Multi-machine welding cart

[MP&C]

I recently sold my Dinosaur Mig, after owning since '91 I thought it was time for a new one..



Sold it on CL, time now to consolidate. My shop space is limited, and I need to incorporate the Miller 211, the Hypertherm Tig, and the Snap On dent puller, and two bottles:







Starting with the base, some 1-1/2 square tubing makes up the frame. This stuff was free, and as with most free stuff, it isn't. Kyle spent quite a bit of time media blasting rusty square tubing that has been sitting outdoors for a number of years.



The Tig will go on the bottom, and it has some mounting holes on the bottom side...



So some 3/4 square stock was used to make some rails for the Tig, along with some holes to tie in the front end..



adding the front casters.....



A cross brace was added under the center line of the 2 bottles...



12 gauge will be used to form a tray under the bottles...



Support bracket added for Mig welder:






the rear axle was made from a piece of angle and two 3/4-10 bolts..





Rear bottle tray made from some 12 gauge, and welded on using about 3/8 diameter plug welds..





Top shelf added along with some gussets made of 12 gauge..



Bottle relief and pull handle added....








these studs are added to make use of the bottle bracket that came off the old welder. My brother in law had borrowed it at one time, and it came back with the fancy bracket. He retired the ratchet strap I had around the two bottles. This worked pretty well, so rather than reinvent the wheel.... Reminds me, I have some other things needing finishing I should lend him...







Then a bracket for the clip is added to hold the Mig torch..







Holders for the various cables....











.....and a test fit before we throw some paint on it...





Looks like I have some room left, may have to add one more....













Now to disassemble and paint it... It was a toss up between some bright red (HD color) which was acrylic lacquer, or a bright yellow (H/K Lemon Yellow basecoat). As I didn't have any lacquer thinner in stock for the red, yellow it is...followed by clearcoat





This should help to brighten up the shop!

[Bigdav160]

Thanks for sharing. I have the same issue with multiple machines. I just haven't had the time to organize.

[Kim57]

That is one cool cart.
Kim

[earl84]

Nice cart, but you forgot one final picture with everything painted and all machines in place, haha.
Great writeup, and great idea. Wish I had all those machines.

[MP&C]

Just sprayed it last night, so we should have it assembled this weekend. Will have a single SO power cord and multiple outlet boxes so everything stays plugged in..

[Twisted78SS]

I like the fact you got some much packed into that footprint, I might get nervous about the possibility of tipping the whole thing over being somewhat narrow..
I presume it is pretty stable or you would have done it differently. Seeing that I just picked up a new welder myself, i am looking at cart designs around the web. www.weldingweb has some cool one's

Nice job

[MP&C]

It gets real stable with the bottles over the rear axle. I don't have any plans of it leaving the shop's concrete floor, so I hope not to take any spills.. :fingerscrossed:

[earl84]

Originally Posted by MP&C

Just sprayed it last night, so we should have it assembled this weekend. Will have a single SO power cord and multiple outlet boxes so everything stays plugged in..

Makes sense, but it's been like 3 days now, haha. Where's the pics? Anxious to see how it looks all painted and loaded up. Love projects like this.

[MP&C]

Okay, okay!


Got things together today. Here's the total conglomeration...







Welded rings to hold the Tig rod tubes......







Retaining clip so the Mig torch doesn't have to lay on the floor...










As you can see, not much for wasted space. Here's the outlet box for the Mig....







and Tig.....







Bottle bracket.....







I did give it a good shove to see how top heavy it was, and with the two bottles directly over the rear wheels it's very stable. Don't think I'll need worry about any accidental turnovers...

[_Ogre]

100 pictures for a welding cart? come on man...

[MP&C]

You counted?

[Kim57]

It turned out great.
Kim

[earl84]

Thanks for the pics, that thing is very nice, and super functional.