frame material

[kenworth85]

i was wondering if 3/4" oem conduit will work for a frame. I've already started. Thought i had better ask before going any further.

 

[Texan]

Do you mean EMT conduit?

 

[kenworth85]

yes sorry about that

---------- Post added at 12:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:50 PM ----------

 

[Texan]

I wouldn't think 3/4" would be strong enough, plus it really isn't meant for structure building, the walls are very thin. Also be careful welding that, EMT is galvanized. Welding galvanized metal is bad stuff, creates toxic fumes, and the zinc/galvanize contaminates the weld (weak weld joint). You should at least grind off the zinc coating before welding, and wear a respirator. At my job, we have eliminated any welding on galvanized material due to both those reasons.

 

[Kartorbust]

Never known conduit to be durable for anything except for its intended purpose of running wires through it.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Jeeze...did you walk right past the 2×4's???
JK....I seriously have thought about building a frame with EMT.

NOW, you WILL have to triangulate your side rails, and double them up ..( top and bottom rails.)

Doable? DEFINITELY!!! EASY?



Ummmmm....NO! GOOD LUCK! (Keep us updated!)

 

[supermanotorious]

dude, I seriously don't think that material is strong enough, I tried with it on my very first winch back in 2009, the spool immediately collapsed as the winch tried to pull me up

I dont think I took any pics of the crushed spool though

 

[Poboy kartman]

YEAHHHHH....IT IS.....

Of course, if I was to tell you HOW and WHY....I'd have to kill you....

Oh well, Friday is free...PM ME!

 

[chancer]

I never liked the idea of using emt conduit. Too thin wall.
Tinamcjittles uses it on his karts. But he is a crazy 17yr old.
KW for what you do donating these karts to needy kids I would NOT risk the liability.

 

[kenworth85]

Thanks everybody for your input. I think I will take your advice. Yours too poboy. Chancer has a point. This one is for a nine year old boy. Not giving up on it though. As cheap as 3/4 square tubing is I picked up 40 ft for $28.00 and change.what is your thoughts on 14 gauge.

 

[Kartorbust]

14ga is usually plenty strong. It's probably as thin as I'm comfortable going with. 12ga might be a bit better. But 14ga should be sufficient.

 

[tinamcjittles]

Poboy's right with the triangles, otherwise you'll probably have some flex in the mid-section. This stuff is plenty strong for a 9 year old though so nothing fancy.
Definitely sand the galvanization off though, lol.
Your frame looks great! Did you design it or use plans?

These pics are of the kart I made and the profile from the side; it has no triangles and used to not be reinforced at all, just totally flat like one big lever. IMO this stuff is underrated, but safety first as I never say!
(the steering wheel is conduit that had slits cut out like pie that was bent and welded)

 

[Jfive]

I think it's thick enough. 1" is even thicker. Proper bracing is always important. Some welding wire is designed to weld through galvanized coating but a sander flap disc and a few seconds can make it not so toxic and stronger. The manual benders make nice 90s or anything less. I have plans of using it for the whole frame next kart.

 

[kenworth85]

I'm not giving up on this I am going to finish it but not to give it away until I trust it 110%. No I didn't have any plans just read on the forum and looking at pics of other karts. thanks it gives me encouragement that it will work.

 

[OzFab]

14ga is usually plenty strong. It's probably as thin as I'm comfortable going with. 12ga might be a bit better. But 14ga should be sufficient.

Most kart frames are made using 1" 16ga tube...

KW, do a safety test; place two rims under the front of the frame as you've done at the rear in the pics; once the frame is off the ground, jump on it; if it doesn't bend, it should be ok...

 

[kenworth85]

well maybe conduit wasn't a good idea I done the test as described did't bend but I hate to chance it, so I cut and tacked another one together. It's 3/4 14ga square tubing. I'm open to all comments good or bad just need to know.

 

[chancer]

The front beam appears to be very crooked. It could just be the pics. I like the over all design idea. Just double check everything for square.

 

[kenworth85]

It looks out of square. I've still got some cutting to do on the front axle and some other stuff. It does have a little bit of a twist to it but I can fix that pretty easy its just tacked together so any time I move it kinda twist a little. Still have some gussets to weld in. I'm going to to put some side restraints on this one the young man who's getting it is physically challenged so I'll be asking soon about throttle and brake issues I'm sure.

 

[OzFab]

The easiest way to prevent twisting or any other movement is to clamp the frame to a flat, level surface, like a well made bench...

 

[tinamcjittles]

The easiest way to prevent twisting or any other movement is to clamp the frame to a flat, level surface, like a well made bench...

I've actually been wondering about this and you would probably know. What is the best way to make jigs for these? In Kartfab's videos he uses plywood and small nails, but what about using welding tables and magnets?