Thermal Arc 186 Welding Cart

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Just started the design work on my first real tig project for my new Thermal Arc 186. Still working out some details, but figured I would post up my progress as I do it...So far the plan is to make the majority of it out of 1" square, 1/16" wall, steel tubing and use expanded metal for the trays. Thinking I'm going to use 4 casters, but not sure yet if I'm going to weld them on or bolt them on. Also going to make provisions for hanging the torch, ground cable, and power cable. Attached Images||  Thermal Arc 186  |  Thermal Arc 95s  ||
Reply:My MM211 has a cart much like you have outlined and it is a pain in the *** to move around, its long and narrow which I don't like  for my work space cheep wheels that came on it suck.  What I found when I made a cart out of a cut up and reassembled shopping cart is good casters are key, a handle to control the cart is a pleasure rather than bending over to try to move it. The other thing the squared foot print has over the long standard welding cart is the centralized mass makes for a cart that turns around in its foot print which is nice when space is tight. I also like the 2 fixed wheels as it helps you control direction on a slope, the one thing this cart could use is a brake or brakes on the 2 fixed wheels as they are ball bearing wheels. Also a hanger to wrap the cables up on would be a nice addition.Last edited by nikodell; 01-26-2013 at 07:49 PM.
Reply:I like my welders up a little higher, the bottom of the welder at the same height of my nutsack.. you need a handle on the front also. When I made the cart for my old ta185 I put the handle in the front, of course, and had it come up in front of the welder to help protect the welder if a tip over or something else happened..  I also made the cart so the welder would sit in between two pieces of tubing and had a bar that ran through the handle and bolted the welder down to the cart..  worked great..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Yeah and handle is in the works...as are places to hang the wrapped up cords/leadsAs far as height goes, I don't want it too tall...just tall enough to be able to support my 90cf argon tank (which is what is pictured in my model).I should have the finished model uploaded here in the next hour or so.||  Thermal Arc 186  |  Thermal Arc 95s  ||
Reply:Here is the final model of what I am planning on doing. Should give me a good variety of different joints and thicknesses to practice and learn on...which is the main goal of the project. And obviously something might change during the build... Attached ImagesLast edited by turbocharged110; 01-27-2013 at 05:52 PM.||  Thermal Arc 186  |  Thermal Arc 95s  ||
Reply:Just modified an mm211 cart for security reasons to house our new TA186 at work. ~Justin Manufacturing EngineerWWU Vehicle Research Institute c/o 2010
Reply:Justin, are you going to add a Lojack to that also?
Reply:Already installed ~Justin Manufacturing EngineerWWU Vehicle Research Institute c/o 2010
Reply:Nice cage Bluto...got thieves around you?I started doing the cutting and welding of the welder tray last night. I thought I was good to go when welding scrap metal, but quickly found out that I still have much to learn. It did get much better as the night went though. Anyway, here is a crappy picture of the frame of the tray with the welder sitting inside.||  Thermal Arc 186  |  Thermal Arc 95s  ||
Reply:I work in a Manufacturing plant that has people in and out of the building 7 days a week at all times of day, so when we get a nice new toy we make sure it doesn't walk off (easily)...~Justin Manufacturing EngineerWWU Vehicle Research Institute c/o 2010
Reply:Well it took forever...but I finally finished...||  Thermal Arc 186  |  Thermal Arc 95s  ||
Reply:Not bad Turbo, I just chopped a little shopping cart into a 186 cart today.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A