Slingshot

[Functional Artist]

Here is some more pics
...& a video too

 

[Functional Artist]

After some clean up (trimmin' & smoothin') I used some liquid tape ta "glue" some "props" down

The pieces of tube are to help establish some "curved" edges, above the headlights
...& the scraps of wood (backed by steel L-brackets) are to help establish "walls" on each side, of the "inner" headlights

 

[madprofessor]

I love brush-on electrical "tape", but only used it for very limited electrical applications, not like you are. Just want to warn you for the future, if you need to insulate something electrically and remember you have that stuff.................Just like 3M tape (the best) is rated 600vac per unstretched layer, and other cheaper brands are not that high if even rated at all, there can be no consistency or even any safe idea at all how well that liquid will protect you from a cross between a bad perm and an afro.

 

[Functional Artist]

I love brush-on electrical "tape", but only used it for very limited electrical applications, not like you are. Just want to warn you for the future, if you need to insulate something electrically and remember you have that stuff.................Just like 3M tape (the best) is rated 600vac per unstretched layer, and other cheaper brands are not that high if even rated at all, there can be no consistency or even any safe idea at all how well that liquid will protect you from a cross between a bad perm and an afro.

I re-purpose stuff, all the time
...but, hardly ever use that stuff ta insulate an electrical connection

* It's good for "spot applications" like if ya accidentally "nick" a spot of insulation on a wire
...or if ya have ta "nick" a wire, on purpose, for "testing" (like MM probe holes)

** But, it's great for gluin' stuff, ta other stuff

 

[Functional Artist]

Here are some pics of the "curved" edges, above the headlights
...& of the "walls" on either side, of the "inner" headlights

 

[Functional Artist]

Been workin' (work got busy)
...but also, been workin' on the "fitment" of the "hood"
...& after much.........I got 'er sittin' pretty nice
...& (now) it's startin' ta line up with the headlights pretty good too

 

[Functional Artist]

Been doin' bodywork (cough, cough...surrounded by a cloud of dust ) on the "hood"

...then, 4 hours later

WTF (Oops) I mean
...so, when is enough...enough?

After all of this sandin' & smoothin' I can still "feel" some
...high spots
...& low spots
...& rough spots
...& pits
...& uggggggggg

But, in between, I did got the headlights all wired up (in series)

...& even added a 3A fuse "in line" with the positive wire

 

[Functional Artist]

There is a "gap" in between the "hood" & the headlights (that bothered me)
...so, I made up a flexible "gap filler" outta some black felt/floor mat stuff (yup, re-purposing stuff)
(should do the trick & last a while)

Then, I went ahead & installed the headlight "unit" (to double check fitness & functionality)
...& now, we have headlights

 

[Functional Artist]

Tryin' ta finish up this hood
...so, Ima workin' on the dash board now

Here is the lay-out I have "in mind" (from left to right)
Forward/reverse switch (used to activate the reverse function) on far right
...since it's not used that much
...& this way it's outta the way, too

Digital GPS speedometer
...still "on order"
...& waitin' for delivery

Power Monitor
...PZEM-051 meter

On/off switch
...to turn the speed controller on or off
...easily accessible (far right) for right handed folks, anyways

& finally, a switch for the headlights (to turn them on or off)
...but, I was thinkin' that I can connect 'em to a "switched" power wire (so they'll come on & go off with the speed controller)
...or use a (2) pole switch for the on/off switch (so, they'll still come on & go off, when the SC is switched on or off, It'll just do it independently)

 

[Functional Artist]

I did the cut-outs for the power meter & switches

I first drilled a "pilot hole" (actually a row of 'em)
...then, tried a jig saw ta cut out the meter hole
...but, it kinda started cuttin' into the main structure, from the inside (see the last pic) luckily it didn't go thru

Then, I switched ta the Dremel
...& it cut thru it like butta' (nice-n-clean)

 

[Functional Artist]

Been doin' some research on the Slingshot logo font style & hood emblems

Ima thinkin' ta do the "louvered look" on my "shaker" (like on the pic, of the red hood)
...& put SLINGSHOT on each side, of the "louvered shaker"

 

[madprofessor]

Hmmmm................. Not so sure that's a good idea. True that I don't see the circled R, or the C either, but lack of a registered trademark or a copyright doesn't automatically preclude one from litigious jeopardy. Plagiarism may sound like whining that only counts on college exam papers, but that very recognition of it as a spoken factor makes it available for litigious exploitation for the purpose of achieving financial reward.
How about "Slingshooter", with a logo that's not reminiscent of Huck Finn's apple tree Y-branch with the innertube attached for a slingshot?

 

[Functional Artist]

Um...it's a replica of a Slingshot
...so, IMO it should say........Um.......
& WTF, I mean they should pay me

& also, "Ya gotta catch me, if ya want me ta hang" (AC/DC)

* I get it
...but, ya can't trademark a regularly used word (craftsman or predator)
...so, I'll just change up some "little detail" or font or something & "It'll be fine"

 

[Functional Artist]

Well, (hopefully) I'ma finally done sandin' on this hood
...I kinda felt like a sculptor, workin' all of these lines & curves & valleys & such

So, I went ahead & sealed 'er up
...with some primer sealer

 

[madprofessor]

When will you be starting mass production for the market?

 

[Functional Artist]

When will you be starting mass production for the market?

Um...I won't

Art is usually a "one & done" thing
...& ta me, a kool lookin', custom, "one of a kind" go kart is...(wait for it)...Functional Art
...plus, my arm is about ta fall off, from all of this sandin' & smoothin'

* Ima already workin' on (in my head, at least) the next...um...maybe...(3) karts
...like a high performance, off road "Jeep" or sand rail type kart (oh yea, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED)
...or like maybe a little, mini, form fitting, "bug" kart
...or maybe even (1) that is a mix of Percival's Hellcat & ??? (who knows)

 

[madprofessor]

Just needlin' ya, F.A., on account of that fiberglass. You made it almost look like it came out of a professional mold, but I know you put dozens and dozens of hours in it. The idea of trying to make a hundred of them should probably make you wet your britches.
You done did a good job there cowboy. Bet you're thinking twice about doing any more fiberglass fun work.

 

[Functional Artist]

Just needlin' ya, F.A., on account of that fiberglass. You made it almost look like it came out of a professional mold, but I know you put dozens and dozens of hours in it. The idea of trying to make a hundred of them should probably make you wet your britches.
You done did a good job there cowboy. Bet you're thinking twice about doing any more fiberglass fun work.

Well, thank you sir

He...he...now that you mention it, my daughter Desteny (Winstons twin sister) came out to my work area yesterday, while I was sandin' on the hood & asked "where did you get that?"

I showed her the empty can of resin & some scraps of the fiberglass cloth & said "I made it outta this stuff".
She cocked her head to one side (puzzled) squinted her eyes a bit (probably not sure whether to believe me or not)
...& said "Really?"
...then, "it's so smooth", as she ran her hand across it

 

[madprofessor]

...........yeahhhhhhh, and I'll bet you've been lovingly rubbing it a little too, with a big grin on your face when nobody else was around............... No jab Kemosabe, you really earned it.

 

[Functional Artist]

Just needlin' ya, F.A., on account of that fiberglass. You made it almost look like it came out of a professional mold, but I know you put dozens and dozens of hours in it. The idea of trying to make a hundred of them should probably make you wet your britches.
You done did a good job there cowboy. Bet you're thinking twice about doing any more fiberglass fun work.

Actually, now that I've done it a few times & understand the concept better, I could "knock out" a bunch of these pretty easily
...but, I'd definitely use a female style "mold" rather than a male style "plug mold"

The way I did this one, I had ta craft a smooth "finish", on the "rough side
...which ended up being very labor intensive

...........yeahhhhhhh, and I'll bet you've been lovingly rubbing it a little too, with a big grin on your face when nobody else was around............... No jab Kemosabe, you really earned it.

Um...that sounds kinda "creepy" LOL
...but, I'll be "grinnin'" when she's "in paint" & sparklin' out in the sunshine

* Also, I used some of the left over materials ta make some mini, indestructible, fiberglass license plates

How'd you do that?
...well, I'm glad you asked

I used the "plug mold" that I made the base for the hood off of (since is was wide & nice-n-flat)
...waxed it really good
...brushed on some resin
...laid a layer of fiberglass mat
..."dabbed" more resin on until it was saturated
...then, laid another piece of mat
...& "dabbed" more resin 'til it was good-n-saturated
...then, laid a (3rd) piece of mat
...& poured the rest of the resin on
...& kinda smoothed it out, with the brush

After it set for ~1 hour, I "popped" it off of the "mold"
...& then, ran it thru the table saw
...ta "chop" it into individual 2 1/2" x 4" (go kart size) plates

Another also,
...workin' with fiberglass is very hazardous, messy & wasteful
...the fiberglass it self (especially them fibers) is hazardous to your health (protection must be used)
...this sticks to everything (& I mean everything) & is super hard ta "get off" of stuff
...& ya have ta use/waste a brush (for spreading), bowl (for mixing), & a pair of gloves (protection) for pretty much every batch of resin that ya make up

Then, when ya get into drilling, cutting, grinding or sanding, the "end product"
...ya got a whole "new set" of hazards ta deal with