Welding cart...almost done...

[Welding Bear]

...I can smell the paint

Re the welding, it's gone great except where my fit up was a bit off. To be fair to myself I measured and cut everything bang on but got a bit carried away with the welding and may have completely forgot to tack a couple of areas first only to find out its then moved

I did go back and correct this but it's extra time. So I'd say for next project measure equally as good and remember to tack, check, tack, check

Just going to have a spot of lunch and then angled supports for the top, then the wheels. finally a handle and if I can get that done beforethe end of the day ill slap some primer on

 

[Welding Bear]

...oh and of course welding in a bottom plate for the top tool tray area

 

[Migmac]

It's coming on nicely, my son has been designing his this last couple of nights. Been a few changes of plans but he'll get there.

 

[Richard.]

Looking great. Sand off any spatter before you paint it as the paint tends to exaggerate spatter to stick out like a sore thumb. Nice work.

 

[Welding Bear]

Thanks for the encouragement boys.

Just finished. Only tool tray shelf and a handle to put on. Oh and now I think of it i'll put on some wire holders either side and yeah definitely will remove the spatter Richard. along with one or two questionable welds lol

Progress......





Really pleased with the fitment. Everythings square and level. Certainly been a learning experience lol

 

[Richard.]

Is the the welder top or bottom. The reason I ask is you've missed two very important bracing points.
Infact if any thing is going on that top shelf I think you need to put them in.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Richard beat me to it, Definitely needs a couple of stiffeners, as per top platform. Great job.

 

[spaffmonkey]

As above add a couple of formers to bottom and you might want to add shelf out of back to carry a gas bottle. But looking good

 

[mr migwire]

looking very nice mate.

 

[Richard.]

As above add a couple of formers to bottom and you might want to add shelf out of back to carry a gas bottle. But looking good

Yeah you will need a bottle shelf mate. No point in wheeling round your new welder then going back and dragging the cylinder.
We've just doubled your work load for ya.
It's no where near finished get back to work

 

[Welding Bear]

Thanks for the input boys.

First thing.... yep, welder going on the bottom. The top is for just carrying metal fab. tools (grinder, clamps, side cutters etc). Do I still need more stiffness? haha

Re the bottle.... I didn't build it with room for a pub bottle cos ill be honest I intend to just use the double capacity hobby bottles ive been using. they seem to last me a good while. However I do plan on bracing the back more so I can jubilee clip spare bottles horizontally. if that makes sense

 

[Richard.]

Yes you need to put two baces in at the bottom just like you have at the top. The ones at the top are totally pointless without the ones at the bottom because you've not added any strength you've just moved the weak point further down. You've only started welding and it was built with low power so your dependent on the structure design taking the abuse rather than the welding. As it stands at the moment those two welds at the bottom of the uprights are taking strain even with nothing on there so you must put something in there to give em a bit of relief and also gives your trolly the potential to carry a bit more.

 

[Welding Bear]

Thanks very much for the info Richard. So, just so I've understood correctly. . . I need to do the two diagonal bits but for the bottom too. Or perhaps a gusset type thing that connects the legs to the bottom tray?

 

[norlander]

bracing the lower platform as the boys have said, is a good plan because it not only make the trolley more rigid, but you may find you want to swap the welder to the top platform, thats where my welders go now as I think (personally) that they stay out of the dust etc, plus, its easier to tweak the controls when the unit is about waist height.For some of my kit I put a security strap over the machine.
I would also weld in 2 front vertical supports, but thats just me and my way of doing it.

 

[Wallace]

Another alternative that would stiffen the whole frame if you have enough material......

 

[Richard.]

Thanks very much for the info Richard. So, just so I've understood correctly. . . I need to do the two diagonal bits but for the bottom too. Or perhaps a gusset type thing that connects the legs to the bottom tray?

Yes. But as said above the best solution is to attach your bracing onto the top braces. That will add a lot of strength. Lovely job though looks nice and square from the pics.

 

[Welding Bear]

Thanks for the comments guys.

The only reason I haven't braced the top and done straight vertical tubing to the front and / or the ones indicated in the picture is cos I wanted to be able to open the door on the left side of the welder t o change wire.

Having said that now it's put together I now realise I've definitely oversized it lol welder looks pretty small in there haha

 

[norlander]

Having said that now it's put together I now realise I've definitely oversized it lol welder looks pretty small in there haha

Space around the machine is handy for storing spare contact tips/shrouds/anti spatter spray etc. Its another lil project you can do-weld up some trays in sheet stuff to take the bits, plus weld on some hooks to take the cables and so on.

 

[Wallace]

Having said that now it's put together I now realise I've definitely oversized it lol welder looks pretty small in there haha

That's not oversized, it's built with expansion in mind for the future!

 

[Welding Bear]

Ps guys, would this have the same effect of strengthening the top?...