33 replies to this topic

[Jairus]

If you are not interested in this then move along.
Two years ago I started a project slated to appear in issue #9 of Slotcars Magazine.  The mag got canceled, but the project was always in my interest domain so... this one got back out on the desk till I get more customer projects in the Que.

 

 

A lot of people have created go kart slot cars, but most of them are not very realistic.  My idea was to make the vehicle appear more realistic in scale.
The scale to me seemed to be more 1/12th scale than 1/24th so.... I needed a plan.

 

Now, I needed a driver figure.... Tamiya had something that could work with some modifications....

 

Stay tuned while I make this thread into something understandable.

 

[James Wendel]

"Tamiya had something that could work with some modifications...."

 

  Like, modify it to look like Don Knotts? 

[Jairus]

Meanwhile, back at the ranch I started cutting brass to build the chassis.

 

 

Early on, I decided I didn't want the guide to show so that meant steering.

 

 

 

Driver figure continued to be worked on as well.  Cutting of the arms and legs and put back together with copper wire, epoxy and epoxy putty.  Then sanded to replicate the desired driver in a racing suit.

 

And now our project is caught up to date today.  On four wheels sans steering cross rod fuel tank and lots of other details. (like paint)
But she's much closer now than when I pulled it out of the box this morning.

 

 

[Pablo]

       

[Martin]

Love it Jairus, look forward to seeing your artistry on the driver. He looks nicely positioned.

 

I do have 1/12 scale slot go kart on my self but my driver needs some work. This will inspire me.

[Phil Smith]

Jairus, that's too cool! Haven't you built a go kart in the past?

[Jairus]

Jairus, that's too cool! Haven't you built a go kart in the past?

Nope, this is my first.
Although I did race a Flexi version for a time back in 2013 before the track closed.  Took first place in one of many races and still have the body.

[Lone Wolf]

Absolutely love it.

 

Especially the hidden guide.

 

All about the details,baby.

 

Don't forget the scrub brake. Always hated those.

 

Lucky Don didn't lose an eye in that first pic

[elvis44102]

looking at the picture reminded me of the aerodynamic pointy bras women had in those days, we always said they had an advantage lol

[Jairus]

Wow, you guys like that Don Knotts pic a lot.  For me it was simply for scale.  (He stands at 5 foot 6 btw)
No, I had no intention of putting a female in the drivers seat as that could be habit forming...



Today the progress was a steering cross rod that ties the front wheels together and then another rod connected to the guide flag.
Plus priming and some basic paint on the figure.

I also want to show that besides the standard FK motor, I made up my own re-wound peanut motor with more modern brush architecture.
Yeah it's very powerful and I got a chance to run it in a few races.  VERY powerful but gets pretty warm...

 

[Lone Wolf]

Can you tell me how you attached the front axle to the frame rails?

 

And don't say solder

[Jairus]

Okay, I won't.
Tin, silver, rosin-colophony and copper applied with heat.
Very strong!

[Lone Wolf]

Everybody's a comedian

 

I mean did you notch the frame rails or did you drill out the axle to insert the frame rail into it.

[Jairus]

Okay, progress today was good.  Lots more details to add of course, but basic paint applied.  Motor/engine details along with some foot pedals will be next.
 

 

Front axle steering is installed.  The driving force is connected to guide, not the steering wheel regardless of the position of the connecting rod.

 

 

Lots of room for engine details and a gas tank out back.
Now.... do I paint the frame red or.... leave it brass?
I spent a lot of careful soldering building the chassis and am plenty proud of the work.  So... my vote is leave the chassis as is.

[Don Weaver]

Okay, progress today was good.  Lots more details to add of course, but basic paint applied.  Motor/engine details along with some foot pedals will be next.
 

 

Front axle steering is installed.  The driving force is connected to guide, not the steering wheel regardless of the position of the connecting rod.

 

 

Now.... do I paint the frame red or.... leave it brass?  So... my vote is leave the chassis as is.

 

Way too nice to hide with paint...

Don 

[Rob Voska]

He needs goggles so he don't lose an eye!

[Jairus]

I have been working on this project for 2+ years.  Goggles are something I couldn't figure out how to make, although I did think of using a vacuum formed bubble attached to the helmet.

 

 

But I have driven a few Go-karts in my time on this planet and never needed goggles.

[Tim Neja]

Here's my JK version of a Go Kart!!!  Not a classic like yours--but fun to watch on the track.  A champion chassis so it handles great!!

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[Martin]

Looking great Jairus.

 

The bubble visor was very popular back then, so that gets my vote

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[Jairus]

Well, it has been a bitter sweet end of the week.
My '58 Ranch wagon has a blown head gasket.  I have known about it for 3 - 4 weeks but unsure of how to proceed.  Do I do the work myself or do I pay someone?
Well, my cousin was in town.  He drives a flat bed tow truck and happened to stay with us for the weekend on a lay over after dropping a car off before a return trip to Colorado with another.  He parked out front just ahead of my wagon.... so I made a decision.  Jay was happy to drive my car over to the shop and I accompanied him to pick up his return load now safely on the back of his truck.

Looks like I will be selling a few more slot cars to pay for the repairs to my car.  Including this Slot car Go-kart when finished.

As for progress on said project... I got a face shield made and installed.

 

 

I also started modeling a set of foot pedals for gas and brake to be glued to the drivers feet.
 

 

[Bill from NH]

Jairus, you probably know this already. If your '58 is a V-8, have both head gaskets replaced while the engine is apart.

[Thom]

“58 Ranch Wagon”
Red, blue yellow, green?

[Jairus]

Suede blue, if you must know.

[Jairus]

I am calling this one done. Stick a fork in it, because after 3 years I gotta call it.
 

 

 

 

 

As I originally stated, the project was suppose to be a subject for an article in Slot Cars Magazine.  To that end, it was only supposed to be eye candy or a shelf queen since the motor is over the top, the car is top heavy for cornering. Better solution would be a JK Go-Kart body on a flexi which handles way better.  But this is the results of building the most accurate scale (1/12th) model of a motorized Go-Kart possible in my opinion. 
Would it run.... yes, of course!  Would I... hell no!
Was it fun to build, YES!
Is it for sale... yeah. Provided the price is right since I have a Ranch Wagon to pay repairs on.

Up front we have steering connected to the guide and the addition of gas and brake foot pedels.

 

Out back is an FK motor can, ball bearing races, a rewound JK arm (Outlaw I believe) with Neo magnets and a JK endbell.  I ran this motor for two races in a JK flexi chassis.  It's really powerful but runs a bit warm in a long race.  Looks great with that exhaust pipe tho... ;-)

 

Underneath we have the wiring.  Necessary for a slot car of course.

 

 

Endo!

[Phil Smith]

I'm at a loss for words. That's amazing!