Fix one up or build one?

[CaptCanadia]

Hey guys. So I would like to start my next project, but I don't know if I should fix a kart up or build my first one. I have nearly no tools because I always used my dads tools since he has everything, but I moved. The more expensive way would be to buy all the tools I need and build one but I think it would be more fun and more of an achievement. I could also find a cheap frame and build it up and paint, make it all nice. So what do you think? Should I buy the tools and make my own kart or fix one up?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

personally. since you have no tools yet, i would get a kart already made, and slightly mod it to your liking. and fix it up....

remember that karts sold (mass production) are usually more reliable and better designed compared to something home made.

its up to you but thats my opinion.

 

[will1384]

I have a small workshop, tools, and I have been collecting
plans, and doing a lot of forum reading over the last few
months, here are the problems I ran into.

(1) Cost of parts may be more than buying used, and even
new sometimes.

(2) Availability of parts, stuff like some of the comet series
CVTs, and also in some of the plans I have call for car
parts, or even parts that would be imposable to make
from scratch with just simple tools.

-- Most plans that do call for car parts or custom made
parts, are of the mini-buggy to full blown dune buggy
type, but few regular old Gokart plans use car parts
or custom made parts.

I have still chosen to make a mini-buggy from plans,
because.

(1) it will be fun .

(2) If I made it, it should be easy to fix, or it would
be easy to replace parts as they break or wear out.

(3) I can pay out the cost of D.I.Y mini-buggy slowly
over time as I acquire the parts for it.

(4) I will learn something.

However, the total cost of the parts for my mini-buggy
is almost the same as a factory made mini-buggy, and
if I had that money to spend, it might be tempting

 

[HellSpawn]

start going to garage and rummage sales to find good deals on used tools. You'll have a huge collection in no-time

 

[CaptCanadia]

Yeah if I go the tool way it will be like a 6 month project or longer because I have to slowly acquire the tools and parts. Also, I have a high chance it will be a failure, but you have to atleast try to gain knowledge.

One more thing I'd like to add is that having these better tools will make it easier for me to repair and make stuff at a later date. That makes it just a little more tempting.

 

[machinist@large]

It's the old saw about "Which came first......." Comes down to personal choice; maybe even more importantly what you can score for a cart in your neck of the woods. Compromise, maybe(?) put enough aside as what you think would get you a decent cart(in you opinion; every one is different) then start focusing on tools.

Long term, if you're going to tinker with carts, cars, trucks, stuff around the house, etcetera tools will always come in handy; and once you have them, they shouldn't go away. And they let you do so much more than just work on carts.

As I think about it, I guess my question for you would be this; Is wrenching on your cart part of the fun, part of the experience that you enjoy? Or is it just a means to an end; so you can spend more time carting. Only you can make that call; and don't be surprised if it changes with time. Good luck, and make sure you have some fun.

Sorry about the long rant; it's just things I've learned along the way.:biggrin5:

 

[devino246]

Find a used kart on CL and go from there. You could decide you want to mod it and get a little building experience. After you've gotten your hands dirty and understand how the parts come together, then go and build a kart from scratch. Fixing a kart requires a number of small tools, building one requires all those small tools plus some big expensive ones.

Tools For Karts

 

[CaptCanadia]

Find a used kart on CL and go from there. You could decide you want to mod it and get a little building experience. After you've gotten your hands dirty and understand how the parts come together, then go and build a kart from scratch. Fixing a kart requires a number of small tools, building one requires all those small tools plus some big expensive ones.

Tools For Karts

Okay thank you guys. I think I'll have to start off easy and go from there. I'll keep an eye on CL.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Under your particular circumstances, it probably is better for you to buy a more or less complete chassis, and go from there. Once you've got some more experience, build one from the ground up. The satisfaction is an indescribable high.

 

[porsche930dude]

either way your gonna need just as much tools. restoring a kart and modifying it to what you want can be just as much a challenge as building it from scratch

 

[dave1701]

I voted fix one up. It is easier and requires less thinking in my opinion. And thinking gives me a headache.

 

[machinist@large]

either way your gonna need just as much tools. restoring a kart and modifying it to what you want can be just as much a challenge as building it from scratch

Maybe I read it wrong, but the impression I got was that he was trying to decide if he should start by buying a suitable cart to get going & have some fun while rounding up the tools he will need long term; or just start off buying tools while he designs the cart of his dreams. Both questions are both pointed in the same direction, long term, but they are still 2 separate questions. Lets not get the two mixed in together; it just clouds things up.

 

[ryf]

I had all the tools and starting with zero parts for a lifted offroad mini buggy and a budget engine I am at 3 grand easy, and that is what I can find reciepts for lol. if your gonna go at it like a project and you dont care if you can ride it in a year cuz you went broke or life changed, build it. if you have lower budget and no money for doing things 2 and 3 times if you do it wrong, or want something that works in less than 6 months for sure, just buy a rider and mod as budget allows

 

[CaptCanadia]

Alright guys thanks for the input it helped a lot.

 

[Homemadgokarts1221]

Here's the thing, if you buy tools and build it to the way you like it then really its perfect for you. But building that is going to be hard. I bought one, and i absolutely hate working on it and it needs to be tuned up constantly because of lack of maintenance on the previous owners side. I would say build one!

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Here's the thing, if you buy tools and build it to the way you like it then really its perfect for you. But building that is going to be hard. I bought one, and i absolutely hate working on it and it needs to be tuned up constantly because of lack of maintenance on the previous owners side. I would say build one!

we need to cut down those bolts. fix the sprocket. fix the brakes. clean the tc. fix the wobble in the bearing. then maybe it will work better lol.