PVC go kart, with fiberglass

[pmichelsen]

what schedule? i know of schedule 40, but i only dabble in plumbing. i think the higher the number the thicker.

You sir are correct, I would have gone for some schedule 80 myself and I would not want to ride at high speeds. If you are just putting around this will probably be fine.

 

[r_chez_08]

looks like a good idea for a non- weld kart, but i hope the joints will hold up. i wouldnt wan them to shatter in a crash... also it maay be quite expensive.
i would look for a motor atleast 500w, 48v

 

[ironman]

any updates on this .i am also in the process of trying this too.make sure you post up some more pictures i would like to see were you are at on this.There is a a pvc piping you can buy that has a metal wrapping .years ago some one posted up a pvc kart on here and it was made for small children which would be the idea....

 

[pmwoodward3]

any updates on this .i am also in the process of trying this too.make sure you post up some more pictures i would like to see were you are at on this.There is a a pvc piping you can buy that has a metal wrapping .years ago some one posted up a pvc kart on here and it was made for small children which would be the idea....

well ill probably be putting the basic pvc frame together this weekend, im going to be useing a modified design like the one in the PDF on the first page of this thread. Ill probably be laying the fiberglass this weekend or next. The only problem is the engine and batteries. I dont really have the money to buy them now...to im going to have to get inventive and watch the free section of craigslist lol. I need 4 12v car batteries for my kart...might have to steal them from somewhere...or someone could get rly nice and send me some , i will be posting soon.

 

[stephenm2682]

http://robertklee10.tripod.com/shock_pictures.htm

 

[pmwoodward3]

http://robertklee10.tripod.com/shock_pictures.htm

oooo thanks, thats what i hope mine will look like, but alittle longer cus im pretty tall

 

[ironman]

thats the one i was talking about....

 

[pmwoodward3]

Wow, we just got 4 feet of snow....look like im not getting my go kart frame assembled this weekend...BUT, i did find a family friend that is a mechanic that can probably find me a good starter motor and a couple car batteries.

 

[pmwoodward3]

Well i just got a 36v 500w 2500rpm motor on ebay for like 34 bucks with shipping, so now ill i need is the controller and batteries and i need to figure out the brakes lol

 

[bugatti_gokart]

For a little bit I too had considered using PVC as a source for a project. I stumbled across this large pedal kart built out of PVC which at least proves that it's doable, though this clearly doesn't have an engine. I'd be curious to see how this all goes so please do share photos of your progress. Because PVC is readily available, cheap, and easy to work with in theory it would be great but I'd have to guess it would just give and flex too much but I may be totally wrong.

Good luck, and don't let anyone tell you can't do it. If anything let that push you all the more.

 

[Blazkowiez]

Dude, you're super brave, I know this has been said before by others but mad props.

My only suggestion is to make sure you make a strong mount for your bellypan, without a bellypan (for example those karts in the kart building manual sold at northern have no pan) you can get seriously hurt. Broken legs are far worse than a slight cut due to shattered plastic.

Best of luck to you. Dont give up if this is really what you want to do.

“I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong” - Ben Franklin

 

[skills2nv55]

Engine Question!

If I was strapped for cash I would use a variable speed corded drill (12.00 to 18.00) and a tiny camper generator for the 110V needed (used 30.00). I have seen Karts run on the cordless 36V and they are fast and can burn rubber, a corded is 10X more powerful, Plus if the power goes down at your house or apartment you can use the camper generator to keep the fridge running. Some of these camper generators can run a whole day or two on one gallon of fuel!

check out & remember corded not cordless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z8dFlVNrY8

*** Opportunity only favors the mind that is prepared! ***

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Dunno where that came from, but-

* cordless drills like the 18v DeWalt XRP pictured, make a TON more torque than a standard corded drill.

* a decent corded drill will require a generator capable of delivering a peak power output of anywhere between 1400-1800 watts. A lot of the little "camping" generators can't deliver that kind of power. Nor are they likely to push a fridge compressor.

* nowhere around here are you going to find even a used genny for $30, not even stolen.

*IMHO- buy the time you factor in the cost of the drill and genny, the hassle of making it work for your application, the additional weight, and the fact that you're STILL buying gasoline...


...Go buy an engine.

On the other hand, you could use a $300.00 DeWalt...

 

[dropit_low]

if you havent started yet, dont buy pvc! get abs plastic pipe instead! it doesnt shatter in splinters and is much stronger than pvc