Author Topic: My Homemade $15 Sled! AKA The "Smitty Sled" (Read 821997 times)

BrianB · « **Reply #1110 on:** Dec 01, 2014, 12:13 PM »

Hello all

New guy here and wanted to share my new Smitty I built this fall.

Not every outing we have snow covered roads when walking to the fishing grounds,so this one had to be for both the ice/snow and bare road.

I had an old Polar express flip that the moles thought they would make holes in.

( No biggie,as Im a hub guy now ) So I removed the tarp and hardware and started my build.

I,ll let the pics show what I came up with. Dont let the pics fool you.( taken with a cell phone ) The height from skies to the bottom of the sled is 12" and it is 20 inches wide. Wheels can be locked in out of the way,then put into place for road travel. The way I have the tow rope through the skis is an old trick that my pop showed me. It allows for smoother travel on rough snow trails and helps keeping it from tipping over. Shock absorber effect sorta speak.
Slides right in the back of the truck.

Hope you like.

lefty2053 · « **Reply #1111 on:** Dec 01, 2014, 01:11 PM »

Very nice. The wheels can come in handy for sure.

mjmeyer · « **Reply #1112 on:** Dec 03, 2014, 11:28 AM »

I have a question on the wheels. I built my Smitty Sled a couple years ago now. Without the thought of adding wheels. It pulls like a dream with a couple hundred pounds. This time of year, with no snow on the ground, wheels would be a benefit. Across parking lots and through the woods. My question is are the wheels ever a disadvantage? On Ice they would pull as easily as dry land and maybe as easy as a sled on ice. On snow, they may plow a little, but would it really be that bad. What I'm really wondering, do they need to be removable? And why aren't we building Smitty Wagons?
Mike

smitty0312 · « **Reply #1113 on:** Dec 03, 2014, 12:28 PM »

Beautiful work here guys........I love it when heads come together and share great ideas! Smitty

Corndog · « **Reply #1114 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 04:16 AM »

Quote from: BrianB on Dec 01, 2014, 12:13 PM

Hello all
New guy here and wanted to share my new Smitty I built this fall
Hope you like.

You may be a "new guy" on the Ice Shanty, but by the looks of this Smitty, you're an old pro. Fantastic build and pictures. Do you take orders? Lol!
Seriously. great build!

gadbmw · « **Reply #1115 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 06:39 PM »

My first smitty sled. I enjoy always thinking of new little things to add to it. Thanks for all the ideas.

rdhammah · « **Reply #1116 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 08:27 PM »

got enuf stuffed in that box? good thing for you that it wasn't bigger!

lefty2053 · « **Reply #1117 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 10:17 PM »

Again looks great.

Idahogator · « **Reply #1118 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 10:24 PM »

Hey, Gadbmw, is there a way to weigh your outfit ?

Looks well done.

Do you have a hub shelter going on it ?

gadbmw · « **Reply #1119 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 10:42 PM »

It looks way more than filled than what it is. the right side is a tray about 4 inches deep for lure boxes, line etc, the left side has a mat, rope and a couple of pop ups. I usually tie by rods in their bag on top, kids broke a couple when I tried to store them in the box so now I keep them where I can see them. I wanted to use downhill skis but had these just standing in a corner so free won.

Coss13 · « **Reply #1120 on:** Dec 05, 2014, 06:53 AM »

I was making a smitty sled and was wondering what everyone used to cut out the piece of would in the top of the 2x8 for the 2x4? Thanks for any help.

lefty2053 · « **Reply #1121 on:** Dec 05, 2014, 07:23 AM »

I cut down on each side with my Circular saw and a little ways down the cross piece and then took a chisel and chipped it out.

rdhammah · « **Reply #1122 on:** Dec 05, 2014, 07:26 AM »

run several cuts 1/4" all the same depth, then knock them out with a hammer or screwdriver

Coss13 · « **Reply #1123 on:** Dec 05, 2014, 07:37 AM »

great thanks

smitty0312 · « **Reply #1124 on:** Dec 07, 2014, 05:57 PM »

Quote from: Coss13 on Dec 05, 2014, 06:53 AM

I was making a smitty sled and was wondering what everyone used to cut out the piece of would in the top of the 2x8 for the 2x4? Thanks for any help.

I used a jig saw.

donnie_o8 · « **Reply #1125 on:** Dec 07, 2014, 06:29 PM »

I started to put my "Smitty sled" together today and seen right away a few changes I want to make so the first plan was washed....Should be back at it after work tomorrow and get pics up. Its real easy to over think this thing....and get out of line with adding weight. But reading a lot of your post its said they pull about 75% easier than the sled alone so I'm thinking the weight gain will be worth being organized Instead of being like a Chinese junk going out across there with things falling of on the way. I am also trying to make it more versatile.... If I'm walking or using the atv or if I'm alone or with someone else who has gear to tote. Anyhow....Its sure gonna be nice when everything has a place and is secured for the haul.

mud_n_fun · « **Reply #1126 on:** Dec 07, 2014, 07:06 PM »

Quote from: nypike on Jan 25, 2009, 01:00 PM

i have the shappell 4000 and it has the ski's on it but when you pull it with a machine the skis get mangled. I am looking to build something to put it on to tow it with a machine.

Made this back when I had a Shappel. Conduit fit n the ribs.

Kid loved drag it around empty.

nocod · « **Reply #1127 on:** Dec 08, 2014, 02:28 PM »

just got my skis,5 bucks from the goodwill,no hurry to start too warm

smitty0312 · « **Reply #1128 on:** Dec 16, 2014, 09:26 AM »

Quote from: nocod on Dec 08, 2014, 02:28 PM

just got my skis,5 bucks from the goodwill,no hurry to start too warm

I am looking forward to the pics when you get her built..........Smitty.

d4ng3r3ux · « **Reply #1129 on:** Dec 19, 2014, 07:55 AM »

well here is my new sled. all materials I found lying around my Junk pile

my work bench... no garage so I must work outside

materials : old bedframes, downhill ski, roof top carrier

rdhammah · « **Reply #1130 on:** Dec 19, 2014, 08:04 AM »

one of the other nice things about the Smitty Sled is that we're RECYCLING!

DLB · « **Reply #1131 on:** Dec 19, 2014, 01:06 PM »

Outstanding d4ng3r3ux.

Cotacatchers · « **Reply #1132 on:** Dec 19, 2014, 04:14 PM »

Sweet. Nice work

smitty0312 · « **Reply #1133 on:** Dec 19, 2014, 07:45 PM »

Very very nice........I like that alot! Thanks for showing it to us.

dwhitlock · « **Reply #1134 on:** Dec 21, 2014, 02:53 PM »

Well after dragging my 5600 clam and gear across the lake without a sled I found that I'm to fat and out of shape to do this again. So out Christmas shopping I stop at the goodwill and found some skis for $9.99. now its time to start the build. I've read all 57 pages to get some good ideas hope I can come up with some thing that works for me and my 5600 clam. I will post pics when I'm done

kyle1982 · « **Reply #1135 on:** Dec 21, 2014, 03:05 PM »

Very nice good idea

smitty0312 · « **Reply #1136 on:** Dec 22, 2014, 09:38 AM »

Quote from: dwhitlock on Dec 21, 2014, 02:53 PM

Well after dragging my 5600 clam and gear across the lake without a sled I found that I'm to fat and out of shape to do this again. So out Christmas shopping I stop at the goodwill and found some skis for $9.99. now its time to start the build. I've read all 57 pages to get some good ideas hope I can come up with some thing that works for me and my 5600 clam. I will post pics when I'm done

I look forward to seeing the final product.

Sidepork · « **Reply #1137 on:** Dec 23, 2014, 12:43 PM »

Might have some more pics laying around of the rest of it if anyone is interested. This one was my favorite though

muskrat bay · « **Reply #1138 on:** Dec 25, 2014, 07:32 PM »

Here's my smitty I built this year. All tig welded aluminum.

Corndog · « **Reply #1139 on:** Dec 26, 2014, 05:27 AM »

Quote from: muskrat bay on Dec 25, 2014, 07:32 PM

Here's my smitty I built this year.

I like the auger holder. Way to think outside the box!

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Author Topic: My Homemade $15 Sled! AKA The "Smitty Sled" (Read 821997 times)