Author Topic: My Homemade $15 Sled! AKA The "Smitty Sled" (Read 820834 times)

tomturkey · « **Reply #1650 on:** Dec 23, 2017, 07:10 AM »

drewbop. The way you made the risers on the skis will do away with the pieces that hold the crosspieces from breaking off. The whole side of the riser would have to break off instead of the little piece if the grain is run the other way

I need to redo the risers on my skis and will do them that way.

FishDoc_1 · « **Reply #1651 on:** Dec 23, 2017, 08:11 AM »

The bushing method for attaching the cross members looks great. I had trouble getting a tight fit on my first attempt using the bolt and drilled hole method. My sled had an annoying wobble which is probably due to my poor carpentry skills more than the design. So I used the extra braces in the pictures. It is very stable and strong. It doesn't require any bolts to hold it together.

lefty2053 · « **Reply #1652 on:** Dec 23, 2017, 08:49 AM »

Quote from: Kilgore Trout on Dec 23, 2017, 08:11 AM

The bushing method for attaching the cross members looks great. I had trouble getting a tight fit on my first attempt using the bolt and drilled hole method. My sled had an annoying wobble which is probably due to my poor carpentry skills more than the design. So I used the extra braces in the pictures. It is very stable and strong. It doesn't require any bolts to hold it together.

Nice Smitty

alaska mike · « **Reply #1653 on:** Dec 23, 2017, 01:49 PM »

Quote from: Kilgore Trout on Dec 23, 2017, 08:11 AM

The bushing method for attaching the cross members looks great. I had trouble getting a tight fit on my first attempt using the bolt and drilled hole method. My sled had an annoying wobble which is probably due to my poor carpentry skills more than the design. So I used the extra braces in the pictures. It is very stable and strong. It doesn't require any bolts to hold it together.

I think you have a good design there for locking in the cross braces. I can see how the two cleats on either side of the ski riser would lock it in and get rid of the wobble. And it is much simpler that way than going with the bushing design.

efka · « **Reply #1654 on:** Dec 30, 2017, 04:10 PM »

here is a simple design with wheels

alaska mike · « **Reply #1655 on:** Dec 30, 2017, 05:42 PM »

I like simple designs. For me the big disadvantage would be moving the box with all the stuff in it. But with that design the wheels could be mounted very securely.

smitty0312 · « **Reply #1656 on:** Dec 31, 2017, 02:57 PM »

lefty2053 · « **Reply #1657 on:** Dec 31, 2017, 03:24 PM »

How did the wheels work out? What size are they?

Icephishwyo · « **Reply #1658 on:** Jan 03, 2018, 05:47 PM »

Icephishwyo · « **Reply #1659 on:** Jan 04, 2018, 09:13 AM »

Going on year 5 with this one keeps the weather off my gear traveling to the lake .can haul lots of things strapped to the top. Does not break down like the true smitty design. Built it for running miles point to point on a Big lake in Montana setting tip-ups

pmmpete · « **Reply #1660 on:** Jan 04, 2018, 04:10 PM »

Icefishwyo, how does your sled perform in deep snow and slush, if you get much of that in your area?

Uncle Al · « **Reply #1661 on:** Jan 04, 2018, 04:36 PM »

Quote from: Icephishwyo on Jan 04, 2018, 09:13 AM

Going on year 5 with this one keeps the weather off my gear traveling to the lake .can haul lots of things strapped to the top. Does not break down like the true smitty design. Built it for running miles point to point on a Big lake in Montana setting tip-ups

I have a dog sled that i have an enclosed box built on. Added brackets for the jiffy on top. Had it for a long time.

Rugburn · « **Reply #1662 on:** Jan 04, 2018, 04:41 PM »

This the third flip shack to be pulled on this Smitty. Thanks for the idea Smitty!

IPAinmyveins · « **Reply #1663 on:** Jan 04, 2018, 07:45 PM »

Quote from: Icephishwyo on Jan 04, 2018, 09:13 AM

Going on year 5 with this one keeps the weather off my gear traveling to the lake .can haul lots of things strapped to the top. Does not break down like the true smitty design. Built it for running miles point to point on a Big lake in Montana setting tip-ups

Awesome! I'm trying to find some used skis to imitate your version of the smitty since I've already got a few of those boxes for camping/ traveling

rdhammah · « **Reply #1664 on:** Jan 05, 2018, 06:45 AM »

IP, try any place that sells skis. people bring in their old skis and have their bindings transferred to their new pr. they abandon the old pr. also try a ski resort. the rent skis and get in new ones. Goodwill somestimes has them.

IPAinmyveins · « **Reply #1665 on:** Jan 05, 2018, 09:46 AM »

Quote from: rdhammah on Jan 05, 2018, 06:45 AM

IP, try any place that sells skis. people bring in their old skis and have their bindings transferred to their new pr. they abandon the old pr. also try a ski resort. the rent skis and get in new ones. Goodwill somestimes has them.

Good suggestions! Luckily lots of used skis on craigslist in my area, picking a pair up for $5 after work!

smitty0312 · « **Reply #1666 on:** Jan 05, 2018, 11:13 AM »

Quote from: lefty2053 on Dec 31, 2017, 03:24 PM

How did the wheels work out? What size are they?

I believe they are 3" wheels......yes they work good when u need them.....also u don't have to dis-assemble when ur not using them.....tight lines

lefty2053 · « **Reply #1667 on:** Jan 05, 2018, 11:27 AM »

Stickhick86 · « **Reply #1668 on:** Jan 06, 2018, 06:38 AM »

Will be trying to build my smitty tonight. Pictures will be soon to follow the completion.

rdhammah · « **Reply #1669 on:** Jan 06, 2018, 07:51 AM »

Quote from: IPAinmyveins on Jan 05, 2018, 09:46 AM

Good suggestions! Luckily lots of used skis on craigslist in my area, picking a pair up for $5 after work!

I got 2 pr for free from my local Dicks one of their last years that they carried skis

Stickhick86 · « **Reply #1670 on:** Jan 06, 2018, 04:35 PM »

All finished

lefty2053 · « **Reply #1671 on:** Jan 06, 2018, 04:55 PM »

IPAinmyveins · « **Reply #1672 on:** Jan 06, 2018, 06:39 PM »

So I made a crude Smitty last night and used it today! It pulled like a dream on snow/ ice but I will definitely be adding wheels soon, along with a better place for the auger and some other accessories. Thanks for all the ideas folks!

(please, excuse the cluttered garage, just got a bunch of tools and have been building things like crazy, will clean up over the next few week nights, haha)

smitty0312 · « **Reply #1673 on:** Jan 07, 2018, 04:13 PM »

All looking good boys..... keep them coming!!

griz901 · « **Reply #1674 on:** Jan 07, 2018, 07:38 PM »

My first Smitty build. Good way to spend the afternoon when it's raining slush

missoulafish · « **Reply #1675 on:** Jan 07, 2018, 07:59 PM »

mine broke today

griz901 · « **Reply #1676 on:** Jan 07, 2018, 08:15 PM »

Quote from: missoulafish on Jan 07, 2018, 07:59 PM

mine broke today

What broke? Looking at the one I built now, it's tall and I'm not so sure how that single pin will hold up. I'll be paranoid for the first few outings LOl

Rugburn · « **Reply #1677 on:** Jan 08, 2018, 07:35 AM »

Quote from: missoulafish on Jan 07, 2018, 07:59 PM

mine broke today

Not meant to ride down hill, over and over again! Lol.

Fast and fun though, bet the neighborhood kids could barely keep up!

Stickhick86 · « **Reply #1678 on:** Jan 08, 2018, 07:37 AM »

Quote from: Rugburn on Jan 08, 2018, 07:35 AM

Not meant to ride down hill, over and over again! Lol. Fast and fun though, bet the neighborhood kids could barely keep up!

that's when you have a way to hook a rope to the back of the skis to help lower down the hill safely

snow snake · « **Reply #1679 on:** Jan 08, 2018, 07:44 AM »

here is a tip for used skis ,
look at your local Salvation Army stores that's where I have found them in past
very cheap
ralph

News:

Author Topic: My Homemade $15 Sled! AKA The "Smitty Sled" (Read 820834 times)