Quick 'n dirty cheap TIG cart

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Needed to get the new cheap TIG machine and its bottle out of the way to do some other work and was inspired to build something after looking at some of the really great TIG carts I've seen here.  I didn't have the time or money for anything fancy like I've seen, but I needed something quick.  So I just used an old hand truck I had in the back corner that's too small for big stuff and too big for small stuff, or something like that.Welded up a simple frame from 1/8" x 1" angle for under the HF TIG machine and bolted that to the frame of the hand truck (the hand truck frame is plastic -- like I said, this is one cheap build! -- didn't even have to use up an actual useful hand truck).  A piece of 1/2" x 1/2" for the diagonal brace and done.Welded some scrap angle to the metal base of the hand truck to support the sides of the bottle and also make sure it can't tip over forward.Works great.  Cost next to nothing.No TIG weld pics on this one -- I decided to use the MIG to tack everything and once I got that MIG gun in my hand, well there was no stopping.  Darn thing was finished before I knew what happened.  Attached Images
Reply:looks like it got the job done. is it stedy enough ?? summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Originally Posted by fun4now.looks like it got the job done. is it stedy enough ??
Reply:cool i was concern about it might fall over sideways from looking at it. my tig is a bit on the heavy side, seems like a good 60lbs but it may not be that much. just seems that way with all the cords and stuff its kinda ockwerd to pick up.every one builds what works for them and most likely change it over time as things progress.i know i have several changes in the works for the future of mine. this one looks like a good starter. when you have more time and matereals to play with who knows what you will end up with, although you may just end up likeing this one too much to change it. it certanly takes up less floor space than mine dose, depending on shop space that could be a big +. humm that reminds me i gotts make me a dolly, funny how little things can get forgotten when not needed at the moment and become such a big need when the time comes. you may need that dolly back some day, i hope the tig setup is removeable.I saw your welding cart -- fantastic work. With more time and practice I hope to attempt something as nice.thanks, time i have too much of some times and not enough others, but the biggest reson behind it was to get more practice. i think welding coopons can only get you so far and it get a bit boring. i was starting to lose intrest. and knowing i need to finde a way to get my shop to make me some $$ i knew i needed to get my aluminum skills up to presentable befor offering out my services. so i was killing a few things with one stone so to speek. it did take a bit of time no ? about that, probly more than most have to ofer to a cart project but as i needed the practice and the matereals were free it was a perfect fit for me, although probly not for others. but some thing like it would be a good lerning tool for any one. its a lot diferent welding on a project than it is on coopons, lets just say it didnt start out as nice as i had planed.  but as time went on i got better with every weld. i also found i'm better when its not a flat weld, strange enough out of position was easyer for me.  who knew ??? summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Originally Posted by phila.renewalNeeded to get the new cheap TIG machine and its bottle out of the way to do some other work and was inspired to build something after looking at some of the really great TIG carts I've seen here.  I didn't have the time or money for anything fancy like I've seen, but I needed something quick.  So I just used an old hand truck I had in the back corner that's too small for big stuff and too big for small stuff, or something like that.
Reply:I like that one too.  If I do get the better TIG machine for my b'day, I think I already know what will form the basis of its cart:http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=32410$25 bucks wouldn't really even pay for the materials to make it that much of it from scratch so probably from China we go (unless I come across some useful scrap and some tires in the mean time -- though I think I have some casters for the front laying around somewhere) . . . .  I've already planned to add a small tool box and a fire extinguisher mount to jazz it up; maybe some pegs to make it easier to wrap a thick extension cord, etc. -- the best laid plans . . . .    Likely get in a rush and cobble something quick as always and then go from there.I need to be able to get it up and down steps from time to time and in and out of the truck on a ramp so I really like the idea of mounting the bottle back in the frame like that one you picture.  Keeps it from getting too long out front and too hard to tip back to hand truck it.
Reply:http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90305About as quick as it gets.
Reply:phila & clay - Exactly, I used a few of their carts/tool trays for a few of my welders, my plasma cutter and my cutter table. It's nice to say you built it yourself but materials are so dang expensive, it's easier to buy something and convert it.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZonephila & clay - Exactly, I used a few of their carts/tool trays for a few of my welders, my plasma cutter and my cutter table. It's nice to say you built it yourself but materials are so dang expensive, it's easier to buy something and convert it.
Reply:Nothing wrong with a converted hand truck.. However the pneumatic tires are going to be prone to ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss with all the hot metal and such.. I just have to get a pic or two of our propane torch handtruck cart..You 'aint seen nothing yet..    ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Exactly Visor. I'm back in da' chat...had to put my son to bed.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI just have to get a pic or two of our propane torch handtruck cart
Reply:don't forget the dime.
Reply:i think just about anything that gets the job done is good to go, be it a start fresh design or a refit of something else. besides the fact matereals can be verry expensive, building from scratch can be verry time consuming and some times you start getting caried away and just dont know when to stop and call it done.my cart was prity time consuming and i would think a lot of you dont have that much time to devote to a cart, also all the matereals were free, i cant even begin to guess what it would have been if i had to buy all that. lots of ideas and lots of ways to get the job done. my only concern with the HF cart is it looks a lil flimsy so i would defenetly want to sturdy it up a lot. looks like it was made for there 15lbs welder and putting my 45lbs one on it could be dangerous. but as a stater point to build from its not too bad an idea..biggest thing i noticed is things start growing faster than you think and can end up too big to be of any use if you are not care full. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:I dig the way you guys work...simple, functional and CHEAP!  Leave all the bling for someone else's pocket book....besides paint is cheap and a little creativity can make everything look better!  Nice post.
Reply:Yeah man!  What's the point of having the skills to weld if you don't weld up your own stuff!  Always looked in wonderment at some of the bottle carts places sell at smokin' crack prices.   If there are that many shops where the owner or one of his guys can't make a bottle cart out of scrap (or convert a next to nothing in cost hand truck  ) in short time, well I don't know.  I suppose there's better use of time in a busy shop so OK enough ranting.The real art is what Fun4Now did with his cart for example -- take free scrap and make it something beautiful.  I wish I had access to where he finds the scrap!  Just have to get lucky once in a while I guess.Coming up soon -- my "Frankenstein" foot pedal.  I'm going to compete with Zap for caveman design. It's amazing what a pile of junk can turn into.   Last edited by phila.renewal; 03-30-2007 at 09:31 AM.
Reply:Now this was made in 1962.. And we still use it everyday..Imagine if there was air in these "tires".....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:That tire looks like it has braces. It's been through the ringer.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:LOL is that quorter stuck in there or is it part of your lunch $$.i think you might have needed a few cans of fix-a-flat for that thing.LOLall my air tires are filled with flat stoper and they see a lot less floor time and gunk then that one has but then again if i have it for 45years i might have to change a flat or 2, well that or just fill the tire with expanding foam. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Originally Posted by fun4now.LOL is that quorter stuck in there or is it part of your lunch $$.