| The question of "What material am I going to make | | | | so you can determine what tools you are going to |
| this go kart out of?" actually is the age old question | | | | need, and where and how you are going to procure |
| that spurns innovation. So I am not going to say that | | | | your go kart materials. Basically at this point you will |
| making a gas go kart out of wood is stupid, or dumb. | | | | be assembling a bill of material (detailed list of all |
| I would just caution that sound principles of design | | | | components with costs associated with each item). |
| are not thrown to the wind. | | | | This is the step towards finding out how much the |
| Some of the most fantastic automobiles are made | | | | go kart is going to cost, and if you can really make |
| out of epoxy or custom materials, basically glorified | | | | the go kart for $200 or not. |
| plastics, that make the vehicle light and strong. | | | | Note to reader: This Prep Course is entitled Go Kart |
| I get a lot of people looking to make a go kart out | | | | Building 101, but you will notice that as we progress |
| of wood, and I presume this is because it is the | | | | down the list, you will find that at least some basic |
| most readily available material at their disposal. | | | | understanding of mechanical principles both in engine |
| Additionally they have a background in wood and | | | | mechanics and go kart operational mechanics will be |
| know how to work in it very well. I have seen some | | | | very beneficial in saving money. Over the next five |
| very ingenious type go karts on the web that are | | | | years you could save hundreds of dollars in engine |
| made out of wood. Unfortunately, I have yet to see | | | | repair bills alone. I would suggest that you get a |
| one that is designed to take the rigors of off | | | | primer in engine diagnostics. As you will see (later in |
| roading, the vibrations of engines, and the abuse of | | | | the series), Engines are reviewed in minor details, but |
| youth. | | | | this is just sufficient to steer you clear of |
| Typically the go kart style made out of wood is the | | | | troublesome go karts. |
| wagon style steering system, which I must warn, is | | | | You do not, however, have to steer clear of these |
| very unstable and really is not suited for anything | | | | go karts! You could buy a gokart with a faulty engine |
| going above 10 mph. | | | | at a good price and fix the engine yourself for the |
| The concept of which material to use, and how to | | | | cost of the parts, which usually only runs around $10 |
| build a frame adequate to handle the rigors of go | | | | or $20 at the most. |
| karting are basic engineering questions. I cannot | | | | I will let you in on a little secret: How to Build a Go |
| exhaust those questions here. But it is sufficient to | | | | Kart is more about saving lots of money here and |
| say that if you are struggling with stresses and | | | | there and making smart moves. These primers are |
| strengths of things, that you look into a good text | | | | designed to save you money, time and aggravation. |
| book, or other engineering related resources. | | | | Read on my friend.... |
| The material question needs to be answered though, | | | | |