Classic Winter Sled Project

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It hasn't escaped our attention, here in the woodshop, that it is winter in the heartland as I write this. It isn't surprising that a visitor to the Woodshop Notebook would ask about plans for a sled.

Top view of sled Here's one to make with common workshop tools. Use oak. A salvaged wooden pallet could supply most of the material. The slats are 1/2" thick boards; everything else is 3/4". Use galvanized wood screws in this sled. Dampness, and the tannin in the wood will destroy uncoated steel screws.

Begin by making the runners, cleats and handle. Notch the runners for the handle and mark the locations of the cleats. Screw through the sides of the runners and into the cleats and down through the handle. Finish your sled by attaching the slats to the frame made by the runners, cleats and handle. Place two screws at each intersection of slat and cleat. Round off the handle and any sharp edges or corners. Finally, coat with a marine grade finish, wax the runners and wait for snow.

Materials List

QUAN	PART	DIMENSIONS
2	cleats	3/4"x1-3/4"x11-1/2"
2	runners	3/4"x4"x44"
1	handle	3/4"x2-1/2"x25"
2	inside slats	1/2"x3-1/4"x46"
2	outside slats	1/2"x3-1/4"x43"

Hardware

QUAN PART SIZE

8 galv. roundhead wood screw #8 x 1-1/2"

4 galv. flathead wood screw #8 x 1-1/2"

24 galv. flathead wood screw #8 x 1"

Addendum
A reader sent along this suggestion:
Attach a 5'length of 1/2" galv. electrical conduit under each runner (have an electrician bend the front curve with his pipe bending tool - fold the back end up and over - attach with screws through the pipe and into the wooden runner form) and this thing will fly - especially in the Southern US where there is a high level of ice in the snowstorms.
GW Augusta, GA

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