Old welder, new go kart guy.

[BenCoJared]

So, I'm selling guns and wanting a hobby. I've been welding since I was 13 and now I'm...not 13. It's the only thing I was ever good at and I've always wanted to learn to work on engines, so I'm kicking around a spider kart black widow. This will be mostly for my two little girls to play around on at dad's 50 acres, but I want to make it right. How much knowledge is required to get these things running? I see guys messing around with steering geometry on the forum and I have no clue about that stuff. Any good books to get?
BenCoJared

 

[Blazkowiez]

Jared,

Welcome to the forums.

Start a thread in the builds section and post pictures over what you'd like to build and what sort of engine you plan to use.

If you're a welder and great at fabrication the engine part shouldn't be very hard, nor should the front steering if you're willing to buy some pre-made parts like spindles/c clips from Azusa.

We'll do our best to walk you through it. At this point it might be a great idea to consider what you expect from this and just watch what others have done.

Good luck,
Chris

 

[souperman000]

welcome to the forum, Im sure you will be able to make a kart pretty easily with your fab skills.

 

[OzFab]

What he said...

As for the steering, have a look at this

We can talk you through any other problems you may have, from engine selection to brakes to what gear ratio you need.

Welcome to the forum, good luck with the build & keep us posted...

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. The link that Fabroman posted is really a good read. All the other stuff we can walk you through.