Substitute material for hyfax runners on a sled

[prospector]

 Time to replace the runners on my Otter resort. Thinking about trying some Oak run through the tablesaw. What do you guys think? Will it hold up? I have not been happy with the hyfax. Might even try some steel or aluminum. Weight is not an issue, but I do want it low to the ground so a Smitty is not what I am going after this time. Thanks for the replies!

[mr.clean]

Prospector I've heard of people using Trex decking material to make runners similar to hyfax. They rip the decking board to the thicknees desired and cut an angle on part of the board to match curve on shelter sled . (I'm not sure I spelled the name of decking material correctly)
Steve

[stripernut]

I am surprised they used Trex, I am sure it is tough, but it is far from smooth (full of sawdust)... I did not go the Hyfax and mounted a pair of skies right to my Clam.

[esox_xtm]

Way back before there were real sleds and hyfax and all that stuff I built a small sled of wood but used strips cut from 55 gallon plastic drums as the wear strips. Very tough stuff and my favorite price. 

[Shack man Shoney]

There is a recycler in Kearney Nebraska, Sand hill plastics is the name of it. They sell HDPE in 4'x8' sheets. You will have to call for pricing but when I ordered from them a few years ago they were very reasonable on price. The stuff is very tough. If you order 1/4" or thinner they will roll it up put in a box and ship it to you. I might even have some around here somewhere if i look for it.

[3300]

if you haven't already, make sure each runner has some on it to disperse the weight better so they wear slower. try other brands like shappell. i like them the best even better than otter and way better than frabill.

i load my sled on sight as close to the ice as possible to avoid ruining things.

how long did they last?

[river rat78]

You might want to try us plastic.com Get the UHMW  rectangle bars. I'm going to be adding it to my shelter this year. I talked with a rep last year and she said I can reduce the shipping cost by having them cut shorter.

[muskamoot]

I have used marine grade starboard for custom runners.It's UHMW plastic.It's also pricey,but I had some scrap laying around.Wears like iron.

[Fisherman 1]

If you have a hockey arena close to you, they change out the "puck boards" at the bottom of the wall that go around the rink.  That is UMHW, cut it with a table saw to your required size. 

[prospector]

 Great ideas Guys! I ended  up going to a machine shop and finding some similar stuff to what you guys were talking about. Not near as expensive as the name brand and I was able to cut it twice  as thick as the factory.

[tbern]

When using these substitute hyfax  materials  on a sled that has never been drilled before, how far from each end are you putting a bolt, then distance used from these end bolts to the next bolts?

[prospector]

 About an inch and a half from the ends and 8 inches center to center approximately.

[tbern]

About an inch and a half from the ends and 8 inches center to center approximately.

thanks!

[Jason1817]

Are u hand pulling the sled ? I ask bc if u are....I used a product on the bottom of my jet boat called gator glide....it makes the bottom of a boat unbelievable slippery....I gently pushed my snuff can across the bottom of my boat it slid maybe 1 foot prior to coating with gator glide....after I applied the epoxy based product I pushed the snuff can about the same push it slid the entire length of my 16 foot jet boat....I thought holy !@// if I where to put this on the bottom of my smitty sled skis my goodness it would push it self....so the left over from the boat I put on the skis....haven't got the chance to pull them on snow or ice yet however I can tell u on cement its night and day with and without the product....con it's sorta expensive....

[prospector]

Pulling behind four wheeler  or snowmobile. That product sounds really nice. Very interesting!