (made it easier to see what you were reaching for) and the 2" or so gap makes it easier to wind the leads around the unit.

I use the little angle iron vise on top just about every time I go to use it...

 

[jayste]

I made one similar to Glyford's. BTW, I like your handy angle iron vise. I took an old 2 x 4 foot "four wheeler" dolly and made mine. Cut it down to fit the little tombstone welder. I don't have a pic but it is the same principle as Glyford's.

 

[thenorth]

I mounted mine to an old BBQ frame....
it allows a work top etc...

John

 

[The Haymaker]

Did a sturdy job but he got a little "overenthusiastic" on a weld and melted a hole in the top. I will try and fix it if I ever get MIG - No way I am skilled enough with AC stick to do anything but make the hole larger ;-)

I'm no pro, but the hole can be fixed. Run low heat and 3/32" rod. Run a bead around the perimeter of the hole, doing so in short bursts. Once you get that first bead done, clean off the slag and keep working around. Trick is to learn when to stop before you get the work you have done too hot. Grind it smooth, fix the defects, and paint!

Another trick is to use a second rod. Strike the arc with the the rod and feed the second rod in with your free hand. A lot like brazing. I'e used this method to repair rust holes in my old 48" deck for the JD140.

"MIG? We don't need no steengking MIG!"

E

 

[bpattie]

not sure how bit the hole is, but if relatively small you could also tape the inside and apply some JB Weld or Epoxy and build that up some so that you could sand and paint.

 

[radioman]

I love thenorth idea of using old BBQ frame for a welder cart. I got one just like it in the junk pile. hmm ideas clicking in my head! maybe that my project for today.

 

[woodlandfarms]

My big problem is my property. I do not have an enclosed shop. Just a pole barn open on 4 sides. I also have a small storage shed that is FILLED to the brim. For me to get the welder to the pole barn is unpleasant at best. Rocks, obstacles... Whatever I put together needs larger tires to navigate...

Love the BBQ frame, truly brilliant.

 

[bota7800]

My big problem is my property. ... Whatever I put together needs larger tires to navigate...

You probably want pneumatic tires then, like on pressure washers and some hand-trucks. HF has them, and flat-frees.

I had another thought, having had a rough terrain situation myself. I had an image of a welder in a "little red wagon". The handle would make it very maneuverable. I think a real child's wagon might have a center of gravity issue but you could build a lower deck version that could be pulled and turned in the same manner.



Haymaker- sorry to offend bringing up MIG . I do have some small diameter AC rod so I may give it a try.

 

[Jon Heron]

You can weld on the welder case no problem. The secondary winding of the transformer is isolated from the ground.
Just watch out for hot slag hitting the windings inside the welder!
Jon

 

[Eagle Dude]

I made a cart for my tombstone from an old hand truck. I welder a larger platform and set the welder on top. The loop handles at the top of the welder is straped to the uprights of the hand truck. I welded "L" brackets above the welder on the uprights to hold the cables. The large 10" pneumatic tires make it easy to roll around.

 

[AndyF]

I wouldn't do it. If for no reason than it will kill the resale value if you ever sell it. Also even though there is no reason it shouldn't work I wouldn't want to risk blowing something up.