Who would spend time building a torch cart?

[Canoe2fish]

Am I daft to build an oxy acet torch cart? I bought a set of Victor knock off torches today. After the purchase and deposit on the cylinders, I had little cash for a cart. Seeing as I have tons of scrap parts and some wheels around I decided to build one. I also have so little room, so I used this excuse as reasoning to build one as well....Anyone else do this?

[hoffman]

I think it's like a rule or something

[BKD]

Who would spend money BUYING a torch cart?



Here's mine:

[dwwright]

Been drawing one up myself. It's out on the shop puter, so will post some drawings when I get out that way. I started to buy one a while back but they never are built very well, mainly built to fit in a box (in some third world country) for shipping and sold in the US.
Darren

[Bob Sigmon]

I built mine based on a cart design by Kevin Bentz (his is much cooler cause he has an auto fluxer for brazing)



I only use mine in my shop and don't have to take it across any rough ground.

[Canoe2fish]

Cool carts guys.....now I don't feel so bad. I hear ya BerkelUSA... I seem to spend more time working on my shop that my truck resto....

[precisionworks]

I considered building one, but after pricing the 16" wheels & tires, the cart at the welding store won out. With a 200 Oxygen & a #5 Acetylene (probably 400# total) the cart rolls easily. About $125.

Look hard, you can just see it http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/101_0363.jpg

[Westchester]

Here is one made a few years back and still going strong today.

[Bob Sigmon]

Rob,

That a Meco Midget. It is a great little torch. I use it mainly for metal art, not the O/A welding that it has so much potential for.

The torch with the ultra light hoses weighs a whole 8 oz. It is a treat to use.

I have it set up with quick disconnects so that I can change to my cutting torch in a few seconds.

[KB Fabrications]

I built mine based on a cart design by Kevin Bentz (his is much cooler cause he has an auto fluxer for brazing)

Thanks for the plug Bob. I have actually added another torch set up on the other side ( I think you can just make it out in one of the pics) as I sometimes have two people brazing at the same time. I also finally got it powder coated. The weight and design of this thing makes it incredibly stable. It has 4 total lock/swiveling casters so moving around the shop is a breeze. The gas savers have little shrouds around them for safely igniting the torch.

[Bob Sigmon]

Kevin,

Your stand really looks great powder coated. I want to powder coat mine but I'm too cheap to have it done commercially and I'm not sure that mine will fit in the powder coating oven that I have available to me, but I'm gonna do some close measuring to be sure after seeing your's.

How did you attach the hook on your torch?

[KB Fabrications]

Kevin,

Your stand really looks great powder coated. I want to powder coat mine but I'm too cheap to have it done commercially and I'm not sure that mine will fit in the powder coating oven that I have available to me, but I'm gonna do some close measuring to be sure after seeing your's.

How did you attach the hook on your torch?

Thanks. I think it looks better than just the plain steel. As you can see I like to have color in the shop. I made the hook from 1/4" round bent over the torch holder. I ground the back flat and then filed a couple of slots in the front and just used a couple of small zip ties. It never gets warm enough to be a issue there even after hours of brazing. It's hard to see but I also have weights on the torch holders because that Meco is so light.

[Bob Sigmon]

Kevin,

Thanks a bunch! At the whole 8 oz that the torch weighs it does need some extra weight on the lever.

[precisionworks]

Bob,

Meco made some great equipment. I just bought a brand-new Cutmaster (22") cutting torch, six new tips, two Oxygen & two Acetylene regulators, $200. Everything is New Old Stock from
an out of business welding supply.

The Cutmaster torch really rocks, two adjustment knobs instead the three that everyone else uses. Sets up in half the time of a Victor, Harris or Smith.

Always something Meco on eBay.............

[JDH]

Here's my cart I made soon after getting my gas outfit.
I think the reason most people make there own cart is
1). once you get your new toy home you're looking for something to make and a cart is an obvious first project. (I didn't have any cash left over either!)
2). most people like to customise carts to their own needs, as you can see from the varied designs posted here.
I didn't see any ready built ones I liked anyway.

When I made this one, I didn't have a suitable bender, so it's mostly welded corners.
The cylinders are loaded from the side, so the front can be used for mounting the fire extinguisher and storage tubes. I just wheel it to where I'm going to be working and everything is at hand.
The airtight tubes on the front hold the welding and brazing rods, I will be adding more soon as I have started using different rods. (Aluminium lately).
The tool box on top holds all the other bits and pieces.

I bought the Henrob after building this cart, so I still have to add a holder and then either some quick-disconnects or a Y-junction so I don't have to swap hoses. A gas-saver would be handy to.

I probably spent more time finishing the cart off with the paintjob and shiny aluminium than I would do now, but I'm pretty happy with the result: