I've been really bored and I need something to do. I'm talking a project like building something. Remember that I'm only 13 years old, and I don't live in a rural area. I'm thinking a home made go kart, but that would be pretty hard. Also, money isn't very tight because I'm most likely to get my dad to "fund" it. Please help me and post your ideas here.
Full Version: In dire need of a summer project
I've been really bored and I need something to do. I'm talking a project like building something. Remember that I'm only 13 years old, and I don't live in a rural area. I'm thinking a home made go kart, but that would be pretty hard. Also, money isn't very tight because I'm most likely to get my dad to "fund" it. Please help me and post your ideas here.
QUOTE(Dylan @ Jul 10 2004, 08:19 AM)
I've been really bored and I need something to do. I'm talking a project like building something. Remember that I'm only 13 years old, and I don't live in a rural area. I'm thinking a home made go kart, but that would be pretty hard. Also, money isn't very tight because I'm most likely to get my dad to "fund" it. Please help me and post your ideas here.So, in otherwords your rich.
Try....building something. I dunno.
QUOTE(xAntiAnodyne @ Jul 10 2004, 08:21 AM)
So, in otherwords your rich.
Try....building something. I dunno.
Try....building something. I dunno.
No, I'm not...but build what?
A POTATOOOOO GUNN 
It brought about three days of ridiculous fun to me, porschegt2k and bankievr6 and until it got confiscated after two run-ins with the cops. Really though, its great fun and very fun to build, you just need some kind of woods/meadow to use it in away from people.
It brought about three days of ridiculous fun to me, porschegt2k and bankievr6 and until it got confiscated after two run-ins with the cops. Really though, its great fun and very fun to build, you just need some kind of woods/meadow to use it in away from people.
I like that homemade go-kart idea. I don't think it would be too hard.
QUOTE(Zlover07 @ Jul 10 2004, 01:58 PM)
A POTATOOOOO GUNN
It brought about three days of ridiculous fun to me, porschegt2k and bankievr6 and until it got confiscated after two run-ins with the cops. Really though, its great fun and very fun to build, you just need some kind of woods/meadow to use it in away from people.
It brought about three days of ridiculous fun to me, porschegt2k and bankievr6 and until it got confiscated after two run-ins with the cops. Really though, its great fun and very fun to build, you just need some kind of woods/meadow to use it in away from people.
you beat me to it! lol. but yea, theyre awesome! you can set out on an ambitious one because it would only take you a few days to make a basic one. try a twin tank, propane powered potato cannon! www.spudtech.com
QUOTE(clarkma5 @ Jul 10 2004, 10:18 AM)
I like that homemade go-kart idea. I don't think it would be too hard.
Yeah. I think I might go with that. What materials do you think I'll need?
Well, it depends how "home-made" you wanna make it. If I were to do it, I'd just buy a genero-frame (as they are available) a little 2-stroke motor (at least 2 HP, up to 10 or so.) and then, I dunno, figure out the rest.
Sort of a random suggestion though: when I was in elementary school, my friend had a home-made go kart (with the works...it used a 1 gallon milk jug as its gas tank
) and instead of having a gas PEDAL and a brake PEDAL, he took two brake levers from a bicycle and mounted them on the back of the steering wheel...one for your right hand and one for your left, so he had a brake lever and a gas lever, and it was really really cool to drive that way...pedals are just sorta boring but the behind-the-steering-wheel pedals made it feel like an F1 car's paddle shifts. Very cool sensation. 
Sort of a random suggestion though: when I was in elementary school, my friend had a home-made go kart (with the works...it used a 1 gallon milk jug as its gas tank
) and instead of having a gas PEDAL and a brake PEDAL, he took two brake levers from a bicycle and mounted them on the back of the steering wheel...one for your right hand and one for your left, so he had a brake lever and a gas lever, and it was really really cool to drive that way...pedals are just sorta boring but the behind-the-steering-wheel pedals made it feel like an F1 car's paddle shifts. Very cool sensation.
Those handles sound really awesome but I like the pedals idea because it's like a car but I guess it would be possible to use both, and just which ever one you want.. That would be cool if I dropped a recaro seat or something in there though 
. Also, how much would a,lets say, 5hp engine cost? And about the frame, does it cokme with tyres and stearing and a seat and stuff?
. Also, how much would a,lets say, 5hp engine cost? And about the frame, does it cokme with tyres and stearing and a seat and stuff?
Well, it depends on the kit, but here's what one frame kit comes with:
To find more, just search google for "go kart frame" or something similar.
As for the cost of an engine, it looks like a 5 HP motor will go for somewhere in the range of $200-$400, depending on the brand and where you buy it from. I'm looking at a tecumseh engine right now that's about $250.
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/gokartengines.cfm
To find more, just search google for "go kart frame" or something similar.
As for the cost of an engine, it looks like a 5 HP motor will go for somewhere in the range of $200-$400, depending on the brand and where you buy it from. I'm looking at a tecumseh engine right now that's about $250.
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/gokartengines.cfm
Alright, cool. As for the engines, would the 8 hp be a waste of money? And that frame, what kind is it and how much does it cost?
BTW, here's where I'm getting my info and prices from: http://www.jackssmallengines.com/gocartpar...arts_index.html
As for the "more horsepower" question, I guess it really depends on how fast you wanna go. A 5 HP would have good pickup and would probably get you going 30 MPH or so, an 8 would probably extend that to 35 or 40. Personally, I think a 5 HP is fine, but if you can get an 8 for not much more I'd probably go for that. Either way, you're not going to go that fast...you get the sensation of speed from being close to the ground in a really lightweight vehicle.
And it looks like a frame would cost about $500 or so, and that includes some other parts like bearings and stuff. Truth be told, I'm not really sure what all these part names mean and where they go
As for the "more horsepower" question, I guess it really depends on how fast you wanna go. A 5 HP would have good pickup and would probably get you going 30 MPH or so, an 8 would probably extend that to 35 or 40. Personally, I think a 5 HP is fine, but if you can get an 8 for not much more I'd probably go for that. Either way, you're not going to go that fast...you get the sensation of speed from being close to the ground in a really lightweight vehicle.
And it looks like a frame would cost about $500 or so, and that includes some other parts like bearings and stuff. Truth be told, I'm not really sure what all these part names mean and where they go
Yeah I was looking at this one but I don't know what it comes with and what extra I'd have to buy. And I don't know some parts either.
Ah, you can see, if you click on the upper-right hand picture, that it just comes with the metal tub, the little thing that holds up the steering wheel, and that's it. However, for $140 that's pretty good.
Oh, it looks like if I get that frame I'm gonna have to get alot of other parts.
EDIT. Found this list of parts and their prices.
EDIT². All right! I found this frame that comes with all the parts except for the engine, clutch and chain gaurd.
EDIT³. Is there any difference in price if you buy the parts from the list or in the kit?
EDIT. Found this list of parts and their prices.
EDIT². All right! I found this frame that comes with all the parts except for the engine, clutch and chain gaurd.
EDIT³. Is there any difference in price if you buy the parts from the list or in the kit?
I like that other site you found...it looks like that big two-page list of parts is what you need to actually build the thing, save an engine and a clutch.
i blow things up when im bored 
or light them on fire
Okay, now I have another thing. I made 13,000 USD on my bar mitzvah in january and I'm debating weather I should spend 800 of it to make this go kart. Discuss .
EDIT. The parts that I plan to use (if I decide I'm buying it)
frame
engine (6HP OHH60-71119C OHV Enduro Tecumseh)
other stuff
.EDIT. The parts that I plan to use (if I decide I'm buying it)
frame
engine (6HP OHH60-71119C OHV Enduro Tecumseh)
other stuff
If you got $13k, $800 is a small price to pay on a cool new go-kart. Go for it!
I guess you're right...but do these things come with instruction manuals? For real life though.
For real life though.
13K????? Spend a g on a go kart and save the rest and get urself a bangin first car. Haha or you could just spend 13K on a completely ridiculous go-kart... and mount a potato cannon on it!
Damnit! I as informed that I can't drive a go kart anywhere in my town. Do you think there is any way that I could get a liscence or something. Oh well, keep on brainstorming, I still need something to do!
Or you could make a flamethrower. Make it!
[img]http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:XgtPvOq97zwJ:www.fiddledd.fsnet.co.uk/WD-40.gif[/img]+[img]http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:ckwR_fbkIzYJ:www.inv.co.jp/~baba/jpeg/zippo/fire.jpg[/img]=FUN!!
QUOTE(xAntiAnodyne @ Jul 11 2004, 01:08 PM)
Or you could make a flamethrower. Make it!
Super Soaker filled with gasoline and a lit candle on a wire straight out from the nozzel.
^ great fun only thing is the gas starts to melt the seals within the gun
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