Power Kite Forum

My new home made buggy!

shehatesmyhobbies - 5-11-2009 at 05:26 PM

Well I finally finished her today! This is my new ride. All the welding was done by my flying buddy Doug. He has talent!
My wife made the seat and did a great job, inspiration was from the great PTW. Thanks, to him for all his great videos that make me want to go faster and bigger.

The main frame is mainly steel, with an aluminum double walled axle housing. It has stainless axles that hold the rear wheels on. The whole buggy breaks down in about 30sec. The rear wheels and the down tubes disconnect from the rest of the buggy via Grade 8 spring pins. It took about 9hrs to get all the cutting and welding done, a couple of days for the paint, and a long week of sewing for my wife. A special thanks to her for putting up with all my begging to get it done.

Thanks again to Doug for the welding, My wife for making the seat, and PTW for the inspiration for the whole thing.
Also to Rian for getting me in to the great sport that has turned into a passion!




power - 5-11-2009 at 05:28 PM

pics?

shehatesmyhobbies - 5-11-2009 at 05:34 PM

How do I add more pics,

DAKITEZ - 5-11-2009 at 05:38 PM

I think I have heard about this buggy. Do you have some trick graphics on it or skulls?? I thought it had some trick paint of some sort?

I put the pics in photobucket and use the img code to paste in your post.

WolfWolfee - 5-11-2009 at 05:38 PM

Very nice, guess you owe her dinner at least...lol

power - 5-11-2009 at 05:38 PM

post each pic in a separate post.

shehatesmyhobbies - 5-11-2009 at 05:42 PM

Hey Dino, not the same buggy. No special paint, (yet). Next version maybe. Thanks for looking!

Thanks on the image thing as well

DAKITEZ - 5-11-2009 at 05:45 PM

I'm probably wrong. I remember he said it was all black (rat rod style) I probably imagined the skull thing.

Nice looking buggy no doubt. I tried to get one from Doug awhile back and we have just not been able to get r done yet

shehatesmyhobbies - 5-11-2009 at 05:45 PM

Thanks Wolf, she already informed me how much I owe her! LOL She said I need to change my name to Now She Really Hates My Hobbies! Man I really laughed at that one!

shehatesmyhobbies - 5-11-2009 at 05:47 PM

Well Dino, if it hasn't been that long since you talked to him it may be the same, it has been in the planning for a couple of months and I was going to go "rat rod" style, just wanted to get her done, three weeks no buggy sucks!

DAKITEZ - 5-11-2009 at 05:52 PM

yeah I just talked to him early this week or last week. He was telling me what a great time he had at the last event. Jersey I think it was.

Does your back axle break all down in 3 pieces like the first one he built? I love that feature. I also suggested the way he designed the back axle it would be easy to make it a telescopic axle. You could adjust it super wide for those long straight runs or shorten it up for the smaller fields.

shehatesmyhobbies - 5-11-2009 at 06:00 PM

Yes the axle does break down into the three pieces,but the adjustment is limited, I could probably make a couple of more holes, but I don't want to give it a weak spot.

WELDNGOD - 5-11-2009 at 07:17 PM

SHMH,looks good:thumbup:
I got one question though,are the tubes coming off of the rearend(that the siderails attach to)aluminum w/ siderails inserted into them?
If so ,I foresee a problem. But you can remedy it,w/ the use of a gusset or smaller alloy tube welded to the siderail tube and the axle. The latteral forces of a buggy will break those joint eventually( probably sooner than later). Or some diagonal braces between siderails behind the seat would help reduce the flex. You don't want alloy to flex alot (short fatigue life). Anyway, it is a nice bug for sure. Just my opinion, but I work w/ alloy everyday. I know a thing or 20 lol. It is the best feelin to ride what ya' made bro', enjoy and welcome to the club. :wee:
PTW will have to put this in his pic collection.( Igot 2 in there )
:thumbup:

Oh yeah, tell the missus "pretty work" on the seat . top notch sewing there.

heliboy50 - 6-11-2009 at 02:34 AM

RIGHT ON:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

rocfighter - 6-11-2009 at 04:42 AM

Sweet looking ride. I'm building one myself. But with my old fashioned pipe bender I'm having trouble getting everything even.
I like the way your axle is set up, ajustible is cool. It's cool to see other peoples ideas. It's like team work. Thanks for posting.
Dave.

Todd - 6-11-2009 at 05:18 AM

Sweet ride!

Great job... the both of you! Now you can go into production and start making some $$ then... maybe then she won't hate your hobbies anymore :bouncy:

Maven454 - 6-11-2009 at 05:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Todd
Sweet ride!

Great job... the both of you! Now you can go into production and start making some $$ then... maybe then she won't hate your hobbies anymore :bouncy:


She would if she had to stitch all the seats.

PHREERIDER - 6-11-2009 at 06:31 AM

DIY , that's my kind a ride . perfect size!

ragden - 6-11-2009 at 07:13 AM

Nice ride. Hope to see you ripping up the beach on that bad boy sometime soon. :)

cheezycheese - 6-11-2009 at 10:42 AM

I'm jealous.... :bigok:

cheezycheese - 6-11-2009 at 10:43 AM

wanna sell your old one now...?:smilegrin::roll:

jeech - 6-11-2009 at 11:14 AM

Sweet ride! I look forward to building a buggy sometime in the distant future.

shehatesmyhobbies - 6-11-2009 at 02:44 PM

Thanks for all the kudo's, my wife and I appreciate it. Can't wait to really test it out. I am pretty sure that I will be off now the weekend after Thanksgiving, Looks like a WW cruise is in my future!:roll:

Weldngod, my down tubes go into the rear axle housing 10 inches. It is a great fit and was tested on another buggy with lots of hours on it before I decided to go with it for myself. The other guy weighs 30 to 40 lbs more than me and his down tubes were much longer in the back equaling more flex. I appreciate the thought and concern. My back brace does a ton to help as well to keep the flex down. If there is a problem, I will switch over to steel, but so far his buggy has 2 yrs worth of riding and no problems, heck he even backed over it with his truck and it still is cruising. :roll:

WELDNGOD - 6-11-2009 at 03:19 PM

if you ever encounter a prob just put 1 gusset on each tube and it would be way stronger. you don't have to go steel. If you feel ok w/ it I'm ok w/ it. have fun Bro'

shehatesmyhobbies - 6-11-2009 at 04:03 PM

Thanks for the suggestion Weld, I think I am going to be proactive on this one to be on the safe side and go ahead and put a gusset on both sides. Much better than going steel, saving probably 30 lbs. lol Gonna be a blast!

shehatesmyhobbies - 6-11-2009 at 04:08 PM

Oh and just so those of you that haven't met my wife, she doesn't necessarily hate my kite hobby, she hates that I also have three r/c airplanes, tons of models and diecast, and also had 3 r/c gas trucks, My kites have replaced the trucks and the planes have sentimental value. The diecast and models are packed away for a rainy day!

She enjoys when I fly and especially loves that my kids are interested as well in flying. It was just having so many hobbies at once that was killing her, I told her I'm in this one for the long haul!
Again thanks for the kudo's!

WELDNGOD - 6-11-2009 at 04:24 PM

it couldn't hurt ,and it doesn't weigh that much. The strength increase is more than enough to warrant it. :thumbup: I was thinkin maybe something like this w/ 1/4 " plate. If you can't get any plate let me know and I can make those for you (free), you pay shipping. They wouldn't weigh much, and usps has that if it fits it ships thing. Maybe 20 bucks or less, wouldn't take five min. to layout and shear. Gotta get your bro to weld it for ya though. Anything for a fellow buggy builder .
WG

shehatesmyhobbies - 6-11-2009 at 04:45 PM

I may take you up on that Weld. I will get back with you. THANKS!

popeyethewelder - 10-11-2009 at 12:10 PM

shehatesmyhobbies, you have done yourself proud my friend, and I think you need to change you forum handle, seeing as she hates your hobbies, she has sure made a fine job with your seat.

Your buggy looks very good from the pictures, nice deep side rails, wide axle and a good length buggy, and very nice forks. Everything looks in proportion, I am a firm believer in

"if it looks right, chances are it is right"

....and your buggy certainly fits into that saying.

I am touched to have inspired you in some way, thank you, and the advice WG has suggested will only prolong the life of your buggy....if you are putting a buggy like this out at the first attempt, then I can only imagine what buggies 4 and 5 will look like....excellent job, and I hope you have many happy hours in it....I wish I could see your face full of pride as you roll it onto the beach for the first time....

No 311 in the hall of fame

shehatesmyhobbies - 10-11-2009 at 01:01 PM

Coming from you Carlos the smile on my face is pretty big now! I am very anxious and have already made one change in the pegs. They are more appealing to the eye now and still have the same feel. I will be giving her another go tomorrow or thursday as our winds should be in the 20mph range.
My wife thanks you for the kudos' as well. The seat design came from Doug and she made it from his design. Either way, it would have taken me 6 months to make that seat.

buggy number two is definitely already on my mind!

The buggy is extremely comfortable and I could be in it all day! Can't wait to get some slides in!

DAKITEZ - 10-11-2009 at 01:04 PM

now you just need to get that bad boy out to nabx so we can all take a gander.

shehatesmyhobbies - 10-11-2009 at 01:06 PM

trying to get to page two, here we go again

shehatesmyhobbies - 10-11-2009 at 01:06 PM

I would love to make it out there soon. I do have an extra week of vaca next year. Maybe if I start saving now I could make it.

DAKITEZ - 10-11-2009 at 01:11 PM

well start saving my friend ... start saving

Todd - 10-11-2009 at 03:33 PM

Congratulations number 311!

Link

I would like to stand in the long forming line to take a spin in it if I may.

shehatesmyhobbies - 10-11-2009 at 05:15 PM

Absolutely Todd! I look forward to catching up with you guys soon!

And thanks again!

rando - 14-11-2009 at 11:57 PM

That is great, good job! Now i'm scouring the web looking for plans on how to build a buggy :yes:

rocfighter - 15-11-2009 at 05:57 AM

PTW has a great series of plans on his web site. That's where I started.

acampbell - 15-11-2009 at 01:30 PM

Terrific! Great job and have fun. Bring 'er down to JIBE next May! We'd love to see it run on our beach.

shehatesmyhobbies - 15-11-2009 at 06:55 PM

Thanks Angus, I will have to grab Frank and Rdavis,and head down there, Frank needs some time on that buggy! I will have to keep an eye on the dates, I have an extra week of vacation next year, and this would be a lot closer than NABX! Want to make it there one day too though!

popeyethewelder - 17-11-2009 at 12:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rando
That is great, good job! Now i'm scouring the web looking for plans on how to build a buggy :yes:



start at the beginning http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=11393