another O/A cart

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I built an O/A cart today.  It is the first thing I've arc welded together besides coupons, so it was nice to see it come together... and of course did not come out quite the way I wanted.  Overall I'm happy with it though.I welded a little too fast, and got a little warp.  Okay, a lot of warp.  The tubes that go back to the handle are not level with each other any more, though they started level.  The main frame is 1.5 square tubing, the base is 2" angle with 1/8" plate, the handle is black pipe.  The great thing is that everything on this cart was either free or recycled.  I did go to the scrap yard and picked up some stuff at .20 a lb, but ended up not having to use it.I still need to scrounge some chain to hold the cylinders in, but for now a strap will work.  I'm also going to add a box on the back.My welds are not pretty:I also did not tie that weld in with the other one.  I remember a post by Zap that mentioned welding around corners and not stopping on them, but I did not remember it until after a few welds.My welder.  Old miller that belonged to my grandfather.  It was used for his drilling company back in the 60-70s.  It was stored outside for at least ten years, but works good.Thanks for the great advice I've found here surfing through the threads!
Reply:Welding starts as a learning process and very few of us get it right away. Keeping things level, straight, plumb, lined up, etc., is part of the learning process. What you built here is something you can use for years. The welds aren't perfect, it don't line up, so what? You learned from it. Welding is all about practise. Looks to me like your doing well for yourself, be proud.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:there is a great store of knowledge that if you are lucky takes years tocome  to us as regards keeping things straight.. until that time  apply hammer  or  pipe wrench  as needed..if the welds break better now than later.
Reply:If you work outside like I do, and it looks like ya do, you made a good choice for the tires.  Big pnuuuuuuuuumatics.  They work great on rough ground.You might want to stick with the strap.  Get another one for lower down.  A chain won't hold the bottles tight over rough ground.  Too much slop.  With the straps, you can really cinch it down.If you have trouble following around the corner with the weld there's a way around it.  Do your first weld, then drag the second weld back to it.  It's easier to drag back onto the first weld.  As you get back to the first weld, flare the arc a little and blend the metal into the first weld.  Makes for nice corners that are watertight."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Like this....First pic is of a weld that was dragged back into the previous weld.  Piled a little too much metal, but it's a tight weld.  Holding the arc a little longer(flaring it more) would have prevented the pile up.Second pic is of a weld that started on a previous weld with extra time and heat at the start of the weld to blend it in.7018 seems to be perfect for this.  It's an easily controlled puddle for someone like me, who ain't a real weldor.  It's more fluid.I couldn't get the same results with 6011 or 6013.Give it a shot next time out.  Seems to work good Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks for the replies!I had planned on making it where I could tighten the chain down.  Someone on this board did it (can't remember who.)  I pretty much planned on a copy of their design:I wish I could remember whose cart that is so I can credit them.I still have to come up with the tube for it though.  I'm trying to make this cart for free, so i'm in no hurry at the moment.I did come up with some hinges, so the box I'm going to build for it will have a lid.  I'm going to try to fab it so it will latch both closed and open.farmersamm, yeah I'm working outside.  My little shed is too small, and has a wood floor/studs.  Once I get caught up building shelters for the goats in all of the pastures, I'm going to save my pennies to build a small pole shed to weld in.