Very First Welding Project - MIG Cart

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This is my very first welding project with my new Miller 211 MIG welder using a 75/25 gas mix. The goal was to have a well thought out heavy duty welding cart that would be highly functional, relatively simple, and store ALL my welding items safely and securely. I researched many welding cart designs, but none of them met my needs... as they were either too basic (no handle, 1 tank, no storage, etc.) or they were VERY elaborate (hoist mounts, 220V electrical boxes, decorated, etc). So I basically pieced together my own design after a while... still critiquing and revising it almost 2 weeks later. Since I wanted the welder a little higher up off the ground for use / visibility, that meant I needed to made the base wide and heavy. Having two heavy tanks on one side meant I needed to balance that weight as best as I could on the other side. One thing I knew from the start was that I didn't want the typical chain to secure the tanks like 99% of people use, I wanted something unique... so I decided to go with an extremely secure arm that easily folds up / down and locks in place. It's actually easier than you'd think, simply tap a bolt hole into one side, place a bolt with a 1" shoulder through to allow the arm to pivot. I also wanted to be able to get inside the welder without removing it from the cart, so that meant designing a railing that would secure the welder when up but would allow full access when folded down.As with all projects, there are things I would have done differently (and may still do something down the road). Two things specifically:1) the axle design needs to be done differently due to the weight of the cart... the all-thread rod must be slightly bending at the ends due to the weight and causing the tires to wobble and tilt inwards. This really isnt a problem, as it still can be pushed easily... but visually it's not good to see wobbling tires after all the effort put into the project.2) the paint really needs to be powdercoated on... or maybe lots of top clear coats... as anything that touches it scraps the paint right off.3) I would like to add a Spectrum plasma cutter down the road and really wanted to build in a shelf for this... but couldn't figure out where to put it without it being too high.1" x 11 Guage Squar Tubing - Used for all of frame minus the base2" x 3/16" Square Tubing - Used for base2" x 3/16 Flat Bar - Used for cross supports3/4" I.D. Schedule 40 Pipe - Used for axle and for handle1/2" Birch Plywood - Used for flooring4" Casters with Brakes8" Never Flat Soft Rubber TiresLOTS of cut-off discs and flap discs
Reply:Great job, and nice color match!-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Nice cart!  Looks like lots of engineering and detail work in there.Hemi-T"Ignorance can be fixed, but stupid is forever."Hobart BetaMig 2510Everlast PowerPro 256 TigMiller Radiator-1 Tig cooler
Reply:I like it - well thought out.My first one was tall as well.  The only problem I had was welding under a vehicle - sometimes (rarely) I had to put the welder on the ground for better access.  It was very rare though so not a huge issue.I like your overall design - paint chips and scrapes just mean you're working Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Great job on that! The whole thing flawless. Nice.PlasmaCam CNC cutterLathe and Band SawClamps
Reply:Thanks for the compliments everyone.MinnesotaDave, one of my buddies first comments when I told him I got a welder was "you're going to want a longer gun"... and that was before I even put it on the cart... so I can definitely see how being higher up would hurt the length even more (or help in certain scenarios), but hopefully if I run into that too many times, a longer gun will fix that issue.
Reply:Minus the deep grinding scuffs very pro and awesome design! Very well planned out bud I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeMinus the deep grinding scuffs very pro and awesome design! Very well planned out bud
Reply:Nice cart, Does the 211 come with that chord or did you upgrade?
Reply:Talk about getting carried away with a grinder look at the cart I freestyle built last year! Seemed like a different cool idea, WHEN I STARTED  Your cart really came out freakin awesome tho!  Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by tackitCool looking cart weldermike.
Reply:Nice ! Like the color match too.  :Hey MIKE, if the box on the cart was larger, it could be used for a magic trick .
Reply:very cool carts guys.  I will not show mine.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:You did a real fine job there for a "first welding cart project." Looks very functional and well thought out. Nice color as well, though red and black would have been better colors.  GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:Thanks again everyone! Originally Posted by raider12Nice cart, Does the 211 come with that chord or did you upgrade?
Reply:Hey, Allgood.I'm a UGA alumni too (along with my wife, my brother, and 2 of 3 kids. Other is GaTech). Where are you located? Add your location to your profile, may be someone nearby that can help you, but doesn't look like you need a lot of help. Great cart!Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I tigged the whole cart and left the welds alone. The box I ground the welds and cleared. That ill probably keep. Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtHey, Allgood.I'm a UGA alumni too (along with my wife, my brother, and 2 of 3 kids. Other is GaTech). Where are you located? Add your location to your profile, may be someone nearby that can help you, but doesn't look like you need a lot of help. Great cart!
Reply:Looks good.  Next time before you paint (or even if you wanted to fix and repaint the grind marks), you can always skim coat with a little filler: