Hello, A few Questions

[GreyW00lf]

Hello,
I live in Canada and I have Searched the Forums for info But everything is Confusing.
I am planing on Doing this to give myself something to do as a hobby.

I have a few Questions about what materials, tools, Welder are basically used and I mean basic tools you can get away with being used to make a Custom Go-kart / Buggy

I was Planning on buying a Miter/Compound Saw, a metal Cutting Blade and Using Square Tubing to began with until I get some more Experience at welding.

Welder i was Thinking of Buying

 

[OzFab]

That welder will be fine but, it seems a bit expensive; I've seen the same for half the price. Other basic tools include a drill, drill bits, spanners, sockets, screwdrivers, the usual things. Have a look at this thread;
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9580

When selecting materials, remember that large, thin wall material is better than small, thick wall material: ie: 2" tube with a 1/8" wall is better than 1.5" tube with 3/16" wall; the 2" is just as strong (if not stronger) & is a fraction of the weight.

Now, I'm not saying go out & buy 100' of 2" tube, that's just an example. the size you select depends on the size of your project; most likely, you will only need 1" 16guage tube. Again, that's for a small kart; a larger project calls for larger material.

Give us a bit more detail about what you have i mind & we'll help any way we can

 

[bighead]

I agree on the price of the welder. For that much you could get one with a bottle.

 

[TheWingnut]

Yes, a wire welder/ mig welder would do great, but why own a welder if your only going to use it during certain points of your projects? I am simply renting out a welder for abut 30 bucks for the whole day. And also i would get a grinder, an electric hack saw or metal cutter, a vice, some clamps, a script, some soapstone, and an angle measurer (I am blanking on what its called sorry).

This is everything i used when building my kart. And also here are the website where i got all of my gears, seat, axel, etc.
http://www.mfgsupply.com/gomini.html
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/go_kart_parts.cfm
http://www.gokartsupply.com/
http://www.bmikarts.com/gokarts-minibikes-chopper-parts.shtml

(BMI karts is where i got all most of my things)
Edit: I forgot to mention the engine. The engine i got is from Home Depot website im pretty sure, if not then there are many other places, just look it up on google haha.

Hope this helps

 

[GreyW00lf]

Hey,
Thanks for getting back to me so Quickly Gentlemen

The only reason I'm Buying a welder is because it's Cheaper and Better for me to buy one then to rent one in the long run and I Would much rather own my own Tools. If I were to rent a Welder it would cost me around $80 Dollars a Day plus you have to pay a deposit and that is more then $200+


I'm going to use your advice and grab the 2" Tubing.

As to what I am Gonna make...

I am Planning to make a 2 Seat Buggy with All Four tires on Independent Suspension. with
2 3x4 Square Tubing From Front to back For the two main Chassis Frame/Rails with the 2" Round tubing Coming off it.

There will Also be a Small Dump Box For hauling Stuff on the back above the Engine and a Small Car's Fuel Tank For the Fuel Tank.

The Engine is Going to Sit a little in front and lower then the Rear Axle.
Speaking of the Rear axle I was thinking of putting some sort of Lawnmower's Differential back there with a Chain running to a jack-shaft then from the jack-shaft to the engine to Gear down the Speed and get more Truque. (truque is misspelled I know)
I am putting the Engine as Low As possible as well because of the Fuel tank that will be used above it.
(I would Draw the idea if I could, But what I have in my brain gets lost in translation to my hands as I Draw it)
from the Differentual to the tires there are 2 Universal Joints (Axle) per Side of Shaft (see picture)

I'm going to use as Much Four wheeler parts that I can get away with.
(A-Arms, Spindles, Suspension, Engine)
As I suspect that this Buggy will be heavy with myself or Anyone else in it so I am Planning on at least having a 600cc Four Wheeler Engine (ATV) so I can have reverse as well.

Tires Will be Minimum of 15 Inch ATV Tires in the Front and have a bit taller rear wheels that are also a bit wider.



Note:
I am still Price shopping around for most of everything needed including a Welder.
(welders where I live are not cheap due to the Local Economy and Supply and demand)
Also When I posted the Welder Link, I just grabbed it for the Welder Information and you guy's opinions.

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. I look forward to your build.

Have you decided on what sort of gearing you might be using? I would agree with you about using a jackshaft and gearing lower if you are going to be towing things around. It is also a 2 seater, so there will be some weight on it at times. I would also suggest using a torque converter as opposed to a centrifugal clutch

 

[GreyW00lf]

@Landuse
well if i'm going to use a Four wheeler engine it has a Clutch and gears Built into the engine Block
But right now i'm still in the Desiging and Buying Phase..

 

[bighead]

You want to use mower trans with 600cc engine?

 

[OzFab]

Hey,
Thanks for getting back to me so Quickly Gentlemen

The only reason I'm Buying a welder is because it's Cheaper and Better for me to buy one then to rent one in the long run and I Would much rather own my own Tools. If I were to rent a Welder it would cost me around $80 Dollars a Day plus you have to pay a deposit and that is more then $200+

True, but $600 for a gasless welder is way too much; look around. Harbor freight have some ok welders for half the price

I'm going to use your advice and grab the 2" Tubing.

As to what I am Gonna make...

I am Planning to make a 2 Seat Buggy with All Four tires on Independent Suspension. with
2 3x4 Square Tubing From Front to back For the two main Chassis Frame/Rails with the 2" Round tubing Coming off it.

There will Also be a Small Dump Box For hauling Stuff on the back above the Engine and a Small Car's Fuel Tank For the Fuel Tank.

The Engine is Going to Sit a little in front and lower then the Rear Axle.
Speaking of the Rear axle I was thinking of putting some sort of Lawnmower's Differential back there with a Chain running to a jack-shaft then from the jack-shaft to the engine to Gear down the Speed and get more Truque. (truque is misspelled I know)
I am putting the Engine as Low As possible as well because of the Fuel tank that will be used above it.
(I would Draw the idea if I could, But what I have in my brain gets lost in translation to my hands as I Draw it)
from the Differentual to the tires there are 2 Universal Joints (Axle) per Side of Shaft (see picture)

I'm going to use as Much Four wheeler parts that I can get away with.
(A-Arms, Spindles, Suspension, Engine)
As I suspect that this Buggy will be heavy with myself or Anyone else in it so I am Planning on at least having a 600cc Four Wheeler Engine (ATV) so I can have reverse as well.

Tires Will be Minimum of 15 Inch ATV Tires in the Front and have a bit taller rear wheels that are also a bit wider.



Note:
I am still Price shopping around for most of everything needed including a Welder.
(welders where I live are not cheap due to the Local Economy and Supply and demand)
Also When I posted the Welder Link, I just grabbed it for the Welder Information and you guy's opinions.

A beast that big is gonna need 2" tube. Just watch the weight; you don't want the engine to struggle to move it

Good luck, have fun & keep us posted

 

[GreyW00lf]

You want to use mower trans with 600cc engine?

I didn't think that part through all the way all I know is that I am somehow gonna want to put a differential in there.
I just might find instead a 600 cc engine that is shaft driven as those usually have 4x4 capacity and a differential on both shafts leading to the Rear and Front from the engine

 

[GreyW00lf]

i'll post some Design Pictures When i draw them up