Hey everybody, it's KartFab here, and today we are going to go over all the materials
you need to build own go kart from scratch.
We're going to go over the tools you need, the go kart parts kit you need, the frame
materials, as well as all of the hardware to bolt it all together.
So lets check it out!
Alright, so when you are building a go kart, you need a workbench or a flat space to work
on.
I made this out of wood, and you will see why on a later video, but all you need is
a flat space.
There are three power tools that you are going to need to build a go kart.
We're going to take a look at all three right here, starting with the angle grinder.
So, basically there are a few attachments that you are going to need to put on your
angle grinder.
The first is a thin wheel, the other one is thicker.
This thin wheel is called a metal cut off wheel.
You are going to need about three to five metal cut off wheels to cut your steel.
This thick one is called a grinding disc, that is used to bevel the edges and remove
burrs.
You are just going to need one of those.
The next thing you are going to need is a wire wheel, or a wire cup.
You just need one of those, and that is what I used to remove the rust from the frame prior
to painting the frame.
Yeah, so that's pretty much it there, and the last thing we are going to look at is
the sanding disc, or flapper disc.
This is what I used to finish the grinding of the frame (bumper) after I ground down
some welds to make it look good.
So yeah, thats it for the angle grinder.
The second is obviously a welder.
There are three different types of welding.
There are MIG, STICK, and TIG.
This first one is MIG, I would recommend it.
This second one here is stick welding.
It is old school, you know what, if you have got one you can use that as well.
Any method works.
Then finally, TIG welding.
TIG welding is very hard to do if you are just starting out so, I would not recommend
doing that.
So, stick with a MIG welder.
I put a link in the description for a nice cheap one if you need to get one.
You are also going to need a drill and some drill bits.
The drill will be used to drill holes for the throttle and brake pedal as well as a
few holes in the brackets that you are going to put on the go kart.
This is optional, and you don't need this, its an abrasive chop saw.
Its really nice to have, but not necessary.
Next up is measuring tools.
This is a level.
Use it to make sure your go kart is... level.
You also need a tape measure, I used a razor blade, but you can also use a marker or whatever
you need to mark the steel.
Then right here is a protractor, I am using that to measure some of my angles that are
not ninety or forty five.
Then I am using a combination level that will measure a ninety or a forty five degree angle.
So you can either use a protractor, or a combination level.
Also, it is nice to have a C-Clamp, angle finder, (this is super cheap, I got it for
like $2 at harbor freight), and then some nails and a hammer.
This will brace the stuff that you weld together onto your table, that is why I used wood.
Next up is the go kart parts kit.
This is what I got from go power sports, and I provided a link in the description to this
exact kit, so if you got the plans and are ready to build, this is the kit that you need
to get, so check it out.
So I am going to look at each part in detail.
The first one is the drive wheel.
You assemble a sprocket and brake drum on it to form the drive wheel assembly.
Next is the bench seat or two seat with the seat sliders, or seat adjusters.
Combined, they let you have a short or tall rider.
Then we have the remaining three wheels with the tires and bearings.
They go right on the go kart.
I have the centrifugal clutch, sprocket, and chain.
When they are all installed, that is what propels the go kart forward when you step
on the gas.
You need to stop, so you have a brake band and a brake drum, and when you step on the
brakes; it squeezes on the drum and lets you stop.
We also have the motor mount that lets you put chain tension on the chain.
then we have tie rods, brake and gas pedals with return springs, as well as the spindles
and spindle brackets that weld right onto the frame.
Then we also have a little kill switch, so if you need to turn the go kart off, you just
flip that switch.
Then we have a throttle cable for your go kart that allows you to remotely operate the
throttle from the throttle pedal; and a steering wheel, you know, obviously because you need
to steer your go kart.
So, that pretty much concludes the entire go kart parts kit that I got from go power
sports, now this kit does not come with the steel, nor the hardware (I'll show you that
next).
However, you have the option of getting an engine with it.
It is a 3/4" straight shaft, horizontal shaft engine.
6.5 hp engine.
Again, the link is in the description for the kit, and the engine.
Alright, so the steel you need for your go kart build can be found at any steel yard
by looking for "steel distributors near me" on google, so the dimensions are all in the
plans, but here's the basic materials you need.
Square tubing, for the frame.
1"x1"x11 gauge.
For the rest of the frame you are going to need sheet metal (that's 16 gauge for the
floor pan).
For the remainder there's some steel plate, which is 3/16" thick.
You can look in the plans for all the dimensions, I'm not going to list them all out here, but
they are in the description below for the free plans.
The next little bit is 3/8" round bar used for the foot rest as well as the retaining
stud for the brake band, as well as the throttle stop and the brake stop.
This limits the travel of the brake and the throttle so it doesn't go too far forward,
or too far back.
I also have some 3/4" x 11 gauge tubing that is used for the steering column, or the steering
shaft.
I also have some 1"x1"x1/8" angle iron for the steering stops.
Finally, I have 1/4" round bar for the brake rod; and finally we have hardware.
The hardware I purchased separately.
I got it at tractor supply, but you can get it at any hardware store.
Nuts, bolts, washers, spacers, and a cotter pin or two.
Again, that is all in the plans.
So in summary, we went over the power tools, materials to measure, go kart parts kit, steel
and hardware.
All of which are the materials you need to build your own go kart from scratch.
Hey everybody, thanks for watching this video.
If you like it, go ahead and give it a thumbs up and comment below.
If you don't already know, I have a website (KartFab.com).
That's where you can download the plans, and get started on building your own go kart from
scratch.
I also have a few videos out.
The previous video is go kart plans.
The one we just went over is go kart materials.
I also wrote an article on that, and that is in this description here.
The next one coming right up will be various ways to cut steel, so you can get your steel
ready right before you go ahead and weld.
Thanks for watching, and we'll catch you next time.