Skis added to sled w/ pic. Also looking for help...

[masoct3]

Hi there,

So based on the pictures, this is the latest contraption I can think of right now.

Does it look evenly distributed to you via the ski area bolts?

Now, this brings us to metal.

On the second picture, you will see one straight piece of metal and an L bracket connected.

MY PROBLEM: I need to place another screw as the one you see because it will sway (flash in camera doesn't help, but only one screw can have access to the hole and the other will need a drilled hole. The holes do not line up. The main issue is this is some serious metal. I believe it is galvanized but I'm not sure what that means completely. I would say an 1/8" inch thick. I tried with my 20v drill and titanium bits but it would not show any strength of going in and out.

I was wondering if I can get some input from all you clever minded fisherman on how I can complete the formation of this right-rear bracket to have it completely fixed but the metal is the problem.

Do I need a drill press?

I need four of them drilled due to the offset.

Thank you!

[merkman]

Is the metal stainless? I can't see the pics...

[masoct3]

It is assumably stainless. It is made by Stanley and has a pretty good thickness on its side looking at it.

I bought them at Menards in the hardware section, same aisle as door hinges.

[masoct3]

I will get a better pic in the morning, sorry.

[merkman]

It is probably not stainless then....

I think you are gonna need a lot more strength there. If you want to stay with menards as your source of metal, go with the square tube instead of the flat.

Find some good stout brackets at menards that will mount the tube to a flat surface and drill (and countersink the bolts ( I would use stove bolts) all the way through the skis. Then use locknut's so you don't have to worry about things loosening up.

As far as weight distribution... you want the weight at the back of the skis. This will keep the ski tips up so they don't dive in deep snow. Hard pack won't matter.

Great concept... it just needs to be beafier

.

[magicstix]

If your trying to drill it in one shot with a 3/8" bit it'll be tough. try a starter bit 1/8" and work up to desired hole size. If you did start with 1/8" either bit is shot or it is stainless but probably not.

Like mentioned more beefy. That type of tub flexs quite abit. You may even need to put a cross bar underneath connect for stability, I had on mine. I used 1" tubes, 1/4" stove bolts and fender washers on inside of tub.

[amateurfishing]

im planning on doing same thing within next month to my sled but placing skiis UNDER the sled instead of along side with 1 x 2's running lenth of skiis inside sled for support & attaching with ss bolts/washers/lock nuts.

[Fishin4fun_MN]

Your steel is most likely zinc plated. Your bit sounds dull. I have drilled the same stuff with everything from 7.2v 3/8dr. to 1/2dr 18v to 1/2dr drill press with ease. Also I agree with the others, either you are gonna have to brace or use tubing. 1" may be overkill, but common. Also agree to put skis under sled. Keep your track as narrow as possible will make it easier to pull.

[masoct3]

im planning on doing same thing within next month to my sled but placing skiis UNDER the sled instead of along side with 1 x 2's running lenth of skiis inside sled for support & attaching with ss bolts/washers/lock nuts.

Thank you to all replies.

This is where I am. I simply started from a smaller bit and went larger so that issue is rectified. They are zinc, made from Stanley. They weigh a good amount.

I guess my thinking was to put four sets on the sled and skis and that would provide ample strength to carry my stuff. I also thought that having my ski stick out about 1/2 inch wouldnt create any problematic situations.

So you are thinking narrow ski installation. That is interesting. What is the difference. I was thinking because my spacing can handle a more even weight distribution, versus a possible tip over on narrow skis.

Let me know what you think, thanks!

UPDATE: I also exchanged the 12" Zinc plates for 10" ones, which have 4 holes to drill. I was going to drill 3 holes per verticle bracket and have it completely secured tight to the ski bracket. I am trying to think about under carriage support. Any thought on supplies?

[masoct3]

im planning on doing same thing within next month to my sled but placing skiis UNDER the sled instead of along side with 1 x 2's running lenth of skiis inside sled for support & attaching with ss bolts/washers/lock nuts.

Hey,

I know you are not done with the project yet, but could you make a layout of what it will look like in 3D? I am more of a visualizer with these things.

Thank you!

[BoxMN]

Here is same concept, but "beefier"... Just use 4x4 blocking (two if you want it ~8" high) under the four corners in the sled, and use long bolts from under the ski with the nut inside the sled. Just counter sink the bolt head a bit on the ski.

Or use screws to attach 4x4 (or stacked 2x4's) to ski, then lag bolts to fasten sled to blocks.

Then it won't be flimsy, is cheap as heck, and easy to do. Can also paint the blocks black for a slick matching look

Good luck, good idea raising the sled up from skis. Main prob is just if you want to use a shack over the top, then it will be too high, but looks like you just want a sled to transport, so good to go!

[dairyman]

here's my set-up---------it's worked well for me in the past years. Only time I use the sled behind the house is when the snow is deep. Both set-ups are very stable

[masoct3]

I need to make sure we are on the same page...

When you say 4x4 and 2x4, you are not talking wood are you? I would think metal...but what would the metal look like? Is it the one with holes incorporating the entire piece of it?

Thank you!

Here is same concept, but "beefier"... Just use 4x4 blocking (two if you want it ~8" high) under the four corners in the sled, and use long bolts from under the ski with the nut inside the sled. Just counter sink the bolt head a bit on the ski.

Or use screws to attach 4x4 (or stacked 2x4's) to ski, then lag bolts to fasten sled to blocks.

Then it won't be flimsy, is cheap as heck, and easy to do. Can also paint the blocks black for a slick matching look

Good luck, good idea raising the sled up from skis. Main prob is just if you want to use a shack over the top, then it will be too high, but looks like you just want a sled to transport, so good to go!

[masoct3]

That looks great!

Is there any chance I could see the bottom of the sled?

here's my set-up---------it's worked well for me in the past years. Only time I use the sled behind the house is when the snow is deep. Both set-ups are very stable

[dairyman]

Sure---I'll get some more pictures tomorrow

[Carpenter]

I went to the junk shop down the road from me and bought skis last year. $20 i think. Used 1/4 sheet metal screws (maybe 3/8) and screwed them to the bottom of my sled from the inside. Held really well. Skis didnt last all that long, but i was also running a fair amount of paved road. Sparks were kind of cool at night. I think it would have lasted a long time if only on snow and ice. No issues with the screws either. Dont know id the bracket and frames are necessary. Simple system like dairyman's

Thinking about buying uhmw (hyfax) strips instead this year. Maybe 1/2" thick by 4" wide. I think that might hold up better.

[dairyman]

I took a few more pictures but they're to big to load now---go figure.....the ski's are attached with "counter-sunk" screws----that's important because if you don't it will pull really hard on glare ice. I have one screw in front and one in back,they are mounted on the out side ribs of the bottom of the tub. Any other ?????? let me know

[amateurfishing]

understand...i will try soon, in the middle of flu-demic right now

[CaptainMusky]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? If you just want skis on there I think it would be easier all around to simply put them under the sled itself rather than having all those brackets and such.

If you raise the sled up off the snow and only have two skis you are putting more weight on a smaller area than just pulling the sled flat. Find some crusty snowboards or something instead better flotation that itty bitty skis.

For me though I would just mount the skis or put snowmobile hyfax on the bottom to protect it from wear. Though I am not entirely sure what you are trying to accomplish.

[masoct3]

You can easily change the file type to .bmp, .jpg. .gif and see which one has the smallest file size.

I took a few more pictures but they're to big to load now---go figure.....the ski's are attached with "counter-sunk" screws----that's important because if you don't it will pull really hard on glare ice. I have one screw in front and one in back,they are mounted on the out side ribs of the bottom of the tub. Any other ?????? let me know

[masoct3]

I am accomplishing an easier way to pull my cargo over snow on the lake. Having the sled on top of the skis (which is what I will be doing) takes the weight off and also helps with sled control/weight distribution and easier to get around.

Make sense?

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? If you just want skis on there I think it would be easier all around to simply put them under the sled itself rather than having all those brackets and such.

If you raise the sled up off the snow and only have two skis you are putting more weight on a smaller area than just pulling the sled flat. Find some crusty snowboards or something instead better flotation that itty bitty skis.

For me though I would just mount the skis or put snowmobile hyfax on the bottom to protect it from wear. Though I am not entirely sure what you are trying to accomplish.

[BoxMN]

I need to make sure we are on the same page...

When you say 4x4 and 2x4, you are not talking wood are you? I would think metal...but what would the metal look like? Is it the one with holes incorporating the entire piece of it?

Thank you!

I am talking wood blocks. Sort of look at what that carriage image is, but simply:

lay the skis on the ground

lay a 4x4 (about 6" long) on the ski where each corner of the sled will be

lay the sled on top

That gives you the idea, and the height, and the stability once you lag/bolt them together.

Fasten the blocks to the skis first, using whatever you want; screws from bottom of ski/ bolts through it all, whichever you prefer.

If using screws, then just lag (using lag bolts from inside the tub/sled to the 4x4 - there is plenty of meat there)

After seeing the carriage, I kind of like that, but the blocks does same thing but more permanent. 4" is plenty of width for good support, especially if you aren't towing behind anything, and if you are, then you don't need the height

Good luck!

[jbird68]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? If you just want skis on there I think it would be easier all around to simply put them under the sled itself rather than having all those brackets and such.

If you raise the sled up off the snow and only have two skis you are putting more weight on a smaller area than just pulling the sled flat. Find some crusty snowboards or something instead better flotation that itty bitty skis.

For me though I would just mount the skis or put snowmobile hyfax on the bottom to protect it from wear. Though I am not entirely sure what you are trying to accomplish.

I originally put uhmw on my one man flip over sled. I thought it would help protect and make it easier to pull over snow. Not the case. It pulled really hard in snow. So I built a sled using downhill skis. I put my one man on top and strap it down. It is soo easy to pull over snow. It even makes it easier to pull it up a hill. I didn't say easy...I said easier. With the skis there is less friction than just using the bottom of the sled. This is the way to go if you want to make pulling you sled full of gear a breeze.

Added an auger rack last weekend.

[shizzy]

this. I have one and pull all over the lake with a sled full of gear.

http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_fishing/http...ng-harness.html

[jbird68]

I thought about getting that harness...but not for $35. I just put my rope over one shoulder and under the opposite arm. Or you could get a deer drag harness at Farm and Fleet for $7.