I was recently thinking that I wanted to build something. I thought for awhile about what that something would be and eventually settled on a sled. I decided to build a sled because I have never been that satisfied by the store-bought models and thought I could make something better. I believe that I can build a sled that goes faster, lasts longer, and is possibly more comfortable than the store bought models. I am using downhill skis for the base of my sled because I know that they have very little resistance and people using them can go quite fast*. The top of my sled will be either some boards or a bench-press or similar cushion if I can find one. This post will cover my plan for the sled, the materials I am using, and what I have done so far for the project.
If you build or replicate this, be careful when using it. In the words of BrutalEfficiency ^ on instructables: "How do you brake? You don't. Brakes were invented by cowards. This Extreme project is Extremely suited for the Extreme contest because your whole life would go Extremely fast before your eyes even if you close them bombing down that Extremely steep hill." In summary, be careful, use common sense, and don't get injured or die.
My plan is for the sled to look a lot like this sled. This picture is from Instructables member BrutalEfficiency and their instructable Fastest Sled On a Hill. However, I am going to use metal pipes instead of PVC pipes for the supports, might not add headlights, might not have a cushion, and I will probably also have a much longer rope tied to a cleat or two that can be used on large, icy hills so that I can climb up the hill while only carrying the rope and then pull the sled up after me. I will probably also add a footrest further down on the skis in case I want to lie flat on the sled to zoom down the sledding hill even faster than if I sit up.
Materials:
Old pair of skis (I got these at goodwill for $5 total)
Wood boards or seat (seat comfortable but optional)
PVC or metal pipes and brackets
Rope
Rubber insulated clamps to hold rope (optional)
Cleats to hold long rope (very optional)
Flashlights (optional, but useful if you are planning on sledding at night)
Ski goggles (optional, but your corneas and eyes can freeze from wind and cold, and it sounds and looks really painful. If you google "Frozen Cornea" and switch to the image tab, there are tons of scary pictures. I do not recommend it.)
Helmet (Optional. Be safe and logical, wear a helmet)
Build:
Step 1: Remove the bindings from the skis. Easier said than done. I have successfully removed the toe bindings on both skis but have had lots of trouble removing the heel bindings. The toe bindings were fairly easy to remove with just four screws, with 2 of them under a plate. I pried up the plate to get to the screws, and know they are destroyed. The screws were all in very bad condition. All of them are very stripped and they all took different methods to remove.** I am considering cutting the heel bindings off of the ski with a saw or other destructive method. If you know how to remove ski bindings, or even better these bindings, please comment!
Step 2 and more to come in part 2.
*Citation: Skiing and Ski racing
** Methods for Removing Stripped Screws (chronological to how they should be used):
1. Push hard on the screw driver. Do not be afraid to strip the screws even more, the other methods can help with that.
2. Take flathead screwdriver (no matter which kind of screw you are trying to unscrew) and hammer it into the screw. Use a tough screwdriver that you can hammer without it breaking. Then screw-drive as usual.
3. Take large, adjustable pliers and grip the screwdriver with the pliers, then use the torque of the screwdriver to try to turn the screw. This method needs to be used in conjunction with another method.
4. Drill into the screw for 1/2-3/4 of a centimeter, with a drill bit similar to the size of the screwdriver head you were using. After this try methods 1, 2, and 3 again.
5. Remove all other screws on the object. If you can do this, you can try to use the object (in my case the toe binding) to unscrew the screw. This only works if all of the other screws are unscrewed.
6. Search other methods on the internet or try them as they come to mind.
7. You're screwed. (Ha, get it?****) Drill the remainder of the screw out until there is no more screw, saw through where the screw meets the ski.
***Only one in the picture, but both are stubborn. They have survived a crowbar, various prying tools, pliers, and the hammer in the above picture.
**** I thought I'd nail it with that pun but I screwed it up.
^(The person who took the picture below and created a similar sled for the Extreme contest on Instructables.)
If you build or replicate this, be careful when using it. In the words of BrutalEfficiency ^ on instructables: "How do you brake? You don't. Brakes were invented by cowards. This Extreme project is Extremely suited for the Extreme contest because your whole life would go Extremely fast before your eyes even if you close them bombing down that Extremely steep hill." In summary, be careful, use common sense, and don't get injured or die.
My plan is for the sled to look a lot like this sled. This picture is from Instructables member BrutalEfficiency and their instructable Fastest Sled On a Hill. However, I am going to use metal pipes instead of PVC pipes for the supports, might not add headlights, might not have a cushion, and I will probably also have a much longer rope tied to a cleat or two that can be used on large, icy hills so that I can climb up the hill while only carrying the rope and then pull the sled up after me. I will probably also add a footrest further down on the skis in case I want to lie flat on the sled to zoom down the sledding hill even faster than if I sit up.Materials:
Old pair of skis (I got these at goodwill for $5 total)
Wood boards or seat (seat comfortable but optional)
PVC or metal pipes and brackets
Rope
Rubber insulated clamps to hold rope (optional)
Cleats to hold long rope (very optional)
Flashlights (optional, but useful if you are planning on sledding at night)
Ski goggles (optional, but your corneas and eyes can freeze from wind and cold, and it sounds and looks really painful. If you google "Frozen Cornea" and switch to the image tab, there are tons of scary pictures. I do not recommend it.)
Helmet (Optional. Be safe and logical, wear a helmet)
Build:
Step 1: Remove the bindings from the skis. Easier said than done. I have successfully removed the toe bindings on both skis but have had lots of trouble removing the heel bindings. The toe bindings were fairly easy to remove with just four screws, with 2 of them under a plate. I pried up the plate to get to the screws, and know they are destroyed. The screws were all in very bad condition. All of them are very stripped and they all took different methods to remove.** I am considering cutting the heel bindings off of the ski with a saw or other destructive method. If you know how to remove ski bindings, or even better these bindings, please comment!
Step 2 and more to come in part 2.
 |
| The skis on my workbench |
 |
| The skis I am using, with my feet in the upper left. |
 |
| The skis I am using for the project |
 |
| The toe binding close up. This photo was taken after the binding and plate were removed and so the plate and binding are only in their approximate positions, not the way they came. |
 |
| Close-up on the plate that covers 2 of the screws on the toe binding |
 |
| Various tool I have used to remove the stripped screws and hack at the heel binding. The later has been to no avail. Toe binding visible at the top of the picture. |
 |
| Close-up on the stubborn heel binding(s)*** |
*Citation: Skiing and Ski racing
** Methods for Removing Stripped Screws (chronological to how they should be used):
1. Push hard on the screw driver. Do not be afraid to strip the screws even more, the other methods can help with that.
2. Take flathead screwdriver (no matter which kind of screw you are trying to unscrew) and hammer it into the screw. Use a tough screwdriver that you can hammer without it breaking. Then screw-drive as usual.
3. Take large, adjustable pliers and grip the screwdriver with the pliers, then use the torque of the screwdriver to try to turn the screw. This method needs to be used in conjunction with another method.
4. Drill into the screw for 1/2-3/4 of a centimeter, with a drill bit similar to the size of the screwdriver head you were using. After this try methods 1, 2, and 3 again.
5. Remove all other screws on the object. If you can do this, you can try to use the object (in my case the toe binding) to unscrew the screw. This only works if all of the other screws are unscrewed.
6. Search other methods on the internet or try them as they come to mind.
7. You're screwed. (Ha, get it?****) Drill the remainder of the screw out until there is no more screw, saw through where the screw meets the ski.
***Only one in the picture, but both are stubborn. They have survived a crowbar, various prying tools, pliers, and the hammer in the above picture.
**** I thought I'd nail it with that pun but I screwed it up.
^(The person who took the picture below and created a similar sled for the Extreme contest on Instructables.)
Update: I have managed to remove the bindings without destroying anything. I'm not quite sure how, but nonetheless, I have succeeded in removing the bindings without destroying them or the skis.
ReplyDeleteDon't die. Very dangerous. Good post.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds extremely dangerous but kind of fun. I like this post a lot.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool, you should hike up a ski mountain and shred. You should also try to apply some kind of carving system for turning, and wax the skis so you go super fast.
ReplyDeleteGreat instructions!!! I like the pun. :))) How many more parts are there going to be?
ReplyDeleteI'll just post as often as I make progress, maybe once a week. Maybe anywhere from 2-7 parts.
Delete