Frame structure

[diyduneman]

What do you guys think about my frame structure?. What do you recommend changing?. I am flexible.

 

[diyduneman]

I used all stainless steel bolts with nylon insert lock nuts. I had others tell me not good idea to bolt frame together. But according to my research 1 bolt can hold thousands of pounds and bolting as strong as welding.

 

[redflash]

you're not nearly as flexible as your frame !
Braces should be diagonal....at 45 degree angles........never mind I know......you want to think outside the box !

 

[panchothedog]

Honestly it looks like the underside of my bed. Maybe a little stronger.
You said that you are about 300 lbs. So I would assume you are also pretty tall.
Maybe too tall for many karts. Do yourself a favor and go find a beater 2 seat kart. Two seat because it will be much wider than a standard kart. Then take the bare frame to a welding shop and have them lengthen it by 8" to 12" . What
ever you determine the appropriate length. You already have a killer engine and it looks like 4 nice tires and wheels. There will still be enough work left to do that you will be able to say it was your project and derive the satisfaction of building it. But you will have a solid welded frame, steering and suspension already figured out. You will much happier with the final result. From what you have already built and now posting pictures of a kart built out of a wooden pàllet I don't think you have the skills to build the frame. You know what, neither do I, and I have been karting for 15 years. Ever since my oldest Grandson turned 4. I don't weld either. When I need something welded, I trailer
the kart down to the welding shop. My karts are built the way I just described.
I own 4 very nice and also FAST karts. Quit spinning your wheels and wasting money on stuff that is over your head.

 

[pearl111]

I would suggest if you want to build your own go kart, that you should get a decent go kart frame with out an engine, or a roller with out an engine.
Learn what it takes to put all the components together, plus engine to make it work correctly.
It's a lot more harder than you would think. Also you will learn so much more on what it takes to build a kart from the ground up/scratch.
Just a thought.

 

[diyduneman]

you're not nearly as flexible as your frame !
Braces should be diagonal....at 45 degree angles........never mind I know......you want to think outside

Hey, do you follow me to my new posts just to harass me, Red? Instead of being negative, why don't you include images to genuinely help someone? Being sarcastic all the time won't aid others in learning.

 

[diyduneman]

Honestly it looks like the underside of my bed. Maybe a little stronger.
You said that you are about 300 lbs. So I would assume you are also pretty tall.
Maybe too tall for many karts. Do yourself a favor and go find a beater 2 seat kart. Two seat because it will be much wider than a standard kart. Then take the bare frame to a welding shop and have them lengthen it by 8" to 12" . What
ever you determine the appropriate length. You already have a killer engine and it looks like 4 nice tires and wheels. There will still be enough work left to do that you will be able to say it was your project and derive the satisfaction of building it. But you will have a solid welded frame, steering and suspension already figured out. You will much happier with the final result. From what you have already built and now posting pictures of a kart built out of a wooden pàllet I don't think you have the skills to build the frame. You know what, neither do I, and I have been karting for 15 years. Ever since my oldest Grandson turned 4. I don't weld either. When I need something welded, I trailer
the kart down to the welding shop. My karts are built the way I just described.
I own 4 very nice and also FAST karts. Quit spinning your wheels and wasting money on stuff that is over your head.

I did think about buying a frame already but I don't think this is stronger then my frame

 

[Functional Artist]

Keep in mind, that a go kart IS a mini car
...but, with minimal safety aspects
...so, you want the little bit, that you do have available to work with, to be as safe & strong as possible

Would you ride in or drive a car built out of a pallet?


* Maybe do some research & look at how some of the production karts (Manco, Carter Bros, Byrd Ind. etc) are built.

** You won't see many "perforated" frame rails
...or bolted together frames

*** Why?
Because, as many of my colleagues have tried to explain, some of the "things" you are proposing (& asking questions about) have been tried & failed many, many, many times by many, many, many folks
...& it's hard for "us" to just sit back & watch someone "setting themselves up for failure" (& then, get hurt)
...so, they have been trying to persuade you, from "going down that road"

 

[diyduneman]

Can you tell me what you think will happen for using bolts instead of welds ? How do you measure strength?.

 

[Functional Artist]

FYI:
This will be my last reply, until you do some research
but,
(2) pieces of steel welded together "essentially" become (1) piece
...whereas (2) pieces of steel bolted together are "simply" just clamped together
so,
"if" the pieces that are bolted (clamped) together, are made of hollow steel
...& that clamping action/pressure eventually "collapse" the hollow tube enough, to loosen the bolt (clamp)
&
"if" the whole structure "is" just bolted together
...& (after a while) a bunch of then bolts become loose...

 

[diyduneman]

FYI:
This will be my last reply, until you do some research
but,
(2) pieces of steel welded together "essentially" become (1) piece
...whereas (2) pieces of steel bolted together are "simply" just clamped together
so,
"if" the pieces that are bolted (clamped) together, are made of hollow steel
...& that clamping action/pressure eventually "collapse" the hollow tube enough, to loosen the bolt (clamp)
&
"if" the whole structure "is" just bolted together
...& (after a while) a bunch of then bolts become loose...

Wait minute are you saying the go karts built all use non hollow steel?

 

[Functional Artist]

Wait minute are you saying the go karts built all use non hollow steel?

Um...nope

I'm saying that if/when square, hollow steel tube (like your using) is "clamped" together, it can collapse from the pressure, of that "clamp"
...especially if/when jiggled around on a go kart

But, if hollow tube (round or square)(like most go karts are bult from) is welded together
...then, it's essentially "made as one"

So, the frame doesn't have constant pressure (on the tube(s) from the "clamped" connection(s)
...& doesn't have to rely on a bunch of "clamps" just to hold it together

 

[karl]

That reminds me, did Mr_mcrib212 ever finish the budget wood kart?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

That's not what he said. Simply put: A mechanical fastener is not superior to a properly welded joint. Even your airplane example there, they don't just rivet the pieces together, they are also glued with some magic glue that we can't have. We're just trying to help, please don't take it personally.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

That reminds me, did Mr_mcrib212 ever finish the budget wood kart?

I think he did, then he rode it and the services were on Saturday.

 

[Functional Artist]

Here's some easy research for you
...& maybe some Food for Thought

Check out some of "My Metal"
https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/my-metal.43116/

 

[diyduneman]

Um...nope

I'm saying that if/when square, hollow steel tube (like your using) is "clamped" together, it can collapse from the pressure, of that "clamp"
...especially if/when jiggled around on a go kart

But, if hollow tube (round or square)(like most go karts are bult from) is welded together
...then, it's essentially "made as one"

So, the frame doesn't have constant pressure (on the tube(s) from the "clamped" connection(s)
...& doesn't have to rely on a bunch of "clamps" just to hold it together

Your absolutely correct but am not using clamps , am using stainless steel bolts

 

[diyduneman]

That's not what he said. Simply put: A mechanical fastener is not superior to a properly welded joint. Even your airplane example there, they don't just rivet the pieces together, they are also glued with some magic glue that we can't have. We're just trying to help, please don't take it personally.

Nothing is taken personally, and again appreciate all comments, it just no one has convinced me otherwise yet. Welded joints also can off a part , just because it's welded it don't mean anything .

 

[Cartinfun]

Your absolutely correct but am not using clamps , am using stainless

Your absolutely correct but am not using clamps , am using stainless steel bolts

He's not saying it's exactly the same, the main point he is making is that hollow tubing will likely collapse over time due to the pressure from the fasteners.

It seems to me that in spite of you saying you are flexible, you are mainly looking for positive confirmation on your plan. I built a camper a couple years ago and was stubborn and overbuilt it because I thought it would not be strong enough the way other people were saying to build it. Guess what, I was wrong in my stubbornness and wish I had listened to those who had first hand experience with building similar campers.
Take from that what you will. Good luck with your build, have a good day.

 

[diyduneman]

That's not what he said. Simply put: A mechanical fastener is not superior to a properly welded joint. Even your airplane example there, they don't just rivet the pieces together, they are also glued with some magic glue that we can't have. We're just trying to help, please don't take it personally.

Nothing is taken personally, and again appreciate all comments, it just no one has convinced me otherwise yet. Welded joints also can off a part , just because it's welded it don't mean anything .

Can you share more info about your camper and what happened ?.