Go Kart Frames
- Thread starter Tjde1kart
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xXPhasemanXx
Newb
You could build a metal frame without welding with nuts and bolts but the downside is that you would need to check it for tightness a lot. The schematic would also be more difficult to make. I suggest you don't do wood because it can rot overtime and break a lot more easily.
Wood is not safe. We have just had a 22 page thread about the subject
mckutzy
Well-known member
Oh also.. DO NOT use door hinges in your steering mechanism. We laugh but sadly true.... it was done...
mckutzy
Well-known member
80/20 is **** expensive. if you got the cash and can get all the little parts, it might last for a little while. but like I said, after all that might aswell use that and buy a welder and go from there.
OzFab
New member
To be fair, only 15 pages were about the wood kart; the last 7 are about what kart he's gonna buy
It has been done before but, some pretty heavy duty engineering is needed to make it suitable; not to mention some heavy duty wood...
Its funny wood isn't safe to build a gokart but its been used to build everything from boats cars to planes for many years. With the proper know how and skills it is both safe and doable however metal is both easy and quicker with a more consitainte result. Also wood requires more maintance.
Btw there are some plans out there for a wooden jeep model that is is 1/4 scale that's pretty good.
it all comes down to personal ability.
Btw there are some plans out there for a wooden jeep model that is is 1/4 scale that's pretty good.
it all comes down to personal ability.
OzFab
New member
There's the key phrase! As long as you know what you're doing, it's all good
Gopedude
New member
Gopedude
New member
You can get a used frame on CL for cheap.... Just check every so often, and chances are you will find a good deal.
I was the member that started the 22 page thread about my endeavor to build a wood frame; to sum up those 22 Pages, simply put: A wooden frame is not a good choice safety wise and it will be a waste of time in the end, considering you can pick up a metal/steel frame for under $100.
It has been done before, but it wont last longer than a couple weeks , if that.
mckutzy
Well-known member
Gopedude -Oh no highjack at all, just merely stating the inherent danger of your misadventure.
OzFab
New member
DJ, I don't think there's any need for that, we all started somewhere. Some of us have natural ability, others don't. The main thing is, Gopedude had an idea, tried it & failed; at least he learned from it.
He may not have thought it was a dumb idea (as you obviously do) but, at least he had a go; you never know what you can achieve unless you try.
He may not have thought it was a dumb idea (as you obviously do) but, at least he had a go; you never know what you can achieve unless you try.
machinist@large
Active member
Co$t
80/20 has definite uses in this world; the frame of a go kart IS NOT one of them.
80/20's biggest weakness is the fastening system; the very adaptability of all the various connection styles available in the is it's weakest link. In STATIC loading it's quite strong (especially the larger cross sections/ connections). In DYNAMIC loading (like jumping a kart over/off a curb) the connection hardware will start to deform/ tear out of the mounting slots.
For it's given cross section, it's also very heavy; that's an asset in a conveyor design, but an evil thing to have in a kart. If you look at the average cross section for 80/20, you'll see that it's approx. 60% solid metal. You would be basically doing the equivalent of building your frame out of solid bar stock. And, as mckutzy so well put it, this stuff is EXPENSIVE!!!
All that being said, knowing about the 80/20 system, and some of the crazy cool stuff people have built with it is a good reference source for you to gather ideas from. I've built machines out of it, this stuff is so rugged. On the other hand, they didn't have to move from place to place under their own power.
Sorry for the long winded answer; this is one of those topics that you need a little depth to explain. Also, if you would like more info on it, here's their web site.
www.8020.net
Just be aware that they DON'T give this stuff away......
80/20 has definite uses in this world; the frame of a go kart IS NOT one of them.
80/20's biggest weakness is the fastening system; the very adaptability of all the various connection styles available in the is it's weakest link. In STATIC loading it's quite strong (especially the larger cross sections/ connections). In DYNAMIC loading (like jumping a kart over/off a curb) the connection hardware will start to deform/ tear out of the mounting slots.
For it's given cross section, it's also very heavy; that's an asset in a conveyor design, but an evil thing to have in a kart. If you look at the average cross section for 80/20, you'll see that it's approx. 60% solid metal. You would be basically doing the equivalent of building your frame out of solid bar stock. And, as mckutzy so well put it, this stuff is EXPENSIVE!!!
All that being said, knowing about the 80/20 system, and some of the crazy cool stuff people have built with it is a good reference source for you to gather ideas from. I've built machines out of it, this stuff is so rugged. On the other hand, they didn't have to move from place to place under their own power.
Sorry for the long winded answer; this is one of those topics that you need a little depth to explain. Also, if you would like more info on it, here's their web site.
www.8020.net
Just be aware that they DON'T give this stuff away......
Gopedude
New member
OzFab
New member
mckutzy
Well-known member
Gopedude- Watch you language please, this is a forum where younger minds maybe present. If you dont like the ribbing you are receiving dont post/frequent here, you do know where the door is.
...And what was about derailing this thread.
...And what was about derailing this thread.
Gopedude
New member
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