Book cart to torch tank caddy (pics)

[Brad Buchanan]

Hello all.

My son and I bought a large amount of oak slatwall from a local Borders bookstore when they went out of business.

When we were done loading the slatwall we were looking around as everything was for sale including fixtures. They had a cart there that was built to carry stacks of books and I was looking it over and remarked to my son that it was a nice cart but I couldn't see a use for it.

He said "how about a cart for the torch tanks?".

I bought it for $5.00 and just got around to working on it a few days ago. I fabricated a clamp from 1/4"x2" steel. It is designed to accomodate different size tanks and I added a small nylon tool bag for tips, striker and tip cleaner.

As always feedback pro or con is very welcome.

Brad



 

[fixerupper]

Looks good. Being able to visualize a new use for something is a gift. Jim
 

[George Marsh]

Brad,
Can't see anyone who doesn't like to find a second use for something, especially when it doesn't cost a pant load. I think thay call it being "GREEN". Being GREEN is not to be confused with being a TREE HUGGER.

I like it.
George
 

[Tom in TN]

Brad,

There isn"t any con to it - that"s ingenious. I carry my small tanks in a five gallon bucket. I"m going to be looking for a cart to adapt.

Good job.

Tom in TN
 

[Mike (WA)]

Looks like it was made for the job.

I use propane and oxygen, so one tall skinny tank and one short fat one. Going to build a stand to strap them to, with a double bottom, so I can slide the business end of a hand truck under it to move them around. Just got a MIG welder (finally), so need some projects!
 

[jackinok]

better than the one i use,mines really too narrow so its hard to roll accross uneven ground without tipping,yours looks like its much wider. I like it!
 

[Greg K]

Good idea and looks good too. In my shop it would need bigger wheels to roll over all of the junk on the floor (hoses, cords, bolts)
 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

Ingenious and well done, Brad. I'd second Greg K's suggestion for bigger wheels. Unless you are reasonably certain that you'll never need to take the tanks anywhere outside the shop (never have to roll the cart over anything except smooth concrete) you'll appreciate bigger wheels and pneumatic tires. They're not expensive, and it would be an easy replacement.

Good job just as it is, though.

Stan
 

[Stick welding]

Looks good but you should consider getting larger cylinders. The cost for refills on the little cylinders is beyond ridiculous. The price per cubic foot is about 3 or 4 times more than for a larger cylinder. I bet you get cylinders almost twice as big for less than $20 more.
 

[Brad Buchanan]

Thanks for the feedback on the cart. I originally made a cart out of a hand truck which was a compromise at best. I was doing 90% of my torch work on the road and the small tanks were light enough that I could move in and out of the truck by hand. It had larger wheels for rough terrain.

Brad
 

[Brad Buchanan]

That has been the issue for me also Greg. About a year ago I began to 'unclutter' my shop. I put everything possible on wheels - portable generators, a combo shear/brake/roll, scaffold tower with chainfall, even a 6' portable bench which doubles as an outfeed table for the table saw (which is also on wheels).

Brad
 

[Brad Buchanan]

Hey Mike.

Small projects are great for sharpening skills. I actually brazed components of this gizmo as It had been years since I brazed anything.

Brad
 

[Brad Buchanan]

Right you are, Mister Stick.

Larger tanks are more economical to fill. I just don't like paying rental fees. The 40cf tanks allow me to own the tanks and when I swap them for filled tanks I get tanks that are tested and certified.

I am in the process of trading 2 20lb. co2 syphon tanks (used to fill paintball tanks) for an 02 and an acetylene for spares.

Brad
 

[Brad Buchanan]

Ain't that the truth George.

Seems like nowdays to be 'green' you have to buy a horribly impractical car shaped like a suppository.

I love to fabricate and would much prefer to make something useful out of metal as opposed to sending it to the scrapper.

Brad
 

[Brad Buchanan]

Thanks for the kind words Jim.

I really enjoy figuring out how to make things. Kinda like some folks like a crossword puzzle.

Brad