Calling all experts

[jorge0136]

Anyone else have the time to write up some articles for the forum here? What topics should we try to cover first?

[Kaptain Krunch]

Im short on time now, with the new project, and school, but maybe a short guide to DIY welding, and different machines; there pros and cons, etc.

Maybe something on where to find go kart parts at junkyards and such (basically what other machines have usable parts for go karts).

[EagleTalons]

I could write some how to guides for some engine processes.

[freakboy]

I think frederic would be a great canidate for the suspention and what not. he knows ALOT of usefull knowledge about the geometry. and we need something about gearing.

[EagleTalons]

Someone should do brakes and things that stop.

[freakboy]

cinderblock?anvil?boat anchor. i think i got it covered. lol jk

[Kaptain Krunch]

I gues i could do a section on something, how about budget building/ salvaging parts?

[skid20]

I think there needs to be a list of webstores and other likely resources for parts.

and there should be a article on common hardware store items you can use to fabricate parts that you can't find.

[freakboy]

There is a list of webstores and websites to go to around here.

[EagleTalons]

There is a list, it is at the bottom of the forums.

[freakboy]

it dont work anymore nevermind.

[skid20]

it dont work anymore nevermind.

yeah

[frederic]

I think frederic would be a great canidate for the suspention and what not. he knows ALOT of usefull knowledge about the geometry. and we need something about gearing.

I'd be happy to write a faq on almost anything, however my experience is with "big" karts... race cars (drag and track), pullers, mud bog trucks, tug-of-war trucks, jumpers, baha trucks, "sleepers", etc.

I'd also need some guidance as to what kind of faq do you guys think would be useful.

"This is a tire, it is round" vs. "with a traction co-efficient of 0.97 you can expect to apply 17 ft-lbs of torque before the tire spins..."

Is the average member of this forum truly interested in the practicality of math, physics and metallury? Or do most just want to know that a 10" diameter wheel is what everyone else runs?

Certainly I don't want to spend hours writing stuff no one's interested in.

[skid20]

I'd also need some guidance as to what kind of faq do you guys think would be useful.

"This is a tire, it is round" vs. "with a traction co-efficient of 0.97 you can expect to apply 17 ft-lbs of torque before the tire spins..."





somewhere in between most people have enough sense to tell if a tire is round but on the same token do not understand big words like co-efficient. It should probably be written for a simpleton.

[freakboy]

i would want to read the really long explination but my pre algebra mind would explode off my 11th grade head rofl. i think just explaning basic steering geometry/suspention. if you have the time, you do have a life you have to live.

[Fawteen]

I was a technical instructor for 5 years in the Navy, a Maine Fire Service Instructor for 15 years and have taught Adult Ed classes on various subjects for about the same time. So, over the years, I've written a few lesson plans...

I'd be happy to write something on welding. I can address gas, MIG, TIG and Stick starting with an intro to the strengths and weaknesses of each process, gasses, electrode types, techniques etc. The emphasis would be on a level appropriate to home mechanics and kart building, without getting into all the technical details.

I'm self-taught, not school-trained or certified. It's part of my job and I've done structural work and repairs with aluminum, steel and stainless from 16 gauge sheet to 3/4" thick I-beams and nothing's fallen down yet.

Let me know if anyone thinks such an article would be useful. If so, I'll work on it in my spare time.

[sideways]

i would be fasinated to know about steering and suspension geometry! no matter how long and "big worded" it is! ive been trying to find somthing that explains suspension geometry properly for a while now as i am looking to design and build my own quadbike in the near future (used quads are ridiculously overpriced in australia, dead 1980s 250cc farm quads start at around AU$1500). im sure it would be very usefull to many other people aswell.

thanks

Hayden

[jorge0136]

Fredric I think a article explaining the different kinds of suspension and how they work would be excellent. We could help you scrounge up photos as well. I think a simple pros and cons that is written in very simple English with a slightly more technical expounded second section would be ideal. People can ask questions if they haven't understood the second part. We are looking for a mix of answers and ideas they need to ask questions about. Have to keep our forum alive, right? I suppose I could just as well write the first part. I can't this weekend going to bumbershoot (big concert in seattle) here in a few minutes . I think for something as complicated as suspensions you do have to get into the technical somewhat. explaining sprung vs. unsprung weight. Rate of return for shocks and how to change that. The article would also need to address how the drive train connects while the thing is moving etc...


I think a unrelated article about steering geometry explanation of ackerman steering, bump steer and all that jazz would be good too. Someplace around my computer here I have a list of sites that explain ackerman steering with diagrams etc... Whomever decides to tackle that project shoot me a line and I'll find that list for references.

Fawteen it would be fantastic if you could write an article on welding. Just as you suggest sounds perfect.


Speaking of drive train, does anyone want to do an article on the different options for making the thing move? We already have an excellent article on lawnmower solutions.

Thanks everybody

[freakboy]

I would do the thing about clutches and drive train but i dont have time anymore. if it was the summer still i would be on it right now.

Fawteen it would be great if you can do that article!

[sideways]

i can do an article on all the different kinds of suspension and thier pros and cons. Single a arm, double a arm, trailing arms, swing arm, live axle ect ect. I just dont know much about the geometrys but i can give a fairly detailed description of them all(all the ones usable on go karts anyway) with pros and cons with diagrams.

Hayden

[freakboy]

go for it man. someone else should do one about tools like grinders wrenches chopsaws hole saws drill presses hand drills and that kinda stuff.

[sideways]

someone should do one on electric motors and batteries aswel, like a description on all the different kinds of batteries and all thier pros and cons and another one on what kind of electric motors are suitable for what uses ect ect maybe one on setting up controlers and general wiring?

Thanks

Hayden

[freakboy]

that would be oscaryu1 to do electical stuff he is the guru here on it.

[sideways]

go for it man.

k will do, give me a couple of days though :thumbsup:

thanks

Hayden

[frederic]

i can do an article on all the different kinds of suspension and thier pros and cons. Single a arm, double a arm, trailing arms, swing arm, live axle ect ect. I just dont know much about the geometrys but i can give a fairly detailed description of them all(all the ones usable on go karts anyway) with pros and cons with diagrams.

Hayden

I was going to write a suspension article as well, but I did intend to go into the geometry and at least "light math" so I can illustrate how it all plays together.

Certainly a document of this kind may be overkill for a live axle go-kart however potentially very useful for those building off-road karts requiring a full suspension.

Do we want to work in parallel and have two documents with two different depths, or would it make more sense for me to take yours and expand it and slap both our names on it?

I'm cool either way.

[sideways]

I was going to write a suspension article as well, but I did intend to go into the geometry and at least "light math" so I can illustrate how it all plays together.

Certainly a document of this kind may be overkill for a live axle go-kart however potentially very useful for those building off-road karts requiring a full suspension.

Do we want to work in parallel and have two documents with two different depths, or would it make more sense for me to take yours and expand it and slap both our names on it?

I'm cool either way.

Oh ok well you obviously know alot more about these things than I do, so I think you should just write it. We could have an "idiots guide" and a "genius guide". But either way, I dont mind.

thanks

Hayden

[Adam]

frederic I would like more of the technical details, it is vital to making a great kart or buggy and time should be taken for it.