Anyone running a big bottle on a cart for a smaller lightweight Tig?

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Wondering how stable a big bottle (250 - 330) will be on a cart built for a smaller inverter Tig welder. I was thinking something like the 4shorts "Crazy Cart" but without the fancy stuff. Will have a 2 gallon cooler on the bottom. The Tig itself is 40 lbs. Not sure how wide I would have to to make it stable being the welder and cooler will be pretty light. Space is a premium so I dont want to make it wider than I have to. I do plan on putting everything as low as possible with a small drawer in between for consumables just like 4shorts cart. Link to 4shorts Cart ----> http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=19204I have a 125 bottle now but thinking about going bigger since I dont want to have to get gas every other week. Probably will be practicing an hour a night and some more on the weekend. I figured at that rate, I probably should keep an out out for a large tank.Any ideas would be appreciated. Also, if you have something similar, please let me know how it worked out and width measurements if you have them.Hobart Handler 210 with SpoolgunHypertherm PM30 PlasmaHTP 221 Tig WelderHF BandsawHF Auto Dark Helmet
Reply:If you want it stable you need to keep a few things in mind. Center of gravity and wheel base/stance. If you make the base large enough it will be quite stable. If you put enough weight on the bottom, it will also be fairly stable. Put a ton of weight up high and make the base small in relation to it's height, and chances are you'll tip it with no issues..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I also need to build a tig cart for a Dynasty 200 and have a large (330) argon tank.  I have thought about trading in the tank for a smaller one but also don't want to have to switch out bottles too often.  Please post pictures of what you come up with.ThanksRussell
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWIf you want it stable you need to keep a few things in mind. Center of gravity and wheel base/stance. If you make the base large enough it will be quite stable. If you put enough weight on the bottom, it will also be fairly stable. Put a ton of weight up high and make the base small in relation to it's height, and chances are you'll tip it with no issues.
Reply:No rule say the welder cart has to hold the cylinder too if it's easier to roll them separately. I figure the reason to have a welder it to make my life easier.You could make any stable, easy to handle cylinder cart you like and put a (quality) brass pneumatic chuck on the regulator output, then make a gas hose any length you like. Bulk hose is usually cheap cut to length at your LWS.Fittings are inexpensive. Western Enterprises has quite a variety and you can get them online. Google for best prices using the fitting part number and "best prices" in the search term.You can use a quality pneumatic chuck if you like quick-disconnect without a wrench. We had two per TIG booth where I worked (on a low pressure argon manifold) and they are very handy.I forget the part number of the Western adapter shown but it converts to 1/4" NPT male. Attached ImagesLast edited by farmall; 01-14-2012 at 05:51 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by mikeb9550Thanks, I'm hoping some has don something similar and can post dimensions. I hate to build it then have to cut it up and make it wider. Plan is to keep it low but the welder and cooler together are about 70 - 100 lbs. Not sure it it would be enough to keep the bottle stable on a narrowish cart.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWNot sure I quite understand you then. The cart you posted looks to have almost everything you want. Cooler down below to add weight low for stability, light weight tig on top for easy access, large cylinder in back.  Tires wider than the cart for stability... How is this NOT what you are looking for? Sure it's got a ton of "bling", but the tig rod holders really don't hinder or detract from the design significantly and a drawer is very convenient for cups, collets etc. Dimensions look like they can be determined from the cooler and tig without a lot of fuss.
Reply:Farmall, I have thought about that. I was going to mount a quick disconnect on my it with a T and valve. incase I want to T in some helium. Going to do the same for my mig cart incase I want to good in to the argon and run my spool gun. There is just something that doesnt look right with a welding cart with no bottle.  If I had room, I would shelf mount it then chain the tank to the wall.Hobart Handler 210 with SpoolgunHypertherm PM30 PlasmaHTP 221 Tig WelderHF BandsawHF Auto Dark Helmet
Reply:Dynasty 300DX case is about the same as 200, cooler tank is below 330c/f bottle on the backCheers,Kevin Morin
Reply:I currently have my 250(?) cf cylinder set against my work bench, and I converted the hoses for both my IdealArc and the 140 st to use air hose style connectors, using barbs and other fittings. When I get my Square Wave I will be building a cart to hold all my welders, w/c cooler and argon cylinders, but I doubt I will have to worry about being top heavy with a 500 pd plus machine.. Anyway I have seen some carts where they set the cylinder across the bottem of the cart at an angle.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:It's also much faster to swap cylinders on separate carts. We would leave a couple of argon or MIG gas cylinders on an OA cart and have fast reload and instant swap capability. It allowed us more choice of machine location too such as under the booths and slightly to the rear to avoid sparks. For students purging stainless two cylinders kept them working longer without having to stop to reload.No lifting or rolling up a ramp to get cylinders onto a cart (you only get one spine and it WILL wear out sooner or later!), easy movement, and general convenience made it a no-brainer.Last edited by farmall; 01-15-2012 at 09:53 AM.