Project #2 Welding Cart for 225LX, TIG Cooler, and eventually a Plasma Cutter

My harbor freight welding cart is too small for my 225LX. So I decided to build my own. I had some 1" Steel Square tubing left over from bracing the legs on my welding table. May as well use it to build my cart. Heres the base for my cart. Settings used was DC 88amps, 1 sec preflow 2 secs postflow 3/32 lanthanated tungsten 3/32 ERS70S2 fill rod, 8LPM with a gas lense and #7 cup. I still need more practice but I think my welds look pretty good.

What gauge sheetmetal should I use for the base? 16 gauge?

I'm almost empty on Argon so I think I'm going to upgrade from a 80cf to a 220 tomorrow.


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Not bad far as the welds go, and a very good choice on the bottle swap. 220 will save you money pretty fast.

16 gauge is fine on the shelf and you can tack it if you're worried, mine just sit on the rails and never had a problem. I have an IMIG 205P, PP60 and 250EX setting on one cart (three tiers) made of 16 gauge and angle 1.25x1.25x1/8".

Spent some more time last night on it. Here is where I'm at now.
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I was off to a good start today cutting 16 gauge steel sheet into peices for the welding cart and welding them on...
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Then my Everlast 225LX starting blowing holes through anything it would touch. I had it set at 88amps and it was putting out 350+amps, Blew a hole through my welding cart, amps on the screen said 444 amps.

Have you figured anything out yet as to what is wrong?

Yes, I couldn't get ahold of Ray all day so I called and talked to Mike and he diagnosed in over the phone in 5 secs. Alex took care of the issue.

BTW anyone using a 60,80, or 125cf tank is wasting their money. I upgraded to a 230cf tank and I've already welded more than I did on the 80cf tank and still have 1800 psi left in the tank. Definitely worth the upgrade fee.

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Originally Posted by sw2x

BTW anyone using a 60,80, or 125cf tank is wasting their money. I upgraded to a 230cf tank and I've already welded more than I did on the 80cf tank and still have 1800 psi left in the tank. Definitely worth the upgrade fee.

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I still have 2x125 tanks left (argon/TIGs). Prax Air said they will swap them for a 230 once I empty them. All my other tanks are 230 (on the MIGS), you are spot on, it will save people a lot of money. Little more work to swap out if you carry them in yourself. But well worth it.

Heres the newest images of my welding/plasma cutting cart. I'm quickly learning how expensive this hobby is going to be. I need a metal brake because cutting steel sheet in a wood bandsaw with a metal cutting blade is not very exact. But I'm making due.

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Here is the heavy duty wheel I plan on using for the Cart. the front swivels came off a Metro Rack out of a old Pizza Hut store, and the Back wheels are harbor freight specials. Should roll over the expansion joints and any debri that may be on the floor quite well.

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Took the flow gauge apart and marked graduations for CFPH

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Perfect Color Match. This is the color it will be painted.

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I still need to Attach the wheels, Tac on the sides, build the handle for the front, then install the Welding rod tubes and cord brackets.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sw2x

Heres the newest images of my welding/plasma cutting cart. I'm quickly learning how expensive this hobby is going to be. I need a metal brake because cutting steel sheet in a wood bandsaw with a metal cutting blade is not very exact. But I'm making due.

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Once you get your plasma cutter, you can cut sheet metal. A metal brake is used for bending.

Good looking cart...I used the same large wheels for the back of mine, and it rolls around with ease, even when I take it out into the gravel drive. A suggestion might be to make a wider axle, and use spacers between cart and wheels, to give the top-heavy cart a bit more stability.

ken

Yea, I am going to build out a frame a little ways to mount the wheels for stability. I mean Metal Shear. I remember using one everyday to build duct work back in WA state, since flex wasn't too popular up there like it is in AZ.

The cart looks good. Your footprint is probably good for most of our units, other than the 205+ MIGs (has to go on the top due to height). And the PP80+.

I did not use the larger air tires on mine and really wish I did, it will cruise over the hoses and cords if you're in a small shop.

I'd recommend, put all the hooks on one side and your footprint will be smaller. And if you want to add things, then you have all the real-estate on the other side (filler, clamps or whatever holders). I made my shelves a little larger, so I can store the junk around the units (shades, anti-spatter, small clamps and vise grips, levels, magnets, etc).

PP80 will fit. I checked the dimensions before I built the cart. So when I win the PP80 in the this competition I can slide it right in and go to town.

Getting closer....

Got the wheels mounted. Ran into a ground clearance issue when using these wheels and wanted to keep the frame as low as possible without getting hung up on things so I had to raise the front wheel mounts quite a bit. I haven't gusseted the wheel mounts yet or done and finish welding and grinding. But I think it's coming along pretty good.

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All that's left is welding on a handle, hooks, the sides, and finish welding and grinding. To mount the Harbor Freight rear wheels I grabbed a 5/8" x 36" steel rod from Home Depot for $10 and welded some thick washers on for stops, and drilled a hole through it and used another washer and cotter pin to hold the wheels on. Works great. It rolls like like a CHAMP.