Make your sled for the winter

Winter is so much more beautiful when you take the opportunity to slide, skate and play outside. But finding the right accessories is sometimes complicated, and often expensive. There is no longer the right cup size when you need it, the sweater available is not of good quality, the plastic sled is neither ecological nor locally made…

In fact, all of these winter items can be crafted or upgraded yourself! No more problems with size or availability when you can manufacture everything. And we speak from experience, because Montrealers make these creations every week in the collective workshops of Les Affûtés.

HERE ARE THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE YOU START BUILDING A SLEDGE:

• You don’t necessarily need a plan, but if you want one, you can find one easily – and for free! – on the Web.
• For the structure, all you need is pine (or, even better, cedar), 1⁄2 in. or 3⁄4 in. thick. The boards, usually 6″ or 8″ wide, can then be cut to 2″ wide, to form the seat slats. Be careful to also provide perpendicular crosspieces under these slats, as for a mattress base, to prevent the slats from breaking during jumps!
• For the legs, 2 in. x 4 in. of cedar, split in two, will be perfect.
• For all these cuts, a table saw is ideally used, but a jigsaw can also do the trick.
• To fix the different parts together, we prefer systems of bolts and threaded rods, which are stronger in the long term than simple screws. Just look at the games for children in outdoor parks, these are the same attachment systems, which are easily found in hardware stores.
• For skiing, you get old skis from your grandfather’s or watch the online classifieds. We cut the skis and fix them with screws underneath.
• Add to that a few hours of concentration, sanding, two coats of varnish or special exterior oil, and you can build the most beautiful car seen on the slopes of Mount Royal.

SO, SAW IN HAND? AT WORK !

And one last secret to share with you: it also makes a great gift, full of love and moments shared in perspective…

NOTE

The structure must be strong enough to hold up in turns. It is therefore necessary to add threaded rods for the solidity of the uprights.

NEED INSPIRATION?

Your little one already has his sled, but he came home from school without mittens? With a yard of fleece and a yard of sherpa, a sewing machine, and 3 hours of concentration, you can make one of the easiest winter projects ever!