how to get started on a frame

[GoAlterBridge]

I am thinking about building a fun cart, since the mini chopper isn't being worked on for now, and I had some questions about frame dimensions.
First off, on this site, (http://www.geocities.com/hempev/ykplans.html) are the dimensions for small children, or is that a "one size fits all" kind of thing? It looks a little small to be for anyone, but I dunno'. If the kart is to small for an adult, (I'm 5' 6") How would you convert it from say a 4 foot tall kid, to my height? Also, if I convert the measurements to be bigger, do I leave the area behind the seat the same,since I would be using about the same hp engine (5ish) ?
Thanks a bunch.

 

[funky ole]

that is a little small for an adult.4 foot long total. to build bigger,go in front of the steering,move the pedals up[for leg room].this will also make the kart turn and handle better.don't add to the rear- will not steer well. this was the mistake i made on my first kart.had to lean forward to turn.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

thanks for the advice. I have one other question, though. Should the cart be any wider, since I think I will make the seat?
Thanks again.

 

[RobertD]

draw out that plan on some concrete or a huge piece of cardboard and see what's comfortable for you. want it wider? go for it!

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Thanks for the advice. Tonight I am going to learn tig, so wish me luck. My dad is a profeshonalwelder, so he's going to teach me while he's at his nightshift. Then after a month or 2, once I get the hang of it a little bit, I'll start welding the gocart.
Oh yeah, you know how I said that my engine wasn't working? Well it's workin' now. The problem was that I had (for some odd reason which I don't remember why) loosened both the high speed and fuel needles on the carb, then screwed them in to tight! Duh! So yesterday I rememberd that and then loosened both needles. Pulled the cord start, and whadda' ya' know, it started right up. So right now I feel like an idiot, though I'm glad it's working again.

 

[RobertD]

yeah... it's easy to forget little things like that! welcome to backyard mechanics!

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Hey guys, last night I had my first go cart parts fabricated. They are the two "C" brackets that hold the spindles in place. They were made by first punching a piece of steel that is 3/16" thick x 1 1/2" wide x 6 1/2" long. Then we punched out the 1/2" holes, 1/2"from each side, and 3/4" from each end. Then they were bent in a plate bender.
Oh, where would you guys get some 10 inch wheels for free? would four drive lawn-mower wheels work or are the too big? I want my cart to go plenty fast, but still climb hills good, and I was thinking that 10 inch wheels would be the right size, but all the mowers I've seen have 12-14 inch rear wheels. Remember, I have no budget for this thing, so for me, scrounging is the way to go.

 

[RobertD]

Those look great! That's awesome that you've got access to a good machine shop. How's the rest of the progress?

Lawn mower wheels might work -- and for the front, it doesn't matter too much. but for the drive wheel in the back, you'll need to make sure that the hubs can attach a sprocket to.

 

[mikeandike]

nice spindles!

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Thanks guys.
I haven't really started work on the cart yet, but I'm going to get the hardest work done first (steering stuff) . I got a bedframe at a yardsale today, and I was wondering if it MIGHT work as the matierial for the cart (it's angle iron.it was a huge bedframe, and I got it for 10 bucks, but i'm not sure it will work. one thing I'm considering is chopping up bikes at the dump and using round tube, not square, though that would be my best option. Yeah, that reminds me, if ANYONE has any square or round tube lying around, let me know, i might buy it from you since i'm getting pretty desperate for both wheels and steel right now.
thanks alot.

 

[RobertD]

possible bad news, bud ... I've always heard that bed frames are *not* good material. They aren't mild steel, they're usually high-carbon steel and therefore rust terribly, don't weld well. Check around the net to confirm or deny. I could be wrong.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Yeah, I'm not using the bedframe, I don't even know what I was thinking when I bought it, I was probably just to desperate for my own good, and so I bought it without even thinking it over. Dumb thing to do, cause I wasted 10 bucks on it.

 

[kibble]

Yeah, that bedframe stuff is pretty crappy, I had to use some to fix the stand for our parrots' cage, which it's fine for but, if you happen to hit it just right or if it bends too much the welds just crack apart. I tested a few pieces of it that way just to check how strong the stuff was.

 

[ryf]

about the bed frame, it depends? there are many mild steel bedframes that can work fine, there are also alot that won't.

if it has sharp "original to material" looking corners, it should be AOK, there are some pressed and formed rails that are an upgrade from sheet metal only barely.

so i'd say, if it looks JUST like the stuff at the steel place, as in it looks like angle iron, it would be fine to use... grind it bare paint it with rustoleum and foggetaboutit. as long as its over an 1/8" thick

not pressed/formed sheet metal of any thickness, then its not worth getting into. you can do whatcha want though.

worse case, use it to practice welding with, make a welder stand if you haven't yet, then its not a waste of money.

 

[2or3wheels]

Yeah dont look at it as a wasted 10$ look at it as 10$ in practice welding.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Just wondering if these wheels would be okay for the go kart.


http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...stomer driven-_-Recently Viewed-_-Search Page

 

[2or3wheels]

Im not good with tire sizes but i think if the 10 means 10 inches tall it would be good for medium off road capibilites.

 

[GoAlterBridge]

well i'm not really going to use the kart for offroad stuff, since i'm using the vintage kart plans, and the kart will be 1 1/2 inches off the ground, so what i meant was will they fall apart on me, on the road. http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

[GoAlterBridge]

while we are on the subject of wheels, i might as well ask you guys if this sprocket has too few teeth, for my engine. meaning, will I get some torque as well as speed?

http://www2.northerntool.com/product-1/35624.htm

 

[GoAlterBridge]

Good news!
My friend came over and had just picked up a go kart wheel with a hub with a 60 tooth sprocket, and so I traded it for one of my lawn mower engines.
The wheel is 11 inches in diameter, and has two 3/4 " bearings.