My 4 year old sons first car - the swing bin racer.

[bertelli_1]

After reading this ph thread I decided to order the plans to make my own race car. For my son, you understand. The idea of using a bin as the basis for a go kart sounds a bit crap but the finished article is actually quite nice looking, like a Lotus 7. The plans come with decent instructions, a cd guide, parts order list and full size paper plans. You can buy a ready built kart from the company but I'm pretty handy (my Golf & Porsche projects have already featured in readers cars) and I knew from the instructions there would be some stuff I'd want to upgrade.

It now has rose jointed steering, a larger capacity battery (plus optional on board spare), reverse gear (operated by a toggle switch on the dash), a speedo and steel uprights. Power is provided by a cordless drill - £1.04, the batteries were £9 for both, the steering wheel is for a wii & cost £3.50. The wheels were rather expensive at £35. Here's a few pics -









It still needs a paint job (we have chosen Bugatti blue) but the boy - and me - is keen to give it a testdrive. I'm already thinking it needs more power but this is supposed to be a budget toy so as long as it can get up a reasonable incline I'll leave it. For now....

[EDLT]

I wish I had one when I was four

[davepoth]

A similar bin is available that's twice the size...

[OlberJ]

If you're not looking at that and pricing up another 3 drills, you're on the wrong site.

Actually, it's all leccy, hmmm.

Anyways, awesome project. My dad always talked about putting an engine in my old pedal powered go karts but never got round to it.

Many top dad points for this one

[jsg612]

Wow that looks excellent... Who'd have thought a cheap bin could look so good! Great work!

[Defcon5]

£1.04 for a drill?

[bertelli_1]

Ebay. A cordless drill with knackered batteries is worthless.

[ambuletz]

you're son is one lucky little boy. I had to make do with a straight/trouser coat hanger as my steering wheel and I'd just walk around with it

[RichB]

I also saw the feature for this on P'Heads and thought what a great idea. You can get plastic bins in silver which would provide a great bare metal look for the bonnet. As has been said, great dad stuff! How do you keep the drill pressed against the tyre?

[bertelli_1]

The rear axle is mounted on two threaded rods so you can adjust the axle forwards and backwards.

[RichB]

bertelli_1 said:

The rear axle is mounted on two threaded rods so you can adjust the axle forwards and backwards.

clever

[Efbe]

dude, you are a fking cool dad. :P

[PhillipM]

OlberJ said:

If you're not looking at that and pricing up another 7-11 drills, you're on the wrong site.

EFA.

[Perd Hapley]

That is awesome. Bin lid as boot is a nice touch! Some old driving lamps as headlights would be a nice touch next.

Also, there must be some really beefy old electric motors on eBay...

[soad]

That's rather excellent

[MadRob6]

And I thought your 944 project was awesome. This blows the go-kart I had as a lad out of the water, good work!

[007 VXR]

fking great

[vdubbin]

Those are great little racers, there's a few videos on youtube of them in action. My Daughter's only one, but I've started scavenging parts already...

[Marlin45]

Daughters not due to emerge until September but I am making serious forward plans and surfing the bay for parts

Any chance you have any pics of your steering setup?

We need specs. 0-5mph times. Battery life. Load capacity and towing weights etc !

Edited by Marlin45 on Saturday 25th June 09:47

[marksx]

That is bloody great. I had a box with the steering wheel painted on