Autistic son, and a guy who has never built anything!

[Spider2k9]

Hi guys. Found this forum by doing a google search for building a go kart! My Son is autistic and is EXTREMELY interested in anything with wheels. He can sit all day in my car playing with the steering wheel and various knobs and sticks and the only toys he plays with are cars and his bicycle.
He is extremely naughty outside of these times though which isnt his fault, so i came up with the idea of building a cart with him.

I have a large garage with the bog standard tools any man would have, and luckily i also work in a place that distributes gas so i personally know many mechanics, welders etc so getting hold of tools is no issue!

Ill continue to browse the topics and get an idea of where to begin, i was thinking of making a small wooden pedal cart to begin with, i mean if i cant do that, i would be pretty boned at anything more complicated right? ha!

Look forward to speaking to you all in the future and hopefuly one day i can add pictures of finished karts!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Russ2251]

i was thinking of making a small wooden pedal cart to begin with

Very smart to crawl before walking.
Many folks on this forum with zero experience want the biggest and fastest thing they can muster up for their 1st project.
Most who think this way will fail.
Best of luck.

 

[lukasdlf]

My first go kart (and first experience with tools) was made of wood and was pretty easy to built. If you put a litle engine on it, the mounts will be very easy to make. If you need help just let me know.
Here is the link if you want to see the go kart. www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22693

 

[firemanjim]

My first go kart (and first experience with tools) was made of wood and was pretty easy to built. If you put a litle engine on it, the mounts will be very easy to make. If you need help just let me know.
Here is the link if you want to see the go kart. www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22693

Whooaaaa.... OP's son is autistic and he stated he wanted to build a type of pedal kart.... adding a motor was not his intention. I'm not sure it would be safe for the child to be let loose on a motorized kart....
Spider2k9, you're an awesome dad. ... nuff said about that.
As far as a pedal kart goes, I've built a couple as a boy scout project. If you need help with how to make the pedal drive, let me know.... I know a few ways,some easy,some elaborate. ......

 

[lukasdlf]

Whooaaaa.... OP's son is autistic and he stated he wanted to build a type of pedal kart.... adding a motor was not his intention. I'm not sure it would be safe for the child to be let loose on a motorized kart....:

When I suggested putting an engine on it, I meant something very small, with a speed limiter. I gave my example to show that some woods are very tough and flexible that also give a kind of suspension and would be a very good option as it does not require any welding, almost everything is bolted.