Christmas is coming up and that means snow. With snow comes… Sledding!!! And what better way to go sledding than with 10 of your closest friends piled atop of a sheet of plywood? This blog entry will be centered on how to build a “Super Sleigh” that may be used to barrel down a hill, tow behind your jeep in a parking lot, or anything else you’re crazy enough to try.
Start with a trip to home depot. You will need to get the following, a full size sheep of plywood, five full size 2x4s, enameled spray paint, wax (sex wax works best), 2” screws (or
a size close to that), and washers that will fit the screws. It’s not necessary to buy really high grade materials, though it is helpful to have at least three straight 2x4s this helps the sleigh go straight and fast. When you get home set aside the three straightest 2x4s these will be your runners. Take the remaining two pieces and cut them into eighteen equal length pieces. These pieces will be the spacers for the sleigh and three of them will be cut to be the leading edge of the sleigh.
Now time to “finish” runners. If you own a planer this is very very easy, just run each 2x4 through till you have a smooth side. If not, it’s no big deal it just takes a little longer, just sand one edge of each runner till they’re smooth. I would advise putting a fillet on the edge of your runners using either a handheld router or you could use sandpaper. This will make the sled faster and make it run straighter. Next spray each runner with the enameled spray paint that you bought. The more coats that are put on the better. After this is done the wood will be slightly rough so just take some sand paper and sand out the bumps, the next part is my favorite. Wax the runners with the wax that was bought. Then use wax paper to smooth the wax out. If possible use a torch and LIGHTLY/CAREFULLY go over the runners to melt the wax evenly. At this point your runners should be protected from snow and ice as well as smooth as glass.
Next take the eighteen pieces that were cut and pile six next to each runner. After doing this take one of the runners and its six spacers and set them out in a space that you will be able to work in. Lay out your spacers like this, two at one end of the 2x4 (all the way op to the end of the wood) two in about the middle and two about one foot from the other end. Grab
your screws and screw the blocks into the runners, make sure that you are screwing them into the unfinished sides of the runners. Screw them in in layers, and use three or four screw per block. I know it sounds excessive, but if your sled starts to go sideways there will be A LOT of stress on these joints and they will rip right apart, leaving you with a broken sled and runners with screws sticking out of them. Once this is done cut a curve at the front of the runner this curve will prevent the sled from getting jammed in the snow. Smooth out your cut with sand paper then repeat the entire step with the other two runners.
Now that the runners are done it is time for perhaps the most important part, the decorating/ painting of the sleigh. Use the spray paint or anything else you have laying around to
decorate or color one side of the plywood. If you’re looking for an idea just look at the pictures of mine. Once the decorations are complete, screw the plywood on top of the evenly spaced runners using the washers to prevent the screws from pulling through the plywood. The final touch is to drill two holes in the front of the sleigh for a tow rope.
No comments:
Post a Comment