First Welding Project - You guessed it... a welding cart

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So, I did some practice welding first, but I've always favored working on something real as a way to learn. (I'll probaby post some of my welds for feedback later.)

The finished product was a welding cart. I had 2" x 3/16 square tube for a trailer tongue extension and decided to use that for the base. I felt the weight would add good stability. The rest of the cart is 1 1/4" 14 ga. square tube and some 3/16" angle.

The one mistake I made was putting the middle shelf too low (put the top of the tube at the mark for the bottom of the tube). As a result, I had to cut off the angle that was to hold the wood shelf. Later, I'll make a shelf and screw it on top of the tube.

I still haven't figure out the best way to hang the cables (MIG & Plasma torch and power cables.)

Anybody know if there's somewhere to buy plastic plugs for square tube? I thought that would add a little to the finished look.

Nice cart... I'd weld a steel patch over those tube ends and then smooth it out with the grinder.

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Originally Posted by EmptyNester

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So, I did some practice welding first, but I've always favored working on something real as a way to learn. (I'll probaby post some of my welds for feedback later.)

The finished product was a welding cart. I had 2" x 3/16 square tube for a trailer tongue extension and decided to use that for the base. I felt the weight would add good stability. The rest of the cart is 1 1/4" 14 ga. square tube and some 3/16" angle.

The one mistake I made was putting the middle shelf too low (put the top of the tube at the mark for the bottom of the tube). As a result, I had to cut off the angle that was to hold the wood shelf. Later, I'll make a shelf and screw it on top of the tube.

I still haven't figure out the best way to hang the cables (MIG & Plasma torch and power cables.)

Anybody know if there's somewhere to buy plastic plugs for square tube? I thought that would add a little to the finished look.

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http://www.mcmaster.com/#tube-end-covers/=e4xpsj

Nice cart. I keep saying that I am going to build one and one day I will. I agree about covering the ends and also maybe adding a plate to the middle shelf. Maybe that was your intentions in the first place.

Looks simple and sturdy, nice job.:) If you do figure out a good place for the cables, please post it. I've been scratching my head over that part of a design too.

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Originally Posted by scootarida1

http://www.mcmaster.com/#tube-end-covers/=e4xpsj

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Wow, something from McMaster that isn't horrendously overpriced, too bad they only come in 100 packs. I wouldn't be surprised if Home Depot or your regular hardware store had at least a few sizes.

Jason - I originally had angle across the middle shelf so that I could drop a piece of wood in. But I mounted the shelf too low and the angle kept me from putting the plasma on the bottom shelf. So, I cut the angle. I just haven't gotten around to making a wood shelf to go on top of the tube.

Ed - thanks for the tip on the caps. It looks like there are a couple different people who sell them. Probably turns out that it makes more sense to get 100 at a time once you figure the UPS cost of just buying a couple.

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Originally Posted by redbeard

Looks simple and sturdy, nice job.:) If you do figure out a good place for the cables, please post it. I've been scratching my head over that part of a design too.



Wow, something from McMaster that isn't horrendously overpriced, too bad they only come in 100 packs. I wouldn't be surprised if Home Depot or your regular hardware store had at least a few sizes.

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How about some hooks on the bottom of the top shelf either to one side or just behind the handle on the front?

You did an awesome job! What is the tilt on the top shelf for? You could use bolts on the sides to hold the cables...Like 6" long 3/8" - 1/2" diameter. Of course that would make it wider... Or big hooks like Jason said. Actually, you could take 1/4"- 3/8" steel rod, bend them into custom shape and size hooks and weld them on. Sorry for the repaint job...

MigPlazArc - thanks. I thought the hooks made from mild steel would be the nicest, but figured that I'd need a touch to bend it. I don't have a torch, so I was thinking about plan B.

I had seen the angle on carts other folks had made and thought it looked good. It is a pain to look at, and adjust the PP50 since its on the buttom shelf and not angled. The angle just angles the front so it faces you when your standing and adjust it.

Jason - I think I'll take your advice and put a hook on the underside of the front for the MIG ground cable.

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Originally Posted by EmptyNester

MigPlazArc - thanks. I thought the hooks made from mild steel would be the nicest, but figured that I'd need a touch to bend it. I don't have a torch, so I was thinking about plan B.

I had seen the angle on carts other folks had made and thought it looked good. It is a pain to look at, and adjust the PP50 since its on the buttom shelf and not angled. The angle just angles the front so it faces you when your standing and adjust it.

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Oh I see. And if you used 1/4" rod you most likely would not need a torch... I would take the rod and put it on something with a gap in between two metal pieces. like a vice...Just hit it with a hammer (not to hard) while holding it with a vice grip. If you need some heat a propane torch would work. They are reasonable priced...You could get one at a hardware store with the torch head and the 14.1 OZ bottle for 15-30 bucks. The tanks only cost like 3-5 bucks.
You could even put the rod into the vice itself and use a piece of pipe for the former (see picture in the next post).

Attachment 3305 Please excuse my sloppy drawing.

EmptyNester-

Thought about your post when I ran across this...

http://www.pacifictrailers.com/Plast...e-steel-tubing

i like it, nice finished product.

Thanks Qubit & Jerky.

MigPlazArc - I was digging around the junk drawer for a bolt the other day and ran across some u-bolts. I thought that either welding it or bolting it on the edge of the shelf might work well too.

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Originally Posted by EmptyNester

Thanks Qubit & Jerky.

MigPlazArc - I was digging around the junk drawer for a bolt the other day and ran across some u-bolts. I thought that either welding it or bolting it on the edge of the shelf might work well too.

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Yeah, whatever works :) Make sure it will hold them all the way you want them to.

Looks Good

Brandon, this is Mickey and I have an engineering question on something I'm building and need some advice on positioning of a load arm on my device. Can you help me?

Nice welding cart. Good way to save room in the shop by having two welders on one cart.

Thanks.

One thing I did that that worked out well was my wheel choice. It seems most commercial carts only have swivel wheels on one end. I put them on both ends and it really helps with manuverability in the garage (it's pretty tight on storage space).

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Originally Posted by EmptyNester

MigPlazArc - thanks. I thought the hooks made from mild steel would be the nicest, but figured that I'd need a touch to bend it. I don't have a torch, so I was thinking about plan B.

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I've bent up to 1/2" hardware store solid stock with a vice and a 4lb hammer. 3/8" you can make a nice hook out of without too much work. I have a hat hook I made to clamp on an argon tank with a 3/8" s hook. took about 10 minutes to bend it, I think. no heat, just hammer :)

I like my torch hanger, though. it's way up high so the cable doesn't need to be looped to not drag on the ground when you roll it around. there's pics here: http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...r-welding-cart