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A maker documented converting a Razor A5 Lux push scooter into a drill-powered ride using a cordless drill, custom parts and a 3D-printed front wheel. The builder reports a top speed of about 10 mph and around two miles of travel from a 5-amp-hour battery, but shared no independent testing or safety certification.
A maker has converted a Razor A5 Lux push scooter into a drill-powered vehicle, using a Hercules cordless drill and a custom drive system to reach a reported top speed of about 10 mph. The builder says the project was intended for short trips around autocross events, and describes it as a personal experiment rather than a cost-saving alternative to buying an electric scooter.
In a report published on the builder’s website, the maker said the scooter’s front wheel is driven by the drill. A keyed shaft and one-way bearings transmit power while allowing the wheel to spin freely when the drill is off. The drill’s original trigger was relocated to the handlebars to control acceleration.
The builder said the drill has more torque than the scooter needs and is loud, so it must be used in its lower speed setting. The trigger is sensitive and difficult to feather, according to the report; the scooter can briefly spin its front wheel when accelerating from a stop. The rider’s usual approach is to kick-push once or twice before applying drill power.
The conversion uses a 20-volt Hercules drill, bearings, a keyed shaft and custom-fabricated parts. The front wheel was designed using a 3D scan of the scooter and printed in sections, with an ASA wheel and a TPU tire, the builder said. The original report lists fasteners, keys and shaft collars among the additional components.
A DIY Conversion With Limits
The project shows one way a maker adapted an existing scooter rather than replacing it, but the builder does not present it as a cheaper option. They explicitly said the work did not save money compared with buying an electric scooter; the value was in the build itself. That distinction matters for readers weighing a practical commute against a hands-on fabrication project.
The reported performance also sets modest expectations. The builder estimates about two miles per 5-amp-hour battery and says the scooter slows on hills. Those figures are the maker’s observations, not independently tested range or speed measurements. The report does not describe braking upgrades, formal road testing, or certification, so it should not be read as evidence that the conversion is suitable for public-road use.
More broadly, the build combines a power tool with a vehicle component for which it was not designed. That makes the details of control, wiring, mechanical retention and safe operation relevant to anyone considering a similar project. The source describes the construction but does not provide a verified safety assessment.
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Why the Scooter Was Modified
The builder said the idea came about in July, while using the scooter to get around autocross events while working on the course. Seeing other people ride electric scooters prompted the conversion, but the maker already owned a Razor A5 Lux and did not want another scooter left unused.
The original report says the Razor was not designed for electric conversion. The maker used a welder, a 3D printer and parts sourced from Harbor Freight, Amazon and McMaster, among other components. They also acknowledged having few build notes or photographs because the project began without a firm plan.
One challenging step was moving the drill trigger to the handlebars. The builder said the drill contained more wires than expected; wires were cut and extended using 12-gauge and 18-gauge wire. The report says the wiring lacked protective loom at the time, a detail the maker described as unfinished rather than as a recommended practice.
““It didn’t save money building this vs buying an electric scooter but I had fun.””
— The builder
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Performance And Safety Unverified
The source is a first-person project report, and it does not identify an independent tester or provide measured test data. The speed and battery range are estimates from the builder; conditions such as rider weight, terrain, temperature and battery age are not specified. It is also unclear how long the scooter was tested or how it performed beyond the maker’s described use.
The report does not establish whether the modified scooter meets any local vehicle rules, nor does it say whether the conversion was inspected or certified. It offers no detailed account of braking performance, protective equipment, or a systematic assessment of the relocated trigger and extended wiring. Those omissions mean the project’s road suitability and long-term reliability cannot be determined from the available information.
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No Further Testing Reported
The published account does not announce a planned production version, commercial release or follow-up test. The maker said they might add wire loom to protect the extended wiring, but the source does not confirm that this work was completed. No subsequent performance figures are included in the material provided.
For now, the next step is any further documentation from the builder: more detail on testing, braking and wiring protection could clarify how the scooter behaves in use. Until then, the reported speed and range should be treated as the maker’s estimates, and the conversion’s compliance and safety remain unverified.
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Key Questions
How fast did the drill-powered scooter reportedly go?
The builder reported a top speed of about 10 mph with the rider onboard. The source does not describe independent testing.
How far could it travel on one battery?
The maker estimated about two miles from a 5-amp-hour battery. The report does not specify the conditions or measurement method behind that estimate.
What powered the scooter?
A 20-volt Hercules cordless drill drove the front wheel through a keyed shaft and one-way bearings, according to the builder. The drill’s trigger was relocated to the handlebars.
Did the conversion cost less than buying an electric scooter?
No. The builder said the project did not save money compared with buying an electric scooter, though they enjoyed making it.
Has the modified scooter been confirmed safe or road-legal?
The source does not report a safety certification, inspection or legal assessment. Its suitability for public roads is not established by the project account.
Source: hn
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