Scaling questions - software

Eric Alexander · Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Posts: 121

I'm at the point where I want to look into scaling my karts. I'm looking at various shipping scales as a cost-effective solution. Anyone have any opinions or insight on using shipping scales?

Does anyone know of any software or spreadsheets that would allow me to input the corner weight values and compute crossweights and such?

Thanks in advance!

Michael Knauf · Joined: 31 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

Shipping scales with enough range to scale a kart are pretty costly.

I don't think you are going to save a huge amount over a $1000 set of kart scales (or maybe $600 used).
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Tim Salvino · Joined: 20 Nov 2010 Posts: 257

Eric Alexander · Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Posts: 121

Yeah, that's basically what I'm looking at. Something with 200-300lbs capacity. I'm looking to work on fine-tuning the set-up and expanding my knowledge base. So this is really just a starting point to entry-level kart scaling. I want to own the equipment because I want to be able to scale the kart, run some laps, make a change, and scale the kart again - to start logging information.

John Matthews · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 12:33 pm Post subject:

Many championships have been won with bathroom scales on a relatively flat garage floor.

Remember, kart chassis don't have suspension so getting it perfect to the pound isn't as critical as with formula or dirt track cars that have springs and shocks. The main reasons I use scales is for getting the corner weights right when you first set-up and after a major shunt. They're useful for bending the chassis back into shape with an old axle or 2x4.

No matter how good you get the corner weights on a kart you'll be off by a few pounds as soon as the driver hits the first curb. Wink

JMHO,
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Heartbeat Power, LLC.

KURT RODGERS · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:16 pm Post subject:

if you don't have MS excel, download "Open Office".
it has an Excel compatible spreadsheet app. You can develop your own scaling spreadsheet very easily and add other feature you find useful to your kart. You can save your work in either Excel "xls" format or the Open Office ".ods" format.
But if you want something ready made, google searched with "race car scaling spreadsheet excel"
The first few returns were
http://www.nyracer.com/setup.htm
http://www.thedirtforum.com/toolbox.htm
and there are many more

Dan Haynes · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:17 pm Post subject:

We had scales and sold them cause we never used them. We needed over 30lbs. of lead so we would scale it until we were about 5-10lbs light then adjust it at the track. We never needed to scale it again until the next year when we re-assembled it. And we really didn't need to then cause we knew where we needed the lead by then.
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Ron Gordon · Joined: 27 Dec 2009 Posts: 150

Michael Knauf · Joined: 31 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

Guess I recall postage scales being a lot more expensive than that... ~$200 a piece IIRC.
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Mike

Jim McMahon · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:41 am Post subject:

Web (flash) based, but excellent: http://www.bcot1.com/karting/scaling.swf
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Dan Rudd · Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 199

+ 1 for kart data 2000. I've had that program for several years and like some of it's simple features.
I also have the Karters Companion which I believe the link was circulated here on EKN. This software also has scaling calculations. A web search should give you the location to download it.

Dan

Scott Heavin · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:33 pm Post subject:

Search for Hollinger's thread on using shipping scales. Tons of info in it. I think it was his.
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joseph hollinger · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:46 pm Post subject:

http://www.ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=70041&start=0&sid=16d83403a316c2d2ce4fee794f6a418e

http://www.ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=116418&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
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al nunley · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 3037

You can have my Excel spreadsheet for free.
Lots of stuff in there. Scaling being just one of them. Enter corners and get percentages, or, put in percentages and get corners.
Cross, front, left, rear cross, front cross. Numbers and percentages.
Also gear ratios, stagger, speed, gear ratio changes with tire size change. Race day and practice day log sheet. Jetting, piston travel verses crank rotation.
All you need is Excel.
Send request to Al Nunley at;
anunley@austin.rr.com
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All else being equal; Compression is the Holy Grail.
45 years, in and around karting