IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Massachusetts => Ice Fishing Massachusetts => Topic started by: flyfish413 on Mar 29, 2014, 06:19 PM
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Built this thing about a month and a half ago, just got around to sharing it. The amount of snow this season was nuts, I had to come up with a better solution than the regular jet sled. Used it in up to 18" of snow absolutely packed full of gear, I'd estimate it cuts down the effort by more than 50%. Folds in half for storage or transport, cam lock strap holds sled in place.
Total investment:
Skis - $10 at Savers
Hinges/ Hardware - $15
2x6 - $4
Stuff around the house - random screws, rope, spray paint, old strap
(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o684/jpighetti/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0622_zpsbdf6d47e.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/jpighetti/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0622_zpsbdf6d47e.jpg.html)
(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o684/jpighetti/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0624_zpsf81fb36e.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/jpighetti/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0624_zpsf81fb36e.jpg.html)
(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o684/jpighetti/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0621_zpsfb3f9e01.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/jpighetti/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0621_zpsfb3f9e01.jpg.html)
(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o684/jpighetti/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0627_zps0c383a25.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/jpighetti/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0627_zps0c383a25.jpg.html)
(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o684/jpighetti/IMAG0658_zps371d3d1d.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/jpighetti/media/IMAG0658_zps371d3d1d.jpg.html)
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Very nice, I like the idea that it folds for transport. How wide is it?
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Sweet. I was thinking of something very similar for my jet sled for next year.
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Nice!
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Nice project. I like you carry too much stuff. Great solution to the heavy snow we get on the ice at times. Thanks.
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Very nice......... :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Thanks all. It's 30" wide, pulls like a dream.
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I recently completed a similar unit and it sure makes pulling the jet sled easier. Great idea with the hinges, good thinking.
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I have one that I made two years ago and still need two more bolts to complete. Maybe next year ;D
I like the folding design. Yours is very wide and I can see that as a necessity. I designed mine so the cross members are only pinned in and lift off for compactness and transport.
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nice job , i bet it glides across the ice
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How do you prevent the skis from folding over while pulling (say, if you hit a rut)?
Other than that concern it looks awesome.
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How do you prevent the skis from folding over while pulling (say, if you hit a rut)?
Other than that concern it looks awesome.
I thought about that. The 2x6 is split about 2/3 the way down for the hinge, not right in the middle. That way it one ski nests above the other when it's folded in half. My Jet Sled sits on top of the hinge, and is held on with a bit of grip tape and a cam-lock strap. So the sled gives the whole thing rigidity. This could also be accomplished with a pin of some kind. Had zero issues with it buckling, even pulling it over totally uneven snowbanks and whatnot. I did use heavy gate hinges and extra long screws (not the ones that came with the hinges), and gorilla glue on everything. It holds my 185 lbs standing on it with no real flex at all.
Highly recommended pre-winter project for anyone who hasn't built one. It was fun to put together and it's a serious game-changer in the snow.
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I put my pulling rope eye bolts at the tip of the ski's. Does your pulling rope ride on the under side of your jet sled?
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I put my pulling rope eye bolts at the tip of the ski's. Does your pulling rope ride on the under side of your jet sled?
It's attached to eye bolts on the front cross piece. If I'm not paying attention the rope will get stuck under the skis, but no real issues with it. The rope is long enough to flip under the thing in case I have to follow it down a hill.
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sweet!
:clap:
Flaggs!
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Add a "deer drag" harness for pulling and you've got the total package!
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Good call, I've used a single shoulder strap from a big duffel bag to pull the sled for a few years. Just clipped it onto the rope with this thing and it works well. A full harness would probably make it even easier.
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That is awesome. Thanks for a great idea and project. I already have the skis The rest looks real simple. How high did you cut the risers on the skis? And did you cut the length of the skis at all?
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That is awesome. Thanks for a great idea and project. I already have the skis The rest looks real simple. How high did you cut the risers on the skis? And did you cut the length of the skis at all?
Sorry I missed this one. I didn't cut the skis at all, the risers are 6" - just a piece of that 2x6 on its side. If I were doing it again, I would make sure that the screws going both down into the risers from the cross members and up through the skis into the risers cross each other for strength. I know that might not make sense, and this stupid diagram might not either, but, hey, I tried.
____________________to p
| ! ! <------|----screw
| ! ! |
| ! ! ! ! |
| ! ! ! ! | <---riser
| ! ! |
|____ !______!___|_____ski
I did this, and I know it could be stronger.
____________________to p
| ! ! <------|----screw
| ! ! |
| ! ! |
| | <---riser
| ! ! |
|____ !______!___|_____ski
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Thanks for the info
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No prob, man. It was a fun little project that saved me a ton of time and energy in the snow. Glad to share!
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Awesome idea, now I have something new to think about. Thanks for sharing. I love the folding idea. I have not lifted my sled because it would not fit below my tonneau cover. Now this folding idea can make it happen. Thanks again.
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Happy to share!