Spidercarts GrandDaddy Build by extreme0016

[extreme0016]

I have wanted to build a go-kart for a long time, and now that my boy is getting old enough I decided it is time. I wanted a two seater and something I can take off-road, so I decided to go with the GrandDaddy by Spidercarts.

I bought the plans and have spend many hours reading over posts here about other builds, although none specifically about the GrandDaddy (I can't find any), but about the Arachnid which the GrandDaddy is based on, and as far as I can tell they both have a lot of the same problems in the plans, so I am glad I started reading before I started cutting and welding.

So I am just getting started on the actual build and as of last night just got the main frame base tack welded and so far it is looking good. I am very busy outside of this project, so I think it will be slow going, but I will do my best to keep my progress posted here.

I am going to post pictures of progress on Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3743208016663.2143875.1170090455&type=1&l=3d933ef3ba

 

[souperman000]

welcome to the forum!

Its always a good thing to do lots of research before starting a project. Remember - Measure twice cut once!

Hope it works out for you.

 

[OzFab]

Welcome to the forum & good luck with your build.

Here's a tip (which woould've been handy before you started cutting): As opposed to cutting all the pieces to length, simply cut a V into the tube where there's an angle & bend it to shape. This process keeps some of the strength in the material &, therefore, in the finished product.

 

[extreme0016]

Wow, that is a great idea, I wish I would have thought about that prior to cutting and welding the main frame, that would have been a great way to make sure the main frame section was perfect. I will definitely keep that technique in mind as I move forward with the rest of the project.

 

[OzFab]

Just remember, you have to cut the same amount on either side of the square line (as in Fig. 1) to achieve the correct join (as in Fig. 2). If you cut 45* from square (Fig. 3) you will end up with an uneven join (Fig. 4)

To achieve this, simply divide the desired angle by 2 & that's the angle to cut at. Either of the inexpensive tools pictured below will help although, the compound square will do it easier as it has a protractor setting

 

[extreme0016]

Makes absolute sense. So I have been thinking about your suggestion and wondering what the best tool is to do those cuts. I did all my other cuts with a chop saw, which I don't think would work very well for doing these V cuts, so what is the best way to do it, perhaps using a handheld cutoff saw?

 

[mchlfranko]

Check if your mitre saw has a side to side tilt adjuster, some of the newer ones do. If so just just slowly down to the bottom but not through the tubing, do the same to the other side and you are good to go!

 

[OzFab]

A cut off wheel on an angle grinder will work or the old fashioned hacksaw.

Sorry for the late reply, I didn't know you'd asked the question

 

[SDCoston]

Granddaddy

Does anyone know of or seen or heard of a successful Grandaddy build? If so ... is there a thread I can read or a builder to contact?

I'd just nearly finished a "Tarantula" design (from Spidercarts plans - modified slightly) and am already thinking about my next build which is likely to be either an Arachnid or a Granddaddy. I'd like to talk to someone who's done it and "capitalize" on their experience.

 

[r97]

I think this is the first person on this site who has built the granddaddy. There have been many arachnid builds, although a lot of them were never finished and were plagued by design issues within the plans. I'm going to assume you really want a two seat, but what kind of performance are you looking for? 8-13hp single? 16-34hp V-twin? Motorcycle/snowmobile/ATV powered? If you do your research I think you can work through any problems in the granddaddy plans, but if you want anything more powerful than a single cylinder industrial engine, I would look at these plans.

 

[SDCoston]

r97 -

Thanks for the link. I like their 2-seater. It has full 4-wheel suspension. The 1-seater plans they have ("Shredder") seem limited because it has no front wheel suspension, yet they call it an off-road go-kart.

I'll look at the 2-seater plans and decide which way to go ... i've seen similar buggies for sale for 5-7k and more. It's got to be cheaper to build your own!

 

[r97]

Cost depends on a lot of things, but the granddaddy is definitely more of a go kart and is less expensive. Mostly the price depends on what you pay for parts, i.e. if you used all new high performance parts you could be looking at $1000 just for the shocks. Basically the two designs fill the same need of a 2 seat buggy/kart to drive around in. The difference between the two comes when you determine if you are riding around your yard, and a gravel drive way at 25mph, OR if you are going through trails in the woods, and going 45+mph through the desert. The granddaddy would be great if you just want to cruise around, but I wouldn't trust the frame, roll cage, or suspension to handle higher power/speed as much as I would the SII.

Do keep in mind though, the SII will likely be more expensive, and more of a challenge to build (seeing how well your last build went I think you would enjoy the challenge). I would say you want to have at least 2-3k ready if you want to build the SII, although you could spend a lot less if you use junkyard parts, and try to really simplify the design. You could also spend a lot more.

 

[extreme0016]

I haven't been here for a while, but the Grandaddy project is moving along nicely, although not enough time in the day to move it as fast as I would like. It is all welded up, engine and drive components are installed, I am working on brakes (decided to upgrade and do front and rear brakes, so that has slowed me down a bit) and just got the tires and wheels last night. If all goes well it should be ready for a test drive within weeks.

The build has actually gone very smoothly other than my own changes that have slowed me down a bit. I know the Spidercart plans have had some bad press, and they are certainly not perfect, I have had to be careful and find and adjust for problems in the plans as I go, but they have been fairly minor.

Here is a pic from last night with the first tire mounted:

Check my facebook for more: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1&l=3d933ef3ba

 

[Tanner21]

Hey quick question how much steel tubeing did that take and what size did you use thanks

P.S looks pretty awesome good work

 

[extreme0016]

Thanks!

The steel tubing I have been using is #14 gauge square tubing which can be found at your local steel supply co. The plans called for 45 feet of 1 1/4" (for the main structure) and 50 feet of 1" (for the cage, A-Arms, etc.), but I stretched the entire cart by about 5" and am adding a cargo rack (and have had to redo a few sections), so I have gone through more steel than that, but that amount was a good start.

 

[exenos]

How much sag will there be when its on all four wheels? Seems to be sitting way too high.

 

[CAPTAINCAVEMAN]

if those are the same shocks as the arachnid calls for it will sit just fine on that cart from what I can see (at least a couple inches closer to the ground with a person or two and the weight of the cart)

 

[Tanner21]

Awesome you should get some pics if what you've got done that would be awesome

 

[mysteryboy28]

can't view the facebook pics cuz we aren't your facebook friends. please upload some more here. i am very impressed with the build so far. reminds me of my Venom buggies!

 

[extreme0016]

The shocks I am using are the same that are used on the Arachnid, in fact the frame is mostly the same, so it will have about the same ride height as that. The reason it looks so high right now is because it is up on jack stands and there is actually no weight on that tire.

I will post some more pics.