This is perhaps my first experience of a overtime project. What started as a few simply drawings at the start of Gr 11 turned into a project that would occupy me till the end of Gr 12. As the plans for a stock kart was available in a book, I thought I had only needed to follow instructions; I didn’t suspect that construction would be one of the most tedious parts of all. To start with, I needed to draw a full size plan view of the frame, mount it to plywood, and carefully align angled-cut HSS members (no tubes, though called for, were available so I had to improvise), and MIG weld the parts together.
 
Other difficulties of construction aside, I found that acquiring the necessary parts was as tedious and difficult. I didn’t think that there were so many components to a simple go kart. And finding the components of the right dimensions to fit the frame adds to the tedium. Here a clear BOM would have been of great help. Nevertheless, I have effectively learned how to acquire which parts. Some components, such as the engine, are better bought used and second hand, while other more simple parts, such as track rods, should be bought from the store or manually made (such as the axle) from engineering drawings. In machining these parts, I gained a basic understanding of the drawings.
 
Even with all the necessary parts, I still had trouble finishing on time (the deadline was my graduation). Only in the last few months before the end, was I compelled to work efficiently. I set for myself a schedule both in school time and out, so that I may accomplish my goal. Finally, I had almost completed my project when I discovered that the engine had stopped working, after investigating (and shocking myself with the spark plug) I determined that dried gasoline had plugged the carburetor. With no time to disassemble and clean, I was left with a shell of a complete go-kart. However, I was still elated at the completion of the project, working or not, for I had pulled through and finished in time, discounting externalities out of my control.
 
In retrospect, employing what I have learned in praxis this semester, I would have researched further into, and not take at face value what was claimed in the book. For example, the book stated that most parts could be salvaged from old motorcycles, so I wasted weeks looking for one, when buying parts separately was just a bit more expensive but much more efficient. Another time waster was construction, in part due to the fact that I was confused by the instruction. I should have in response consulted with my teacher and drew a plan that I could understand. If only I had taken the next logical step, and recondisered the design - a reframing - if you will, then I may have saved time excluding some requirements. For example, the large treaded tires took forever to find, when in reality I only needed conventional smaller cart tires for my intents and purposes.