.065 ew tubing, strong enough for a kart frame?

[opc1]

I am in the planning stage of building my self, I mean my kids the go kart I always wanted as a kid. I intend to use 1" round tube, is .065 wall ew tube strong enough or do I need to use DOM tube or go to a thicker wall ew tube or dom tube with a thicker wall? If .065 is not enough what is the recomended wall thickness? I want the kart strong, but I do not want it to weigh a 1,000# either. I normally use steel that is probally 1/2 agian thicker than it needs to be, this is the first project that weight will be important.
Thanks,
Jeff

[Vipernut]

I would use a .100" wall tubing for that. Don't waste the money on DOM. .065 is a little too small especially for places where the suspension will be tied in.

Kevin

[PoisonPancakes]

Me and my brother build one out of .095 wall and we never had any problems with it, even with both of us on it (about 350 lbs).

[Sandy]

I just did some work on a used one purchased for my grand daughter. It was mostly 1 inch .080 wall with smaller sections here and there. It was 'okay' as far as a kiddy cart. If I were to do one I'd make it a bit heavier tho. Get it much heavier and you'd have to go up another horse or so or beefier clutch system.

[dsergison]

I bought a bunch of .065 stainless because it was on great sale..... I have found it to be a bit to light for most things.

unless youre plan was to scientifically gusset and x brace everything... i think you'll find the .065 too springy for a basic flat platform go-cart frame

[opc1]

Thanks for the info everyone. It turns out I will not have to build the frame, I was on my way home from work Tuesday and found a Yerf Dog cart that needa a converter and picked it up for $150. The kids can help me fix this one, they will have to learn there welding skills on another project.

Thanks agian,
Jeff

[fastblast]

i was goin to say why not look into some chromoly. i'm goin to build an atv frame out of it for drag racing.

[blkbk]

The .100 x 1" tubing should work fine for your project, the .65 is too small. It would bend too easily in the case of a crash. Unless you are going to put in a big engine, over 15hp, there should be no need to use anything more expensive or bigger tubing. if you are going to ride in it periodically, use 1 1/4 tubing AND gusset the corners real good and put in lots of bracing.