Custom welder cart

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I recently purchased my first real welder, a Thermal Arc 181i. I am able to MIG/TIG/and stick weld. However, I also do gas welding and torching. The store-made welding carts seemed very expensive, and a bit flimsy, so I thought I would make my own. I borrowed the basic idea from someone on the Miller welding forum and added some things I wanted.I bought a 5 drawer tool chest from HF for the MIG/TIG end of the cart. The drawers are nice and deep, slide on roller bearings, and lock so they don't pop open when I hit bumps when moving the cart around. I have room on the bottom for 2 helmets, gloves, etc. The other end is for gas welding. I have two filler material storage tubes mounted too. For safety sake, I added a good fire extinguisher. The finish is Rust Bullet Black, with a top coat of gloss black spray paint. I made 2 inch aluminum strips to mount the tanks securely to the rack. It is nice to have everything on one cart, and the foot print in 30x48 inches. Attached Images
Reply:Looks good. I had thought about making mine with enough room for a cutting torch set up.
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=107801
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=107801Yes, that is exactly the one that inspired me!
Reply:Thanks, You did a very good job. I really like yours.
Reply:The tool box I have had for probably 7 or 8 years. I like the box you used. I would like to have a few smaller drawers. What is the demensions of the box you used. I might have to get one of those and change mine out.
Reply:Thanks, You did a very good job
Reply:The box is the 5 drawer from Harbor Freight. I had a $200 gift card, and it was on sale for $199. It is 30 inches wide. I will have to measure the depth. It looks deeper than yours based on the pictures, don't you think? I found your post on the Miller site.  Really glad I did, as I would have ended up with the crappy little store bought cart. This thing will last forever!Thanks again for the inspiration!
Reply:Looking at the pictures, it seems like you might have enough room for O2 and acetylene...maybe?
Reply:Sweet cart, it's a great idea, I have the 252i and have been debating building a cart with more storage, as i purchased the sinle bottle cart that they sell for the welder, but I can see I need to add a second bottle, as one is not enough. I hate swapping them. I really kick myself fir nit getting the dual cart, but live and learn I guess. I just don't have the room fir a foot print of that size, I'll have to think about modifying my cart or building something a bit smaller. (smaller tool box maybe)  on a bit if off topic note how do you like the 181 I love my 252 the thing keeps surprising me on how nice it welds.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Nice job. You have room for more toys on that.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:The 181i is really nice.  However, I am a novice, so anything is better than what I started on. I like that I can dial it way down and weld the thinnest area on my project and leave a nice bead without blowing through. Very happy with the purchase.  Tonight I will try TIG for the first time!
Reply:what did you fabricate the straps from?  and where did you get the materials? they almost look like stainless steel strapping?bobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:The straps are 1 1/2 inch aluminum. I purchased them in 6 foot sections and cut them to size.  Simply bent them on my vice...very easy.  Just make them a bit shorter than you need so you can get the tank tight to the frame. I used carriage bolts through the frame.
Reply:Oh, and I got the strips at Menards.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drb007The straps are 1 1/2 inch aluminum. I purchased them in 6 foot sections and cut them to size.  Simply bent them on my vice...very easy.  Just make them a bit shorter than you need so you can get the tank tight to the frame. I used carriage bolts through the frame.
Reply:Can you post the link to the miller site. I only posted it here. I think your cart may be a little deeper. How did you connect it to the frame? Mine had a recessed area on the bottom that is about 1/2" deep. I cut a peice of 3/4" plywood that fit underneath mine and bolted down through the frame. The plywood rests on the frame.
Reply:You will have to pick that 3 in 1 up every time you open the drawls, unless you rigged the locking mech. Then that would let the drawls slide at will. I have 2 of these cabinets.Nice work!Classic 1D 200SAE 30086 SA 200Hyperthem 45Jancy Mag Force O/A Victor-GossCable's remote2-12" Mathey Dearman bevelersLN 25Miller Auto Set 211Wendy's Pancake/Jackson PipelinerNew Holland LS 180Great story man....tell it again!
Reply:The straps are 1/8" thick.  Got them at Menards.  My box sits right on the frame.  I ground down the little lip on the bottom before I assembled it.  I used the casters that came with the tool box and mounted them with 3 bolts to the corners.  I used the factory holes on the box and bolted through the box, frame and wheel.  I cut the locking mechanism for the top so the drawers open with the top closed.