Full suspension Gokart, welding tipps?

MoTiJo2023 · Jul 18, 2023

Hello,
I wanna build a full suspension kart. I was thinking about using 30x20x3mm Reactangle tubing for the main frame. I have a MIG welder and a electrode welder, Im gonna use the MIG (inert gas welding machine) one. I've already made a plan with a 3d software (its not finished yet):

Cars and Cameras inspired me with their yard dart build:

I have already bought most of the Parts (engine[200cc honda GX clone], tires, axle(200€ live axle kit, made in germany).....) for it. I also bought 2 metres of the 20x30x3mm steel. This week i want to start building the frame. Do you guys have any tipps how i should weld the Square tubing? Should i weld it point after point or should i got full power and send it? I want the Frame to last a long time, I also dont want to have to reweld parts of the frame that often, if ever, cause that makes it even weaker on that point of the frame. How should i weld the sqare/rectangle tubing so the frame wont crack under load. (im also thinking about putting the engine onto rubber enigne mounts that stop vibrations a bit more)
I would really appreciate some tipps guys, Thanks!

BaconBitRacing · Jul 18, 2023

Check around the YouTube, lotsa great welding tips. Lotsa decent welders here who can answer questions.

Denny · Jul 18, 2023

Tac it together, then after you have it all put together then start to weld it skippping around frequently. That will help to keep it from warping. The mig is a great tool, use it!

MoTiJo2023 · Jul 19, 2023

BaconBitRacing said:
Check around the YouTube, lotsa great welding tips. Lotsa decent welders here who can answer questions.

Allright, i will do this. Thanks for your answer :thumbsup:

MoTiJo2023 · Jul 19, 2023

Denny said:
Tac it together, then after you have it all put together then start to weld it skippping around frequently. That will help to keep it from warping. The mig is a great tool, use it!

Thanks for your tipps! The tac - together method is good, i will use it. We have bought some welding magnets (90°), they are great for such things. You can also use them to check if your frame is still straight after you weldet a point. I will use the mig, but before i have to adjust it a bit more

BaconBitRacing · Jul 19, 2023

Just so you know, whenever @Master Hack finds this you should listen to his advice. He is. very experienced and worked in a machine shop quite a long time. Here's some of his handy work: https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/franken-buggy-is-getting-paint.47004/page-5

Franken buggy survived its first trial

We took the buggy out to a nice flat lot nearby for its first actual trial run. It just required a minor carb adjustment and timing reset and after that she ran great. Two kids (and 3 adults) beat on it for a solid hour with no failures. I'm pretty happy with everything as it is, so now its on...

www.diygokarts.com

Naughtagator

Egor (my assistant) and l were discussing the need to have a small truck or a John Deere Gator to run around the mountain top campus here at Frank & Stein motor Werks. We cant justify the expense of a gator so we needed another plan. As usual we visited the junk pile for potential insperation...

www.diygokarts.com

Master Hack · Jul 19, 2023

Wow! I sure fooled you!
My advice? Jump in all the way! This is much cheaper than chasing wimmen and drinkin....

MoTiJo2023 · Jul 21, 2023

Master Hack said:
Wow! I sure fooled you!
My advice? Jump in all the way! This is much cheaper than chasing wimmen and drinkin....

Allright, imma do it like that

MoTiJo2023 · Jul 21, 2023

BaconBitRacing said:
Just so you know, whenever @Master Hack finds this you should listen to his advice. He is. very experienced and worked in a machine shop quite a long time. Here's some of his handy work: https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/franken-buggy-is-getting-paint.47004/page-5

Franken buggy survived its first trial

We took the buggy out to a nice flat lot nearby for its first actual trial run. It just required a minor carb adjustment and timing reset and after that she ran great. Two kids (and 3 adults) beat on it for a solid hour with no failures. I'm pretty happy with everything as it is, so now its on...

www.diygokarts.com

Naughtagator

Egor (my assistant) and l were discussing the need to have a small truck or a John Deere Gator to run around the mountain top campus here at Frank & Stein motor Werks. We cant justify the expense of a gator so we needed another plan. As usual we visited the junk pile for potential insperation...

www.diygokarts.com

wow @Master Hack 's kart looks awesome, Its sure is some great work, impressive

Im just gonna finnish designing the frame for now and then start building. I just bought a rear axle kit for 209€, should arrive soon. The axle is 30mm thick and 1000mm long, the sprocket is for a 428 chain. This is what the kit looks like:

gokartdave · Jul 22, 2023

Just remember to drill small weep holes In the tube or it will build up pressure in there an blow a big hole.

Denny · Jul 22, 2023

gokartdave said:
Just remember to drill small weep holes In the tube or it will build up pressure in there a blow a big hole.

No it won’t.

Master Hack · Jul 22, 2023

Denny said:
No it won’t.

Thank you! Almost had me wondering if that is possible, why not fill the tubes with helium? Now, there is a speed secret!

Denny · Jul 22, 2023

That would lighten it right up! But so would hydrogen! Oh wait that would be a bomb. Don’t to that!

gokartdave · Jul 23, 2023

If your looking for full penepration I'd use argon. Might not be necessary. Depends on how good you can weld.

Snaker · Jul 23, 2023

gokartdave said:
Just remember to drill small weep holes In the tube or it will build up pressure in there an blow a big hole.

Oh oh, you got the mean girls club on ya.
I think your wording gave some ammunition.
But, your right, welding a enclosed tube will have the heated/expanding air pushing out the puddle.

If vent holes are out of the question, at least leave a stitch of the weld open, let the weld cool completely, then tack the last piece close.
You aren't building up as much heated air at the end that way.

Stick around and speak your opinions, every body else does.

Master Hack · Jul 23, 2023

Snaker said:
Oh oh, you got the mean girls club on ya.

No, actually its just the silly clown club!

MoTiJo2023 · Jul 23, 2023

Snaker said:
Oh oh, you got the mean girls club on ya.
I think your wording gave some ammunition.
But, your right, welding a enclosed tube will have the heated/expanding air pushing out the puddle.

If vent holes are out of the question, at least leave a stitch of the weld open, let the weld cool completely, then tack the last piece close.
You aren't building up as much heated air at the end that way.

Stick around and speak your opinions, every body else does.

Hmmm okay, sounds good, imma weld it piece after piece, im not gonna make a full weld and then go to another part that needs to be weldet

MoTiJo2023 · Jul 23, 2023

gokartdave said:
If your looking for full penepration I'd use argon. Might not be necessary. Depends on how good you can weld.

Im always using argon, only if i need to make someting out off thick metal, for agricultural equiptment for example, then i use electrode.

MoTiJo2023 · Jul 23, 2023

gokartdave said:
Just remember to drill small weep holes In the tube or it will build up pressure in there an blow a big hole.

What do you mean? Argon is not explosive, but HHO gas is. I have a HHO gas generator but im using argon to weld, dont think HHO gas would even work

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Full suspension Gokart, welding tipps?

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