Jeff at Out Your Backdoor recreated his brother’s fast sled design this winter:
What you do is take a plastic tub sled ($10 hardware store) and screw a pair of XC skis to the bottom of it—if it’s a sled for kids—or a pair of metal-edge downhill skis if adults might use it. Use stout, short screws and big washers to avoid pull-thru. Then you glue foam-padding to the inside of the tub.
Apparently the only problem is that you can’t turn. If I lived in a place with snow, as I once did, this would be on my project list; great for recycling an old pair of skis! – [via] Link.
20 thoughts on “Homebrew sled out of skis”
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And it would be the fastest sled on the hill!
A lot of cross country skiers and snowshoers will build these to load gear on to pull behind them. If you do that it is called a Pulka and not a sled though.
I’m also thinking you could mount the skis directly to the runners of a flexible flyer type sled and possibly retain some semblance of steering. I think you would have to bolt up through the bottom of the ski’s. A carriage bolt (rounded head) and a little counter sinking might do the trick. Drill through some pipe brackets, fasten with washers and nuts and you’re good to go.
To paraphrase a certain dwarf we all know, “Chance of success slim, probability of death high, what are we waiting for?”
Tie the ropes to the tips of the skiis and you’ll be able to steer… if steering is your goal, which it usually isn’t the pure form of sledding… MMmmmm… sledding.
M@
Thank you so much! I’d almost forgotten about Out Your Backdoor. I last read OYB#7, with the Yurt, when it was back in the 1995 paper ‘zine scene. I loved it, I missed it, and now we’re having a tearful reunion. You rock!
I have already made my own sled : http://tuningluge.js-zone.net/realisation.html
It’s in french, but it’s good !
I’d use one of those plastic sleds that had the handbrakes on both sides. Then you could selectively apply the brakes to steer.
I’d use one of those plastic sleds that had the handbrakes on both sides. Then you could selectively apply the brakes to steer.
You instantly inspired me to make a sled for our 3 children who are all under 18 months old. I bought the skis at Goodwill for $7.00 and the rest of the wood and hardware worked out to be just about $90.00.
I have installed hardware to allow their respective car seats to be safely latched down.
I haven’t tried it yet, but I know it will kick butt out of anything store bought.
I am gonna put some heavy duty stain or paint on it so it will last for 4 or more years.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/2205030913_640d9d035b.jpg?v=0
More pics and video to come on our blog http://www.GoRocketGo.com
Thanks
Dennis
My Dad cut a kayak in half and bolted skis to it when I was a kid. It was fast and insane.
I did what amp said. I used a sled handbrakes on both sides. It does steer to some extent. I also have skis on 2 wooden toboggans. I use 2 sticks to steer those.