go-kart project...

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I recently got a welder and some practice in.  I decided it was time to start making a cart.I'll be using a HF 6.5hp motor and get a air filter/adapter, header, and a few other things for it.  The govenor will be removed.Here are some pictures of the frame and seat.It is 1x1x1/8 tubing. Yes, it only has one wheel on the front right now...the other wheel I had was missing bearings so it isn't any good...The seat is an old school desk I found.  We cut most of the legs off and cut the back ones shorter so the seat would angle back some.  The seat is adjustable up and down.  In the picture it is at a high setting and will be lower during the final assembly.I only have about 2 hours of actual welding time..so some of my welds look good, some look bad.  I'm learning on my own but I thought this weld looked really good..hah It is fluxcore, .30 wire. It is easy to get the top and bottom welds, but the corners are hard for me right now.  More practice needed!Hobart Handler 187Bainbridge bandsawMakita chop sawHarbor Freight 4.5" grinder
Reply:Looking good soo far! Im courios to see how long that hf motor lasts without an governor. I have an old 5hp Briggs without the govoner on my cart. This things been through everything and it still runs strong as ever. Keep us updatedYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Looks good, don't like the rake you got going on, but that's just me.Lincoln Promig 180
Reply:Looks good.  Just spend a tad bit longer on the sides on those inside corner welds and it will get better.  If you are just using flux-core, take off the shroud on the tip and get a flux-core shroud.  They don't have them at HF, but you can get a 2-pack from Lower.  It will make it easier to see your weld pool, and will make those inside corners a lot easier.
Reply:Are those golf cart spindles and wheels? Just curious.Lincoln Promig 180
Reply:Originally Posted by JC'sWeldingLooks good.  Just spend a tad bit longer on the sides on those inside corner welds and it will get better.  If you are just using flux-core, take off the shroud on the tip and get a flux-core shroud.  They don't have them at HF, but you can get a 2-pack from Lower.  It will make it easier to see your weld pool, and will make those inside corners a lot easier.
Reply:Originally Posted by jetlagThe spindles are made for go-karts and are sold at Northern Tool and other places that sell go-karts and go-kart accessories.  The front wheel is from a lawnmower, and the back wheels could be used on a golf cart or ATV...they have the same bolt pattern.
Reply:Originally Posted by willinthe985Is the bolt pattern the same between the front and back? I'm looking into building a golf cart from the frame up and the spindles are expensive.
Reply:removing the gov is not a good Idea.  It will not give you anymore power, just more rpm and a lit fuse....
Reply:Originally Posted by Boostinjdmremoving the gov is not a good Idea.  It will not give you anymore power, just more rpm and a lit fuse....
Reply:The frame looks a little long to me, but it's coming along for you. Keep posting pictures and info about the parts (wanting to see stearing box) and where you get them from. And the welds look good for 2 hours of practice!Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Originally Posted by STwelderThe frame looks a little long to me, but it's coming along for you. Keep posting pictures and info about the parts (wanting to see stearing box) and where you get them from. And the welds look good for 2 hours of practice!
Reply:How about moving the axle to the top of the frame to lower the back and level the frame out. You can never have a vehicle that's too low. Lincoln Promig 180
Reply:Originally Posted by willinthe985How about moving the axle to the top of the frame to lower the back and level the frame out. You can never have a vehicle that's too low.
Reply:Ok, updated pictures.Yes, I realize the tab on the steering shaft is upside down.  When I steer left the cart goes right..hahYes, I need to lower the steering shaft... I am cutting it off and putting it 2 inches lower.Yes, my front wheels stick out farther than the back.  I messed up and ordered a 36" axle...a 40" would be better...And this is my first ever MIG weld..much nicer than fluxcore, but I still need some practice..  The technique is different to me..Hobart Handler 187Bainbridge bandsawMakita chop sawHarbor Freight 4.5" grinder
Reply:Love that steering .... er, tiller.For a beginner on a MIG fluxcore, you're doing pretty good.  How long have you been using it?
Reply:For a low-experience welder and a 6.5-hp motor, I'd at least add some gussets to that frame.  Maybe that's part of the plan -- like a full sheet metal floor.  But I'd worry about the amount of force being sent to those right-angle welds where the front struts mount.  I would also go with beefier front steering components when you switch to the left-is-left-and-right-is-right configuration.  Assuming you discover more off-road possibilities than a gently-rolling golf course, I'd worry (again) about the amount of force kicking back through them when the terrain wants to turn each of the front wheels in different directions.All that said, the welds look nice to my eyes, and I am not an engineer by any stretch of the imagination.
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyLove that steering .... er, tiller.For a beginner on a MIG fluxcore, you're doing pretty good.  How long have you been using it?
Reply:Would like to see the 6.5 engine on the plate and the clearance you will have between you and it.Keep posting the pictures it's looking close to finished.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Looking good Matt. I'd leave the steering like it is, that way you'll be the only one that can drive it.  Or, if you do let your friends try, you'll end up with some great YouTube videos.
Reply:Originally Posted by STwelderWould like to see the 6.5 engine on the plate and the clearance you will have between you and it.Keep posting the pictures it's looking close to finished.
Reply:plenty of room till you throw a rod.  They usually come out the front.  I fire wall would be a good addition. Just make sure it is angled to direct the pieces down. I have seen engine parts leave a pretty nasty ding in a solid wood garage door. Don't forget a chain guard also.
Reply:Looking good so far. Is this gonna be an off road or on road cart? Also i suggest you may want some padding on the seat.Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:The weld in the pic looks good.It took me half the thread to figure out what you guys were talkin' about when you were discussing "rake"I kept looking for something with a wooden handle"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:So have you tested any of your welds?  Just curious, "good looking" mig welds can be quite dangerous.  Good luck with your project.I agree on the firewall and chain guard.  Chains hurt like hell when you get hit with one doing 80mph .......
Reply:Hobart Handler 187Bainbridge bandsawMakita chop sawHarbor Freight 4.5" grinder
Reply:Turn the clutch around, it helps with cooling.  You will need it.  I would also suggest a jackshaft or torque-a-verter, or some type of further gear reduction.
Reply:Looks cool.  It's always a good moment when you can look at something that only existed inside your head and has now made it out into the world.Is the plan to control the throttle from the steering wheel?  That thing looks heavy enough to merit some good brakes, too.
Reply:Originally Posted by Boostinjdm  I would also suggest a jackshaft or torque-a-verter, or some type of further gear reduction.
Reply:So how do you intend to stop it Matt?  Flintstone style?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by jetlagGood idea!  I'll PM you with my PayPal account so you can send the money to purchase those parts.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55So how do you intend to stop it Matt?  Flintstone style?
Reply:Looks good so far.  What are you planning on doing for a floor pan, extruded metal or sheet?  Doing the throttle off the handlebars is fairly easy, especially a brake-lever type throttle like you have there. (Hey, if gopeds can have throttles like that, no reason not to try using them in other applications.  Some barstool racers have 'em, too.)  The brakes, i would suggest floor-mount so you can stomp 'em.
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyLooks good so far.  What are you planning on doing for a floor pan, extruded metal or sheet?  Doing the throttle off the handlebars is fairly easy, especially a brake-lever type throttle like you have there. (Hey, if gopeds can have throttles like that, no reason not to try using them in other applications.  Some barstool racers have 'em, too.)  The brakes, i would suggest floor-mount so you can stomp 'em.
Reply:If you don't change your steering configuration, how will you get accustomed to learning which way to lean when you turn the wheel?
Reply:Originally Posted by DoogleassIf you don't change your steering configuration, how will you get accustomed to learning which way to lean when you turn the wheel?
Reply:I gotta start waiting, and refreshing endlessly in order to download all the pics.  Dialup sucks.I didn't catch the MIG weld first view.  I liked the flux core weld.  I don't know how to judge the strength and penetration of a MIG  weld by looking at it.  Usually I look at the backside of the steel to see if there's a good heat signature.  Impossible to do on tubing.  Have you done welds on something that you can see the backside?  I'm not a MIG  guyOn the first page of the thread I thought this was a putt putt for the kids to ride around on.  Someone mentioned that with the gearing and motor size, this ol' girl's gonna be able to do maybe 30-40mph.  That's pretty fast for 1" tubing.  Granted that most of the weight will be concentrated not too far forward of the rear axle, but anything forward of where your butt sits will be a pretty long clearspan for small dimension material.I believe the old engineering standards called for 4x overload factors, which isn't out of the question when traveling over uneven ground.  A bump can multiply the downward force many times over.  Laddering the side rails to deepen the web would go a long ways in counteracting any tendancy to buckle.  Probably another 30 bucks in material max, and a few hours work.  Might not even be that much money.  Deepening the web to 3" would be all it would take.The go karts, and minibikes, when I was a kid maybe did 15mph tops.  Man how things change"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by jetlagHaha, well duh, it's not done YET.
Reply:Started on the throttle today... almost done..[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vzcnfTcnpI[/ame]Hobart Handler 187Bainbridge bandsawMakita chop sawHarbor Freight 4.5" grinder
Reply:It looks great. Please keep the pics coming. Could you tell me what the total length and width is? What would you change if you could start over? I might try to build one myself-I would get the tires, steering, engine etc from northern tools. Thanks for sharing your work!!!Joe in NYClarke 131E Arc WelderHitachi 4.5" GrinderCraftsman Air CompressorHF 4x6 Bandsaw
Reply:It may just be the pictures but it looks like you have no caster in your steering knuckles. If you add some caster , the steering will be easier and you will have no front end wobble.BTS Welding
Reply:Think of the difference between the way a chopper with an extended fork self-centers and rides smoothly, versus how a shopping cart rolls when it's not on a perfectly smooth surface.
Reply:Originally Posted by steve buteraIt may just be the pictures but it looks like you have no caster in your steering knuckles. If you add some caster , the steering will be easier and you will have no front end wobble.
Reply:Hey don't listen too they nay sayers... its awesome!Here learning to turn down the Suck...
Reply:Gotta practice on something first, right?  Hopefully your friend's cart WON'T be better ........ (I meant that as in better and faster than yours!)
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyGotta practice on something first, right?  Hopefully your friend's cart WON'T be better ........ (I meant that as in better and faster than yours!)
Reply:PHP Code:Atomik777Re:go-kartproject...Heydon'tlistentootheynaysayers...itsawesome!>>Nay sayers! ? The reason I post when I do is to get critisism and ideas, thats all I was giving,that way the next one he builds will be better.steveBTS Welding
Reply:Originally Posted by steve buteraPHP Code:Atomik777Re:go-kartproject...Heydon'tlistentootheynaysayers...itsawesome!>>Nay sayers! ? The reason I post when I do is to get critisism and ideas, thats all I was giving,that way the next one he builds will be better.steve
Reply:my buddy glenn and i built a dune buggy and finished it up about 9 months ago. still doesnt have the motor in it yet so we have never driven it. if he would quit messing around in arkansas and get back to good ole ohio maybe we could get to take it for a spin. when we were loading it up on the trailer, we discovered we put the steering on upsidedown and when you turn the steering to the left the car goes to the right. lol so instead of fixing it then we said we would do it when we put the motor in it. which is a rotary motor. took us over a year to do what you see and it still isnt finished. Attached Images