Homemade Wooden GoKart

http://www.instructables.
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Homemade Wooden GoKart
by hunter13 on October 14, 2011
Table of Contents
Homemade Wooden GoKart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Intro: Homemade Wooden GoKart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Step 1: Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Step 2: Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Step 3: Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Step 4: Rear Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Step 5: Drive System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Step 6: Throttle And Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Wooden-GoKart/
Author:hunter13
To the man who loves art for its own sake, it is frequently in its least important and lowliest manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. -S.H.
Intro: Homemade Wooden GoKart
This is the perfect budget gokart for people who love speed and danger. I don't think anyone sells anything like this ,so it's pretty much one of a kind. I Installed a Briggs
And Stratton 5HP engine on it. It has 10" tires that have a 300lb loading weight each. We got it up to 21mph. Pretty good for a hunk of pine. I have to admit, though, it is
pretty cool. Diclaimer: it is very dangerous, especially without brakes. All in all, it cost me around $185. Here's a link to a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLILV_xiJCM. I'VE GOT A NEW VIDEO: http://youtu.be/uaHUD5VmzxM
Step 1:Frame
Essentially, it is made out of pine, which is light(ish). You want a main board stretching from front to back for support. The seat is up to you. It could be a plastic chair with
the legs cut off. The engine mount should be sturdy
Image Notes
1. You want a main board stretching from front to back.
2. Engine mount
Step 2:Front
Next, install the wooden front axle. I used u-bolts to clamp the metal axle (the wheels are attached to it) to the wood.
Image Notes
1. My cat Pippa
2. UBolts
Step 3:Engine
I mounted the engine to the frame.
Step 4:Rear Wheels
Next, I went to Lowe's and got a 3/4" steel rod for my axle. I inserted bearings into wood and slid the axle through. Then, I put adjustable retaining rings on the inside of
each bearing to keep the axle from slipping.
Image Notes
1. Adjustable retaining ring
2. Bearing
Step 5:Drive System
I bought a sprocket and a Max Torque clutch and a #35 chain. The sprocket is actually bolted to the hub.
Step 6:Throttle And Steering
I just installed a simple throttle handle directly connected to the throttle. The steering handle gives you better control than your feet do.
Image Notes
1. Throttle
2. Steering
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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 102 comments
garsam says: Mar 7, 2014. 5:16 AM REPLY
could you tell me a full list of material needed pls tnx!!
curvy77 says: Sep 16, 2013. 8:33 PM REPLY
working on something similar, but with a different propulsion system. how did u arrange the steering and where did the brakes make contact? the wheel or
axel?
kristianhardeman says: Nov 10, 2011. 10:03 AM REPLY
dit is cool ik ga er een maken
cheapasdirt says: Dec 1, 2011. 6:09 AM REPLY
I don't what language you typed that in but I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering what exactly it is you said.
canwedoityeswecan says: Dec 28, 2011. 3:47 PM REPLY
at least whomever posted in their native language wasn't offensive to anyone, and no words were left out as in your brilliant remark "I don't what...." I
believe the word would be "I don't KNOW what...." would have been read more accurately, had it been written accurately. No you are not the only
one wondering what exactly is is that the person said. I did wonder, but looked it up, the same as you could have, instead of insulting someone with
offensive remarks. What in the world would possess you to be such an ignorant fool by typing what you did? Has nothing to do with the subject,
moron.
Aaron Stein says: Jan 6, 2013. 1:07 PM REPLY
dude big deal it isnt that offensive
daredevil499 says: Sep 10, 2012. 4:13 PM REPLY
he said, "this is cool I'm going to make".
arnoutdejans says: Dec 1, 2011. 8:05 AM REPLY
He is from Belgium (as i do) or the Netherlands. He saids something like:
"Wow, how cool, gonna build one my own" ;)
oklipock says: Dec 18, 2012. 12:51 PM REPLY
i like the general design. ive been looking for an easy way to do the steering. how fast is it and what is the sum of costs?
hunter13 says: Jan 3, 2013. 1:48 PM REPLY
My gps says 21.4mph. As for cost, around $200
mstandring says: Jun 19, 2012. 7:20 PM REPLY
How much and where did you get the back two wheels? did you drill holes into the hub for sproket? or were there already holes in the hub when you purchased
it?
juanp says: Jun 12, 2012. 4:59 PM REPLY
Where did you get the motor from?
hunter13 says: May 31, 2012. 2:24 PM REPLY
Please visit my new gokart here
ChewyCov says: Feb 24, 2012. 11:46 AM REPLY
Wow great guide! I remember a few years ago me and a friend were planning on making our own go kart (we were 15 at the time and stupid) and we would
have killed for a guide like this! I'm hoping to give this a go in the summer!
ashwinlit says: Jan 8, 2012. 8:04 AM REPLY
Video?
hunter13 says: Jan 25, 2012. 3:57 PM REPLY
Under the first picture is a link.
Hippymike96 says: Dec 9, 2011. 7:45 PM REPLY
How much did the engine cost? Was that the bulk of the money? Any ideas on how to make brakes?
hunter13 says: Dec 12, 2011. 1:01 PM REPLY
I got the engine at an auction for 60$. Perhaps bike brakes, spoon brakes, or something that clamps around the sprocket.
codydean says: Dec 23, 2011. 12:48 AM REPLY
sweet i got an 18 hp briggs but its vertical shaft :/ ill figure something out.
davehart says: Jan 7, 2012. 4:35 PM REPLY
slap a 5 speed Tecumseh transmission(found on most mtds) under it and connect your engine to it with a love joy coupling(can get them at some
farm stores). That's what i did at least...
davehart says: Dec 2, 2011. 6:37 PM REPLY
My cousing and i made a go cart like this, except for it is ALOT bigger, no engine, but it has a suspension and brakes. Its realy heavy lugging up the hill but
really fun! Oh ya, and i'm 14
hunter13 says: Dec 5, 2011. 10:25 AM REPLY
That's amazing. I would advise you to add an engine in the back. It wouldn't take much!
Ive actually been thinking about putting one on it lately, a have a 5 speed lawnmower transmission that would bolt right up and an engine that i could
mount on the bed.
Awesome.
Well, i got the engine and steering wheel on it. It doesnt have a clutch so it shifts like a rock. Still, really fun and fast. sorry about the bad
pictures, it was at night.
Dude! That's a great gokart. Keep it up.
next photo
shdude666 says: Dec 21, 2011. 6:49 AM REPLY
how does the throttle work?
The right handle moves a rod that goes directly to the throttle on the engine.
tonycabus says: Oct 20, 2011. 8:42 AM REPLY
Where's the brake?!?!?!
cheapasdirt says: Dec 1, 2011. 6:11 AM REPLY
Your feet suffice I assume. I've stopped more than one speeding go cart using only my feet.
vov35 says: Oct 20, 2011. 10:30 AM REPLY
haha, get it, you said brake...
no really, there is none.
hunter13 says: Nov 22, 2011. 12:00 PM REPLY
What I really should do is put an electric motor on it, a car battery, a solar panel, and perhaps a little something to control my speed:)
professorzed says: Oct 20, 2011. 8:12 PM REPLY
I think you could add 'spoon' brakes if you wanted. Well any kind of brakes really. Spoon brakes are pretty primitive.
Basically, a 'spoon brake' is like putting your foot on the wheel and applying pressure with the sole of your shoe until the wheel stops. Instead of your own
foot/ boot though, you would be stepping on a pedal which would be pushing a big chunk of rubber against the wheel.
In your case, maybe a 2 x4 underneath and behind the seat which presses against the wheel when a foot pedal is pressed down. You'd have to screw on a
chunk of rubber to the 2 x 4 such as an old car tire or something. Boot heels would work well as brakes too of course. I guess if you really wanted it to look
'Fred Flintstone'/ Little Rascals' you could just use the whole boot.
Try to put the brake pedal on the left side of the go-cart, since most people are intuitively familiar with this as the brake position from driving cars.
hunter13 says: Nov 17, 2011. 10:49 AM REPLY
Good point, I should put brakes on sometime.
I partially shredded the soul of my left boot trying to stop it while going down the road.
voyageur10 says: Nov 15, 2011. 2:30 AM REPLY
My thoughts exactly! A set of spoon brakes and this thing would be top notch!
Awesome go-kart, thanks dude!
voyageur10 says: Nov 15, 2011. 2:33 AM REPLY
Thanks for this! Cool project.
jwolski1 says: Nov 3, 2011. 2:25 PM REPLY
Great project! I've wanted to build something like this for years.
To everyone complaining about features and safety: I did things way more dangerous when I was a kid than to drive something like this. Parents today are
obnoxiously over protective. You can't wrap your kids in bubble wrap at all times and there is nothing wrong with bumps, bruises, and road rash. Just be happy
that your kids are outside playing and not glued to the TV.
I have 3 young kids and would let them play with this under close supervision... although i think my wife wouldn't. :)
hunter13 says: Nov 4, 2011. 1:00 PM REPLY
My kids aren't doing ANYTHING right now... actually, I don't have kids (I'm fifteen). I see your point though.
jwolski1 says: Nov 4, 2011. 1:08 PM REPLY
Well, I'm 34. So, you are a kid to me. :) Have fun with the kart!
Kasm279 says: Oct 20, 2011. 9:31 AM REPLY
Try using a lever that pushes against the rear sheel(s) for a brake!
That will rip the tire though.
Kasm279 says: Nov 1, 2011. 2:58 PM REPLY
Not if it pushes flat against the tyre, I suppose I should have specified that. (i.e. with O the wheel and | the lever) |O or when pushed, /O.
myles136 says: Oct 20, 2011. 7:14 PM REPLY
RWD cars are one wheel drive....no problem....so it torques to one side....so what!
Really annoying.
myles136 says: Nov 1, 2011. 9:33 AM REPLY
Northern Tool and Equipment has Go-Cart Differential axles in their catalog and on-line. Copy and Paste this link.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_35768_35768
joeofloath says: Oct 20, 2011. 7:29 AM REPLY
For easy braking, maybe find a cable operated clutch and use engine braking? Won't stop you fast, but you'll be able to slow down faster than by
freewheeling!
I did do some engine braking while going down a hill. It nearly skidded the tires.
joeofloath says: Nov 1, 2011. 9:06 AM REPLY
Wow, that's surprisingly effective!
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