This is complete tutorial with video that shows you how to make a simple wooden go Kart. It gives you all the instructions and plans you need. And it is pretty inexpensive. You might be able to find most of the parts without a trip to the home improvement store. I bought a lot of the materials new. You can follow my go Kart making instructions exactly if you want, and I provide the plan and a parts list. But you can also use my plan to modify your go Kart and make it custom depending upon what materials you have on hand.

The picture below shows you the completed Go Kart that we make in this tutorial. It took me about three hours to make it. It should take you about the same depending on your skill and familiarity with wood working and tools.

Note about this tutorial: I also have a youtube video that shows you how I made it. Its at the bottom of the next page.

Features of this Go Kart

It is cheap and easy to make. Just requires a little bit of wood. The biggest problem or expense is the wheels and maybe you can scrounge some up. It is steered by one of two ways. You sit on the padded seat on the right and you put your feet on the front cross piece and you can steer by pushing either your left or right foot. That front piece pivots on a big bolt. You can also steer by pulling on the rope which is a nice addition for dragging the go Kart back up a hill. This Kart also has a nice braking system which is important. Don't just mount one brake, you may slide to one side when stopping. Having two brakes will allow you to stop better and stay straighter.

I took my Go Kart one step further and mounted a small bucket seat from a volkswagen. Now this is riding in style. I got it from an old junk car for free. You have lots of options like this when making your go Kart. The big thing is to remember safety. Be safe when building it and be safe when riding it.

Some Safety Notes:

When Building this Go Kart - Always have an adult supervise you when making something like this. If you use any power tools be sure to use them safely and to always wear safety glasses at all times. Use strong wood and very oversized bolts and screws. I am talking big here. (the parts I used are listed in this tutorial) You do not want any part of this go Kart to fall apart while you are riding it.

When Riding It: Have an adult supervise your riding of it and make sure you wear a bicycle helmet when riding it. Test it on small hills to be sure everything (especially the brakes) works well.

Okay Lets Go Over the Parts Used for this HomeMade Go Kart

The above picture shows you everything I used to make this go Kart. It takes just a few tools, a few pieces of wood and a bunch of nuts, bolts and screws.

Parts List:

Tools I used:

• Circular Saw (You can use a hand saw)
• Power Drill
• Drill Bits: variety of sizes
• Crescent wrench with sockets
• Open end wrenches
• Tape Measure
• Sand Paper
• Safety Goggles
• Duct Tape

Wood

1 piece of 2x6 that is 8 feet long. You cut this in half. then cut one of the halves in half. You end up with a piece that is 48 inches long and two pieces that are each 24 inches long.

2 pieces of wood about 20 inches long and around 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick. These are the brakes. In the picture these pieces of wood are reddish in color.

Major Components:

4 inch casters that do not swivel (Quantity:4) I am using 4 inch casters to keep my price down and because I won't be using this go Kart much. Just a few test drives for me. I recommend if you can afford it to get 5 inch or even 6 inch casters. They will perform better and wear better. You can get them online from amazon.com or you can find them at your local hardware or home improvement store. Make sure you get the type of caster that does not swivel.

Miscellaneous Items:

• A Towel for the seat, you can use foam or even a seat cushion
• rope for steering

Bolt, Screw and Hardware List. This list is for the picture at left. Each one is in order shown from top to bottom

• 1 1/2 inch threaded hex head bolt that is 4 1/2 inches long, including four washers for it and 2 nuts. The picture below shows only two washers but you need four. This is the steering bolt for the front of the GoKart.
• 18 heavy duty screws that are hex head and 1/4 inch by 1 inch long, including 18 washers. 16 of these screws are used for the wheels and 2 are used as stops for the brake handles.
• 2 Hex head screws that are 3/8 by 3 inches long. These are used for mounting the brakes.
• 2 Heavy Duty Eye Hooks - For the steering Rope
• 4 - 1/4 x 3 inch bolts with two washers for each and a nut for each. These are the bolts that secure the back of the go Kart.

Okay, thats all the parts you need to make this Go Kart. And of course you don't have to follow my directions exactly. The basic idea of the go Kart is easy to understand. You can improvise but remember to use big bolts and screws for safety. Nothing should be skimpy or shaky. Everything needs to be built nice and solid.

Okay, Lets start building this GoKart!