Push go-karts

Shopping list for go-kart above (for Oakland Calif):

Wheel - Sku #7161003  4 Laurel Ace Hardware
5/8"x6" Lag Bolt 4 Bay Bolt
5/8" Washer 8 Bay Bolt
1/2"x4" Carriage Bolt 1 Bay Bolt
1/2" Washer 2 Bay Bolt
1/2" Lock Washer 1 Bay Bolt
1/2" Nut (recommend using nyloc nut) 1 Bay Bolt
1-1.5" Panhead Screws (for seat) 9 Bay Bolt
2.5-3" Wood Screws 16 Bay Bolt
10' 2x4 Construction Grade 1 Economy Lumber
5' Nylon Rope 1 Ace Hardware

Bathroom Plunger from Dollar Tree (this is the brake for the go-kart)

 

Optional for wheels:

Wheels - $3.25 per 10" spoke wheel BUT no bearings.  * Requires different sized lag bolt and washer Laurel Ace Hardware
Wheels - $4.99 per 10" Pneumatic Tire plus many other options.  *May require different sized lag bolt Harbor Freight Tools http://www.harborfreight.com

Below is where this project began . . .



Go-karts can be made for pennies from scraps and wheels and parts from Freecycle, Craigslist Free Stuff, and abandoned curb side materials (training wheels, carts, wood, etc.) or for well under $60 from a trip to Ace Hardware or Home Depot.

Here's the simplest plan in the world and it is sturdy enough to carry a 200 lbs adult:


A friend pre-cut all the wood and my 5-year-old assembled the kits. I am a high school teacher and can quickly and easily collect plastic seats from broken desks and chairs by drilling out the rivets. Repurpose them so they do not end up at the dump. You can score a plastic seat from Freecycle or Craigslist or buy something cool looking from the "as-is" area at Ikea for cheap.

If you have access to drill press for 20" you can pre-drill the kits:


Here is the shopping list:
You will need 4 wheels. Ace Hardware sells ones which work very very well. They cost $10/each. Although for $6, I think these from Harbor Freight Tools would work as well or better -they come in silver or gold. Another excellent option for wheels comes from Ace Hardware. You want 10" plus tall wheels with bearings (not plastic sleeves) for top performance. There are also tread'd versions of this exact tire. Among all the kids with these wheels on their go-karts their go-karts performed the best; although I suspect the Harbor Freight Tools ones would be excellent and hold up just as well. Put the money into the wheels, because you will be able to reuse them with multiple karts.

* After you buy the wheels take them to a hardware store and find a long bolt that fights tightly in the middle of the wheel. You want it to go into the 2x4 axle about 5 or 6 inches.

You also need:

Qty: 1
3/8" eye bolt / locknut / qty: 3 washers

Qty: 8
3/8" washers for the wheel mounting

Qty: 30
2 and 3/4s" wood screws

Qty: 25
2" wood screws

30" of thin nylon rope for steering wheels

22" length 2x4" or 2x2" to mount your brake to. Check Home Depot scrap pile for cheap. You will also want need to buy qty: 10 some easy on the butt carriage screws with washers and nuts at 6" to mount your seat to the frame and not have the screws pull through the seat.

* Remember, with patience, you can find wheels for less or free. That is the major cost of the go-kart.

We built in the morning and drove in the afternoon:


This project started off with just my son making a go-cart (but I STRONGLY recommend against a seat like this. He falls off when he turns. So do I!):


I argue this is fun from toddler to teen. A great way to keep the kids busy for a weekend.

The name 510cc plays off of (1) engine size and (2) our area code + car club. If you start a go-kart club in another area code, ie "503cc" please send pix link or a youtube video link. Would love to see more or new variations on the road.