Would fence pipe make a good frame for a go- cart?

[Twitch57]

For kicks me and a couple of friends are gonna build a go- cart

we are pretty serious about it and are planning on putting in a 6hp motor

and making it a pretty fast and off road capable

but we are sorta on a budget

the question is would fence pipe make a good frame for it?

Im pretty sure i can get access to a pipe bender and a welder but is fence pipe the thing I should be using, if not then what would be my best bet

 

[Jspafford]

I have no idea, but I am going to say no. I have seen how easy it will bed. Black pipe may work, but it may also be too bendable.

Don't want it folding up on you at 50mph.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

PVC would do the trick! lol

I'd use C-channels or for the bassic chassis and the stuff used for tierods and drag links for the cage.

 

[Sunk]

What kind of pipe? If its galvanized stuff watch out when you're welding that

 

[regnardrof39]

fence post is galvanize. welding on galvanize puts off very harmful gases. so if you do weld on it be in a very well ventilated area and maybe even use a respirator.

but i wouldn't use it for a roll cage or any thing like that. should at least use mild steel or DOM.

 

[jgrnot]

fence post is galvanize. welding on galvanize puts off very harmful gases. so if you do weld on it be in a very well ventilated area and maybe even use a respirator.

but i wouldn't use it for a roll cage or any thing like that. should at least use mild steel or DOM.

Welding anything puts off very harmful gasses, not just galv.

 

[Sunk]

Its zinc vapor that hits the air and becomes zinc oxide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

 

[CJREX]

The pipe you want is Schedule 40 black steel pipe.

You can get it at Lowes or similar.

Very cheap, very strong, easy to weld, easy to bend with your Harbor Freight bender.

It's what most go-cart guys use and a lot of off-roaders use it on their trucks too (though it is frowned upon for structural cages, some use it for armor)

If you're going to get seriously froggy with your cart, get HREW tubing.

Be sure to post pics!

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

you can also buy premade go-cart frames, they are not that bad, then you can build the kit however you want. Also look in the classifieds for used go carts, then mod one to your needs.

 

[Twitch57]

Thanks, Schedule 40 it is

Ill be sure to post pics of the build

 

[mhughes165]

me and my buddy just got done makin a shifter cart, has a 125cc yamaha motor on it, should rip, but we just used a old frame and modded it up

 

[holyford86]

Im working on finding a used go kart frame to put a 750 suzuki motor on right now, kind of a winter project of sorts. we're probably going to need to strengthen a frame quite a bit to use it but we think it will be easier to do than making a whole frame.

 

[97BlackBetty]

I got lucky and my uncle had an old 1500cc vw powered buggy in the barn. I bought it from him for $500 and am currently rebuilding it. But good luck on the build. Had a 250cc go cart that without the engine weighed in under 100lbs. We could lift the front tires with no problem if we could get traction.

 

[Kdawg532]

im thinking of buildin one with a suzuki 230cc SOHC(oversized cam) bored out as big as you can get it and make a go kart out of that i think that thing would be a good off roader i have some pics of the Quad it used to be in and i was ankle deep in mud and i still got out with it.

 

[Southern3.0]

How bout this for a test for steel fence post. My buddys asked me to weld up a stripper pole for a party where having this weekend. We'll throw a heavy girl on there and if it can hold up to that it think should be pleanty strong for a go cart frame.