I want to build my own go cart, but I don't know how to.?

Question

I can't wield and I have like no money. I'm only 14. I want to build a metal go cart with a frame that goes over the head. Any ideas?

I can't wield and I have like no money. I'm only 14. I want to build a metal go cart with a frame that goes over the head. Any ideas? Also, do I buy the engine or make it?

Answer 1

14 AND NO MONEY... hardly an ideal start. Do you have parents, Uncles; a buddy in an auto body shop or junk yard?

No real offense meant; but the task sounds pretty daunting. It also reminds me of my first and only downhill racer. Long before GO KARTS were considered.

It was a 1x 12 pine plank salvaged, with salvaged baby carriage wheels, 2 x 4's rope a broom handle shaft, a seat; and could beat any other in town.

Answer 2

Is there a technical college in your area, if so, the department head for the mechanical division might be of assistance to you. Actually, if you and the guys don't mind a little extra learning, getting aid from such a school might not be a bad idea. Where else to learn how to do it right, as well as how to build the best machine possible.
Plans, go to the stores that sell ready made carts and study how they were made, and make notes and drawings of how the cart looks. Instead of welding, you can use bolts. Make sure that the hole for a bolt is not more that half of the diameter of the tube, or pipe that it is drilled through. If the hole is to big, it can weaken the pipe.
Go to the scrap metal businesses to see if anyone has tossed out a chassis. That might be a good source for a frame.
To move your cart, as we both know, you need an engine. Most friction clutches used in carts will not transfer power until the engine is at about 2000 rpm. Since the top end is about 3600 rpm, that doesn't leave a lot of room for throttle from barely moving to full speed.
I don't know where you live, but Northern tools is a good source for parts to build your own cart. Yes, I know that you don't have a lot of money, but how badly do you want the machine? Car washes, errands, and mowing lawns are a way to earn some extra money.
One last idea, there are people who race go-karts. Get with them, and see what help you can get for your project.
To get the engine that you want, consider rebuilding one. It will be an excellent lesson in what makes those engines work, and a less expensive way to get one. You will probably want a horizontal shaft engine, and Briggs makes about the best one around. Look in the trader magazines for engines for sale, or lawn mowers for sale. You'll need to find one with a horizontal shaft engine, but with a little "wizardry", a vertical shaft engine just might work as well. I mention this because with the transmission (that works) from a riding mower, your go-kart would be a lot easier to build, and control.
The technical schools also have no credit summer courses, see if you and your friends could get into one that is for welding, especially MIG welding. You might even be able to befriend the instructor, and get the help that you need.
MY spin: Start off with a riding mower. Even if the engine is bad, the transmission and frame are an excellent start. A push type mower has a rotor underneath..the only shaft u can use is facing down when the motor is upright...not a good start, though it CAN be done Veritcal shafts, where the crankshaft comes out the bottom of the engine, as in most lawn mowers, are very difficult to convert for go-cart applications. If the engine is less than 5 HP then you have to find a cast iron flywheel, very difficult to do, then you have to fabricate some kind of gear box; also very difficult and expensive to do. If u really like go carts, you gotta check this guys out...get you in the mood? http://geetel.net/~turbojer/gallery8.htm

Answer 3

With no money no wielding skills.
your going to have a very hard way to go your going to have to have help theres no other way.
your best bet is to try and do some odd jobs in the area you live in to make some money. You can get a used cart that works for about $200
I know that seems like alot of money at 14 but its not you just need to work hard and you can get one in 2 months or so.
hes some tips to make some money
cut some grass
rake yards
pick up pop cans
deliver the news paper
good luck

Answer 4

Get 2 metal trash cans and use a little saw blade and a nail to punch a start hole, saw the bottom 1/3 off of one can and cut a windshield area out, cut out a cockpit in the other can wrap edges in lots of duct tape, either metal screw or duct tape the widshield can to the cockpit can, get 4 wheels off old wagon or shopping carts, get 2 metal rods for axels and put the wheels on them add caps to the ends of the rods to keep the wheels on or use more duct tape, get 4 U brackets to hold the axels on and bolt them into the cans and put washers on too and nuts on the inside cover with duct tape put a pillow inside go to the top of a hill and make sure there is no vehicles or boulders in your path. Good luck! Have no idea how to make a steering mechanisim Ha!@

Answer 5

I race Karts, so you are talking expensive, unless it is a Wally world type thing that you want like sand dune buggy type..To be honest?..the kind of Karts out there?..unless they have a safety harness, I don't recommend them unless you are under adult supervision...
If you can't weld, then there is a problem...you won't be able to modify or build the appropriate type of Kart you are wanting..
The guy that said Chain saw engine?..he's right, though you need to learn about the chain, and sprockets, that go in sync with each other, otherwise, you will fry your engine or worse yet?..Blow something...I have 3 Karts that I race..the cheapest I ever got by?...3500.00 and the high end? 6500.00 Just depends on what you want to do...first, you need to learn about air-cooled engines, find a frame, and not one that is bent...That is the worst thing you can have, is a bent frame...My suggestion?..I would get a paper route and start saving the money...or find a job for a 14 year old...because you don't need to try and get a kart and not know what you are doing...You can go to the library, or get in touch with someone from the International Karting Association...You will find lots of information from them...

Answer 6

I'd use the cheepest metal tubing for a frame and for the engine use a chain saw engine it'll work the best and you should be able to find one at a pawn shop

Answer 7

first of all, "tough_guy" your a fucking prick!!!!
talking shit to a 14 year old that is trying to learn something!

now for the go-cart part. its better if you look it up on line but its not difficult. all you need is a lawn mower engine, a couple of shopping carts and a grown up that knows how to weld. good luck buddy =0)

Answer 8

My son built his own dune buggy. He bought a used frame after he checked all the welding points, etc and went from there. He went to salvage yards, ebay, etc for all the things he needed. He had a great time doing it! It took him awhile, but it was worth it!

Answer 9

yea the best thing are often built from diccarded
trash.
NO money,so you hafto use your head ,and scrounge what you need.the motor can come from a lawnmower,or what ever you can find.scrounge all the wheels you can and what ever you need.once yolu have the frame with front
end you scrounged.paint mounting wheels..mounting motor,and clutch.sprokeets may be a buy item.
I built mine and it had a windshield from a old
byplane,

Answer 10

So..
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Best