First kart project.

[Gopedude]

You've missed his point. What he was trying to say was that just because you have experience in a particular subject, it does not make you an expert on the whole package. To redirect the original example;

You may be able to build a well-functioning radio, but this doesn't mean you know squat about accoustics or the dynamics of sound. Ergo, you would need to collaborate with an engineer to design the cabinet, and all in partnership with a speaker expert.

I just mentioned that. I was defending my self to the person who said "i have no engineering skills whatsoever." just pointing out i DO infact have some skills in electronics/circuitry. Totally off topic, but had to correct him.

 

[DJEEPER]

Crtiticism is helping me here, but if you just want to troll, then kindly GTFO my thread.

Oh IM the troll? I think you have a case of the "role-reversals"

Please, carry on with your methodical suicide.

 

[Kelly Wood]

I rarely, rarely post on a thread that's gone longer than it would take to build a kart... with parts... for under a hundred bucks.

But...

Dude, save another 40 bucks and just buy a used turd from your local area and have a good time ok?

It's admirable that you're soooo determined to give your wooden wangon-thing power... but heed everything folks are saying here and take no offense... to any of it. They're trying to save yer butt.

This has danger written all over it and if you truly don't know this, you should re-evaluate your place in the universe.

Want proof? Hop on it, roll down a small hill... and turn your wagon sharply. Video it if you must...

Then again... it probably will work and you won't die... then you'll be back here.

,,,Can't wait.

 

[mckutzy]

Any engineering principles given here have been rejected by you(The OP), except the cross bracing given by another.
I dont know how or why the radio thing came about.

With all this talk left and right, I think by now you could have got yourself a couple of car batteries, jumper cables and welded a bed frame together to make a kart.

 

[Gopedude]

I rarely, rarely post on a thread that's gone longer than it would take to build a kart... with parts... for under a hundred bucks.

But...

Dude, save another 40 bucks and just buy a used turd from your local area and have a good time ok?

It's admirable that you're soooo determined to give your wooden wangon-thing power... but heed everything folks are saying here and take no offense... to any of it. They're trying to save yer butt.

This has danger written all over it and if you truly don't know this, you should re-evaluate your place in the universe.

Want proof? Hop on it, roll down a small hill... and turn your wagon sharply. Video it if you must...

Then again... it probably will work and you won't die... then you'll be back here.

,,,Can't wait.

I am getting quite discouraged on this project. I would like to get an actual frame but dont know what to look for

I took a video today of my friend pushing me just to see how the front setup handled. Also, my first try at steering turned out to be a total failure. I can post it up if you like.....

 

[Gopedude]

Oh IM the troll? I think you have a case of the "role-reversals"

Please, carry on with your methodical suicide.

Yes, you are the troll. How am i the troll?

 

[Gopedude]

Any engineering principles given here have been rejected by you(The OP), except the cross bracing given by another.
I dont know how or why the radio thing came about.

With all this talk left and right, I think by now you could have got yourself a couple of car batteries, jumper cables and welded a bed frame together to make a kart.

wrong. If you payed attention, i mentioned im going to redo my frame with the wood on edge.
Just forget the radio thing, you obviously dont get my point.

 

[souperman000]

I am getting quite discouraged on this project. I would like to get an actual frame but dont know what to look for

Let's all chillax for a moment and help him out, huh?

Have you checked Craigslist? They usually have a few kart frames up there at any given time. Now, if you son't know, or are unsure of what frame to get, post up the link and have the guys on here take a look and give feedback, if you'd like.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I am getting quite discouraged on this project. I would like to get an actual frame but dont know what to look for

I took a video today of my friend pushing me just to see how the front setup handled. Also, my first try at steering turned out to be a total failure. I can post it up if you like.....

Okay- Now we're getting somewhere! Don't bother posting the video. Despite the sarcasm, we don't actually want to see you fail miserably.

I am glad you discovered the flaw while being pushed. Smart move on your part. It would have been much worse at speed.

Now- With all of that out of the way, you're at an impasse. Do you continue on your quest as planned, or save your nickels, and buy a beater to fix up? That's really up to you. The most efficient solution is to go get a fixer-upper. Most, if not all of the parts will be there, maybe you'll need an engine. It's a great (and reasonably priced) way to learn and have some fun.

On the other hand, building something is a very rewarding experience and I don't think you should be discouraged. However- if you really want to proceed according to your original plan, you need to take a different tack. Lots of research and homework, parts gathering, planning. This is not the sort of thing that you can reasonably expect to come together in a day or two.

A suitably strong kart frame can be built out of dimensional lumber- if done right. But there are some considerations. The wood must be selected carefully to avoid knots, defects, bad grain directionality, etc. It must be quickly and constantly protected from the elements. It needs to be engineered in such a way as to take advantage of the strongest elements (such as standing the rails on edge rather than laying flat.

Other considerations need to be made, too- such as the compressability of wood. For example- If you were to bolt two pieces of wood together. Now tighten the bolt. Now tighten it more. Now more. Now more still! The wood continues to crush, and the bolt drives in deeper and deeper! So how tight is tight enough, and how tight is too tight? Failure lurks at every turn... Now try this- bolt two long pieces together, end to end in a lap joint with two bolts. Strong right? Now grab an end, have a pal grab the other, and start flexing. After only a few minutes, those two bolt holes will start hogging out, and the boards will start to pivot on the joint. Use graded bolts, and the holes will just get worse, to the point of total failure. Use cheapie bolts, and they will ultimately succumb to the shear stresses and break. These are the sort of forces that will occur, often at multiple times per second while your chassis is vibrating and oscillating. This is the stuff you must anticipate.

Then, just when you figure you've got the basic frame licked, you have to address all the other hardware, running gear, and fixtures to make a basic ladder frame into an actual vehicle. Like the steering, axles, engine mounts- you name it. All without welding!

And remember- a vehicle (like the radio analogy) is not merely a pile of parts, but an amalgamation of systems all engineered to work together in harmony. Before simply bolting one thing to the next, one must consider how the two things affect each other, and how they might affect parts or systems you haven't even anticipated yet. This is true no matter what material you choose to work with.

Food for thought, hopefully.

Do not get discouraged, do not give up on your dreams! Just take a step back, regroup, sharpen your pencil, and go in with an attitude adjustment. We'll help you- that's why we're here. We're all about seeing folks succeed on whatever level they can, and have a good time enjoying our sport... safely!

 

[jandj]

I don't know where in Texas you are but this: http://www.gokartsoftexas.com/karts/usedkartssold.html
is member Blaz's family business. Click on "karts", then on "projects" and scroll down. There's a nice Manco yard kart that's probably 75% complete for $50. You can always call and see what they have laying around that's not shown. Similar deals are out there if you look. Patience pays off, and at the very least keeps you from getting hurt and wasting time & money.

 

[Gopedude]

Do you continue on your quest as planned, or save your nickels, and buy a beater to fix up?

why not both?
i wont be able to get a fixer upper until school is over. for time reasons and money. My plan originally, was to make a wooden one, use it, then transfer the engine to a metal frame. (or steel)

 

[Gopedude]

Okay- Now we're getting somewhere! Don't bother posting the video. Despite the sarcasm, we don't actually want to see you fail miserably.

I am glad you discovered the flaw while being pushed. Smart move on your part. It would have been much worse at speed.

Now- With all of that out of the way, you're at an impasse. Do you continue on your quest as planned, or save your nickels, and buy a beater to fix up? That's really up to you. The most efficient solution is to go get a fixer-upper. Most, if not all of the parts will be there, maybe you'll need an engine. It's a great (and reasonably priced) way to learn and have some fun.

On the other hand, building something is a very rewarding experience and I don't think you should be discouraged. However- if you really want to proceed according to your original plan, you need to take a different tack. Lots of research and homework, parts gathering, planning. This is not the sort of thing that you can reasonably expect to come together in a day or two.

A suitably strong kart frame can be built out of dimensional lumber- if done right. But there are some considerations. The wood must be selected carefully to avoid knots, defects, bad grain directionality, etc. It must be quickly and constantly protected from the elements. It needs to be engineered in such a way as to take advantage of the strongest elements (such as standing the rails on edge rather than laying flat.

Other considerations need to be made, too- such as the compressability of wood. For example- If you were to bolt two pieces of wood together. Now tighten the bolt. Now tighten it more. Now more. Now more still! The wood continues to crush, and the bolt drives in deeper and deeper! So how tight is tight enough, and how tight is too tight? Failure lurks at every turn... Now try this- bolt two long pieces together, end to end in a lap joint with two bolts. Strong right? Now grab an end, have a pal grab the other, and start flexing. After only a few minutes, those two bolt holes will start hogging out, and the boards will start to pivot on the joint. Use graded bolts, and the holes will just get worse, to the point of total failure. Use cheapie bolts, and they will ultimately succumb to the shear stresses and break. These are the sort of forces that will occur, often at multiple times per second while your chassis is vibrating and oscillating. This is the stuff you must anticipate.

Then, just when you figure you've got the basic frame licked, you have to address all the other hardware, running gear, and fixtures to make a basic ladder frame into an actual vehicle. Like the steering, axles, engine mounts- you name it. All without welding!

And remember- a vehicle (like the radio analogy) is not merely a pile of parts, but an amalgamation of systems all engineered to work together in harmony. Before simply bolting one thing to the next, one must consider how the two things affect each other, and how they might affect parts or systems you haven't even anticipated yet. This is true no matter what material you choose to work with.

Food for thought, hopefully.

Do not get discouraged, do not give up on your dreams! Just take a step back, regroup, sharpen your pencil, and go in with an attitude adjustment. We'll help you- that's why we're here. We're all about seeing folks succeed on whatever level they can, and have a good time enjoying our sport... safely!

Thanks for all that info.
I think i should tell you guys that ive been using screws......

 

[Gopedude]

I don't know where in Texas you are but this: http://www.gokartsoftexas.com/karts/usedkartssold.html
is member Blaz's family business. Click on "karts", then on "projects" and scroll down. There's a nice Manco yard kart that's probably 75% complete for $50. You can always call and see what they have laying around that's not shown. Similar deals are out there if you look. Patience pays off, and at the very least keeps you from getting hurt and wasting time & money.

I live in the fortworth area and Houston is too far away. If they did shipping, it would probably cost $100+.

 

[Gopedude]

I redid the frame today. Tell me what you guys think.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I think I can't see it... lol

 

[Gopedude]

my phone was problematic with attaching pics. Anyways here ya go

 

[Doc Sprocket]

A step in the right direction. I'd suggest lag bolts and nuts instead of those screws. Next, you have to deal with the track width. That's begging to tip over with the axle so narrow in comparison to the frame width and height.

 

[Gopedude]

A step in the right direction. I'd suggest lag bolts and nuts instead of those screws. Next, you have to deal with the track width. That's begging to tip over with the axle so narrow in comparison to the frame width and height.

Hopefully the screws will do the trick since there is already a lot of holes from other screws. The rear wheels would be perfect if the frame wasnt so wide. I was thinking about redoing the rear wheels with wider ones, but dont know how to do it effectively.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Wider axle. Possibly narrower frame, too. How far apart are the rails?

Frankly, if there's a bunch of screw holes in the lumber, it's probably best to start with fresh lumber.

 

[DaiSan76]

Hopefully the screws will do the trick since there is already a lot of holes from other screws. The rear wheels would be perfect if the frame wasnt so wide. I was thinking about redoing the rear wheels with wider ones, but dont know how to do it effectively.

If I were you, I would put plywood gussets on both sides of each corner and joint, like in this picture.

As for the axle, do I recall that you are planning a single drive wheel? If that is the case, you can get a pair of cold rolled steel rods that are the same size as your current axle. Then you can make a box like the one in the picture below to mount your new axles in. You should be able to pull it off without welding anything. I am not going to suggest anything that requires welding, but keep in mind that you need to make sure that you 1) keep the speed way down, and 2) check your bolts before every ride.