My Kelsey press sat on a low dolly for a few weeks while I cleaned it up.
I initially planned to mount it on top of a cabinet in my shop, but I realized it would be better to access it in the round as I attempted to tune it up. A heavy duty cart would be the ideal solution!
I checked the online inventory of the local industrial surplus place (HGR), and I saw a good candidate. When I went to their warehouse to check it out, the cart was certainly sturdy — old school, heavy gauge steel! But the wheels had flat spots, and one wheel mount was bent.
Still, the price was right ($15!!!), and I already had some locking casters at home from an old furniture dolly, so those wheels could be replaced.
Before I started modifying anything, the cart needed a good cleaning.
Next, I took off the old wheels. Three of them unbolted easily. The fourth was a surprise — someone had welded it in place! I had to cut it off and grind down the rough edges.
I painted the cart with a gray, hammered-finish spray paint. I mounted the casters on wood planks to attach them to the underside of the cart, and set them as wide as possible for stability.
I made a top out of some 2×6’s that I biscuit-joined together, then sealed with a couple coats of water-based polyurethane.
When the cart was complete, I centered the press on top and bolted it in place.
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