Time to build a new cart for 2 welders. Questions

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Now that I have a mig and tig I'm going to be building a new cart that will hold both of them and is easy to move around. For the bottom and the legs do you think I should use angle iron or square stock? I was thinking 1" square stock but will that be strong enough to support both welders and 2 bottles. One bottle is 130cf ( i believe) and the other is 20cf.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:it really depends on the wall thickness of the metal you use and how heavy the stuff it.   a search for welding cart will reveal lots of examples.    keep in mind tall and narrow will want to tip over.   use large wheels as possible and if you can do a side by side setup that will make it more stableTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Hey Gamble,Here's my setup for (2) units w/room for (3) bottles. The bottom frame is 36"L X 18"W, the welders area is 21"L X 18"W, & the height incl. castors is 31"H(3"H castors=28" frame). It is not top heavy because of the bottom unit & weight of the bottles & rolls quite easily around the shop. I used 1.5" sq. tubing(.082 wall) for strength. I have (2) others set up the same as this one. Maybe you can get some ideas for your setup from these pics.....Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Here is my rig, it is a used filing cabinet, old 55 gal drum dolly modified to fit on top of the filing cabinet with some hooks for cables, made the base out of 1x2 tube & .25 plate to give it a wide stance. Great storage and it is solid and rolls great. Have bout 2.50$ as it was all scrap from work...that is the best part...
Reply:Nice rig Jmann. Gamble, keep in mind your design will have as much to do with strength as the material. Also stop for a second and think. Angle iron is 1/2 of square tube. Square tube will almost always be stronger with the same wall thickness and dimensions as angle because it has twice as much material. It also doesn't want to twist when loaded like angle sometimes will. Going larger in size almost always increases strength over material the same thickness that's smaller. Many times a thinner lighter weight section that's larger will be many times stronger than a heavier smaller section.As said, you probably want to think more about stability than strength. None of your machines are really heavy and need a cart with tons of strength. But mount both machines up high on a narrow cart and you may find it's too top heavy..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:hey guys i just joined and i am also looking at ideas for a welding cart. JMann, I am really digging your cart! I love the use and idea of the for the storage.
Reply:Started framing it out last night. It's going to be 36" long by 20" wide. That should be plenty big and I'm using 1" square stock.I agree 20cf isn't going to be enough however it's enough to get me by for now until I can upgrade to a bigger tank.Why does everyone put 2 bigger wheels in the back? Why not use 4 casters?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:That filing cabinet is a great idea,  I am going to steal that idea in the future,  I see them at auction all the time often under $20.   the one I have in the house now cost me a whopping $2.50 How long have you had that Lotos...  experiences, opinion of it?Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:[QUOTE=Gamble;Why does everyone put 2 bigger wheels in the back? Why not use 4 casters?[/QUOTE]That is where most of the weight is on welder carts. The tanks especially the larger tanks weigh allot and are harder to roll around. My cart is a cheapy H/F tool cart with a hole cut on the opposite end of the handle, was only supposed to be temp but haven't really had a reason to change it until now. I want to build one for my IdealArc  w/ water cooled tig setup, and mig with room for the bottles also.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:If you are lucky enough to have a nice concrete garage and driveway without cracks in it then small wheels will work fine.  No the case on my  cracked garage floor, recycled asphalt driveway and dirt yard...http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=60622Last edited by soutthpaw; 12-15-2011 at 12:30 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I like the fatter wheels when I have to drag it over dirt and gravel.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpaw                                                                        That filing cabinet is a great idea,  I am going to steal that idea in the future,  I see them at auction all the time often under $20.   the one I have in the house now cost me a whopping $2.50 How long have you had that Lotos...  experiences, opinion of it?
Reply:Originally Posted by Gamble...Why does everyone put 2 bigger wheels in the back? Why not use 4 casters?
Reply:i am using 4 swivel casters on the cart i am building.....movability inside the garage is my main concern  and out weighs the concerns for bigger back tires for outside use.   you just have to think seriously about what you are designing it for and plan accordingly.  and realistically adding/changing wheels in the future is no big deal.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