Rethread to more common thread?

Firstram said:
I disagree, threaded bungs are welded into tubing to make custom length tie rods every day. The OP has the needed threads that he can weld into tubing. The proper method would be to drill a hole through the end of the tube to allow plug welding as well as welding around the end. All of this is dependent on the OP being able to get a quality weld of course.

This is a random example

Amazon.com: 1/4-28 RH + LH Weld In Threaded Heim Joint Tube Adapter Bung for 1/2 Dia by .058 Wall Tube : Automotive

Buy 1/4-28 RH + LH Weld In Threaded Heim Joint Tube Adapter Bung for 1/2 Dia by .058 Wall Tube: Tie Rod Ends - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
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If you were unsure of your welding skill you could perhaps have backup cross drilled pins so they wont abruptly fall apart.

Stu
 
Just giving my opinion based on experience. I have seen many modified components and while some are done extremely well, others have failed at the worst possible time. We really don't know what the OP is working on since he hasn't posted pictures but I subscribe to Carroll Smith's philosophies on building parts for race cars.

http://www.carrollsmith.com/books/index.html

I also kinda think that if the OP had the required tools and skills for this job it would already be done. The kart he's working on is probably not one of these.


However, I've seen plenty of homemade karts that truly scared me. My frame of reference is being someone who raced, built, sold and tuned karts for championship winning programs. I've also worked on plenty of "fun" karts for kids and adults alike.

Can you just cut a tie rod in half and weld some random piece of steel from Home Depot into the middle of it? Sure you can. I'm not going to recommend it though, especially when the OP knows that $20 will get him the correct part.

Trade that Home Depot card for cold hard cash and order the right tie rod ;)

JMHO,


John
 
matthewsx said:
Just giving my opinion based on experience. I have seen many modified components and while some are done extremely well, others have failed at the worst possible time. We really don't know what the OP is working on since he hasn't posted pictures but I subscribe to Carroll Smith's philosophies on building parts for race cars.

http://www.carrollsmith.com/books/index.html

I also kinda think that if the OP had the required tools and skills for this job it would already be done. The kart he's working on is probably not one of these.


However, I've seen plenty of homemade karts that truly scared me. My frame of reference is being someone who raced, built, sold and tuned karts for championship winning programs. I've also worked on plenty of "fun" karts for kids and adults alike.

Can you just cut a tie rod in half and weld some random piece of steel from Home Depot into the middle of it? Sure you can. I'm not going to recommend it though, especially when the OP knows that $20 will get him the correct part.

Trade that Home Depot card for cold hard cash and order the right tie rod ;)

JMHO,


John
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Home-made, frame is 1"OD .095 mild steel, motor is a converter alternator, batteries are Milwaukee M18 High Output XC 6.0s, 54V nominal system, geared for max speed of about 19mph. Definitely NOT racing kart material.

I know of no way to "trade" a Home Depot gift card for cash without losing a lot of its value. And there's enough stuff that I buy, I'll probably use it up by the end of summer anyway. What it looks like I'll have to do is just narrow the width of the wheels by about 5 inches. I don't want to because I want it to be more stable, but I can always weld new material and extend it later if I'm not happy with it.
 
LikeTheSandwich said:
Home-made, frame is 1"OD .095 mild steel, motor is a converter alternator, batteries are Milwaukee M18 High Output XC 6.0s, 54V nominal system, geared for max speed of about 19mph. Definitely NOT racing kart material.

I know of no way to "trade" a Home Depot gift card for cash without losing a lot of its value. And there's enough stuff that I buy, I'll probably use it up by the end of summer anyway. What it looks like I'll have to do is just narrow the width of the wheels by about 5 inches. I don't want to because I want it to be more stable, but I can always weld new material and extend it later if I'm not happy with it.
Click to expand...
Cool, electric project:)

I'm working on a bicycle right now and starting on a Honda Super-Cub conversion soon. My day job now is doing IT for an electric motorcycle company so I'd love to hear more about your plans.

We get a lot of generic questions on here and these backyard engineering ones tend to generate quite a few responses. Without a full understanding of the whole picture it's hard to give good advice, that's why we love pictures so much. Post up some photos of your project, you'll get a lot better responses.

As for your tie rods, I'm still going to recommend buying the right ones. Yes, you can lengthen the ones you have if you've got access to a welder which I assume you do being that you built the frame. In fact, knowing that you built the frame gives a much better idea of your tools and skill level. If your wheelbase is already set I would be reluctant to narrow the front end by 5" but if that's the only way to get it done then I guess you could do that. Did you base your frame on another kart or design it yourself from scratch? Solid axle drive or just driving one wheel? Brakes?

I sure don't want to sound like I'm talking down to you, just want to help with the experience I have....


John
 
matthewsx said:
Cool, electric project:)

I'm working on a bicycle right now and starting on a Honda Super-Cub conversion soon. My day job now is doing IT for an electric motorcycle company so I'd love to hear more about your plans.

We get a lot of generic questions on here and these backyard engineering ones tend to generate quite a few responses. Without a full understanding of the whole picture it's hard to give good advice, that's why we love pictures so much. Post up some photos of your project, you'll get a lot better responses.

As for your tie rods, I'm still going to recommend buying the right ones. Yes, you can lengthen the ones you have if you've got access to a welder which I assume you do being that you built the frame. In fact, knowing that you built the frame gives a much better idea of your tools and skill level. If your wheelbase is already set I would be reluctant to narrow the front end by 5" but if that's the only way to get it done then I guess you could do that. Did you base your frame on another kart or design it yourself from scratch? Solid axle drive or just driving one wheel? Brakes?

I sure don't want to sound like I'm talking down to you, just want to help with the experience I have....


John
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The frame is only partly built at the moment, but I'm planning on finishing it today.

Bought the plans from Spider Carts but modifying them a little for the other components I have; solid axle; mechanical disc brakes. I also have an extra 16' of steel and I can get it cheap from one of my company's local suppliers.
 
LikeTheSandwich said:
The frame is only partly built at the moment, but I'm planning on finishing it today.

Bought the plans from Spider Carts but modifying them a little for the other components I have; solid axle; mechanical disc brakes. I also have an extra 16' of steel and I can get it cheap from one of my company's local suppliers.
Click to expand...
Okay, in that case I definitely wouldn't change the front axle dimension. I'm very familiar with having to wait for the funds needed to complete a project. Only now starting to write budgets for them:eek:

Good luck and post some pictures soon.

John
 
matthewsx said:
Okay, in that case I definitely wouldn't change the front axle dimension. I'm very familiar with having to wait for the funds needed to complete a project. Only now starting to write budgets for them:eek:

Good luck and post some pictures soon.

John
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in this case narrowing the front will just make it the same width that's the rear axle. I wanted to leave it, heck I would even kind of like to make it wider since I'm using some taller wheels.
 
LikeTheSandwich said:
in this case narrowing the front will just make it the same width that's the rear axle. I wanted to leave it, heck I would even kind of like to make it wider since I'm using some taller wheels.
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Well, that's a new one on me but fun karts can be whatever the designer wants.

Here's one of the karts we manufactured back in the day.

tm-small.jpg

John
 
What if I got this setup and widened my kart a bit in the front? That would make it more stable, and this is a complete system, no need for modifications. Only thing is I'm not exactly sure how to mount it all. It looks like it has a weldable sleeve for right by the steering wheel, but I don't see how to mount the main lower piece (is that the rack or the pinion or both?).

Amazon.com: Steering Wheel Assembly & Adjustable Steering Shaft & Tie Rod Gear Rack and Pinion fit for 110cc Go Kart: Automotive
 
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