Small trailer&WeldanPower 225 setup

admin

I  am sharing a few pictures as I go of a small trailer and a WeldanPower 225 ac/dc welder.  I bought the trailer as a very "humble" but cheap  mess.  The original builder years ago did a nice job on the basic trailer  so to me there was some potential to clean it up  and improve it.  I have derusted/sandblasted,  lubed the hubs, added a new 2" hitch and jack on it and splurged for  some used chromes with good tires.  I sprayed Rustoleum Red primer everywhere and used Rustoleum Almond  on most of it. I have a inop Weldanpwoer150 which came with the trailer.  So far that one is inop (Duane is helping me there). This led me to reading and learning a little bit about  old Licoln engine driven rigs and I got the bug to get one that I liked.  Next, I came across this nice 225, bought it,  and  now I'm beginning an install on the trailer.  So far it fits very nicely.  I'm figuring on improving the bottle rack in the rear and adding some storage.  My use will be on my ranchita here in SW Az. Use it on, fences, equipment fixes, and building corrals/sheds... what I would call simple farm/ranch fabricating and repairs.  I am very open to experienced fellas offering ideas on how this little rig should be setup?  What to have on board, what to NOT have onboard   Storing the leads, storing the torch and it's hose? etc  Make reels or maybe something simpler.  Your experience will save me a lot of head scratching I'm sure; feel free to put in your two cents on how ZACTLEE I might proceed. Attached Images
Reply:Where in SW AZ?  Depending on how close to the border or how isolated you are, that thing better be kept under cover.  Locking reels for leads are a must, no matter where you live.  Tanks that are secured appropriately & hoses/regulators under lock & key are also a must have.  When buying locks, make sure to get enough "keyed-alike" locks.  5-8 would be a good start.Hoses & regulators inside a toolbox, leads & extension cords on reels that can lock not only the reel, but also the cable.  Maybe a steel cover over the reels that locks to prevent cutting the cable & walking off with it.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:One last thing, if you have to modify anything on the trailer, plan on building a hoop to help protect the top of the bottles.  Like an Oxygen Roll Bar.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I can't disagree with Mark's statements about locks. For security I like the round locks with the matching "armored" hasps that are very difficult to cut. I buy all my locks in large sets so the keys match if at all possible.One thing, usually most guys point the face of the gen set at the back, not the tongue of the trailer. That way they can use the back as a work platform if they want. Doesn't make a huge difference I guess, but it's something to think about..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:Lock everything.  Seems an excellent idea.  Welder facing front or to the rear?  hmmm, the tanks are at the rear... at least they are now, with a protecting rollbar, chains etc.  My oxy is only an 80cf about 30" tall for ex.  I figured to keep the leads and control away and forward would be safer and easier to reach. This could be done easily flipped 180 degrees at this stage, a good idea to ponder. Thanks much. It will be in the barn mostly when not in use but yes, unfortunately things disappear/walk away... like a spendy 1 year old boer goat doe just a week ago.  I have several Makita grinders/cutters which could  be in a locked box. I  wonder about  clamps? I got a few simple ones but nothing fancy. Should  I make room for my Lincoln 130 MIG  which is handy or just skip that? PapaLion/BretYuma Azbut it  could be anywhere and the same would apply.Last edited by PapaLion; 02-21-2010 at 08:07 PM.
Reply:Yes to the clamps & yes to the 130 MIG.  If it can run off the genset, it would be a good idea to be able to have it along.  Make a frame out of small angle with some loops in it to tie it down with ratchet straps.  Then if you need it in the shop, you can unbuckle it & take it to where you need.Locking pliers, C-clamps, Bar clamps all work well to clamp things together.  A framing square, a rack of some sort for odd metal (never know when you will need a piece of angle or flat plate, a tool box like a med sized Job Box for the grinders, rods, wire, & such.  Maybe two of them.Oxygen tanks can be laid on the side if you are concerned about height, Acetylene needs to be upright to use, those are usually short enough to stand on a deck.I'm in Yuma also, out by the college.  Lots of thieving going on around town, so best thing is keeping it locked up.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I'm on the mesa S. of the MCAS base on my ranchita.  U would be welcome anytime to come ponder the wherezitgo thing  My place is easy to find, go past all the McMansions and mowed lawns till U find 1100 feet of nice horse fence and alfalfa and a big new Quanset barn (all built by me personally). There is  lots of steel debris and older farm gear around the barn, If it looks like it belongs in West Texas, that's me. Bret
Reply:I travel to Somerton via County 14 from here.  I take Araby south to Co 14 then west til I hit 95.  I've probably driven past the place a time or two.Another one here is Joker11.  He lives over off 16th and Ave C.We should get together for some coffee/beer or something.  I'm out of town for the next 3 weeks, but return on the weekends.  I may look you up one of these weekends.  Send me a PM with your phone & email, I'll return the favor.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build