During my last semester of college I embarked on what was a very ambitious project for me at the time: to build an electric scooter. Without this project, I wouldn't be nearly as knowledgeable in manual machining as I am today. On the mill, I learned how to properly use an edge-finder, fixture large pieces of stock, and how to dial in feeds and speeds. On the lathe, I learned how to turn multiples of the same part, how to turn between centers and how to properly use the tailstock.

I brought the parts with me to California and wrapped up the project the following year.

Milling a flat on the inside of the U-channel, which made up the body of the scooter.

The back wheelpod being assembled. These parts were cut on a waterjet and post-machined.

Tapping the motor mounting plate.

The motor mount attached to the large brushless motor.

The motor mounted to the back wheelpod.

The motor pod slides into the u-channel.

Cutting the shafts.

Using a belt sander to put a slight bevel on the teeth of the sprocket, which was cut on a waterjet.

The finished sprocket attached to the arbor I used to hold it in the drill.

Milling a flat on the motor pulley. It was then drilled and tapped for a set screw.

Rear view of the motor pod before the chain was installed.

The scooter ran off a giant 6S LiPo battery. The electronics were protected with a laser-cut sheet of acrylic.

Mostly done.