matt12
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 12:44 PM |
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does everyone start with locost
hi
i have both books by ron champion, the off road buggy one and the locost book,
i was planning to give the buggy a go first because funds are tight and to build up my skills, than to have a crack at the locost
has anybody done it this way or do they just jump in at deep end?
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scoobyis2cool
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 01:08 PM |
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I think most people on this site start with a locost but I think the buggy would be a great project, and would certainly help you a lot if you decided
to go on and build a locost afterwards. I say go for it!
Pete
It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care...
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CommanderAce
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 01:51 PM |
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My brother and I have started off with a buggy, although not Ron's design, something we came up with.
Its a good way to realise all the tools you actually need to do a job like this, and what welders not to buy!
Plus the fact you'll have a buggy at the end of it too is quite cool! 
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Messenjah
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 01:58 PM |
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for the buggy your most expensive parts will be wheels and tyres i would suggest making or having made up some hubs that have a ford or mini fitment
..... and you could even go for real brakes instead of a single disc on the rear axle ...
i have a buggy i wouldnt suggest fitting an engine smaller then 200cc as it wont be that quick but i wouldnt go much higher without suspension ...
dont worry about the stresses on it without suspension im 20 stone and havent bent an axle yet and my kart does about 50mph and i do some seious off
road in i t
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scoobyis2cool
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 02:01 PM |
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CommanderAce - do you have any pics of your buggy? How much did it cost you to build?
Pete
It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care...
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serendipity123
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 02:03 PM |
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i started with a robin hood, mind you it did only cost me £500
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CommanderAce
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 05:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by scoobyis2cool
CommanderAce - do you have any pics of your buggy? How much did it cost you to build?
Pete
Well, it ain't finished yet! We have most of the major components ready and the chassis part finished. I dont have any pictures of it yet, but I
do have a partial CAD model I've made. Its missing the roll cage, front suspention arms, rear swing arm and alot of triangluation though.
I'll have a go at finished it tonight and post it if I do.
Here is a picture of its current development:
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matt12
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 05:54 PM |
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hey commander ace
what cad program you using?
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CommanderAce
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 05:57 PM |
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SketchUp 5
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matt12
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 06:00 PM |
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do you do any sort of engineering ?
or are you just sort of learning as you go along?
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CommanderAce
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 06:07 PM |
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My brother Paul V6 is the engineer, I'm the computer
geek! I like designing stuff and he likes building it but I'm learning from him, I'm his apprentice if you wish.
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JoelP
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 06:08 PM |
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welding up a buggy chassis would definately be a good intro to welding. I picked it up fast myself, but the first few welds on my monstercost are
distinctly bubbly 
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matt12
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 08:03 PM |
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this might be a stupid question but what makes a lo cost into a monster cost?
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JoelP
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 08:30 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by matt12
this might be a stupid question but what makes a lo cost into a monster cost?
size, my friend! this one ended up longer than the sierra it came from! 
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matt12
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 08:59 PM |
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how did you find out how to modify the frame from "the book"? to fit sierra bits
how come yours is so long?
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CommanderAce
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 09:28 PM |
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do a search for GTS, its basically by the book but with a few changes here and there to accomodate Sierra uprights, axel etc. Thats the route
I'm going down
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JoelP
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| posted on 11/10/05 at 09:28 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by matt12
how come yours is so long?
thats what they all say!  err, anyway...
When i started, i didnt feel able to accurately copy the book plans, so i started to my own design, but sort of made it up as i went along 
Unfortunately, it got a bit long, mainly because i used a complete sierra rear subframe, and put the front bones entirely clear of the engine. Left
about 2 feet in which to put the horn though! Must say, a lot was learnt, and i did actually get the car working enough to drive it to my new house.
But i gave up on the bodywork and bought a finished 'proper' locost, to abuse all summer. much fun. Im just about ready to finish the
original one now Then i can get on with mk2, with bike power.
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