Rack 'em up! - Skid mounting a welder.

[denrep]

With a new range switch and charging system, an old workhorse SA-200 was ready to go, but she lacked a rig.

So it was down to the local steel supply to see what they had on hand. I didn't have a blueprint but was hoping to build from stock. I brought along a sketch of the welder dimensions, a tape measure and soap-stone. Here's what the hunt brought:
Attachment 23885
Since he was cutting anyway, I had the service rep cut some of our order to size.
The channel being cut top left will be guards; to make sure that a misguided fork-lift tine can't poke up through the bottom.

Back to work:
Attachment 23886
The fork guides and deck are welded in place.
Two ground clamps because this was a "combo", wire and stick!

The welder was placed for a test fit. It was decided that the "maintenance side" of the welder would be placed toward the outside for easy access. In debate, the side panel was pulled and replaced several times:
Attachment 23890
Machine was placed off center, leaving room on deck for tool box and torches.

After an engineering review, it was agreed that the welder should be mounted on rubber isolator pads. But the dilemma: Do we cut up the door mat, or does the truck loose a mud-flap? The door mat lost. Pairs of in stock L bolts, were welded together to make the hold-down U bolts.

A tool box was bolted in place.
Reels were considered; but for now it's hose hangers:
Attachment 23896
When the welder side panel is pulled the carb and mag is accessible even with the tool box and O2 cylinders in place.

Torch tank bracket was whipped up:
Attachment 23889

That's it - Off to work.
I'll let you know of any "in field" refinements.

[patrickp]

looks like a good work platform. compact but efficient.

[farmersamm]

I sure like a skid mount as opposed to a trailer mount. Makes it harder to steal if it don't have wheels.

[tanglediver]

Originally Posted by farmersamm

I sure like a skid mount as opposed to a trailer mount. Makes it harder to steal if it don't have wheels.

You could weld the bearings shut, then they would have to skid the wheels.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/P5080002.jpg
Really nice rig Denrep! Can I have it? ... No?... How 'bout a slice of that pizza then? ...

[Tractapac]

I thought you might have mounted that on the back of the old Inter!

[lewray]

Looks good Denrep

Wheres the new shiny gray paint to go with that bad boy? lol

The skid mount is a great idea. Real user friendly!

Roll and go!!!

[TozziWelding]

Denrep, did that machine happen to be bought off a guy a long ways from you?

[A_DAB_will_do]

might be a silly question, but how easy is it to drain the oil from the engine of that welder with it mounted on the skid. I'm planning on putting my 300D on a truck when I can afford to buy one.

One of the things I considered was mounting my welder on a skeleton frame so that it was easy to drain oil and coolant for routine maintenance.

It seems to me that skid mouting would make routine maintenance more difficult. (just my $0.02)

-Dave

[denrep]

Thanks guys.

The skid is probably overweight and oversize for hauling around all the time.
This one went out to stay on a job where it's going to be on stand-by. Whenever a little welding will be done, hopefully one trip with a forklift will bring everything needed.

Patrickp - Compact but efficient? There's a fine line between compact and efficient and crowded; isn't there?

FarmerSamm - Skid vs trailer? Portable welders mounted on truck, trailer, basket lift, and wheeled cart, each have their virtues. I guess it just depends on how your work is set up.

Tanglediver - You can have it and the pizza! ...If your avatar can get mine back to work!

Tractapac - Mount it on the old IH? Funny you should say that, I've been toying with the idea of building a rig using an old cab on a newer chassis.

Lewray - Paint it? I'm afraid if I paint it someone will want to steal it or tax it some more!

Tozzi - Where I bought it? Are you digging up Bones? Good eye! Yah it was his; thanks again. I owe him and his advertiser one.

A_DAB_will_do - Oil change? In this case the drain plug is accessible from on top and the oil will drain into a pan through the floor grate. When draing the oil I actually used a scrap of angle iron to direct all the oil drain to one point.

[TozziWelding]

I knew it the second I saw it, I am glad it has a good home. I was worried when I saw it on a pallet it was gonna be parted out.