New TIG - Building a cart for it

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Another Cart thread.... I searched for ideas all last week and finally came up with my own idea.... at least the start........ I haven't figured out how I am going to secure the tank........ deal with the 50 feet of lead ....... and 50 feet of ground........and the pedal.......But, today I spent a long time measuring, cutting........ a little time welding..... a lot of time grinding....... And I have a long way to go......... but don't get to work on it again until next Saturday......I also fired up the new TIG 175 today...... in Stick mode (no gas yet for TIG)..... and it worked like a dream.... much better than my 1944 model......I ran some DC 6010 and a lot of AC7018...... I'm pleased with how it performed so far....Pics now...... of my not yet complete build...... I will resume the thread next weekend when I can keep working on it........ Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:A picture of the pile of stuff half done, a random couple shots of the machine, and a couple shots of my helper on cleaning duty...It is hard for me to believe that it took my pretty much all day to only get this far.......  I must work slow.........See you next Saturday with some updates!Thanks Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Cool!  Definitely add hooks for hanging cables and big casters are always better in the first place rather than on the "I should'a" list. They just make your day. Minimum. 4"er's. and those 8" metal rim dolly wheels with the solid rubber tires on back. As for the tank, couple of braced, angle uprights 3/4's of the height of the tank is a good option. Two length's of chain to fit around the girth of the tank plus a bit extra. Snap clip of some sort on one end of each. Weld a 1/2" washer in two spots, top and bottom to hook the clips to. Those carabiner style ones are good. Maybe a little flip down ramp to walk the tank up if you go with big casters/wheels. Or put the wheels on outboard wings and have the tank platform hung low, between them. Smart idea tipping the control face up. Great shop helper. Need some of those kid size Carhart's! Next is a chop saw stand.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Looking good.  A little tip, if you use some round rod for cable hooks, slide some clear plastic tubing over them to protect your cables.  You can buy the tubing by the foot at Lowes or Home Depot.Lincoln Powermig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Thermal Arc 161SOxweld 24R OA TorchStill Looking for an Old Round Top Idealarc 250
Reply:Looks good.  I used to have 4 shop helpers like that.  In about 12 years, she'll hate everything you say or do.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:hi, Cute helper !  She has more hair then I ever had. Great start. How's that new machine ???  It might not be a bad idea to add a storage shelf somewhere. You could even add it above machine which could also be used to store another machine and goodies. Good idea about hose  for the cable holders. Watch for someone throwing out garden hose, cheap and free. Maybe consider purchasing a cheap utility cart on wheels . You could use it for chop saw , tools, material, clamps , etc for mobile storage and save your back. I know you are young but you got many years ahead to go. http://www.harborfreight.com/three-s...cart-6650.html  here is a harbor freight page, watch craigs list too. it's great having stuff on wheels and shelves require you to buy more  tools  to fill them.   Caster size will be important too. Looks like you have all  concrete flat level ground, nice. I used pneumatic on mine because of gravel.    Might not be a bad idea to have fire extinguisher handy if you don't, never know. A connected garden hose would work too. Do you have a face shield ? [  I  see your safety glasses in photo  ] You only get one set of eyes and you can't see out of a glass one  ! I'm kind of a safety concern person and only thought to mention it. I have been around awhile and saw way too many injuries because someone just didn't want to take the time to put the face shield on sitting on table they were working on.  Keep up the good work and have fun !    A@W root beer  Your area is way too clean !   It must be that professional cleaning girl that you have on payroll!     Keep up the good work
Reply:Hi There,The new machine is fantastic...... I have only been able to use it in Stick mode, but like the way it performs so much that I choose to use the 7018 on this cart on the 11 gauge base....... I actually didn't even want to get the MIG out on the 14 gauge...... but was confident I would burn through with the stick machine.I always keep my safety goggles on in the garage, even between cuts and welds.I bought 3" Casters that have a capacity of 200 lbs. I'm thinking I need bigger ones because the machine itself weighs 185 lbs, and the cart and bottle and lead probably make the whole thing weigh in at around 500 lbs......... I'm thinking of bigger casters now.......As far as cleaning...... I like a clean garage...... and my daughter does too....... I would like it cleaner in fact...... with more overhead light........ If I could create a "clean room" with filtered air I probably would......Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:The casters should work if they are 200 pounds each but cable is heavy.. Moving with larger wheels maybe a little easier. As far as overhead lighting goes that will be another project . Depending on how you finalize your shop will depend on type. I have a halogen light mounted on a swing arm by the wall that allows light to move from wall to end of arm that it slides on. Nothing better than light.  GOOD LUCK !
Reply:Good way to keep things cleaner is to pick up one of those El Cheapo 4x6 HF Bandsaws with the lousy base, better cuts, too. Good excuse to make a new base...in fact, I'm surprised that you haven't made yourself a nice off the floor roll around table (and material support stand) for that dusty chopsaw of yours. A small spark guard for it would keep that metal dust from flying away too far, all over the place. In fact, she'll hate you less in 12 years for not making her clean up such a huge mess. Nice work so far.   Last edited by bearston; 04-01-2012 at 09:20 PM.
Reply:Coming along FEX, already looks better than the drawing  Good job!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Congrats on that new machine Fex!! Looking good, that thing is CLEAN!! Just one tip on the corners... On the outsides, where the edges meet and form a point, you might wanna grind down each side a little before you put the joint together, so that instead of forming a point, that "point" becomes a fillet of sorts, so you have a groove to fill instead of just piling metal on the edge[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Good idea Lanse..... I never thought of that..... I'll try it.....Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Mine needed a cart also. This is what I came up with. Mostly built with bed frame angle and various scrap on hand. Got the big wheels at a Flea market for $6 and paid about $3 for the axle at the local steel supplier. Attached Images
Reply:Fex, nice start to the cart.  Regarding your chopsaw, don't know what kind of neighbors you have but you might want to do your cutting of steel outside in the lawn area, not on the driveway as the metal will turn to rust and doesn't look good.  Chopsaws are heavy,messy and loud!!  Bandsaw is the way to go if noise is an issue.  Might want to think about raising the height of your welder on the cart, easier on the back.  A small metal kids wagon with a top on it makes a quick and easy moveable table for the chopsaw, your back will appreciate it plus easily moved inside/outside.  Bob
Reply:Great thinking on the hose/tube to cover the cable hangers. As for the casters, the weight rating should be fine on the 3" ones. I was suggesting 4" and up because they are much easier to roll around with. Better roll-over for little bits on the shop floor. Not that your helper isn't doing a thorough job, of course!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:I got a little bit more done today.... still not finished..... but have the machine on the cart at least.........Here are a couple pics.....The bad fit up in the first pic was a fun challenge to weld....... But I got it done by doing tack..... pause... tack.... pause... .tack... pause..... Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:I built a little tray for the gas to go into.Then welded it onto the base....... Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Then I put some uprights in so that I could chain the gas into place. next weekend I plan to build off of the upright and put a tray in to hold the foot pedal and from there handle the massive amount of lead i have.I learned the value of gussets from Lanse..... otherwise I would have never thought to add them for strength...... Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Coming out nice FEX good job! how bout some more bad jokes! I'm going thru withdrawals after yo got me started. Serious tho, good job.  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:And.... Since I really wanted to use the machine..... but don't have a flow meter yet..... I decided to run a couple beads with 6010....... and ......because I have fanstastic (cough cough) video skills, I set the camera up on the drill press and took some video.Since I am so good at taking video.... I totally forgot to get a close up of the 6010 beads...... so instead just put in a random photo at the end of the video of some 7018 AC rod........ one that I ran with the new Lincoln (I said 2009 since I don't know how old the machine really is.....) and one that I ran with my 1944 AC welder......The porosity is operator error....... but a 70 year difference makes almost the same weld quality in AC.......Here's is my long.... boring video........Last edited by Fexal; 04-07-2012 at 08:23 PM.Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Great, I loved it. JOURNEY sux tho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They really suck, they bite the big one, they lick monkey nuts etc.  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I was in the mood for 80's Hair bands today. It's Pandora.... you get the good with the bad.........Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by FexalI was in the mood for 80's Hair bands today. It's Pandora.... you get the good with the bad.........
Reply:True........ Maybe it was the 5.5 Corona Extra's I had just prior to the start of the video..........Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by FexalTrue........ Maybe it was the 5.5 Corona Extra's I had just prior to the start of the video..........About once per week this thread gets revived..... mostly because I get to work in the garage only once per week......I made just a tad more progress on this cart....before I realized I was out of metal...... DANG.....Anyway.... a few pics of the cart, plus a few pics of some TIG with the new machine..... First...... a couple pics of the cart....... Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:I finally saved enough $$ to get a flowmeter...... and a grinder for the Tungsten......I ran a few lines on carbon steel.... then one on stainless....... then totally failed on Aluminum..... (and got told i should search before posting on that topic.............)I digress.....Pics of beads...... My first TIG lines with this awesome machine....... Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:So this post is getting cold, mostly because it is taking me a long time to finish this build....I seem to be adding onto it things I did not originally think about.... so it's dragging on too long...Lesson learned......But I need to find closure with this thing.....Yesterday I was used my new Plasma to cut a little metal for a tray to hold the pedal.... then TIG welded it to the bottom of the tray I built (I don't know where those pics got posted)....Apparently, even a 1/8th fillet weld is hard for me.... it's basically a flat weld with just a slight ridge on one side.....Suddenly I had trouble..... I watch Jodie Collier all the time and he makes it look easy... for me..... not easy.....Pics now: Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Settings?Looks as if your not running hot enough/fast enough and taking too long to develop a puddle and developing a lot of heat.  Big HAZ.
Reply:I believe I was running at 110amps with the pedal..... I had a 1/16th 2% Thoriated on the air cooled #9 torch..... My Argon was about 15, and DCEN..... I have no other settings to control......My torch is rated at 125 amps max..... I have run hotter.... but man does that thing get hot on my hands.....I think the HAZ is because I was/am having a REAL hard time with knowing how to do anything other than surfacing.......Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Oh, the square tube is 11 gauge.... I was focusing most of the heat to that piece, and attempting to wash up into the 1/8th in piece..... I was having trouble getting it to puddle... and with adding filler...... my right hand seem to shake a lot and that made it hard......Not until I was down to half a rod did I manage to have any success with dipping the filler with any accuracy......Maybe I should cut my filler in half.........Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:As i was reading i was saying to myself " cut the filler in half", then you answered your own question.
Reply:I think I should open WORD and post there... then respond to my own thoughts.. then I would find success in private.....The public approach seems to work well too.......I should just have  Fexal forum where I ask and answer my own questions....... Then one day.... maybe I'll be like Zap or ZTFab.......Ha..... I doubt it.....Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Your gonna have to setup a P.O. Box in your garage if it takes you any longer to get it built.