Shuttlecart w/110v outlets....

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Hey guys,Had a fellow come in this morning asking if I would make these as he saw them at another customers' shop that I made last year. He saw the setups the other customer was using with (1) having a grinder & belt sander mounted, & another with a large scroll saw, & a 3rd with a small drillpress & heavy vise. He also needed to be able to just simply move tools/accessories/materials aroung his large repair shop (100' X 125') & not have 3 or 4 extension cords on the floor. When he picked it up this afternoon, he said, "I'll take (6) more" & gave me a 50% deposit. They are simple, strong, & very useful. Easy project for the newbies/youngsters to make & learn. They are 36"L X 24"W X 32"H w/locking castors, mid-shelf for storage, & (4) 110v outlets w/25' 12ga SOO cable. These are nice, easy carts to make & sell or use them yourself.Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Those are nice, thanks for sharing.
Reply:nice but i would use all angletubing rust from the inside out
Reply:I agree with ed mac, all angle would be just as good and probably cheaper.  Looks nice though.Lincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200
Reply:You mentioned grinding...anyone see an issue with having open recepticles? Perhaps they should face down? Or at least have covers over them?Just wondering...Andrew
Reply:Hey Denny, this looks great. I might make one of these for myself! Just out of curiosity, what's the thickness of the top?Thanks,Tom
Reply:Hey guys,To ed mac:  You certainly can use whatever you want. The original units were constructed as per customer request & since all carts were inside, he had no concerns with rusting. I don't argue with a customers' request, although suggest alternatives. His preference was 1.5" sq. tube..... simple huh?  In addition, ed, ALL steel, painted or bare will rust eventually. If his concern was rusting, he would have chosen aluminum as I stock 1.5" alum tube also.To stevenstilts:  If the customer was concerned with the cost of materials, he would have specified angle......he did not. He wanted square tube, & that's what I made him.To Andrew_D:  The original carts I made had the receptacle box under the top to eliminate metallic dust or particles to get inside. This customer wanted them flush on the outside so that's where I mounted them. I did add a rubber roof material cover flap on the receptacle as I do with all exposed outlets in a shop environment & all the subsequent carts will have covers on the receptacles. Attached are pics of the flaps I use that work quite well & are on all my shop receptacles near the work bench & grinders/sanders. I always indicate to a customer any possible safety issues that may arise, especially with outlets/plugs........common sense, eh?To Tom:  Thanks. The top is 1/8"(.125) plate.Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Obviously he liked them being he ordered 6 more. I'd like a rough estimate of cost of material and time involved?
Reply:Hey Blazin,These are $250/ea. There is approx. $100-$110 in materials. I make these in 2.5hrs/ea.Now, you have to bear in mind that I have done production work all my career so these kinds of projects are set up for that. I cut all the material by size first, thus not having to keep changing the saw setup. After all the material is cut/deburred, I have a jig on my welding table to assemble the top/bottom frames first. They are all tacked, then setup vertically (3) at a time to weld all the joints..... makes quick work of it. The verticles are also jigged so I can do (2) legs at a time with the top & bottom frames in place. I know it's a bit hard to explain or understand unless you have some experience in a production shop. BTW....that's the reason I make the carts, so I can simply load it up with all the cut material, wheel it to the welding table, place the pieces in the jig, & start welding. The pic shows how my saw is set up for each size I need to cut. I simply move the stop to the next size & start cutting again. When you look a the pic, you can see the piece ready to cut. I get the tube in 20' lengths & can cut (5) pieces/min..Anyway, don't hesitate to ask any other production questions you may have to help you become more efficient..... & remember.... efficiency means better PROFIT.Denny Attached ImagesLast edited by yorkiepap; 03-17-2011 at 12:06 PM.Complete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Thanks for the info. $60 bucks an hour working at home in your shop is very good money in my opinion.
Reply:Hey Blazin,Just to add a bit of mental fodder for you to contemplate, I will attempt to give you, & anyone else starting, or wanting to start a self owned shop, you have to be really good & provide first-class work on EVERY job. You need to have the equipment & knowledge of that equipment & primarily the knowledge that you can do the job. If not, don't get yourself into a jam with a customer that will destroy you & your operation. Word of mouth can be a gift, or a real nightmare.Ok, my rate is setup at $45/hr just for welding alone. If a job entails fabricating & welding it is $55/hr.....& that is for steel only. Alum. & SS add $10/hr to base rate. My rate includes the wire, gas, & electricity I use, so as you see, it really is a bit less. The customer pays for the material, not the consumables. Also, you have to look at a particular job, such as a simple repair. If a customer brings in something broken from their lawn tractor, takes me 5 min. to fix it, I charge them $10 & not a 1hr base rate. Know why? Well, 5 min @ $10 = $120/hr......sound fair? In addition, the customer is happy, you made a good buck, & the priceless advertising/recommendations from him will make your operation thrive.I make a PROFIT on EVERY job I do..... that's the bottom line. Learning how to present yourself & your work quality/ethics take some time & patience. You gotta do some homework regarding the area you live, the wage scales of the area you reside, the number of other shops that will be competition, a mobile offering, & if you really WANT to succeed. One step at a time.... build your customer base with recommendations & superb workmanship. If you can't do it....simply pass. It will not hurt you. Liability is your primary focus.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Originally Posted by ed macnice but i would use all angletubing rust from the inside out
Reply:Originally Posted by yorkiepapHey guys,To ed mac:  You certainly can use whatever you want. The original units were constructed as per customer request & since all carts were inside, he had no concerns with rusting. I don't argue with a customers' request, although suggest alternatives. His preference was 1.5" sq. tube..... simple huh?  In addition, ed, ALL steel, painted or bare will rust eventually. If his concern was rusting, he would have chosen aluminum as I stock 1.5" alum tube also.To stevenstilts:  If the customer was concerned with the cost of materials, he would have specified angle......he did not. He wanted square tube, & that's what I made him.To Andrew_D:  The original carts I made had the receptacle box under the top to eliminate metallic dust or particles to get inside. This customer wanted them flush on the outside so that's where I mounted them. I did add a rubber roof material cover flap on the receptacle as I do with all exposed outlets in a shop environment & all the subsequent carts will have covers on the receptacles. Attached are pics of the flaps I use that work quite well & are on all my shop receptacles near the work bench & grinders/sanders. I always indicate to a customer any possible safety issues that may arise, especially with outlets/plugs........common sense, eh?To Tom:  Thanks. The top is 1/8"(.125) plate.Denny
Reply:Hey ed mac,First, you didn't piss me off......YET!  You really don't want to go that route, so I suggest the best thing you can do is, if you have nothing productive to add to a thread/post, then simply BUTT OUT!!!  I've read your mostly useless diatribe & very focused bias, your lack of being able to engage the gear in you small mind prior to releasing the clutch on your oral cavity, & your lack of comprehension & usage of the English language & any visual acuity regarding the difference between a cat & a dog.Now.... if you want to continue with mindless bantering, I will oblige you with Websters' Almighty Sword & it does cut deep. Otherwise, simply be smart & post responses that have a bit of value & contribute to a positive result. Fair enough?I simply come here to give away knowledge that may be fruitful for others.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Hey tackit,There is nothing wrong with using a weatherproof elec. box to enclose your receptacles..... matter of fact... good idea for those who may want to use it outside. There are infinite alterations anyone can make to adapt these carts for their use & needs. I even made (3) for another fellow that had 6"H rails all the way around so he could move heavy boxes of hardware thru his shop & not worry about them falling off. When he picked them up he said: "Wow, I like those mini hospital beds!". Got a chuckle out of that. Anyway, use the design for a basic foundation & modify to your usage.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Denny:As always, GREAT WORK and nice design. I like that chop saw stand.....wait a minute I have the same one. Come to think of it, I built it from your posting a while back. It works like a charm. It even got a paint job.I'm concerned about the dust cover over the blue welder in the background on the chopsaw picture. You're obviously keeping it warm.The guys that don't run their own shop or do this for hobby stuff must realise the importance of meeting the customers needs. The key thing you must remember always is "The Golden Rule". That is him with the Gold makes the Rules.Keep posting your projects, we all enjoy them. Pay no mind to the detractors "there is one in every crowd".I for one really appreciate your skill, knowledge and willingness to share!!!!Glenn.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:Thanks for the post, I like them just how they are as well.
Reply:Hey Glenn,Yeah, I know you did a great job on your saw rig. As far as "keeping warm", well maybe, although I just find that keeping all my units that are idle covered, really eliminates dust/dirt issues that can occur. I'm a real bug with nice, clean equipment..... came from my pap as all his tools were immaculate & he made sure we knew/understood they were to be kept that way. Anyway, I just keep posting projects/repairs/techniques to pass on to the newbies/youngsters to help them become better. There is nothing useful to others for me to die & lock away all this knowledge.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Denny, great thread as always.  I have a similar table I built for a guy.  I didn't post it due to it having a 1/8 the top.  I didn't want to have my chops busted for promoting a 1/8th top welding table.  My table at the house has a 1/8 top.  It is on an 1-1/2x1/8 angle frame on casters that my 10 year old welded up.  I love it.  I use it for a roll-a-round layout table.  I also use it for a catch all when I am fabbing so I don't have to drop everything on the ground.
Reply:Originally Posted by yorkiepapHey ed mac,First, you didn't piss me off......YET!  You really don't want to go that route, so I suggest the best thing you can do is, if you have nothing productive to add to a thread/post, then simply BUTT OUT!!!  I've read your mostly useless diatribe & very focused bias, your lack of being able to engage the gear in you small mind prior to releasing the clutch on your oral cavity, & your lack of comprehension & usage of the English language & any visual acuity regarding the difference between a cat & a dog.Now.... if you want to continue with mindless bantering, I will oblige you with Websters' Almighty Sword & it does cut deep. Otherwise, simply be smart & post responses that have a bit of value & contribute to a positive result. Fair enough?I simply come here to give away knowledge that may be fruitful for others.Denny
Reply:Hey Steve,I have boxes of plastic & rubber plugs from the company we used to close up the 1.5" sq. tubing & the boss told me to take them when we closed. So, I use them to improve the appearance a bit & as you said, keep the critters out.  Yeah, there is nothing wrong with making for oneself on occasion.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Originally Posted by darthwelderDenny,     After all the posts youve had on my threads, for you to write this out...OMG, thats rich.  Truth is, you just got a serving of what YOU gave me.....HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING !!You get what you give.JD
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749That's nice Denny, but........WHERE'S MINE????? I expect an overnight shipment..... LMAO...That looks really slick man. I put an outlet box on my smaller table, but need to get the flat mount cover for the box.Mine keeps coming loose. As far as the tubing, those black plastic end caps used in furniture construction work super good to plug the holes up. I have yet to see tubing rust as was claimed. Not in any extreme case. Angle has it's place but I have built a few little, meaningless carts & IMHO angle doesn't look as nice as tube does.The thing that I dislike about open tubing for an outside application is that it is a nice home for nasty, flying, stinging insects. I almost always cap mine or miter the corners. You put caps on your by the looks of it. In the middle pic?In this case, you gave them what they wanted & it's pretty nice.I got a project in the works that's actually for ME. For a change.Post soon to come.Great cart Denny.
Reply:I am curious how are you fixing the outlet to the cart??