My first project - Welding Cart with Drawers

admin

About a year a go i got this urge to learn how to weld.During my everyday life i am an analytical chemist and it occurs pretty often that we have ideas for crazy prototypes. Because most of the stuff we do is pharma or food related, stainless steel was something i wanted to be able to do. After reading a lot online i decided that TIG is what i needed to learn. So i managed to save some money and decided on a diversion 180. The 120v capability was important to me as i expect to move to an apartment pretty soon and might not have 240v there. Before this project i had never ever welded anything in my life. I started with a rough drawing, getting some general dimensions going and then went from there. The frame was build using 1/8 angle and flats and 1/16 square tubing. Coped the corners to make everything fit.I build a 36" sheet metal bender using some 1/4" steel angle's and two of the biggest door hinges i could find. Then used the bender to make the drawers from 20 ga galvanized sheet metal.The front of drawers were cut out of 16 ga steel and welded to the rest of the drawer. After having everything fit nicely, i disassembled everything to paint it. The color is "safety blue" from rustoleum. After everything was painted i assembled everything again but it wont align the same way so now some of the drawers are bumping into each other when trying to open drawers. So i need to do a bit of grinding here and there and then repaint some stuff. But this is something for later.... currently in the middle of a move so main priority was to finish it before the move started. The sides of the unit are also 20 ga galvanized. I had some difficulty in the beginning to weld the sheet metal to the 1/8 thick angle iron. The best way i found was to run the puddle on the 1/8 iron and have the edge of the puddle fuse with the sheet metal. You definitely do not want to point the torch directly at the sheet as the amperage needed for the 1/8 burns holes in the sheet metal immediately. Let me know what you guys think  Attached Images
Reply:More pictures Attached Images
Reply:and the last one Attached Images
Reply:Nice design. First one i think i've seen with a extigusher....
Reply:Nice clean designTimmetalcraft by mooseSoutheast Michiganhttps://www.facebook.com/Metalcraftbymoose  Stupid Hurts!!
Reply:Nice, I like the color match  !
Reply:I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Nice setup with the drawers and all good jobWill   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Wow, makes me want to push my cart out behind the building and cover it up. LOL I really like your design and work, looks great.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:very nice design and perfect match on miller blue color
Reply:Originally Posted by SytzeBefore this project i had never ever welded anything in my life.
Reply:Very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Mauricio
Reply:Very nice! I do hope my first project will be as nice.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Reply:Looks good. Should serve you for a long time.
Reply:Great first project. I like the full extension slides. The paint really gives it a polished look, especially that it's blue.  Sad to hear your moving to an apartment.  My youngest brother is a wood turner and recently moved to an apartment. He's going crazy.Post a picture of your bender... we like looking at homemade tools.
Reply:That is really nice looking. I like the diamond plate table top.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Very nice cart - especially for being the first one.