Another UHMW runner question.

[Skipper]

This question is for the guys who put the UHMW plastic runners on their sleds...

I have a Voyager that I better put slides on before I drag the bottom out of it. I was wondering if 1/4 inc thick UHMW is thick enough to properly countersink bolt heads or pop rivets into? I would just go up to 1/2, but it costs more and it wont bend as easily. Should I use bolts or pop rivets?

I already emailed US Plastics, and they WILL cut the stuff into short enough lengths for UPS to deliver.

[Bean]

Skipper, I used the 1/4" and had no problem with countersinking it. It's been on for 2 ice seasons and occasionally dragging it across parking lots and it still looks new. I think US plastic has gotten a couple thousand dollars in orders from Iceshanty users in the last couple years.  The power of the shanty.

[Skipper]

Do we have a sales team?

If they packaged the stuff and sold it pre cut, they would be rollin in it! I will likely go with 4 7' peices of 1x1/4 then.

[brittlab]

I used 1/4" as well with no issues with the bolts.

[mbart]

Used 1/4"x2" UHMW on my guide, countersunk the mounting holes with a forstner bit. Applied GE silicone to the underside of the wearstrip to prevent water entering the sled. Used aluminum pop rivets to attach the wear strips. Someone should notify the vendor about the activity generated by this site.

[CMMahy]

Have you considered snowmobile sliders (hyfax)? I'm going to be installing 2 lengths of plain black short track sliders under my pro, using a heat gun as needed to make the bend. Give a lot more depth, and might save a bit of coin. Just a thought.

[Tainterslayer]

That stuff is tough enough to allow counter sinking at 1/4" but I would use a flat head bolt like this
I bet my left nut that you won't ever come close to ripping out one of these.

[Sven936]

I am with Tainterslayer.   I have delrin runners 1/4" and I used the countersunk flathead bolt in stainless.   No issues!!!

[Skipper]

Have you considered snowmobile sliders (hyfax)? I'm going to be installing 2 lengths of plain black short track sliders under my pro, using a heat gun as needed to make the bend. Give a lot more depth, and might save a bit of coin. Just a thought.

I need four seven foot lengths of it, 28 feet total. The Voyager is a BIG stinking trap. I dont have enough used hyfax around to pull that off. Hyfax is about $14 a stick, UHMW is about a buck a foot in 1x1/2.

[mbart]

Ever look at a Otter hyfax kit, predrilled, contersunk holes, and stainless steel mounting hardware. Installed one on my small sled, like everything Otter it's not cheap.

[Skipper]

I can drill my own holes for the price. This stuff is gonna cost $28+shipping, that is tough to beat.

[wnybassman]

I can drill my own holes for the price. This stuff is gonna cost $28+shipping, that is tough to beat.

Wait til you buy the stainless hardware   


I bought the UHMW from US Plastics a month ago for both my FT Scout and Frabil TrekkerII.  Total for both was $40

I got enough stainless hardware the other day to mount the stuff on one shanty or the other, and it was another $26.  I would have got enough for both but I cleaned them out of the size bolts I wanted      Oh, in that $26 was a new countersink bit also, that was $5.

I suppose I could have got away with non-stainless stuff, but I'm the type to overdo things.

[Skipper]

My Dad has a 5 gallon pail full of aluminum pop rivets for some reason, I think I will use those. Dad also has all the counter sink bits and stuff like that. His personal stash of drill bits and cutting tools puts all but the finest hardware stores to shame. The man has been hoarding tools for 50 years, it works out pretty good for me!

[rlowery]

how far apart do you put your bolts/rivets?

[dcso3009]

I used 1 1/4x 1/2 on my Yukon.  I attached them at the front edge, the back end then 3 in between.  I really like the runners curved up the front of the sled.



A tip... attach the front, and then heat and bend it in place.  I did mine in about 30 minutes.  I used Stainless hardware with washers, and nylon nuts on the inside of the tub.  I also added a dab of silicone to the tops of the nuts just as a back up. 

[big-brother]

Have you considered snowmobile sliders (hyfax)? 

Check with a local snomo shop on user slideravailability as a lot of repair shops have tons of perfectly useable old sliders lying around after servicing someones sled.Most will just give them away free...............Can't beat free.

[Hollywood703]

Im hoping my cousin can pick me up some of the hyfax ......i told him burnt up works just fine if its free. Figure i can get 48" strips from some.......and get enough to replace as needed......

[Michigan Mafia]

Hey guys, I just stumbled upon this post. I actually work for a plastics company in Michigan and we have a warehouse full of every grade and thickness plastic that you might need. We also have CNC routers that will cut and drill any shape or size. Let me know if I could be of any help.

[Hollywood703]

where abouts in MI?

[Skipper]

Is UMHW the ideal product for the cost?

[billbert]

Hey guys, I just stumbled upon this post. I actually work for a plastics company in Michigan and we have a warehouse full of every grade and thickness plastic that you might need. We also have CNC routers that will cut and drill any shape or size. Let me know if I could be of any help.

I am looking for enough to cover my Yukon 4 sticks at 54" I think. What type of stuff do you have??Thanks

[Tainterslayer]

Probably not as good as PFTE Teflon, and definitely not as good as anti gravity... but it is what most people use. It is verrrry abrasion resistant, should outlast any other plastic you put on.

[hulv]

I posted this a couple of weeks ago but it looks like this might be what you guys have in mind

OK here is what I have come up with in the off season     
the pics were from my phone   sorry if they suck



this is the "sled" or mortar mixing bucket I bought from the home depot. $11.99



here are the UHMW runners I put on it got em from EBay $19.00 for 10 pcs. I only used 4 of em so I have extras to replace them with I carefully laid it all out and everything is straight counterbored and even



well I like to be comfortable so I got a gamma seal lid $7.00 and attached a boat seat $35.00 to it I have found a short bucket to attach it to (hard to bend down....   something is in the way??? might have something to do with the BEER laughs the old lady while I am in full ice gear trying buckets in the livingroom)  the gamma seal ring stays on the bucket and I can remove the seat by spinning it on or off  and I have built in  waterproof storage for the electronics



and last I have a couple of kitty litter buckets freebie attached and a little shelf (freebie.... you laugh at me I am cutting up the cutting board) to hold my Joe and some bait and the such   the kitty litter buckets are just a hair larger than my fishing buckets so they don't get stuck together  (theres that d**n BEER)



just enough room behind the buckets for the auger....      I think this just might work.

I know I am not the only person in the offseason to make a sled   lets see them.

[Michigan Mafia]

I am looking for enough to cover my Yukon 4 sticks at 54" I think. What type of stuff do you have??Thanks

We have pretty much every kind of plastic on the market, and if we don't have it we can get it.

I actually work in the fabrication department, but I will ask one of our salesman what type of plastic they would recommend. My guess is that UHMW would be the best for the money.

[pete/ny]

Good luck using that Home Depot mixing box.I bought 1 last week and after mixing 2 bags of motar in it after emptying it and went to clean it out, it broke into 3 pieces!Very flimsy and thin and cheap plastic.Cannot imagine what will happen to it under low temps and some rough ice and snow.I think you wasted a lot of time and money on that.My origianl Jet Sled is over 4 years old and its finally showing its age but I will still get a couple more seasons out of it.