Author Topic: Scratcher Built Smitty...  (Read 13025 times)

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Scratcher Built Smitty...
« on: Jan 21, 2015, 11:20 PM »
Spent the last two nights building me a Smitty sled..

I had everything except the stainless bolt, nut, and wing nut (X4) that are used to attach the cross boards to the uprights..

1/2" Birch ply for the uprights, 1x6" for the cross boards, and 3/4" angle iron (sourced from bed frame rails)....

I have been building and using sleds with down hill skis for 25 years now and prefer using only one mount in the ski's binding area.. The ski can flex and work like a suspension system for a very smooth quiet ride..

This is my first break down style sled though, thanks for the idea Smitty!!

Walked it out 1 mile on Erie tonight and it pulls like a dream!

Pictures....















Thanks for looking!!

<*)))>{




Offline Townie

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #1 on: Jan 22, 2015, 01:44 AM »
One of the best Smitty's I've seen-- kudos!
Bulls, Jumbos & Slabs Oh My!

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #2 on: Jan 22, 2015, 03:04 AM »
One of the best Smitty's I've seen-- kudos!

Thanks Townie!!!

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Offline FlamDragger

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #3 on: Jan 22, 2015, 04:13 AM »
Nicely done!  Obviously some thought went into that design.

Offline Whopper Stopper

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #4 on: Jan 22, 2015, 04:20 AM »
Very nice job I S  !


                WS

Offline chubs

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #5 on: Jan 22, 2015, 04:38 AM »
good job man
if the shoe fits

Offline myemmy

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #6 on: Jan 22, 2015, 05:54 AM »
Nice real nice job !!

Offline motocross269

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #7 on: Jan 22, 2015, 06:36 AM »
I really like that design...I might have to contract one out from you...lol...Nice..

Offline SnoHam13

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #8 on: Jan 22, 2015, 07:09 AM »
nice design
another to add to the build list

SnoHam13

Offline lefty2053

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #9 on: Jan 22, 2015, 07:11 AM »
How wide is that setup? And those look to be some pretty long Ski's also.

Nice work.
<===Lefty===

Offline wileyc3

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #10 on: Jan 22, 2015, 07:37 AM »
Very nice..... still have to get mine done.
Be safe & Tight lines...........Wiley


Offline pmaloney86

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #11 on: Jan 22, 2015, 08:00 AM »
Very nice.  Mine isn't as nice to look at but does the trick.  I added hinges to the cross braces and a rope in between so it collapses down into half the size.
westernmas on the finder

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #12 on: Jan 22, 2015, 11:12 AM »
How wide is that setup? And those look to be some pretty long Ski's also.

Nice work.

Thanks Lefty!

The cross boards are 40 inches I think... I made it wide enough for my Clam 5600 too...

The skis are about 6ft, longer skis= easier pulling!

<*)))>{


Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #13 on: Jan 22, 2015, 11:23 AM »
Thanks to everyone for all the complements!

Here is its older brother, this one is about 15 years old, and is my second non collapsible sled..

I have been using this style of sled since 1985..

My first one had a square front and would plow on the taller drifts when being towed by a machine. It would throw snow all over my gear. Here are some pictures of my second version, featuring a boat nose.. stays on top of the drifts...











Here it is loaded up with gear for me and four first timers...



Added a wind break extension last season...



<*)))>{

Offline JonPerry

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #14 on: Jan 22, 2015, 11:53 AM »
Both unit are nicely done. Your newest one even better than the 1st ;)

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #15 on: Jan 22, 2015, 12:07 PM »
Both unit are nicely done. Your newest one even better than the 1st ;)

Thanks Jon!

The first version will carry a lot more weight and doesn't pull any harder. Its also built to be towed at any speed on any ice and I can ride in/on it lol....

But it also weighs 65lbs...  It will still get used although not as much..

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Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #16 on: Jan 22, 2015, 10:49 PM »
Very nice.  Mine isn't as nice to look at but does the trick.  I added hinges to the cross braces and a rope in between so it collapses down into half the size.

Sounds like a cool mod!

I saw one that sounds similar, does yours have wheels too?

<°)))>{

Offline LP Steve

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #17 on: Jan 23, 2015, 08:57 AM »
Great job and great pictures!

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #18 on: Jan 23, 2015, 05:02 PM »
Thanks Steve!

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Offline tricohatch

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #19 on: Jan 23, 2015, 05:41 PM »
Real nice work Scratcher! Nice wallagators in that last pic too! :(

Offline Webby

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #20 on: Jan 23, 2015, 08:46 PM »
Great looking sled!
"The best two times to go fishing is when it's raining and when it's not raining!"

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #21 on: Jan 23, 2015, 09:16 PM »
Thanks fellas!

Good luck out there!!

<°)))>{

Offline Border Jumper

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #22 on: Jan 24, 2015, 09:42 AM »
Very nice looking Smitty, question for you  what is the height and width of the plywood pieces ? Thanks

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #23 on: Jan 24, 2015, 10:22 AM »
Thanks man, the plywood is 8" tall by 33" long..

They are 33 because I was looking for 22" between the 6x6 which are actually 5.5"...

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Offline chasinfins

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #24 on: Jan 24, 2015, 01:08 PM »
Ice Scratcher that is awesome!  Hope you don't mind if I copy it!
Life is hard ... even harder if you're stupid ...

Offline bee

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #25 on: Jan 24, 2015, 01:09 PM »
Nice set up. If you pass the rope through the front of the ski's you will se a big difference in the pulling of it. Either drill a hole or attach some eye bolts. Gives you better control of the sled.
Thats Why They Call It Fishing.

Offline fish333

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #26 on: Jan 24, 2015, 02:49 PM »
Nice set up. If you pass the rope through the front of the ski's you will se a big difference in the pulling of it. Either drill a hole or attach some eye bolts. Gives you better control of the sled.


 It is a nice sled. I wish I would of made one that you can break it down for storage. You are right, if Scratcher would pull from the ski's it will pull even better.  It works better and helps when you are pulling it on top of soft snow. All and all it is a very nice sled. :tipup:

Hey Scratcher - With a nice sled like you get you should also design so you can put wheels on it just in case you are some where that you got ice but, no snow. Be safe!! :tipup:

Offline IFF

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #27 on: Jan 24, 2015, 06:01 PM »
I take a "Wagon" along, made from discarded shelving angle, stationary casters rear, swivel casters front.



Bud

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #28 on: Jan 24, 2015, 09:07 PM »
Ice Scratcher that is awesome!  Hope you don't mind if I copy it!

Have at it!!!

I take that as a big complement! Thanks!

I think plywood for the uprights is a lot stronger, you just need to use angle to attach it to the skis.. And the angle on the cross boards forces perfect ski alignment when tightened down...

Also very important to paint/seal the plywood good so it doesn't delaminate...

<°)))>{

Offline Ice Scratcher

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Re: Scratcher Built Smitty...
« Reply #29 on: Jan 24, 2015, 09:22 PM »
I have been pulling sleds on skis for a while now and never had any trouble with pulling or riding on top of the snow myself.. The main reason I am not pulling from the ski tips is it will want to pull the tips together possibly causing slight "V".. I think when you have weight too far forward or are running front and back blocks is when pulling from the tips can be a big benefit.. My skis can flex like they were ment to which allows them float more.. A good long rope does help though...

Thanks again everyone!!!

<°)))>{

 



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