My Dirt Devil gokart build

[Nodroz]

My Dirt Devil gokart build [VIDEO!]

Hello guys,

After weeks of planning, PM'ing members from the forum and searching the internet for information, the day finally arrived!

I bought the Dirt Devil plans from http://www.diyden.net. I got the Yard Dawg for free, but that isn't really a good plan in my opinion. The dirt devil plans are clear, good to understand and easy to follow... so far. We're yet to see the final result.

Well, enough talked. Let's start with some pictures!

Welded the base rails together.
(See first picture)

Top rail ready to get welded.
(See 2nd picture)

This is the round bar for my roll cage. I guess I'll cut it at the top, bend and weld in the right angle.
(See 3rd picture)

Monday I'll get a bit of square steel, so I can finish the motor hoop and the rest of the frame.
Meanwhile, I guess I'll start building the wishbones for the swingarms.

Any comments or suggestions are more than welcome!

Regards,
Alex

PS, I would like to thank Fabroman, r_chez and Landuse for helping me out!

EDIT: Photos are added as attachment to this post to keep you guys happy.

 

[OzFab]

Ah, it's here. Nice work so far. I see you worked out the angle cuts, they look very neat

No probs with the help, that's what we're here for

 

[landuse]

Good to see that you have finally started the build. It is always good to do a lot of planning first before you do the actual build.

How did you get along with the cuts you PM'ed me about? Did you ever have a look at chop saws and how much they cost?

 

[OzFab]

Did you ever have a look at chop saws and how much they cost?

Probably not, coz I talked him out of it

Also known as a drop saw. No, that wouldn't work for what you're doing: the angle would be very hard to set, they're big, noisy, messy & not that accurate.

There's no reason you can't use an old fashioned hasksaw...

My reasoning was, because he's only cutting 3 sides, It would end up being very fiddly

Sorry dude

 

[landuse]

Probably not, coz I talked him out of it



My reasoning was, because he's only cutting 3 sides, It would end up being very fiddly

Sorry dude

LOL. No problem. I have never used one, so I don't know the intricacies of working with them. Its a good thing I pointed him your way then...Thanks

 

[Nodroz]

As you can see on the latest picture of the bumper with the toprail, you can see the cuts are done pretty good. I've had a few times a little gab between them, but I managed to weld it back.

I'll get 2m square steel today, to finish the motor hoop.
Saturday I've also welded the bumper, top rail and roll bar. Pictures follow tonight!

Thanks for your advice btw.

 

[Nodroz]

Alright guys! A lot of work has been done today! First I went to the shop for some 25x25 and 20x20 metal beams.

Then I started making the motor hoop, attaching the "rollcage bar" and top rail.
Pictures!

(I've added them to attachments, as people find it easy and it keeps the topic cleaner, rather than spamming it with pictures.)

Btw, that rollcage bar is not finished. I am going to get a rounded top soon.

 

[JCB003]

That's cool & nice job! Looks like monster version of what I am building. Welds look good too!

I like how you posted the photos. I wish I had put mine in that format.

Looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

 

[OzFab]

That's cool & nice job! Welds look good too!

I like how you posted the photos.

Looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

Well done

 

[landuse]

Well done Alex. You have gotten far.

I must say that I definately prefer the thumbnail image posting

 

[Nodroz]

Thanks for you replies so far. They really give you a boost to get it done.

New pictures today! Btw... not only new pictures, but also a new drill! Yeey!

Yesterday, I cut and welded on the metal for the front arms. I had a bit of difficulty with cutting the angle, but in the end everything lined up nicely.
Today, I made some re-inforcements to the frame (pictures will come later) and I tried to make the special suspension attachment. They gave you a file to lasercut this piece of metal, however I decided to do it myself. To be honest, it turned out quite nice.

Regards,
Nodroz

 

[souperman000]

looks good! oh, and so does the parts you made..

 

[OzFab]

Thanks for you replies so far. They really give you a boost to get it done.

Take your time; quick job or good job, you can't have both...

You're getting a collection of toys.. er, tools

Good job on the brackets

 

[brandongeiger2]

Nice job your doing a whole lot better than I had on my Dirt Devil...that still isn't finished considering I haven't rebuilt the engine yet. Looks awesome and good Luck!

 

[landuse]

Looking good. Just one suggestion I have is to get your drill bolted down to your work surface. If your drill catches on a piece of metal while drilling, you might have the drill press swinging around on you. It happened to me once, and I bolted it down pretty quick after that

 

[Nodroz]

Nice job your doing a whole lot better than I had on my Dirt Devil...that still isn't finished considering I haven't rebuilt the engine yet. Looks awesome and good Luck!

Your Dirt Devil looks good too! Try to make some free time to get it running soon.

Take your time; quick job or good job, you can't have both...

You're getting a collection of toys.. er, tools

Good job on the brackets

That's true, indeed. I am taking my time as I don't have time limit, thus having as much time as I want.

Looking good. Just one suggestion I have is to get your drill bolted down to your work surface. If your drill catches on a piece of metal while drilling, you might have the drill press swinging around on you. It happened to me once, and I bolted it down pretty quick after that

Thanks. I can't see how the drill would suddenly start to swing around?

Btw guys, new update!
I tried to make the swingarm brackets. At the end of the day, once they were welded down I noticed that I have to adjust them. My arms can't move all the way up they should.

 

[souperman000]

....Thanks. I can't see how the drill would suddenly start to swing around?....

If the bit gets caught in the piece of metal you are drilling, it will most likely spin in the chuck. In rare cases though, you tightened the chuck up real good, and the actual drill press swings around.

Its more of a safety precaution than anything else.

 

[Nodroz]

If the bit gets caught in the piece of metal you are drilling, it will most likely spin in the chuck. In rare cases though, you tightened the chuck up real good, and the actual drill press swings around.

Its more of a safety precaution than anything else.

Alright I'll see. Thanks for the clarification.
Will see if I could bolt it somwhere.

 

[r97]

the actual drill press swings around

I do agree that you should bolt your press to the bench, but this is not a reason why. To prevent this from happening you would bolt what you are working on the the press's table. Trying to hold on to what you are drilling into instead of clamping it while using a drill press is extremely hazardous.

 

[souperman000]

Its more of a safety precaution than anything else.

my main message.