first attempt to build an arachnid spidercart

[xXClay1331Xx]

Hey all, I ordered plans for the arachnid spidercart, got some 1 1/4'' steel tubing and a 14'' cut off saw to cut it with but every cut I've made has been at least a degree off. Can anyone give me some advice on how to achieve the many angles called for, I would greatly appreciate it. Also is there any modifications I should plan to make in advance? I want to stay as close to the hardware in the plans as possible, except for a 13hp greyhound engine and what ever is needed to fit it. This is my first time building a kart and will take my time and do my best and just hope to enjoy the process, any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[T-man]

Clay: 1or 2 deg off isn't that big of a deal when it comes to welding pieces that are 15 inches long or shorter. longer then that you start to run into problems. The best thing to do is to set up a jig. If you dont have a large welding table then you could do this. get a piece of 4x8 plywood NEW not used or been sitting out side or scrap from the neighbors. Nice and flat. lay it on the floor of your garage get a protractor and mark out the angle on the board and tac weld your pieces together. Only do one or two pieces at a time so you can pull them off of the board. The board will get burned from the welding being close to it but dont worry its not going to burst into flames. That is why you tac them together then remove it to finalize the welding.

If you cut an angle on your saw that is a few deg. off thats ok , what maters is the moment you start to weld things together.

someone else on here may have another idea for ya

 

[redsox985]

Check the arachnid threads in the build log section to see some of the issues they experienced, just don't be discouraged.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

when you weld, the piece tends to pull over to the side your welding.

tac the pieces first dont just start doing a final weld all the way across or else the two pieces move on you in a direction you dont want.

 

[xXClay1331Xx]

Thanks for the advice guy's, but welding is still so far down the road it's not even funny. I'm still looking for ways to cut the tubing. I'm going to pick up a better protractor tomorrow and plan to make jigs out of plywood to set the miter on my chop saw. I don't have a sander or anything suitable for touching them up, so I'd like the cuts to be as accurate as possible. I've tried cutting it with my angle grinder and cutting discs but I'd rather use the saw.

 

[redsox985]

You have an angle grinder? Use that to touch up any mis-cuts. And, once you start welding, a degree or two off can be filled with a welder.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

yeah i agree, just put some time into it, and you can get it just about perfect.

definately use the saw to cut them, i dont own a saw myself and i do cut everything from my grinder, BUT, it takes forever and its jaggedy and crooked for the most part.

if you space the pieces apart, and cannot weld them, you need to go in slow circular motion to spread the bead upon a larger surface. dont space them too far, the weld will break.

the grinder is a very useful tool, but you can always take off, cant put back.

well thats just about all i got.

 

[r97]

what i do is i use a protractor to set a sliding T-bevelto the desired angle then i put the t-bevel so that one side is right up against the adjust able side of the chop saw vise (see pic), then keeping the t-bevel tight against the vise half i swing the vise half until the other half of the t-bevel is parallel to the chop saw blade, then tighten up the vise half. also i have welded two pieces of metal with a 1/4" gap, its not super easy (not super challenging either), but its definitely easier with the metal fitting together better, also i would suggest you invest in a bench grinder or a bench top disk sander (remember those hf 20 percent off coupons!)to clean up/bevel the edges of your metal, so that you save yourself from wrestling with the angle grinder. as was suggested above, a jig is very helpful.

p.s. please purchase proper safety gear (eye, hearing, gloves, and don't set yourself on fire)and check all the attachments you buy for your tools will work (ie 4" blade for a 4" grinder, make sure it can handle the rpm!!!!!!!)

 

[xXClay1331Xx]

Thanks for all the advice guy's, and excellent illustration R97! I tried that with my flimsy plastic protractor but it didn't work very well. I'll pick up a t bevel tomorrow and finish cutting the main frame. I've got everything you suggested but the most useful looking one, the disk sander.