I just downloaded the plans for a Dominator buggy. I no longer have the space or the ability to make this on my own. Who would I contact locally to build this for me? A friend of mine suggested maybe a local HS. with a metal shop. The only places I have found so far are metal fab shops that deal in food service and construction.

The Dominator is definitely one sweet buggy, good choice. I didn't even know PTW offered his plans. Anyway, I would think a local machine shop might be willing to take the challenge, once they stop giggling, I mean, pulled by a kite? Until you show them one of yours, that is. I don't imagine it will be cheap, but then nothing as nice as that buggy will be.

Yeah, I don't expect it to be cheap at all, but it will be worth it. It really does look like a sweet buggy. I got the plans from his website a couple months ago. I have a friend that owns a paint and body shop and he is going to powder coat it for me....or chrome it if I decide I like that better. LOL

When I built my buggy I bought all the steel, made all the parts, then had a small weld shop do the fabrication. I would never trust my own fabricating, lol. Building myself was very rewarding and "fun" but if I had to do it again, I would just save my pennies and buy one. I don't think I saved a single dollar by doing it myself. I would think any reputable weld shop or machine shop could take CAD files and build whatever it is you want.

Since you are close to me, if you are interested in a VTT buggy, let me know. I closed shop for production but I still make VTT buggies on a personal level. What it means is I will make a buggy but it will not be rushed and no deadlines.

^^^^

there you go, Van can set you up. AND he's in Texas!

I can vouch for Van's buggies. My Weird Beard buggy was custom made by Van, and he provided picture updates every time he did more work to my buggy so I could see his build process coming along. I got so many compliments on my buggy at JIBE that really added to my already proud ownership of such a great ride. Give Van a call, and he can set you up with a really sweet ride. I have been so happy with mine!

Adding a picture so you can see some finished product of his:

Van's craftsmenship is top notch....I have seen multiple buggies and parts that this man has turned out....very well built. Lots of PKF members have done business with van without issue. He also makes nice attachments too for his rides (hitches)

A Local purchase and if something does happen to go wrong, he will know first hand on how to fix it up.

Black widow (Wildwood prize giveaway)....3 shots (he couldn't be happier).....Chads custom SS (someone has it now cause Chad wimped out on us xoxo )....I think Cheezy has buggies and/or parts. Custom seats as well...I couldn't be happier with mine...

That looks so nice. I have been wanting to get a buggy for some time now. Definitely going to be giving him a call here in the near future. Gonna have so many wind toys. LOL! Hardest part about going out is which ones do i take that day. :D

Van seems like a good option.

Kent at A Wind of Change also fabricates buggies. The Ivanpah is a Popeye / AWOC design so Kent has already got a working relationship with Popeye. I am not certain that Kent is still fabricating now that he has moved?

No matter how you go about it custom built isn't going to be cheap? If money is no issue then ..... Go For It!
If money is an issue then I would work with Van and see what he can make from his designs that will suite you + your location.

I have a strong feeling that you will really enjoy the buggy. I encourage you to follow through with this!

It looks as if you are heading in a fun direction with a possible custom built buggy. If as you head down this path it just doesn't seem to work out, please know that I'm selling a nice used PL Folding+ Buggy on PKF: http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=30620

Good luck with the Dominator; I hope that works out for you.

I have been watching all these videos of people buggying and I am all "I want to play too". LOL! The more I think about it, I might just go the used or pre-fab route. I'm really liking that folding buggy you have there. I'm short on space so that would be awesome. If you don't sell it in a month or 2 I might have to take that off your hands. Unfortunately my Jeep needed some major work and it's kinda zapping me for cash right now. I have done the jumping and the landboarding but now I'm all about the buggies!

Quote: Originally posted by Demoknight

Adding a picture so you can see some finished product of his:

What's that brown stuff in the seat? Residue from being jerked out over the front wheel?:moon::o

Djsiryn - getting to know you a bit as one does through watching videos and reading your posts on various threads I think you would truly enjoy buggying! You've clearly got the whole kiting part down and if you are already able to propel yourself on a land board then hopping into a buggy will be an instant hit for you. I'd suspect your "learning curve" if you even want to call it that would be about 2-3 back and forth shots on a field and you'd be mastering power slides and the rest during your first session.

The super cool part about buggying IMHO is that you more or less remove the skill-in-the-vehicle limitation of the other things we move around on, and rather you get to focus on working the kite and torching out of your turns and screaming down your field to do it all over again (and again and again).

With your propensity for big kites the buggy will really be fun because as you know those big honkers tend to turn more slowly than small kites. Compared to you I fly a puny little kite with my buggy (12M Peak2). This relative slowness is largely a non factor and in fact will make learning on the buggy even easier as you will have all sorts of time to get your act together as it redirects. Getting powered out of a corner on a buggy with a big kite in the air slowly diving through the wind window (even better if it is a DP that you are pulling the bar in for) is a kick in the seat meat. :evil:

I totally get your desire to get a PTW designed custom buggy. I've pursued his site multiple times just for the sheer fun of looking at his super cool designs. One thing to keep in mind, however, is the transportation issue. I can't speak for the Dominator, but the bigger the buggy the more arduous the moving it about. Not to just pump the Folding buggy because I'm selling one, but the super cool thing about that buggy is just how easy it is to move to and from your garage to the back of your car, pickup, whatever. With the extra wide tires it weighs in at around 35-40 lbs and when folded up has good hand holds for bending down and heaving it into the car.

I love the folding buggy in fact, and the only reason I'm selling mine is because I've been forced into a situation locally where I will be needing to buggy "off road" so I bought a used Bigfoot with its giant balloon tires. If I thought I had long term good options on grassy fields I would have been happy as a clam as is.

Good luck seeing your dream through. I'm in no rush to sell the Folding Buggy so it may be around when you are looking. Summer seems to be a lull for a lot of people due to wind scarcity; I thought it would have been sold by now.

BTW, I love your tag line:

"Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”

Instant classic. :bouncy:

Thanks for all the info! Transport is a big issue for me at the moment. A little Wrangler does not carry a lot. Right now with it down and needing repairs I tow a trailer with my bike to the park to go fly. Broken engine is making me stronger, but being a mountain biker as well, it's not that bad.
I don't remember where I picked up that line but I have said and used it everywhere. LOL

So I used to own a Jeep Wrangler too so many moons ago. Yikes, got it in 1990! Loved that truck. Folding buggy would fit in the back of that beast like it was built for it! :P

Keep in mind that you can modify a bike trailer hitch to attach to the front fork of a buggy and you can pile your kites on the buggy to pull behind you.

Did not know that. That's even better!:o