Safety question? Proximity of bottles to welding table?

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I am building a welding cart for my Mig and Tig rigs. I was thinking about putting my welding table on top of the welding cart.  Then I had the thought of needing to put the welding bottles right next to the welding table.My head tells me this is a bad idea for safety reasons.  Is that so? I have a really small shop so I am trying to conserve/consolidate space as much as possible.thanks in advance.
Reply:For an inert gas like for mig and tig, my biggest concern would be for protection of the regs and valves. If the table protects the units from you dropping something on them, you are probably fine.O/A would worry me a bit more, simply from the stand point of sparks and leaks, and the inability to quickly access the valves in the event you needed to close the cylinders quickly.I assume you are setting this up in such a way that you can turn off the cylinders easily. If not, expect to be out of gas from the cylinders leaking down at some point if you leave the cylinders on, especially with small cylinders that would fit under a bench. It will not take long to have them leak out even with a tiny leak..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:DSW, thanks for the response.  I run 125cf bottles for both mig and Tig. Not big by most pros standards.  They are tall enough that the valves would like sit above the table height once they are mounted on the side of the cart/table.  Still have to think through the design.  The goal is to be mobile so that I can move it in and out of the shop as one unit.  I will most likely be welding out in the driveway when weather permits.
Reply:Putting high pressure bottles that close to the welding area greatly increases the potential for an arc strike on the bottle.  I'd prefer a folding welding table separate from your "welding cart".Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Thanks Sundown.I am going to have to go with a combined equipment "welding cart" for the Mig, Tig and 2 bottles and a separate table.  If not just for the simple fact of letting me sleep at night.I picked up a piece of 3/8" plate that was 28" x 48" for my welding table.  I keep looking at the supporting frame thinking I should make better use of the space.
Reply:Why not orient your compressed gas cylinders horizontally?  While I don't have a picture handy, and the cart is not on site, I occasionally use a welding cart/table that has a 330cf bottle of Argon lying horizontally at front of of the cart.  The valve and regulator are protected by a heavy removable cage that is placed over the valve assembly before the bottle is uncapped, and removed to swap out the bottle once the cap has been placed on an empty bottle.  Swapping a bottle isn't the most pleasant task in the world, of course, but there is virtually no chance of an errant arc strike on the bottle
Reply:canderosa,I was thinking along the lines of the Strong Hand folding, welding table.Northern Tools has the table I'm talking about.For portable work, I use a piece of 3/8" plate about 18"x36" placed on two steel leg folding sawhorses.  When done, the plate goes against the wall and the horses are hung up.In "limited space" situations, the Rockwell "Jaw Horse" comes in mighty handy.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Sundown-I have considered the Strong Hand table and the Miller folding table.  Both look nice for my application and requirements for portability.  I don't do heavy welding.  I merely play with hobby welding and "art" type metal work. From what I recall, the top on the Miller is thicker.  I picked up the 3/8" plate for a decent price and was hoping to make it work.  I hadn't thought of your idea. . . Using a pair of metal saw horse legs.  Those can be had cheap enough at Home Depot.  Certainly would make it much more space friendly when not in use.Did you cut any "hand holds" in your plate to help pick it up and down between uses?Thanks again.  Your experience and input are valued.