My Homemade $15 Sled! AKA The "Smitty Sled"

[Steellord2]

Good luck and have fun building it. I am still trying to figure out the best way to transport the whole thing to the lakes across parking lots. I have a 2 wheel dolly that might work but then I have to haul it once at the lake. I tried wheels on the back of the sled and it would work but I need to have them removable once at the lake. They are removable but I don't like taking too much time doing things like that once I get to the lake. Hit the lake and I want to drill as soon as possible.

lefty2053, I know of a site to get some nifty flip up wheels that mount on the tub of the shanty. They are not a sponsor here so I don't think I can post the link to them. Send me an email at [email protected] and I'll give you the info.

[frigidaire]

My original build is on page 19.  This year I modified it by adding long shanked hook eyes to each of the up rights, open side down, near the bottom.  I then acquired 4 8" wheels, two 1/2" x 4ft aluminum rods, 4 hard pvcc tube spacers and spring clips to hold the wheels on.  Cut the rods to fit (36-40"), then make 4 ~2" pvcc spacers.  Place the rods under the screw hooks, slide a pvcc spacer on each side, then the wheel.  Trim the spacer and rod as required, then drill a 1/8" inch hole through each axle rod end and secure with a spring clip. This works like a charm.  When you get to the ice, just lift the sled fore and aft and the axles will drop out of place.  Remove the wheels and replace the spring clips.  Put the wheels in a bag and add with the axles to the rest of your load.  If your up rights are tall enough you could simply place a separate set of hook eyes half way up, turned up, and place the entire axle sets on these when you're on the ice. (I haven't tried that.)  Good Luck!!

[smitty0312]

Nice job boys, keep em' coming!

[efka]

just started making my ski sled out of conduit pipe, what do you guys think, will it withstand the abuse.

[lefty2053]

Looks good to me.  I like the brackets for holding the Conduit upright.

[barkman49]

looks good how wide are you making  it looks quite wide to me maybe just the angle of the pix.

[efka]

maybe it's because the conduit is thin, will have more pics tomorrow when i finish
it will 24", so i can have a sled and popup beside it.

[efka]

ok here is the finished sled, had to move the front bar a little back.
have to undo 4 screws to take it apart

[lefty2053]

Looks real good.

[barkman49]

it turned out real good looks like it will do well for you thanks for the finshed pixs

[jbird68]

What are you using to hold your sled and hub onto the rods? Take a sharp turn and they will slide off the side. I use a strap that cinches tight to hold my sled down.

[efka]

will probably use bungee cords, ratchet straps might be too much.

[smitty0312]

Top notch there afka!!

[mud_n_fun]

Here is a sled I am making for my Clam XL4000T. It can be broken down for easy transport. Going to add a few things to it but this is the start of it. Gravity and the weight of the shanty holds the frames over the pipes on the skis.

[AZbassernCO]

here is mine i built it today in hopes that it will please the ice gods

[jbird68]

I like only having 1 bolt on each end of the bridge boards. Makes it easy to get together and apart. It's plenty strong enough with just the one.

[AZbassernCO]

the best part is how light it is before i load it up

[rdhammah]

My version:

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this sled is AWESOME! wish i knew how to weld

[rdhammah]

Ran across a neat setup the other day on my way out on the ice and thought you guys would like to see it.

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what are thise black and white things hanging of the back?

[wyoutdoors]

what are thise black and white things hanging of the back?

I took that shot last year at Pactola Reservoir in SD. I'm not sure what those are hanging off the back. The sled belonged to someone else and I happened to take the shot because I liked the mower handle and overall setup and wanted to share the idea here with others. Maybe someone else recognizes what it is?

[pipeboy98]

I enlarged the picture on my iPad and those black and white things in the back look like rod holders.  They are pieces of PVC duct taped to a bent metal base.  Since I was interested too I figured you'd want to know!

[efka]

looks like some kind of floats attached with ropes to each rod's handle in case they get pulled in water.

[AZbassernCO]

made some last minute changes to my sled and hit it with water seal so here are some more pics with it loaded and my rod carrier attached

bonus of the day i pulle dmy auger out of storage and it had a full tank of gas and my first thought was damn now i need to take it to the engine guy but thought i would try it anyway and the dang thing fired up on the first pull

[kb]

what are thise black and white things hanging of the back?

Im gonna go with slingshots so you can hit your buddy in the head with dead bait!!

[jbird68]

For those who have PVC style rods holders with the rods exposed to the elements, do you have issues with frozen reels and/or line? I am not sure I like my rods and reels exposed to the elements.

[AZbassernCO]

in the close up of my rods anyone know where a guy can get some more of the rod second from the right i love that rod from ht and i cant find them anywhere

[rdhammah]

it's bent! never seen one like it

[wyoutdoors]

in the close up of my rods anyone know where a guy can get some more of the rod second from the right i love that rod from ht and i cant find them anywhere

Rocky Mountain Discount in Gillette, WY has rods similar to that one. Unsure of the brand now, but I was there looking at rods the other day and recall seeing rods with the bend just after the reel seat.

[NYSporty]

in the close up of my rods anyone know where a guy can get some more of the rod second from the right i love that rod from ht and i cant find them anywhere

Wallmart

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Slick-Ice-Combo/19528773

[hounds]

I saw some at BPS and Cabela's just last week.