Arachnids

[itwasjustanidea!]

Is there anywhere i can get free plans/information about them? I've seen 3 builds on here recently and i'm really interested as they look like a good challenge for my first build?

I'm mainly interested as to avoid using round tubing! Plus it looks like something that if i took my time on and built well, could be made road legal with some work!

If anyone has any free plans, information, or anything i can look at to get an idea of what im doing, i would really appreciate it

Sorry for sounding like just another newb!

 

[redsox985]

The arachnid would definitely give you a challenge. Read their threads lol. Go with an Edge Products buggy.

 

[itwasjustanidea!]

Do you suppose it'd be a bit too hard? I want something challenging, but the whole lot will be a very steep learning curve (never welded, not got half the tools i need so i'll have to learn them too).

To be fair to myself, i'll probably do like, the rear swingarm first, but do a dummy run a couple of times to get used to cutting angles, preparing for welding etc, till i'm happy that i can weld safely, then i will start on the next section.

The main thing is i want it to be strong, as if its ever to make it to the road i'd need to be able to weld strongly.

 

[fowler]

dont go arachnid the plans are ****
go edge products www.edge.au.com

the arachnid plaans will only make u jump off a building. the people building it here are struggleing and they are all very talented and very skilled fabricators

 

[Bill CNC]

I cannot help you with the free plans (they should be) as I paid for mine.

I say this as a fellow person than never built a kart before this one, ... this is probably not the best choice for a first build.

But I will help you if I can.

 

[r97]

making something road legal in some states can be a complete money pit whereas in other states just drive it on the road, no one cares. get an edge products plans, and for a first kart you may wish to start with something a bit more simple so you don't need to think about where your gonna find your cv axles for your irs on your first kart!

 

[itwasjustanidea!]

So is the arachnid the style of kart, or just a particular model of a company? I thought that was what they were all called :lol:

Also i'm in the UK, i doubt it'd be easy to get reg'd but it's all part of the fun

So i'm probably better just building a standard cart first?

 

[r97]

the arachnid is the name of plans sold by a company on the internet. build something more advanced first if you want, i know redsox made an extremely simple kart first to understand the basic mechanics involved.

 

[redsox985]

I actually am still working on that SOB. It's a SpiderKarts Black Widow. No suspension but very good as a 1st build. I would not go back to SpiderKarts for future plans. I would probably build around a motor with full independent suspension. I have done plenty reading and feel I grasp the concepts of how it all would work and need to be designed. If I find the time and money to build another, I would create a more complex vehicle, maybe with a semi auto quad engine or sled motor.

 

[Silvergrizz]

Also i'm in the UK, i doubt it'd be easy to get reg'd but it's all part of the fun

So i'm probably better just building a standard cart first?

Since you are in the UK, I would definitely not recommend The Arachnid. As R97 said, It is a specific plan, using primarily American components. Shipping is going to be outrageous for parts that you cannot acquire in the UK. Check Wobbly's build, he is also in the UK.

There are currently 3 of us on this site building from these plans, they are definitely a challenge to say the least. They require modification to the front suspension design to function correctly. I am probably sticking closest to the original design, (first Kart), Bill is definitely making the most modifications and Wobbly is changing what he can with locally acquired parts.

If you are looking to build an off-road type suspension kart, or on road for that matter, I would check out www.edge.au.com as Redsox suggested. They seem to have a well thought out proven design. I wish I had seen their site first. :toetap05:

Unless you are building for racing or back yard fun, I would go with a suspension kart of some kind, just for the increased ground clearance and ride. I have seen others who just go with bigger balloon tires for a softer ride and more clearance on an unsprung kart. Ultimately, you have to decide what trade offs you can live with and afford.

 

[redsox985]

Afford was my main reason opting for the Black Widow. Very minimal parts on a smaller budget. It seems that you and Bill have an endless supply of money considering the bills are over a few grand.

 

[r97]

i thought i was breaking the bank (well i'm breaking the middle school bank) spending over 1k. any other karts i make will be sooooooooo cheap......

 

[Wobbly]

For a first build, I would find it difficult to recommend the Ah-crap-nid. As Grizz mentioned, most of the specialist parts are only available in the US and simply unavailable here in the UK, unless your willing to pay ridiculous amounts in postage. To give you an idea on budget, I'm already over £1500 and realistically I'll be looking at £2000 by the time it's finished.

This is my first build, and it has been a very steep learning curve as I had to learn how to weld too. I only discovered this forum after I had started, and I'm sure without help from the guys on these pages, I would have abandoned this project weeks ago. As for making this road legal in the UK, not a chance in hell!

If you are serious about building a serious kart, then look to The Edge range.

 

[modelengineer]

I built my Edge Sidewinder for about $2,500 Australian, which is around 1500 pounds and I don't think I could have saved much money. I went SO far to keep the costs down; got basically a free engine, made my own wheel studs and rear hubs on the lathe, cut the keyways in the axle myself, did my own exhaust system, etc. The only bits I bought from edge were the rear bearings, suspension bushes, and the throttle return spring.

If you want to register it then you need to go through the SVA test, and I can tell you now that my buggy wouldn't have a hope in hell of getting through that. NO sharp edges allowed at all. That means covering all bolt heads in rubber caps, the edges of all sheet metal needs trimming on it, etc. I think you should get a copy of the SVA manual before you even start building as it will save a lot of headache later on.

Also, I think you need a diff. for it to be road legal which none of the edge buggies have unfortunately. Some people have incorporated them into the Piranha and Barracuda buggies but it would be next to impossible on a Sidewinder.

 

[itwasjustanidea!]

Thanks for everything so far guys. Alot of its probably saved me money already just hearing about avoiding them plans!

As for the SVA, i know the people there are a bunch of douchebags about everything. Think you legally need an airbag now but im not sure on that!

I did plan on getting a copy of the SVA to make my life easier As for the diff, i've not checked anything about the rules on that, but i would imagine thats if you have independant rear suspension? As the side would travel differently on each bump, as opposed to a solid axle?

I think i could incorperate a basic diff system easily enough though

 

[Wobbly]

If you want something that is SVA compliant, then a proper kit car is the way to go. Trying to adapt a home built kart into a proper road going vehicle is going to be incredibly difficult.

 

[aspock]

What about one of these

http://www.blitzworld.co.uk/kr3-buggy-twin-seat-road-legal-i195.html

could be iva'd

Aidan

 

[fowler]

sure but got a spare 5 G's

 

[Bill CNC]

If you want something to drive on the road, ... why not buy a car. You can get one for under $500.00.

Hell, ... in 1994, ... I bought a 1977 civic and a 1964 Buick for $40.00 for the pair. After a tune up on the Civic and driving it for 3 years, ... I sold it for $600.00. And the Buick, ... My oldest son drove it into the ground in 2 years.

Best $40.00 I ever spent.

 

[redsox985]

You are one lucky man. That's a rare find.