NOT for sale.....For Buy? Smitty Sled Frame

[Gunflint]

I have read often enough that only the Militia can post "For Sale" on the site (an I think it a great policy, keeps this from being a classified ad).

Still, I would really like to PURCHASE a pre-built Smitty Frame with a BYOS (Bring Your Own Skis) concept.

If someone could set up shop to produce the frame below, I am a buyer. I think that there would be others.

I just do not want to take the time and effort to make my own. In this case, that is what money is for.

I cannot be the only lazy or busy guy on the site that would sooner part with a few bucks instead of doing it myself.

[3300]

there used to be a sponsor on here that could sell you his kit, but he is no longer a sponsor.

that frame your looking at looks weak to me.

[Gunflint]

there used to be a sponsor on here that could sell you his kit, but he is no longer a sponsor.

That will show him...

[Gunflint]

Put your own together with some conduit, nuts and bolts.  Someone made this one but I don't like the way the conduit cross pieces are so low, allowing it to catch on the ice.  I would run the conduit along the ski's on the bottom and keep the cross piece on top to keep the legs apart.

That is the point, I don't want to bend conduit and put it together.

I would love a cool aluminum folding frame that came in a box.

[POk3s]

Google brought me here...

https://m.facebook.com/SmittySled/

[Philip]

Dang I didnt realize smitty wasnt a sponsor anymore!

[Gunflint]

Google brought me here...

https://m.facebook.com/SmittySled/

Thank you. I have actually seen that as well.

I am looking for the folding aluminum one.

I will need to disassemble for the portages that I trudge over.

We will see...

[Philip]

Also, instead of "For Sale" (FS) generally "In Search Of" (ISO) is used when looking to make an online purchase. Happy hunting

[Gunflint]

I did find these for the Schappell with Google.  Never heard them mentioned on IC, however.

[3300]

i bought these for there intended purpose of being used under their dx3000 cabin shelter. they are flimsy. you bend the nose on them so it creates the curved section and it attaches under the shelter to hold it's shape.
they were 25$ when i bought them.

their dx4000 comes with them.

[Iceassin]

That is the point, I don't want to bend conduit and put it together.

I would love a cool aluminum folding frame that came in a box.

I'd really be surprised if you found exactly what you want in a kit. I get that you don't want to bend conduit, and unless you're an electrician, you probably don't have the bender. But how about PVC? A few lengths, elbows and T's would do the trick. Just glue the joints that need to be and leave the rest "loose" for easy setup and take down. Even the busiest and laziest of people could probably do something like this in 30 minutes to an hour...once the plans are drawn up. Good luck.

[sam brodrick]

let me look up some stuff and ill get back to you with a price. do you want it to be an assemble once or be able to break down repeatedly? you would provide your own skis correct? what size of sled you using?

[Gunflint]

Need it to fold up. Have a Clam Blazer to put on it. Blazer is 36 wide and 61 long. I have skis.

[TickleStick]

Just make one out of wood, I know you don't want to but when you do you can make it exactly how you want to.

It took me about 6 hours to make mine, that getting the wood, cutting, painting, drilling and assembly.

[Gunflint]

Just make one out of wood, I know you don't want to but when you do you can make it exactly how you want to.

It took me about 6 hours to make mine, that getting the wood, cutting, painting, drilling and assembly.

I know it seems reasonable but that isn’t what I want.

[JohnJ1981]

I know it seems reasonable but that isn’t what I want.

You need to goto a local fab shop or weld shop. Take them the dimensions of what you need and let them fab and weld you an aluminum square tube folding frame.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Didn't Eskimo or someone make a "smitty style" sled kit?

[JohnJ1981]

Didn't Eskimo or someone make a "smitty style" sled kit?

I don’t know but it occurred to me that this seems to be an untapped source for someone to make something like gunflint is talking about and patent it. Could be a money maker if it was done right. Also I forgot to say you could probably ask around if you know any farm guys. Most farmers I know have a small shop and know how to weld. And nothing beats farmer ingenuity!!!

[3300]

https://www.pinterest.com/smittysledpro/vintage-smitty-sleds/

[32footsteps]

But how about PVC? A few lengths, elbows and T's would do the trick. Just glue the joints that need to be and leave the rest "loose" for easy setup and take down.

PVC will work but it can be temp sensitive. I built one with PVC last year and it worked really, really well.....however, I had it loaded up like I’d typically load up my wood versions and while walking off on a particularly cold day it broke. It was in the -25 to -30 range so that was a factor. So yeah, PVC will work....you just need to watch out for extreme cold temps, don’t load the thing down too heavy, and it’s not a material I would pull behind an ATV or snowmobile. I was walking and that thing broke apart.

[jethro]

Yep, I have also had bad experiences with PVC and cold weather. I no longer do anything with PVC for ice fishing that is structural anyway! Learned the lesson the hard way!

[eiderz]

Didn't Eskimo or someone make a "smitty style" sled kit?

Yes, about 4-5 years ago. Saw one in a store and now regret not buying it, as I figured the price would drop eventually. They were sturdy, a little heavy but really spendy (like $800-$900) so that was a short run.

[Unclegillhunter]

I know it seems reasonable but that isn’t what I want.

LOL can’t help directing to someone to make your sled. Just been there. You probably put some thought into it before you asked. You want what y’all want! Good luck with getting your sled built! Have a great season!
Keep it safe! JDL

[missoulafish]

hmmm, good looking product and seems very reasonably priced.

[Brian VT]

Sounds exactly what the OP wanted.
Looks like a nice product.
I would use these instead of wingnuts. Easier with cold hands (and/or too much schnapps ;-).

https://www.mcmaster.com/pins/adjustable-clevis-pins-7/

https://www.mcmaster.com/pins/hairpin-cotter-pins-6/

[esox_xtm]

Oh yeah. There's all kinds of fastening options for the clever and handy.  If in CD so the whole kit including US shipping to Wisconsin (about $35 CD) would be just a skosh over $100 USD. Probably can't have it fabricated here for much less unless you're very handy or know a guy. I got skis begging for a purpose in life. I believe they just found it!

[Inabell]

A guy named Jay Peterson from Ladysmith, Wisconsin was the guest on a recent episode of the Hard Water Fishing Show podcast. He discussed an aluminum smitty sled kit he sold and that he was working on a folding one. It sounds exactly what you are looking for. You will have to use your google skills because I couldn't find a website.

[hardwater diehard]

A guy named Jay Peterson from Ladysmith, Wisconsin was the guest on a recent episode of the Hard Water Fishing Show podcast. He discussed an aluminum smitty sled kit he sold and that he was working on a folding one. It sounds exactly what you are looking for. You will have to use your google skills because I couldn't find a website.

No luck on the website search

https://www.facebook.com/jay.peterson.3979

[hmart316]

This looks like it would fit what OP is looking for.

https://www.easysled.ca/

It's about $82 USD. I don't have any experience with them but someone on the icefishing subreddit bought it and they liked it.

[missoulafish]

Weird Easy Sled dude posted here but he either left or got booted...