New Go-Kart Builder

[Go-Kart Maniacz]

I just had some questions on my design and how to bend the steel/metal poles. For the outside of the chassis I was thinking 1 inch or 3/4 an inch round poles for the inside 1 inch square poles. The drawing is just a part view of what I was thinking. Please help me with how I can bend the poles. Thanks! also 3/4 inch round poles or 1 inch? advantages/disatvantages.

Thanks!

 

[DS13]

I just had some questions on my design and how to bend the steel/metal poles. For the outside of the chassis I was thinking 1 inch or 3/4 an inch round poles for the inside 1 inch square poles. The drawing is just a part view of what I was thinking. Please help me with how I can bend the poles. Thanks! also 3/4 inch round poles or 1 inch? advantages/disatvantages.

Thanks!

Let's see.
1) its called tubing not poles
2) 3/4" is lighter and won't cost as much
3)round tubing looks better than square tubing IMO

Also

EDIT: you can bend round tubing a lot easier than square.

 

[mckutzy]

Odd, what happen to the OP's post.

 

[DS13]

Hmm I don't know I've seen thia happen before though... I quoted his whole post though

 

[Go-Kart Maniacz]

Ok thanks a ton! The picture is coming

 

[DS13]

I would reccomend using 1" though

 

[Go-Kart Maniacz]

It says a mod needs to see my pic before it is posted so that might take a while. So what is the easiest way to bend the round tubing

 

[DS13]

It says a mod needs to see my pic before it is posted so that might take a while. So what is the easiest way to bend the round tubing

There are a couple ways to do it. The easiet way would be to heat up the metal with a torch and bend to desired angle. Although you have to be careful because you can stretch it too much while bending thus weakening it.

To upload pics go to go advanced, manage attachments, and use either method of uploading pics. This it the way you should do it every time.

 

[Go-Kart Maniacz]

Ok. so do I use a tool to bend it or with gloves? or something else? The picture is now on the first post.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

That's because I fixed your image tag, it was messed up.
In order to bend tubing, you will need a tubing bender.

 

[mysteryboy28]

tube/pipe benders aren't super expensive. harbor freight's tube bender goes on sale for $90 frequently, and you can use one of their 20% coupons too. keep in mind that the die that come with the bender are rated for PIPE diameter. for tube you would use the next size down size die (usually). like for 1 1/4" tube you would use the 1" die, for the 1" tube you would use the 3/4" die.

pack your tubes with sand and duct tape off the ends. that will help with the kinking and warping a bit. the bends won't be perfect, but you can make some nice looking go-karts with the tube benders!

use an angle finder to help estimate approx how far to bend the tube. i generally bend about 2-3 degrees past my mark (like 48 degrees if i want 45 degrees), because the tube will have some recoil/spring once you relieve the hydraulic pressure.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-hydraulic-pipe-bender-32888.html

 

[Go-Kart Maniacz]

I dont plan on bending too many parts. Is there a way I can do It with a hammer? I know it wont turn out as good but If I am very careful can I?

 

[mysteryboy28]

it will look bad. just on making straight and angled cuts until you're ready to buy/borrow a tube bender. do it right the first time!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

For what it's worth, it might be easier and cleaner in your case to use square tube. You can mitre all your cuts to the appropriate angles, and cut with anything from a hacksaw to an angle grinder.

 

[momoe]

well advantages in round tubing is its more flexible, better looking

disadvantages in my opinion are its gona be a pain when you try weldin the metals together, you'll have to grind one end of 1 piece of metal in order to fit the shape of the other ... and that will happen all the time ... its just my opinion

 

[Doc Sprocket]

More flexible?

 

[DS13]

For what it's worth, it might be easier and cleaner in your case to use square tube. You can mitre all your cuts to the appropriate angles, and cut with anything from a hacksaw to an angle grinder.

you could even do what raposak did to his build off winner. cut small pieces and angle them so the finished product looks like ya bent it. takes a lot of time though

 

[Go-Kart Maniacz]

Ok I will have to look around for someone that has a tube bender I can borrow. Also when talking about tires is the measurment made by the inner diameter? Where it attaches to the rim?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Depends on which number you are talking about. Show us what you're dealing with, and we will translate.

 

[Go-Kart Maniacz]

I think I found a good method for bending the tubing. I only need like 2 different curves so I think it will be fine. If I do this should I heat it up with a torch first?http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-bend-tubing/#step1
Also I dont have a specific tire question yet but I will ask when I do. Thanks for all the help so far!