DIY hyfax runners

[walldoggie]

I was thinking about ordering from these guys, to make my own runners anybody else ever try them. I have heard some good stuff about them but just checking to see if anybody else has.

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[swags_7]

The UHMW plastic is top notch and will be less expensive than the hyfax kits. It's really slick and has superior impact strength. Only thing is you'll have to supply your own hardware for attaching it whereas the hyfax kits have that included. Only a few bucks for good stainless steel flathead screws, lock washers, and nuts though.

[icemac33]

Waddaya think about the size on this? 1/4" x 1/2" ? I wouldn't think that I would need more than 1/4".

[walldoggie]

I have read on other sites where guys have used them loved them better then the hyfax, and i would think 1/4" is plenty. I figured out that aprox with shipping my 60" sled would run 25 bucks with materials and nuts and bolts not bad compared to 55. If I install mine before anybody else i will let you all know now it goes.

[nitroant]

can you put the name back up on a post with out a direct link please??

[swags_7]

Yeah, 1/4" is plenty thick for this material. Do a search on Yahoo or Google for "UHMW rectangular bar". The #1 result should be from U.S. plastic, click on that, then find the size you need. It comes in either yellow or white so select accordingly. For a small otter sled, the 1/4" x 1" works perfectly, but if you wanted to save a little more money the 3/4" should work fine also. 4 sections of this(they come in 5' intervals-20' total) will cover each slat on the small otter sled. I used a sharp hacksaw blade to cut this plastic. It will run you about $25 shipped to your door for (4) 5' sections.

I think the larger otter sleds have 5 slats, so you'd have to order 1 more section for those if you want to cover each one.

[jphersh22]

I'm sure this is a very dumb question, but does the plastic bend to conform to the slope of the sled runners? Again, I'm sure this is a dumb wuestion, but I haven't seen this done before.

[walldoggie]

jphersh22-

Im not sure about this particular plastic, hyfax does with alittle help from a heat gun or a torch to warm it up and make it pliable, i have order the stuff from UHMW on tuesday so i should get it next week sometime i would suspect. I will keep you updated on how the install goes and if its easy and worth it, or let you know if its better to just go out and buy prefab runners.

hope that answered your question.

[swags_7]

Yes, it bends around easily to the shape of the sled.

[walldoggie]

Well as promised here is my update of uhmw plastic runners.

1) price break down i had to buy 7 runners at 60" each (this is how they are shipped in 5 ft sections) the cost of those was $20.28. i bought a box of 100 stainless steel 8-32 pan head 1/2 screws for 5.99 and 100 nuts for 4.29. This was way more screws then needed, but cheaper then buying singularly.

2) the install was fairly easy i first marked where i wanted to drill the holes on the runners then drilled them and then used a bigger bit to counter sink for the head. It took me aprox 2-2 1/2 hours to do all this.

The strips i personally think are way more flexible then hyfax. so grand total i spent $30.56 plus some tax for doing it my self. Versus buy them for 55-60. Prices will differ depending on the size and quantity ordered. Any ways attached some pics hope i helped any body with any Questions.

[Paul Waldowski]

Not having to drill and countersink holes $10

Having it shipped to your door, having all of the right parts, not having to drill and countersink $50

Having everything on hand, saving an hour on install and doing it yourself without having to leave home... PRICELESS

For everything else there's saving a buck, while spending $2

[walldoggie]

Being handy and not Lazy-- PRICELESS

[Paul Waldowski]

OUCH!!!!!!

You got me there

[RobertELee]

Great job walldoggie, they look awesome. That was the push I needed to get me to order some.

[FISHER ED]

Those hyfax strips look a lot like the ones I make myself. Mine are 1" wide by 1/2" thick though. You will love them as they really save the bottom of your sled.

[swags_7]

Good job Walldoggie and nice pictures of the install.

[HarryG]

Great Pics. I have seen the other post but now I can see exactly what you are doing. It still seems that the rectangle strips don't seem to lay flat. Is this an issue? Also, do you think epoxy would help? I thought maybe to glue in the screws?

[icemac33]

Great looking install. Couple questions for ya. What was the size of that plastic? Could I get by with every other runner? What did you end up doing to conform it to the bend? Did you use washers on the inside? Lots of questions I appreciate any answers you can give.

[walldoggie]

-HarryG, I dont think any hyfax runners lay supper flat, but it might depend on the manufacurer, you will see that i included another picture that may help. Epoxy might help but in a few years when you need to replace them it would be harder to remove.

-icemanc33

1st question 1/4" thick 1/2" wide 60" long,

2nd yes you probably could get by with every other, but UHMW is so cheap per foot. you are really only saving about 2 bucks a runner.

3rd to conform the the front i first figured out where i wanted the runners to start made a mark for the edge of the plastic, then measured up a 1/2" and drilled a hole, then did the same on the runner. found where i wanted the next hole to go drilled the hole in the runner and just bent the plastic around the front of the sled (suprisingly flexible, this stuff) the drilled a hole thru the runner, and thru the sled inserted screw and nut and continued all the way down.

4th No i did not use washers because i only used 1/2" screws, which combined with the runner and sled left just enough for the nut.

Another note to add is, I have also heard you can use the puck board from around the bottom of hockey rinks, so if you have acces to this, or can get some when rinks replace theres, you are that much better off.

Hoped this all helped.

[icemac33]

Thanks for your time and info Walldoggie.I'll add this one to my list and I'm sure you'll have saved me some cussing.

[SportFishin']

Hey guys,

Great job walldoggie! First thing I would like to mention is that UHMW will not & can not be glued or epoxied. It is manufactured to be chemical resistant. So save your pennies for bait & save on a huge potential mess .

The heat gun method is the best way to get them to lay flat. This allows the plastic to get pliable & once formed around the end of your tubs & cooled will have a permanant memory of the tubs shape.

Also for some of you interested in runners. I work for a local plastics co. in the Mpls. area and can get some pricing for you & post back on Mon. to see if I would be able to supply these for a reasonable price.

Regards,

Chris

[nitroant]

BUMP

There is another thread started asking about this so I figured I would bump it up.

[Paul]

I amy be kinda dumb but why would you do this to the botton of your house? to make it slide better?. If so does it work, and do you have problems with it blowing away on you. Up in the plains we have wind at 15-30 almost everyday.

[Dan Thiem]

Paul, the runners basicly act as a guard against wear on the bottom of the sled. With the runners a person can pull across a road or rough ice and not worry about losing the material on the bottom of the sled.