Student Project Ideas and Help

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Hey everyone, just for quick introduction whilst im here. Im a College student enrolled in a Welding program. One of my shop classes are allowing us 10 weeks total, (1 class a week 3 hours long) to build ourselves something of our choice. Everyone is doing tables, chairs, fireplace. Something im not particularly interested in, for me that is too original and to put it simply, boring. I'm looking for fresh ideas, and perhaps some plans to go with it. I do have an idea or so. I had the thought of building a unicycle with a bike-style frame on it. The pictures below are Electrically powered unicycles where i got the idea from. I was thinking about building something similar but without the fancy computer equipment and stabilizers, maybe even thought of putting a small gas motor on it.This is my first time fabricating something so i am very new to it. If you guys had any help for ideas or to help me with the unicycle that would be greatly appreciated. I am willing to spend around $100-$150 on this project(Metal material not included) The metal materials are already covered by the school. However, i can not order stainless or aluminium or sheet metal. So basically mild steel.
Reply:Build a custom mini chopper, or a buggy. Something really cool.
Reply:being a first project i'd try for something that wouldn't hurt yourself or others if a weld were to break.93 Bobcat 225GMillerMatic 135HF Tig 91811
Reply:Im confident in my welding, and anyways our teacher has to approve of the welds or it would have to be redone, so that isnt an issue. I would build something like a mini buggy but the only thing against that is my time frame. I can't go too big but i also do not want to build something too easy
Reply:A mini bike, like a mini chopper, is a great idea. Not only do you do lots of angle cuts, different weld passes, and do some geometry work, you also get good mechanical practice, and heck, you get to keep a cool frigging bike. And they are fun for any guy any age, any where! Plus, its a cheap build.
Reply:Are you talking about something powered, like this? ahah this could be fun, so long as it is in my cost range.
Reply:@ DGill - cool.  Options,* Tools - pipe/tube bender, stand/table for porta-band saw, heavy-duty belt sander, hydraulic press* Recreation - rolling chassis for electric go-kart* Outdoor - custom wood storage bin, hydraulic log splitterGood luck!"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:I was actually looking at a hydraulic log splitter, but they are very expensive just to get the proper parts to put into it.
Reply:DGill, do not overreach.  For years I helped the local FIRST Robotics team put together a robot.  I was responsible for the drive train, and it always ran, reliably.  We had 6 weeks, and if it didn't sorta run after 3 or 4, then there was a problem. After 5 years, they finally trusted me to do what I did.  But I did have to beat them down once in awhile when they were a little ambitious about what they could accomplish.  Keep it simple."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Thanks for the advice. This will be in a group of three, so essentially there are 90 hours of work between us.
Reply:Originally Posted by DGillThis is my first time fabricating something so I am very new to it.....I'm confident in my welding,
Reply:Originally Posted by DGillAre you talking about something powered, like this? ahah this could be fun, so long as it is in my cost range.
Reply:I think a firewall buggy would be perfect kids love driving and you could probably get a donation from a local salvage yard just simply tell them that the more ppl interested in this stuff the better possible chance for a life long return customer. Get a chevy tracker or suzuki sidekick and cut the body off and build a tube chasis. You could also see if there is local mud run competitions around and could spark kids interest in mud bogging or rock crawling. You would teach the kids about math trig. Engineering and physics. Also it would show them the proper way to 4x4 safely and not upside down with no roll cage  Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkUsing Tapatalk
Reply:A unicycle without a computer of some sort probably wouldn't work.You could do a image search for popular mechanics or popular science plans,for mini bikes.Make one as a chopper if you like.http://jleibovitch.tripod.com/16706960.jpg