Welding Tips and Tricks

Hello all, weekend warrior beginner here. I have just added an HTP Invertig 221 with a cooler to my Lincoln 210MP. So now I have two tanks, two generators and a cooler, and my Harbor Freight welding cart is due for retirement. So I decided to build a new one and I need your advice. Because of my confined space (single car space in the garage) I need to stack them vertically while still keeping it stable from tipping. After going back-and-forth, I decided on a 24 x 24” frame from 1” x 1/8” angle iron frame on 5” Home Depot casters. The welder generators will be on shelves that are screwed to the frame, not welded, so they can be removed. It will have hooks on the sides for cords and a 220 V outlet box in the back. Something like this.

Any advice, tips, suggestions, caveats? Thank you all.


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Looking at your equipment, and the size of your tanks, I think I would rotate the machines 90* and sit 2 side-by-side. This will lower the center of gravity, reduce the tip over hazard, and better balance the cart. It really should not increase the overall size of the machine either.

cj737 wrote:Looking at your equipment, and the size of your tanks, I think I would rotate the machines 90* and sit 2 side-by-side.

That's right, I started with this design and went back to it after your post. Problem is I'd like to keep the foot-print around 2x2' . Placing them side-by-side fits sidewise, but lengthwise, the base has to extend about 8". I mocked that up on cardboard and it's too long for my space. So I had to go back to the three-tiered solutions and built a version 1.0. It's only tack welded, and the shelves remove, so I can change it. The welders are screwed into transverse braces, and are fairly solidly attached.
Because the TIG welder has the on-off switch on the back panel, I plug it into a switched outlet, which I can control from the front, while the MIG plugs into a normal (always live) outlet. Have not yet done any cable/hose management, because I want to use the cart and see how the ergonomics work out. The cart neatly fits between the welding table and the toolbox.

Looking good! If you go online you can find grill covers that will fit pretty close, to replace the rag on top of your MP210. As CJ suggested, you got to get bigger tanks! Your cart reminds me of my other cart I built.

I like the cabinet at the bottom — i still haven’t figured out where to store my helmets. Will not have room on the cart itself. But will add a nice handle like you have, and figure out the cable management.


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Weldmonger store : heli-hook

cj737 wrote:Weldmonger store : heli-hook

I see -- that is pretty cool!

You might get some ideas from here, cnccookbook.com/diy-welding-table-cart-designs-ideas/