Using lots of heat and electricity, makes any material take shape in the way you want it to. This is what essentially welding is, but things are a lot more complicated than that. For example, you need a spool of metal wire that helps with the joining of the two metal pieces. Welding can be used in many different ways and this depends on the type of welding process you choose to rely on.
No matter what welding process you want to use you won't have to use tools other than a welder and a wire unless the welding process requires you to. Otherwise, you won't even have to hold a wire. But welding requires heavy equipment which is why you should have something to move things around with.
Benefits of Using a Welding Trolley
Access
The most notable difference that you'll discover from using a welding trolley is the fact that you will have constant easy access to the equipment you need every day. Quality welders trolleys will have space even for supplies and hand tools and since the trolley will go wherever you go, you won't have to move much to get something you need.
Organisation
Also, since you get all kinds of compartments on proper welder trolleys, you won't have to bring a bag full of items you need or a tool chest. Dragging an MIG trolley and your tool chest can be quite a hassle. With a proper trolley, you'll be able to organise your tools and supplies around the welder and have everything in one place.
Safety
Another big reason why you'd want to get a welders trolleys is the fact that it's made exactly for your welding needs. This means that it's a lot safer and not just more convenient. Specially designed to keep both you and your welder safe from electrocution and other external factors, a welding trolley offers the best level of safety.
Movement
If you have a big workshop, walking from one end to another can be exhausting. Especially, when you do it quite a lot during the day. With a welder trolley that won't be necessary as the wheels on it will help you move the trolley and everything on it and thus everything you need will be close to you at all times.
What to Look for in a Welding Trolley
Material
The build quality of a welder trolley matters as much as the welder itself. Make sure that whatever material the trolley is made of it's able to sustain high temperatures and that it's also rigid. This is why it's best to go for a metal trolley with no plastic parts. Even if it's hard-wearing plastic, it's still plastic and as you know plastic melts more easily than metal.
Load Capacity
The load or weight capacity of the trolley is quite an impactful factor too as it determines how much weight the trolley can handle. The higher this capacity is the better as then you have yourself a heavy-duty TIG trolley. But this factor also depends on the build of the trolley which, if made mainly out of hard-wearing metal it will usually have a higher load capacity.
Storage Capacity
Another type of capacity you need to be on the lookout for is storage capacity. This type of capacity refers to the number of tools and supplies the trolley will allow you to have on it. There should be a dedicated space for this that will allow you to have at least your main tools in arm's reach.
Wheels
The wheels of welder trolleys are the only components that move hence why they need to be able to work in silence. This is why you should have wheels made of rubber as they roll smoothly and absorb bumps better. For better manoeuvrability, you should go with trolleys that have smaller back wheels and bigger front wheels.
Shelves & Tiers
With shelves and tiers, your trolley will make everything more easily accessible. You should go for welder trolleys that offer anywhere from 2 to 3 shelves for you to store your welding equipment. Trolleys with built-in drawers are also a great option.
Drawers
Talking about drawers, there should be drawers present that can be locked. This way you can store valuable items like your auto-darkening helmet without having to worry about someone nicking it.
Angle
An angled welder is a lot easier to work with as it allows you to take a look at its display more easily. The angle of the welder can vary though as not everyone is the same. This is why the angle you're looking for should make the front part of the machine tilt upwards a bit. If the welder is going to hit the cylinder, you can always put a small wooden block at the back of the trolley to prevent this from happening.
Wire Hooks
Welders can have a lot of wires around them and every wire is a potential tripping hazard. Therefore it's best to have wire hooks on a welder trolley as it helps you declutter your workspace and make it a lot safer. Having wires hanging rather than on the floor is always better.
Gas Cylinder
The should also be storage space for the gas cylinder of your welder. This is not optional, but rather a must-have feature that every welder should incorporate on their trolley. Make sure that the cylinder fits properly in this storage space and that it's safeguarded with built-in chains. This makes it safe to roll the trolley with the cylinder on.
Shielding Gas
A shelf should be present for shielding gas bottles on your MIG trolley. While these cylinders don't need a lot of space, there should be some at the back of the trolley. This way you'll be able to refill them and remove them more easily. Again, make sure there are built-in chains to help prevent any mishaps and keep the cylinders in place.au
