Michael Miramontes Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Ok, so I've been planning my next bag mixer cart for some time now. I've looked into 80/20 materials, bought all the gear to weld aluminum, researched how to bend aluminum to make trays, etc., etc. etc...It started occurring to me that I've been spending more time researching then actually building. So, I told myself, "self, why don't you just build something as cheap and quick as possible because you still haven't started this ultimate cart you've been dreaming about." Thus began my quest to build a decent bag mixer cart for under $400. Yes, it can be done easily and I'll show you how. Stay tuned for pics, prices, part numbers, and instructions. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Wynne Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Looking forward to checking it out Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 My interest is PIQUED! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Almalvez Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 if it folds, ill pre order one mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Mike is a pretty handy guy - I'm curious to see the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgilbertsound Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Mike: I'd LOVE to see what you come up with. I just weighed my 664 bag... 22 lbs without the boompole, a day of running around with it just murders my back. Thanks BG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Childers Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Awe yea lets see it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomboom Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Mike, please, blue... anodized... Eager to see too ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 I'll be doing a write up by this weekend. I got slammed with work this week and have been trying to find the time to put everything together. Sorry for the wait. Boomboom, I wish it was anodized. I'm trying to stay low budget on this so nothing shiny........yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason A Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Looking forward to seeing this as well. Would be nice to save a few hundred $ this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Can't wait to see the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathaniel Robinson Posted February 1, 2014 Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 The suspense is killing me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 haha..sorry everyone. I've been so swamped with work that I've barely had enough time to breath. I was hoping to get to it today but no such luck. I'll try to whip it out this week. I promise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 "The suspense is killing me!" > Me too; but just driving me to drink.. no problemo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Ok, so the reasoning behind this thread was to show anyone with basic building skills how to build their own bag mixer cart. Since I wasn't shooting for something that involved a ton of engineering I decided to source all my materials from locations that most people have access to. I wanted this to be as basic as possible so that anyone can do it. So here we go, The Cart: Harbor Freight Polypropylene Service Cart $97.99 (Sign up for their email list or check their site regularly. They almost always have 20% off coupons) The Wheels: Grainger- part number 1ULH2 ($69.90 each) and 1ULH3 ($44.75). These are the most expensive part thus far however you won't mind paying it since the wheels that come with the HF cart won't last and are noisy. I chose these specific wheels because they have the same mounting plate as the HF casters so they'll bolt right up without any modifications. A cheaper alternative for the swivel caster is Grainger part number 6XZ44 ($38.13 each) although they don't come with brakes. However, they probably have a model with the brake I just didn't have time to look it up. C-Stand pole: I'm not sure if this is the correct name but you all get the idea. I'm sure most people can source this from a local film supply vendor. I purchased mine from Modern Studio Equipment for about $40. The owner is great and will custom make these in any size for you. U-Bolt for C-stand pole. Home Depot 1/2" Pipe U-bolts (2)....I'll get an item number on this shortly. Boom Pole Holder Bass Pro Shops-Driftmaster Lean Mean Rod Holder $14.99 Grip Head Film Tools-Kupo Grip Head $24.25 I'm sure most people can source another model/type grip head since they all basically do the same thing. Here are some pics thus far. I plan on adding a few more bells/whistles so keep an eye on this thread for more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordi Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 VERY NICE! How does the cart go together? Is that one fairly sturdy, despite being from China Freight? I've thought about that one for a while, but didn't move because I hated the wheels. You've solved that for me. Damnit... Now I'm thinking about another cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Yes, the cart is solid. I've been using it for a little while now and it's withstood the abuse of production. The trays screw on the legs with Phillips head screws. So, anyone with a compact car can essentially keep a cordless drill with them and assemble/disassemble this fairly easy. I'll post an assembly vid or some pics to show how this goes together. For now I just wanted to get the info/pics out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Anderson Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 do you find that the pole holder works better backwards? or is this just a "throw it together fast and snap a quick pic" sorta thing? nice cart solution Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Good eye! No, I never use the pole holder in that direction. I had to position it like that for these pics since the boom pole, when fully colapsed, would only stay balanced when the holder was backwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominiquegreffard Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 If i remember correctly the c stand head knob is designed to be on the right side if you want to lock your boom holder in place. Nice cart though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I just saw a HFT "Super coupon" for that cart; $79.. Moving blankets for $5 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg sextro Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I've seen a similar setup used by a mixer here in NYC. He put big bike tires on one end of it. Would add another ~$140 to the cost maybe. It looked like his has survived quite some use and abuse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Davies Amps CAS Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 Mike I'm really impressed with the cart but what is the stability like across the narrow width with the six inch pneumatics? Malcolm Davies. AMPS CAS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Mike I'm really impressed with the cart but what is the stability like across the narrow width with the six inch pneumatics? Malcolm Davies. AMPS CAS. I haven't had any issues at all. The cart rolls around just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordi Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Thinking about it some more... Would there be any issue with going with 4 smart wheels instead of 2 smart and 2 dumb? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.279748a58a2b862b7aa5f3b84126e232.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.