Beginner Kart...First Build

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JCB003

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Hello- I'm new to the site and just got into go karts...my boy is fascinated by them. He loves riding them at the amusement park, and I thought it would be fun to build one together. He's only 5 so he cant help much but he likes to pretend to wrench on anything and enjoys building things with Daddy. So after some time on the net researching I found this site and what a resource it has been and I'm sure will continue to be.

What I do know is how to detail, layout and fabricate steel. I have access to a full metal shop: saws, shears, breaks, pipe benders, welders, burning table etc and plenty of material stock for kart builds.

What I don't know is everything else about karts...motors, brakes, steering, etc. (Although I think I have steering figured out), but I'll be using the search function alot and have some questions.

I decided to go small and simple while I learn for the first build. I based the design off the Spidercarts Recluse. If all goes well, I'll build something more advanced next time. Today I made some drawings and cut the all the parts for the frame from 1x1x11ga tube steel and did a little welding on the side rails for the frame.




Right now I only have about an hour a day to work on it.

After some more reading I ordered some parts I knew I needed, and quickly realized I will probably be ordering a few more times for items I didn't know I needed, forgot to order or changed on the fly. First parts order due in tomorrow - I'll post what I have so far then. I hope to have the frame built by the weekend.
 
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JCB003 said:
Although I think I have steering figured out
Click to expand...

You may think so, but it's not as straight forward as it looks :roflol:

Have you read this?
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11760

JCB003 said:
I decided to go small and simple while I learn for the first build. I based the design off the Spidercarts Recluse. If all goes well, I'll build something more advanced next time. Today I made some drawings and cut the all the parts for the frame from 1x1x11ga tube steel and did a little welding on the side rails for the frame.
Click to expand...

That thing is gonna be a heavy pig, 16ga would've been plenty

souperman000 said:
welcome to the forum, sounds like a fun project.

Oh, and thank you for using the search button
Click to expand...

... & posting a pic :thumbsup:

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you along.
 
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SDCoston

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I started building a SpiderCarts Tarantula about a month ago. I totally get the multiple online shopping sessions. I think I've placed and received about 7 different orders by now! Problem is that 4 of them were from the same place! Couldn't get organized enough to know what to get all in one order.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!
 
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souperman000 said:
welcome to the forum, sounds like a fun project.

Oh, and thank you for using the search button
Click to expand...

Thanks it should be fun!


Fabroman said:
You may think so, but it's not as straight forward as it looks :roflol:

Have you read this?
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11760



That thing is gonna be a heavy pig, 16ga would've been plenty



... & posting a pic :thumbsup:

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you along.
Click to expand...

I did read that thread. It hasn't sunk in totally yet, but I get the basics.

It's a small kart, but your're right it's heavier than it needs to be. I used what materials I had available, actually the 4 longest pieces are 14ga because I ran out of 11ga. I work in a structural steel shop and we rarely deal with anything less than 1/4", so when I think of gauge metal, I think thin.

Nodroz said:
I'm waiting to see more. I assume this will become an interesting project.
Click to expand...

Thanks, it's a simple kart, but I'll try and trick it out some to keep it interesting.


Mr.Tan said:
in for more updates/progress. should be a fun project!
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

SDCoston said:
I started building a SpiderCarts Tarantula about a month ago. I totally get the multiple online shopping sessions. I think I've placed and received about 7 different orders by now! Problem is that 4 of them were from the same place! Couldn't get organized enough to know what to get all in one order.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!
Click to expand...

Thanks - I've been reading about your build, the Tarantula might be my next project if I get through this.

I didn't get much done today, I did manage to bend the brackets for the steering shaft. I also did a mock assembly of the parts on the table, man is this thing small! Way to tiny for me to ever ride. I lengthened the frame, but only an inch, so barely at all.

The parts arrived. The axle was backordered, but will be here next week. Total bill so far is $387. I think I have another $400-500 with the engine, brakes, wheels and tires and misc parts. I knew going in it could be more expensive that buying one, since I had zero parts to start. It more fun this way anyway. Good thing the frame isn't going to cost anything!



I ordered the steering wheel and pedals so the boy could visualize some progress.

I'm going to try and stay late tomorrow and see what I can get done. Off to order more parts.
 
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JCB003

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Photobucket is killing me, it's not resizing my photos or rotating them.
 
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Major progress today!

Frame welded



and primed...



I still have to weld the brackets for the steering and the brake, but I decided to wait until I have all the parts to fit them correctly.

We also picked out the finish color...Rustoleum Cobalt Blue Metallic. Looks awesome on the test piece.
 
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JCB003

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Put another coat of primer on today and I ordered a seat. It's a G-man fiberglass Superseat, hope it fits - I should have purchased it before building incase I need to modify the frame, but I can still do that if needed. I decided not to make a seat, I wanted something bucket style to keep his butt from sliding off. I also ordered some steering components I forgot to order last time. I'm not sure how I'm going to mount the seat, I guess I'll wait and see when it gets here.

I still need a braking system, wheels / tires and the engine. I'm thinking of using the 6.5 Predator 212cc motor from Harbor Freight. I picked out tires and wheels. Still researching brakes. Hopefully I can start assembly next week when the backordered axle and other parts arrive.
 
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JCB003

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Got bored today and decided to paint.


White primer coat. I like how the white looks, I think I will paint the frame of my next kart gloss white.





This is Rustoleum Cobalt Blue Metallic. One more coat of this, then clear coat and I'll be done painting the frame. It looks good in the sun.
 
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SDCoston

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Did you spend much time trying to get all of the mill scale off before priming? And did you use a flap disk, wire brush or what? I'm getting close to the painting stage with our Tarantula. My metal is pretty filthy from whatever mill processes were used.

Your frame looks incredible. We are going to go with metallic Green or Red.
 
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