Noob: where to start

[vroomvroom]

Hello guys,

I'm new to this forum, and I'm a complete noob at gokarts. For a while, I've been interested in building a go kart so I've been reading some beginners guide in this forum to get an understanding of some really basic things about gokarts.

Also, I picked up a really crappy gokart and I have been working on it a little bit. but recently I was told that it'd be really dangerous and unsafe to use a crappy frame. (the weld on it is pretty darn bad). Also, I was strongly advised against building a frame from scratch as well, because I only know really basic welding.

So my question is:

How did you guys learn to build gokarts?
Where did you guys start?
What can I do to learn the proper and safe way of building a gokart?

I understand that I need to start with basic stuff, but honestly I'm pretty clueless as to what I can do at this point..

Help a noob out, thanks guys.

 

[rocketkart]

best way to learn how to build a gokart is to build and learn from your mistakes so that the next one you build will be even better.

 

[itsid]

Welcome,
I beg to differ with rocketkart.

The first thing I think you should do,
is hang around, read as many threads as you can (especially the build logs)
See what other people are doing, not exactly WHAT is interesting, but HOW!

Get the ideas you need to feel comfortable first,
then of course you should go and start building;
and that includes making errors of course;

but don't just go and build a go kart out of broken coat hangers just to fail;
try to do it right the first time (and that's what the reading is meant for )

'sid

 

[thatsme]

if you don't know much about welding (like me) go on craigslist and find a little go kart used, real cheap. if it runs drive it till it breaks down. if it don't fix it, just check the welding to make sure its good. if you don't know if it's good or not have a friend that knows a little more about it check it out. if you need advice check on here, or again ask a friend or your dad if he knows anything about engines.

 

[vroomvroom]

Thank you for your reply!

That sounds great.
Will it be safe to weld parts myself?
I mean, I imagine that I will be going at 20-30mph. Could my kart break apart or crash because of a bad weld?

Also, how do you guys know what dimensions to use for the kart when you build your own kart? Where can I get those information? From experience?

 

[OzFab]

So my question is:

How did you guys learn to build gokarts?
Where did you guys start?
What can I do to learn the proper and safe way of building a gokart?

Wait, that's three questions

In my case, spend over 20 years in the automotive industry, including 8 years of formal training covering everything from changing oil & spark plugs to MIG welding 0.8mm steel but, I'm guessing, you want the quicker option...

best way to learn how to build a gokart is to build and learn from your mistakes so that the next one you build will be even better.

Welcome,
I beg to differ with rocketkart.

I don't entirely disagree with rocketkart (for once ), you do learn while building a kart & you also learn from building a kart but, IMO, the best advice came from thatsme, buy a beater & fix it up; in the process, you will learn how & why things work, how & why they interact with other parts &, if you're keen enough, why the frame is built the way it is

 

[itsid]

Thank you for your reply!

That sounds great.
Will it be safe to weld parts myself?
I mean, I imagine that I will be going at 20-30mph. Could my kart break apart or crash because of a bad weld?

Also, how do you guys know what dimensions to use for the kart when you build your own kart? Where can I get those information? From experience?

If you're a good welder it will be perfectly safe to weld it yourself, if you never had a welder in your hands before ... probably not so much.

30mph on a kart is a lot, so it depends on the go kart and what you do to it.

On a perfectly clean straight and even race track even a badly welded kart can stand 30mph I'd say as long as you don't hit the brakes ;
No honestly..
what kart are you talking about, race, fun, yard, off road;
what load do you need to carry (one kid, two kids, one adult, two adults, one massive huge 300lbs adult and a kid with strong bones...)
will the kart be suspended or not

too many factors to give an answer if it will withstand that speed.

Yes, your kart will break because of a bad weld, maybe not fatal, but hazardous

'sid

 

[vroomvroom]

I am currently planning on putting a Harbor Freight Predator 6.5 hp (I'm a broke college student), without messing with the governor (for now).

As for the kart, I wanted to start off with a fun kart with capacity of maybe 150 pound adult, 1 seater. When I learn to make karts better, I want to move on to more of a "race" style ones.

I learned very basic welding in the past, but I guess I honestly didn't know if I know enough welding to make a safe gokart.

You guys are really helpful already and I appreciate it! thank you

 

[OzFab]

Hey, that's why we're here, if there were no noobs to help out we'd spend all our time paying out on each other

Do you own a welder? If you don't, get one; the only way to get better is practice...

You could try scaling up a spiderkarts itsy bitsy (the plans for which are no longer available from the spidercarts site but, a few of us have them); it's a small, simple frame using basic, common parts which can be built for under $600 using all new parts

 

[landuse]

Hey, that's why we're here, if there were no noobs to help out we'd spend all our time paying out on each other

Do you own a welder? If you don't, get one; the only way to get better is practice...

You could try scaling up a spiderkarts itsy bitsy (the plans for which are no longer available from the spidercarts site but, a few of us have them); it's a small, simple frame using basic, common parts which can be built for under $600 using all new parts

Yeah, I would just get some scrap metal and go wild practicing. I had never welded in my life before, I bought a stick welder and just messed around with it. My welds are definately not pretty, but they seem to be strong enough. Don't let not being able to weld well hold you back

Here are some plans:

Free Minibike and go kart plans
http://www.bitlib.net/show.php?id=6962992
http://www.kartbuilding.net/Freeplans/plans.htm
http://www.kartbuilding.net/racingkart/index.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/tips/how-to-build-a-go-kart-in-one-day
http://www.instructables.com/id/Intro-44/?ALLSTEPS
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...94GgAg&usg=AFQjCNHtz0aMwZ2QIx7T3KAkEzOq-aQfFg
http://www.adventurepranks.com/build-a-go-kart.html
http://chopperhandbook.com/
http://www.cutpriceracing.com.au/store/Free-Racing-Go-Kart-Plans/

 

[OzFab]

Don't let not being able to weld well hold you back

Yeah, a year ago this guy ^^ had never even opened up an engine, then, with some help from us, he rebuilt a non starter & turned it into an animal...

 

[DMCdesign]

Begin with basic frames first- rectangles being the best and keep practicing. Use stronger materials if you are not confident with thinner wall sizes. However, the decision rests with you. Making a kart from scratch will give you more satisfaction and bragging rights.

 

[vroomvroom]

Wow. the links you posted contain a whole lot of information. and thanks for the encouragement!

I currently do not own a welder. Will MIG welder be the best for making karts?

Also, in some of those plans metal tubes are curved.. how do I do that?

 

[landuse]

Wow. the links you posted contain a whole lot of information. and thanks for the encouragement!

I currently do not own a welder. Will MIG welder be the best for making karts?

Also, in some of those plans metal tubes are curved.. how do I do that?

To get the bends in the tube you will have to use a tube bender

 

[OzFab]

I currently do not own a welder. Will MIG welder be the best for making karts?

I've made two karts & a trailer with mine so far so, I hope so

No, seriously, MIG is perfect for building karts but, you'll need one around 150A; have a look at some of the threads in the welding section to gain some insight (landuse & I can't help much because we run on different power supply than you)

Also, in some of those plans metal tubes are curved.. how do I do that?

To get the bends in the tube you will have to use a tube bender

Not to be confused with a pipe bender

 

[thatsme]

experience that's were it's at you just gotta practice. make a couple mistakes so what learn from them and try again. and you need a tube bender to bend metal tubes. check Home Depot and Lowes if you cant find one, internet. good luck man post some pics when you're done

 

[Orange Krate]

Start by buying this book! Sorry, just a little well placed spam

Seriously, a crappy frame is a great start. The key is to start with something that is complete: all 4 wheels and tires, steering, pedals, cables, sprockets and engine. Make it roll, make it run and they fix things as they break...even the crappiest of welds.

Go-karts are dangerous by their very nature. You have to start out slow and use your best judgment as to what you can trust to be safe through experience...the best common sense builder.

If yours is too far gone you can look at swap meets, flea markets and craigslist just be VERY CAREFUL dealing with CL. I've got some stories let me tell you!

Lots of very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful people here willing to answer any questions along the way

 

[vroomvroom]

wow, bending pipes/tubes must be difficult... extra work + I need to buy the bender...

And about craigslist.. I am definitely aware of the dangers.
I was actually pretty concerned about it because I know that if I want to buy kart parts&frame it can easily go over couple hundreds in cash, and that's never safe.

I'll be sure to post some pics when I get better at making these karts!

 

[OzFab]

Making a kart is actually the expensive way to do it, when you cousider all the tools/equipment needed, then you have to source & purchase all the individual parts. If you're worried about dropping a couple hundred on a kart, you're in for a shock, you can pay that much for an entry level welder...

 

[vroomvroom]

Well, I guess I'll have to make it happen!

Thank guys.