Project: I have no Idea what to call it

[jamyers]

Since you're planning on using a snowmobile engine, I don't think I'd worry at all about drilling lightening holes at this point. Even though it'll be heavy, I don't think it'll be SO heavy that 20+hp with a CVT wouldn't move it along just fine. Once you get it all together, it's fairly easy to drill with a holesaw (or better yet an acelylene torch). Might want to drain the engine oil and stand it on it's side, but...

And unless you're planning on going bogging/mudding through lots of deep mud / snow, I also wouldn't worry much about plugging any holes in the frame. I'd drill a bunch of large holes in the sides of the rails, and a couple of smaller drain holes in the bottom, and none in the top. Paint it inside and out, and if/when you get some muck inside a frame section, it'd take you 2 minutes with a garden hose to wash it all out.

 

[doubter123]

Thanks, I was actually thinking of just the holes in the side and bottom for drain holes. Also I know that with a snowmobile motor it would probably do just fine without the holes but I wanna go fast. :arf:

 

[doubter123]

Darn I won't be able to do anything till Monday probably since I picked a really cool electromagnetic drill from my grandparents house to use for drilling the holes in the frame. And when I turn it on what does it do just hum. So I take it home and open up the casing and discover grease that is about as thick as cold molasses and well nothing is moving. So I currently soaking it it some parts cleaner and I shall reassemble it tomorrow but I have to do a project for school also cutting into my project time.

On a lighter note I also got pillow blocks for my axle and swingarm.

Now on an angry note Lowes apparently doesn't carry cutting fluid and I was about to kill someone.

Sorry for the long post I'll try to keep them shorter

 

[doubter123]

Success!!! I got the drill to work! I test drilled a hole and it worked great minus the fact the first bit i had in the hole saw snapped but other than that it worked great.
Hopefully Monday night I'll get some of the frame cut.

 

[doubter123]

Well finally got to cutting the first holes in the frame and I now understand why everyone hates boring holes, because it's just so darn boring.

The pictures are a close up of the holes, the test piece of frame which will be included in the kart later and a picture of the drill, and my bearings.

 

[landuse]

I love the stuffed bear....

 

[doubter123]

That is garage bear he lives there

 

[souperman000]

That is garage bear he lives there

...garage bear.

 

[machinist@large]

Well finally got to cutting the first holes in the frame and I now understand why everyone hates boring holes, because it's just so darn boring.

The pictures are a close up of the holes, the test piece of frame which will be included in the kart later and a picture of the drill, and my bearings.

Now, for the big question; which came first, the operation or the name? (Something for you to ponder as you continue your work.....)

At least you have the tool to get the job done. For those people who aren't familiar with the power tool in question, it's a portable Milwaukee magnetic drill press. Magnetic, because the black lump on the base of the red column is a pretty powerful electromagnet. Variable speed, and you can swap heads on this base; this one appears to be one of the 0~350 RPM units.

If you don't own one, keep your money; they're pushing the up side of $2000.00 for a new one. On the up side, most rental center's have them available by the hour, or the day. (Hey mysteryboy!!! you listening?)

 

[mysteryboy28]

my ear itched... knew someone was talking about me... lol.

 

[doubter123]

Really they cost that much! Well the one I'm using is very old and is from P&G since they would just through stuff away since it stopped working and my Grandpa would just take it and get it working.

The one I'm using I had to completely tear apart and get the gears unstuck but once free it works great and it is really loud since it is gear to gear. And for the rpms it goes to 250 on low and 500 on high

 

[machinist@large]

Really they cost that much! Well the one I'm using is very old and is from P&G since they would just through stuff away since it stopped working and my Grandpa would just take it and get it working.

The one I'm using I had to completely tear apart and get the gears unstuck but once free it works great and it is really loud since it is gear to gear. And for the rpms it goes to 250 on low and 500 on high

So, it does have the 2 speed box!!! I couldn't tell from your photo, because the selector knob is usually on the other side. As for the price, the last time I really looked at them was when I had to order one for a specific job at a former employer. It was the top of the line model, and came to $1,950~ and change or there abouts- 15 YEARS ago!!

When that company shut down, I was able to buy it for a lot less. Doesn't get a lot of use, but it sure can be a life saver when you need it!!

 

[Amped]

Any idea how much lighter the holes make it?

 

[doubter123]

Well haven't been drilling much since I've been busy recently but it does make it quite a bit lighter from the one piece I did drill.

 

[doubter123]

So I finally was able to dill out one of the frame rails and it made a major difference. The difference is 7 POUNDS!! That makes 14 for both 4ft sections and I expect then roughly 50-100 pounds for the whole cart, that may sound like a big difference but i did just quick math that probably nowhere near accurate. Now for the pics of the rail, the metal from the holes and the second guide drill bit that I have broken with the hole saw.

 

[machinist@large]

.....and the second guide drill bit that I have broken with the hole saw.

You'll have to stock up on bits; using them to pilot hole saws is really outside their design spec's. Otherwise, looking good!!!

 

[OzFab]

... the second guide drill bit that I have broken with the hole saw.

You'll have to stock up on bits; using them to pilot hole saws is really outside their design spec's. Otherwise, looking good!!!

Are you predrilling the holes

 

[machinist@large]

Are you predrilling the holes

Most hole saws aren't perfectly concentric with the C/L of the arbor they mount to (which holds the pilot drill). Anything hard/ strong enough to hold up as a pilot caches a H*** of a lot of side loads. You either bend them or break them.

 

[doubter123]

Yeah I've already discovered that I'll have to stock up on bits since the one that came with the hole saw holder broke when I didn't have it in the chuck straight.

 

[doubter123]

Well today was a laundry day so got no more of the frame drilled, but I did drill another piece, one of the three foot sections, and I have calculated the weight savings to be roughly 50 pounds so not bad.