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Building a Pit Cart

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Refuse1

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Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
94
Location
Iowa
Very well done Duncan. Great attention to detail and well thought out.

Jeff
 

QwikKotaTx

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Aug 10, 2013
Messages
967
Location
Seabrook, TX
Portability. Closer to the car.

Gee, ya think? What I meant was how does he get it to the track? Last I checked he had a Miata. I was wondering if it lives at a track storage area or if he loads it up on a trailer with the car behind a full size truck etc...
 

brawls43

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Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
133
Location
Minneapolis
I think so of the pics showed his enclosed trailer. The winch is for loading the cart into the enclosed trailer I believe.
 

QwikKotaTx

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Aug 10, 2013
Messages
967
Location
Seabrook, TX
I think so of the pics showed his enclosed trailer. The winch is for loading the cart into the enclosed trailer I believe.

Thank you, that is what I was wondering.

Incredible build, amazing skills, especially with the rotors/hubs and steering linkage!
 

alpinewhite

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Aug 4, 2012
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1,315
Location
Orange County, California, USA
Gee, ya think? What I meant was how does he get it to the track? Last I checked he had a Miata. I was wondering if it lives at a track storage area or if he loads it up on a trailer with the car behind a full size truck etc...

Sorry. I assumed you had seen this post from the OP:

Ordered a winch this morning to help load it in the trailer through the side door. I plan on mounting it down low between the rear wheels.

Duncan
 

merbie

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Jul 23, 2014
Messages
936
Location
england
How much did the build set you back if you don't mind me asking? Also awesome build [emoji106]


Merb
 

IWANTBLUE

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Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
87
Great work, nicely integrated Hoist, though do you need a guide for the steel rope?
Just assuming an incline you'd be pulling 'up' and the rope effectively being a good way back into the frame where it is at the back of the drum(pivot point)... (to prevent the wire rope immediately scraping off that nice new powder-coat??
obviously on the flat it wouldn't, just thinking about the incline, until the cart is on the same angle and then pulling straight?

Re the cover , if you actually potentially race in poor weather could you have a drop in post at the rear right (lower) bench end of the cart, just a temporary lightweight 'hoop' that you could drop in in bad weather to form a full back side point to hang a waterproof cover (with velcro lift up panel for access to your storage, and then a suitable 'lean-to'hoop to support a 'porch' overhang over the drawer fronts area, badly described im sure, but to allow you to be minimally out of the weather whilst working at the bench and giving your drawers and tools 'some' precipitation protection?

Of course if its just general protection a snug fitting cover would be better...
and moving on from your aluminium drop panels ideacouldnt you have simple drop in aluminium door panels than sat on simple pin lugs at the sides and pivoted back to a single locking lug at the middle which you would remove when present and transport to the rear of the cart for storage so that they weren't in the way whilst actually spannering..

just thinking out load, I'm sure from your solutions so far you already have it covered ;)

sweet Cart..
 

brawls43

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Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
133
Location
Minneapolis
Another cover idea would be to look for someone local that makes custom boat covers. I went this route to cover a custom grill and bar top I did with concrete counters. Granted prices vary by area, but it was way more affordable than I expected.
 
OP
D

DEllis

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Joined
May 16, 2014
Messages
250
Location
Carlisle, PA
I took the measurements today for the cover. My mother in-law is in town and has her sewing machine with her and seems to think it's a pretty simple project.

Over the last few days I've been slowly refining the organization in the cart. Hopefully the rear cabinet shelves will come off backorder from Harbor Freight soon as that will really help.

Future plans.
- Finish the brake lines (material should be here Friday, was delayed one day by the weather)
- Put some sort of latch on the rear door, as I can tell already it's going to be annoying to lock it if I want to keep it closed.

Duncan
 

archirelic

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Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
2,263
Location
texas
I would never have any reason to own something like this...let alone fabricate one...but I sure as hell want one!

Amazing build thread, thanks for putting it up for us to drool over!
 
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saceone

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Dec 31, 2011
Messages
388
Location
Montreal Canada
I took the measurements today for the cover. My mother in-law is in town and has her sewing machine with her and seems to think it's a pretty simple project.

Over the last few days I've been slowly refining the organization in the cart. Hopefully the rear cabinet shelves will come off backorder from Harbor Freight soon as that will really help.

Future plans.
- Finish the brake lines (material should be here Friday, was delayed one day by the weather)
- Put some sort of latch on the rear door, as I can tell already it's going to be annoying to lock it if I want to keep it closed.

Duncan

the guy can build a kick *** pit cart and can actually put his mother in law to good use?

5MUVZNW.gif
 

Rentawrench

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Joined
Sep 22, 2009
Messages
186
Location
Holyoke,Ma. USA
First prototype done , sell it an build a version 2 . Big Nitrogen tank for filling tires an air tools, put brakes on rear instead of front also look at pin to hold handle "on " for parking brake ,Less hoses. rack to hold ez up tent, tire rack to carry/ store spare wheels /tires .

The list will go on thats why the big teams have Tractor trailers lol Looks GREAT

As for anti roll away blocks we use a 1 1/2 pipe cut with 45's on the ends bent in to go front an rear of one tire easy to place . l____l
 

sleepy127

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Sep 1, 2014
Messages
251
Location
Flaherty, KY
That looks nice. Just wondering if there will be portable power (small generator) and /or a air compressor in the future.
 
OP
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DEllis

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Joined
May 16, 2014
Messages
250
Location
Carlisle, PA
First prototype done , sell it an build a version 2 . Big Nitrogen tank for filling tires an air tools, put brakes on rear instead of front also look at pin to hold handle "on " for parking brake ,Less hoses. rack to hold ez up tent, tire rack to carry/ store spare wheels /tires .

The list will go on thats why the big teams have Tractor trailers lol Looks GREAT

As for anti roll away blocks we use a 1 1/2 pipe cut with 45's on the ends bent in to go front an rear of one tire easy to place . l____l

There's always things you would change on the next version.

- I omitted a nitrogen tank because my enclosed trailer has an installed air compressor and outside air fittings. No need for redundancy and since I don't run enduros this cart will never stray far from the trailer.

- The brake actually does have a detent to hold the brake on, so a parking brake is already implemented.

Duncan
 
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DEllis

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May 16, 2014
Messages
250
Location
Carlisle, PA
I added magnetic latches to the cabinet door to help keep it closed without having to lock it.

IMAG0446.jpg


Duncan
 
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DEllis

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May 16, 2014
Messages
250
Location
Carlisle, PA
90 percent done with the brake lines. I screwed up the last line unfortunately and didn't have any more brass sleeves to redo it. So here's two pictures of how far I got.

After that, it's just a matter of bleeding.

IMAG0448.jpg


IMAG0449.jpg


Duncan
 

vettex2

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Jul 30, 2012
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Northern Ca.
Just as a side note....My team won the 2006 Altamont Late Model Championship using a 5 gallon bucket as a tool box.We won 3/4 of the races.War wagons don't win races at the local level. Preparation wins races.We used to sit in chairs while other teams (BMR) used to thrash endlessly. We got tired just watching them.
 
Last edited:

gte718p

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Mar 12, 2009
Messages
3,956
Just as a side note....My team won the 2006 Altamont Late Model Championship using a 5 gallon bucket as a tool box.We won 3/4 of the races.War wagons don't win races at the local level. Preparation wins races.We used to sit in chairs while other teams (BMR) used to thrash endlessly. We got tired just watching them.

That is a true statement. However, properly setup pits makes it more enjoyable especially for a weekend warrior. It is nice to just roll the box into the trailer and know everything is there instead of spending an hour or two going back and forth and trying to make sure you have everything.

I also can't count the number of time people have come running up to me looking for simple tools because they left something important at home and needed to make a repair or adjustment. I've seen races lost b/c someone left a screw driver at home when transfering from their home box to the road bags.

I've always had the war wagon ranging from very nice ones in college to a craftsman box strapped to a northern tool yard cart. While not 100% necisary they are something every serious racer should have.

The OPS is nice and I'm sure he is going to enjoy using it.
 

softailgarage

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Apr 20, 2011
Messages
5,153
Location
Bullhead City, Az.
Nice job, gives me some idea's for the next Taco Cart restore. Not that I need something like that, but after reading this...I want one. Now if I could only figure out where to put the jacuzzi & bar...
 
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DEllis

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Joined
May 16, 2014
Messages
250
Location
Carlisle, PA
Just as a side note....My team won the 2006 Altamont Late Model Championship using a 5 gallon bucket as a tool box.We won 3/4 of the races.War wagons don't win races at the local level. Preparation wins races.We used to sit in chairs while other teams (BMR) used to thrash endlessly. We got tired just watching them.

Definitely true. I won a regional championship last year, and a large part of that was preparation, which resulted in no mechanical failures all season. I also ran every available test day, which I also think really helps get you in gear for the actual race weekends.

Duncan
 

vettex2

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Jul 30, 2012
Messages
1,146
Location
Northern Ca.
That is a true statement. However, properly setup pits makes it more enjoyable especially for a weekend warrior. It is nice to just roll the box into the trailer and know everything is there instead of spending an hour or two going back and forth and trying to make sure you have everything.

I also can't count the number of time people have come running up to me looking for simple tools because they left something important at home and needed to make a repair or adjustment. I've seen races lost b/c someone left a screw driver at home when transfering from their home box to the road bags.

I've always had the war wagon ranging from very nice ones in college to a craftsman box strapped to a northern tool yard cart. While not 100% necisary they are something every serious racer should have.

The OPS is nice and I'm sure he is going to enjoy using it.
Serious Racer ? My driver has won over 300 races and 15 championships.
We left the bucket in the trailer between races.It's far more enjoyable winning and watching others thrash.Another plus is that people don't ask to borrow tools ESPECIALLY after telling them we spent the money on the car , not tools to loan.We never needed a war wagon.Never wanted one. We did have a popcorn maker though.Sure we had toolboxes in the shop and that's where they belonged.I would want a wagon if we ran the Cup series or endurance races.At the local level all a wagon is for is looking "cool". Moving it in and out of a trailer , dragging it into the pits is a waste of effort.
Of course proper spelling isn't necessary either but at least it shows you care about what you write.It can also be a tip off to how well one prepares a car.
 
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DEllis

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May 16, 2014
Messages
250
Location
Carlisle, PA
Serious Racer ? My driver has won over 300 races and 15 championships.
We left the bucket in the trailer between races.It's far more enjoyable winning and watching others thrash.Another plus is that people don't ask to borrow tools ESPECIALLY after telling them we spent the money on the car , not tools to loan.We never needed a war wagon.Never wanted one. We did have a popcorn maker though.Sure we had toolboxes in the shop and that's where they belonged.I would want a wagon if we ran the Cup series or endurance races.At the local level all a wagon is for is looking "cool". Moving it in and out of a trailer , dragging it into the pits is a waste of effort.
Of course proper spelling isn't necessary either but at least it shows you care about what you write.It can also be a tip off to how well one prepares a car.

Please continue your argument in another thread, or maybe post some pictures of your bucket in the toolbox thread. I'd like to keep this thread about my pit cart.

Duncan
 

BTMSUP

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Joined
Feb 2, 2015
Messages
212
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Please continue your argument in another thread, or maybe post some pictures of your bucket in the toolbox thread. I'd like to keep this thread about my pit cart.

Duncan
[emoji121] This!

Great build by the way. It is no bucket, however I am sure you will make due.
 

Scottwi

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Joined
Jul 25, 2012
Messages
154
Location
Cedarburg, Wisconsin
I love the cart and would like to build one someday.

I currently use a tool cart from HF for my automotive tools. Whether we are heading to the track with the car, go-karts or heading snowmobiling the tool carts the first think to get loaded. Like someone else on the said I don't have to think about what tools to grab I just roll the cart in and know all my tools are there. I have even brought it to friends houses to work on their toys, I work more efficient when I know where the tools are.
 
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