How to Make a Wooden Downhill Go Cart

Making The Frame

• 1

  Measure and cut three lengths of 2-inch by 8-inch lumber, each 5 feet long. Lay the pieces next to each other. Cut three pieces of the 2-inch by 4-inch lumber to 23 inches. Place these pieces across the other wood, one piece at each end and the last pieces 24 inches from one end. Nail the smaller pieces to the larger ones. Turn the wood over and nail through from the other side. Leave the cross pieces on the underside.

• 2

  Cut a piece of plywood so that it measures 24 inches by 24 inches. Nail this in place over the end where the cross pieces are 24 inches apart. This will be your seat.

• 3

  Cut another 2-inch by 4-inch piece of lumber to 23 inches long. Position it over the corner of a bench. Put one of the axles and wheels on top of it, placing them in slightly from one edge. Secure the axle in place on the wood with one U-bolt 4 inches inward from each end of the wood. Screw the bolts in place to form the front axle.

• 4

  Turn the body of the go-kart over. Rest the other axle and wheels on the 2-inch by 4-inch lumber that̵7;s 24 inches from the end of the frame. Secure the axle in place by screwing a U-bolt 4 inches inward from each edge of the wood.

Steering And Brake

• 5

  Measure in 16 inches from the front of the frame (the end without the seat). Measure and mark the center point of the three boards. Drill a 3/8-inch hole through the wood. Measure and mark the center point of the front axle and drill all the way through it.

• 6

  Work from the top of the go-kart and push a 6-inch bolt through the hole. Fit two washers on the underside, then push the bolt through the hole in the front axle. Add two more washers and hand-tighten a nut onto the bolt.

• 7

  Drill two holes through the front axle, 1 inch inward from each end. Feed one end of a 6-foot rope through one of the holes and knot it under the axle. Repeat with the other end of the rope in the other hole.

• 8

  Cut a piece of plywood to 4 inches by 4 inches. Cut a 2-inch by 4-inch piece of lumber to 12 inches long. Nail the plywood to the end of the 2-inch side of the lumber so that 2 inches of the plywood extends beyond the lumber. Fit the plywood against the rear wheel of the go-kart, with the lumber against the frame.

• 9

  Drill through the lumber and into the side of the frame. Screw the lumber to the frame to make a brake for the go-kart.