First Thread!

[treyfus]

Hello all, my names Trey and i live in augusta GA. im about to take a mechanical engineering final project class and i would like to build a go kart. i bought arachnid plans a while back but the posts on here have intimidated me to say the least with all the problems people have had with that particular kart. my budget is around 1500 to 2000 max. i would like for the top speed to be somewhere around 50 or 60. im looking for a more off road kart, at least with ground clearance because if its not going to be street legal then why build it for the streets! the main intimidating project with the arachnid has to be the A-arms. :/ im new to suspension. maybe it would be better to stear clear?
any questions comments concerns will be greatly appreciated! thanks! -Trey

 

[Simon Thomas]

Hello Treyfus,

May be my concern is do you have sufficient tools to materialize your build later? DIY is more on having right tools for right works.

 

[treyfus]

between my neighbor and i we have all the necessary tools, he has a pretty nice mig welder, i will do some practicing on it before i tackle the actual frame. i just didnt like that very advanced fabricators were struggling with the plans supplied. :/ i contacted spidercarts to know if they had updated their plans but now going through them i dont believe they have. Thanks for the reply!

 

[jrmints1415]

you should be fine if you take it slow. remember measure twice cut once! suspension is really not hard to understand just look at a few pics of peoples setups and it will make sense. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

 

[treyfus]

thanks! and everyone was talking about the alignment angles but my initial thoughts were"does it really have to be that perfect on an off-road toy?" i may be way off. haha

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Welcome to the forum, Trey!

As a budding mechanical engineer, have no fear- you can handle this. Cruise the forums reading old threads, read and learn as much as you can. We'll gladly offer answers to any questions you'll have. No problemo!

I do suggest the following- don't try to get too crazy on your first build. If things get too complex, you might end up overwhelmed and frustrated- things that can really kill a project. Keep it relatively simple, and once everything is done and good, then you can start thinking about your next one, or modifying this one. Baby steps.

Also- I think your expectations for speed are too high. In order to have a "kart" capable of 50-60MPH off road, you are going to have to engineer one heck of a buggy- again, a very (too) complex first build. In addition to all the extra engineering required to keep you from dying at those speeds, is the fact that the standard "industrial engine and clutch or CVT combo" really will not generate that sort of performance. For that, you really need a bike, quad, or sled driveline. This will increase the complexity.

Instead, shoot for 40-45 MPH, and use that good healthy budget to buy quality materials and components. Once you start physically working on something, start a build thread in the Photo Gallery and Project Log section. We love it all!

 

[treyfus]

oh and btw jrmints... i recognize that plan from their website! looks awesome. are you pleased with it?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

thanks! and everyone was talking about the alignment angles but my initial thoughts were"does it really have to be that perfect on an off-road toy?" i may be way off. haha

At speeds like that? He//, yes! That is, if you want to be able to control the thing, and not become an organ donor.

 

[treyfus]

toystory... very good thoughts. i totally see where your coming from with the speeds. my true goal is to get that lower end torque feel...you know the "slam you into the back of your seat" feeling haha. which would lower the top speed anyways. i have a yamaha yz250 bored to 301 with a race clutch. its scary with the torque.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

We'll get ya sorted out!

 

[jrmints1415]

personally i love the arachnid and many members here have started it but never really saw anyone finish it... I would love if you do this to take a few pics here and there and start a thread in the photo gallery section!

 

[treyfus]

ok i will proceed with the arachnid as planned i suppose and have no fear haha. i will try to go pick up the tubing i need tomorrow or wed, then the pics will soon follow. thanks again for your guidance and motivation. looking forward to problem solving.(we all KNOW there will be problems)

 

[jrmints1415]

have you ever welded before or is this your first time welding??

 

[Simon Thomas]

I believe this forum has what you may need which I have benefited as well. Just browse through it and you will find some useful tips to your build later.

 

[treyfus]

i have a decent amount of experience welding non structural items like exhausts muffler ect. so i really need to learn the techniques to do it right.

 

[treyfus]

just an update: i was at work today and found out i get 40% off all parts and accesories...which is a HUGE deal because i work at E-Z-GO! good news. shopezgo.com.

 

[landuse]

just an update: i was at work today and found out i get 40% off all parts and accesories...which is a HUGE deal because i work at E-Z-GO! good news. shopezgo.com.

You lucky @#$%^!! You have access to loads of stuff you are going to need

 

[treyfus]

I have started my cad model of the frame, i will use this to see what customizations i want to make before cutting and welding (roll bar, etc..) i was curious, the plans say use a 6.5hp to "whatever" motor... seeing as how only adults will ride this with a 5 point harness and full helmet, i was wondering what a good motor/clutch/torque converter setup will be to get very good power to weight ratio. i plan on using 20" tires. i have done some research and am interested in the 16hp duromax (clone?) motor. it comes in at 80 lbs and seems to have decent reviews, and a comet 40 torque converter. i have a feeling that a motorcycle engine will be awkward to use the clutch sitting at that angle.plus they are generally more expensive for quality. any comments are greatly appreciated!

 

[treyfus]

i purchased my steel today from a local place, the plans call for 40 ft of 1'' square 14 gauge tubing and 40ft of 1 1/4" 14 gauge tubing. my local shop only had 20 ft sections, and not 14 gauge, so i ended up getting 40 ft of 1'' square 16 gauge and 60 ft of 1 1/4'' 11 gauge steel. this is bugging me, should i have any reason for concern or should it be fine, the 1'' is used for the front suspension block, a-arms, and side rails. the thicker steel is the main frame sections.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

The 11ga will make for a heavier frame.

The 16ga, might be a problem, might not. If the plans are well-engineered and you are a competent welder, and you don't jump your kart off loading docks, you might be okay. That said, if you have doubts, you might want to hold out for the right material.

Have you got a pic of what the finished kart/buggy/whatever looks like? It might help us figure out if the tubing is sufficient.