Sorry to bump an old thread, but this thread is the one that sold me on getting the welding cart, over a: wagon/ jogging stroller/ dolly/ etc...
My 3-Gun competition cart is nearly done. Should be done today.
Cart is for me and my shooting buddy, to hold/ carry our long guns (two rifles & two shotguns, with one extra slot for a spare 5th long gun) and all our ammo and gear. The welding cart will work for us, as I take my p/u truck to most of the local matches here in SOCAL.
Cart reconfigured and painted.
I just replaced/upgraded all the hardware (bolts, nuts, washers, u-bolts, spacers, etc...) with better quality hardware from Home Depot, the hardware that came with the cart were low quality. I mounted the swiveling tray in a different position (about a foot + higher on the handle) and painted the unit OD Green.
Made a (½" Birch) plywood box with two compartments below for: a range bag or three ammo cans, and a smaller compartment in the rear for more ammo & misc items. An upper angled shelf with dividers for the long guns butt stocks, an upper rack to secure the forearm/hand guards. Shelf on the back for a small cooler.
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/6576/3guncart026cw1.jpg
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/2833/3guncart034nc3.jpg
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/3336/3guncart037jo2.jpg
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/2114/3guncart035ib3.jpg
I just threw a full compliment of long guns on and some misc range gear & ammo, to test the size/fitting and weight balance. Running around the backyard making it as rough as possible, to see what moves. The long guns didn't move a bit. I even flipped it completely forward/ horizontally to see if the long guns would fall off. They stayed put.
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/9122/3guncart012an8.jpg
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/1528/3guncart015ug8.jpg
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/3112/3guncart016ql1.jpg
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/860/3guncart017ya7.jpg
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/6458/3guncart021yc0.jpg
http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/696/3guncart019at7.jpg
The small cooler isn't sitting on the cooler shelf I built for it in the pics, but it fits nicely in the notch I cut out to access the smaller compartment in the lower level. This small cooler is only good for a six pack of cans. Need one a tiny bit larger/ taller, to fit Gatorade and water bottles. Going shopping today to look for a cooler more appropriate. The other ones I have are either too small (pictured) or too big.
The long guns don't move at all, when secured with the small bungee cords and how they are angles by the lower shelf & upper rack. You can go off-roading with the cart and the guns stay put. Things are padded or covered with something soft, so that it won't mar the finish on the guns.
I originally was planning to get a couple of those Double Fin Grip ATV rifle racks, but they weren't going to get here in time for this weekend's match. So, I improvised the top rack that holds the forearms/ hand guards. It's working out so well, that I'm not ordering them now.
Going to finish up a few more ideas and give it a try tomorrow at the local 3-gun match. It'll probably be revised slightly as we get to try it out in real life. But, for the most part... it's probably going to work fine as is.
I could make this unit fold up to fit in a large trunk. I replaced the cotter pins for the wheels with these quick release clips. So the wheels can come off in a matter of seconds. The top handle portion could have the nuts replaced with knobs instead. So you could take the four bolts out without using a wrench. Just an idea... if someone needs the cart to break down into smaller components.