Welding Table/Cart (Video)

[Rafael]

Just got my Power I-MIG 200 the other day and needed a welding cart. I thought about buying one but then thought why when I can build one that doubles as a welding table. So that's what I did. Let me know what you think. Love the welder so far. Can't believe I took this long to buy a MIG welder. I don't think I'll ever go back to flux core again. Well not as long as I can help it.

[Rafael]

[Rafael]

[Rafael]

[Rafael]

[everlastsupport]

Thanks for the videos. I will check them all out. Only saw the first one. Looks to be functional, like mine. Mine does all I want but no frills on the looks. I wish I had larger wheels on mine. I do have more hooks, but I have a TIG and MIG on mine.

Thanks again for posting.

[SeanMurphy265]

Nice looking cart. I have a feeling your going to not like those castors! If you keep your shop floor clean then it probably will not matter at all. I would have used larger diameter castors so it will roll better when it's loaded down. I would never weld castors (I have in the past!), it always seems like the ones you weld on are the ones you have to replace! It's a nice looking cart; I'm not fond of the small castors.

[everlastsupport]

That was a hint "I wish I had larger wheels on mine". In fact I have 5" on mine now. Not big enough.

[zoama]

You can buy casters with a threaded stem instead of the flange and just weld a nut in for the caster. I buy from this store http://stores.ebay.com/SES-CASTERS/T...=p4634.c0.m322

[Rambozo]

When welding on one side of tubing, you will get some of that bowing, even if you stitch weld and move around. It actually happens as it cools off because the welding causes that side of the tube to shrink. There are several ways to deal with it, you can weld equal stitches on the other side or just heat it up with a torch, you can pre-stress it in a slight curve the other way, or you can typically just bend it back straight after you are done.

[Rafael]

Thank you for all the advice on the casters. I do plan on keeping my shop floor clean but I completely understand what you guys are saying. I have a very large shop so if my floor is that dirty I need to be punched in the face a few times for being lazy. I can easily cut them off and put new ones on if need be. I bought them from HF so god only knows how long they will last lol. I do plan on making a few additions to the cart once I get a little work in to justify spending more money on it. The shelves may turn into a couple drawers. A ridged adjustable tank mount to replace the chains is also on that list. Oh and to replace the wood with metal. Maybe even some sort of protection for the flowmeter and tank valve. I would hate to hit that with a piece of metal and break it. For now this works though. I do plan on building a proper welding table at some point as well as many other things to help me along.

[Rafael]

When welding on one side of tubing, you will get some of that bowing, even if you stitch weld and move around. It actually happens as it cools off because the welding causes that side of the tube to shrink. There are several ways to deal with it, you can weld equal stitches on the other side or just heat it up with a torch, you can pre-stress it in a slight curve the other way, or you can typically just bend it back straight after you are done.

Thank you for the helpful info. I've done this before while building the roof rack on my truck. Hopefully your info will help me from doing it again lol.

[everlastsupport]

It is not so much a clean floor, unless you mean the extension cords, air hoses, etc that get in the way.

[Rafael]

It is not so much a clean floor, unless you mean the extension cords, air hoses, etc that get in the way.

Yeah i know and that's all part of what i mean lol. We'll see how it goes. If i don't like it i can always chang it.

[dirtyfarmer]

Nice cart/table! Similar to one I made awhile ago, when I received my PP256.

[Rafael]

Nice cart/table! Similar to one I made awhile ago, when I received my PP256.

Nice! Very similar cart/table. I may do the drawer thing you did but obviously on top rather than on the bottom.

[Odyknuck]

Do you guys have any issues with dirt, molten steel melting cords and hoses etc. with your welders when using the top as a welding table?

[Rafael]

Do you guys have any issues with dirt, molten steel melting cords and hoses etc. with your welders when using the top as a welding table?

Nothing from welding. However the metal dust from using the angle grinder is an issue. It get's everywhere. You'll need to make sure to blow out your machine with air if it starts to build up on it. Other than that I have no issues. You do need to be careful to not smack your tank with whatever you are working on though. This is just a temporary setup until I can afford to build a proper welding table. I'll still use this but more for small stuff.

[Jason]

I like the idea of the integrated table. Another idea I like that I may incorporate into my carts is the base for the bottles. Are you concerned at all with the weight of the bottles on that material? I have a large bottle for my TIG that I may feel better with adding a piece in diagonal for extra support.

[Rafael]

Are you concerned at all with the weight of the bottles on that material? I have a large bottle for my TIG that I may feel better with adding a piece in diagonal for extra support.

Not at all. This setup could hold an even bigger bottle without a problem. The only thing to consider would be where the casters are located. You may have to move them back toward the bottom just to keep the weight over the caster. The way I have it holds my weight and I'm 270 pounds. However I could tip the table/cart if I put a little effort into it. Basically a sea saw effect on the casters. If you move them toward the bottle more this will never happen.