Welding Bed Thoughts

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I'm thinkin about as a little project this winter to build a welding bed or welding rig as they are called. My main reasons for this are I'm sick and tired of loading and un-loading my torches and welder (250D Lincoln) into the bed of my 3/4 ton pickup. I am pretty sure that I've found a 90 Dodge W350 Dually w/ Cummins 5 speed 4x4. It's got a flatbed on her now but I'd like to build a slick welding bed to set everything on. The truck would stay local so I'm okay with the older truck, I also currently have a 91 W250 that I've rebuilt, replaced, or retrofitted damn near everything on, So i'm not afraid to work on the truck. I have seen some sweet ones in the Jonah Field and also up around Gillette and have kinda wanted one, I mean hell I've already got the welder and so on. I also figure it'd be a good way to get my boss to pay what it is worth to have a welder and torches around, as now it goes un-said that I just kinda donate them. Less BS and back to the subject I had a few questions about them:Torch Racks, I've seen alot of these rigs with a 2 tank cabinet laying horizontally. This puzzles me as I've always been told let a acetylene tank be upright at least a hour prior to using any, something to do with the liquid form and balsa wood in em I can't remember, all I know is that it's a no no, or is this just a old welders tale as I seem to see alot of tank setups horizontally.Hoosier Bars, I've heard mention of these something like as a lead rack? Haven't seen any up close pictures of them so I don't quite understand what they do.Also I know there's a thread full of pictures, but if anyone's got pictures of neat 'little things' I'd love to see them just to give me some ideas for what to include.I dbout I'll do any actual pipeline welding, in all honestly it would be more of a construction service truck, but I like to keep my tools in my shop roll cab toolbox, so I usually only keep very few on the truck. The pipeliners just seem to have some of the sweetest rides. It just seems like I'm constantly going home to load up the torches or welder, It'd also be nice to get my 250 Lincoln off the trailer so It's more of a jump in and go deal when I need it mobile.I appolagize for rambling on like I did, and the poor spelling and grammar. But I think I was able to get my points acrossed well enough.1942 Lincoln Lincwelder 180, 2 Cylinder Wisconsin Gas1981 Lincoln Shield Arc 250, 3 Cylinder Perkins DieselLincold Idealarc 250 Roundtop AC DC+ DC- (80's)Miller Millermatic 250x
Reply:Well, there's this thread....and this.I've killed a lot of hours on this thread as well..."These instructions are at our present level ofknowledge. Legal requirements do not exist.Technical issues subject to change."_________________________________________Lincoln MIG PAK 180Lincoln AC-225
Reply:On every welding rig I have seen the horizontal cabinets are for your oxygen bottles. Most beds have two cutouts or something for your acetylene bottles. Also the hoosier bar is usually to hold umbrellas from what I have been told.Lincoln 225 RangerSa200            01 dodge  3500 welding rig
Reply:Have you thought of a dedicated welding trailer instead of a whole separate truck?  Since it sounds like it's occasional use as opposed to your main job (unless I'm reading it wrong) this might be a cheaper investment and a trailer can be built the same as a flatbed destined for a truck frame."These instructions are at our present level ofknowledge. Legal requirements do not exist.Technical issues subject to change."_________________________________________Lincoln MIG PAK 180Lincoln AC-225
Reply:Originally Posted by bgrovesOn every welding rig I have seen the horizontal cabinets are for your oxygen bottles. Most beds have two cutouts or something for your acetylene bottles. Also the hoosier bar is usually to hold umbrellas from what I have been told.
Reply:Originally Posted by HardwareHave you thought of a dedicated welding trailer instead of a whole separate truck?  Since it sounds like it's occasional use as opposed to your main job (unless I'm reading it wrong) this might be a cheaper investment and a trailer can be built the same as a flatbed destined for a truck frame.
Reply:Yep that's how they are around here, you have a spare for both I would like to build a bed also, right now both of my welders are on separate trailers. Its easy to just back up to them but I use them everyday sometimes I wish my sa200 were on a truck but the trailer works alright for right now. Good luck on getting it built.Lincoln 225 RangerSa200            01 dodge  3500 welding rig
Reply:The Hoosier bar serves two purposes.  When you swing it out over the pipe on a pipeline you wrap some of your welding lead around it and hang a portion off the end with your stinger.   This way when you drive to the next weld up the line your not dragging your stinger and leads on the ground or through the mud.  The only thing your dragging is your welder helper carrying the ground.  LOL!The second purpose was stated above.  Your Hoosier Bar can also be outfitted to hold an umbrella to keep you in the shade while you work.
Reply:Oh ya I never thought about that. I just knew about the umbrella but that would work to. I can't wait till I get me a welding truck.Lincoln 225 RangerSa200            01 dodge  3500 welding rig