View Full Version : Making a Boy Scout Klondike Sled
Our scout troop has won the klondike contest for the last two years and hope to do it again this year. The boys have to pull the sled with one boy riding in it and one boy pushing/guiding it. Sometimes it is in the rain and mud other times it is dust and rocks. Uphill, downhill, through the woods and fields or sometimes across a creek.
They go from station to station doing little tasks at each station. Could be anything like starting a fire to boil water or burn a rope in two, build a small tower, simulate a rescue/first aid episode, shoot rifles or shotguns, identify wild plants/trees or animals.
They have to have the needed equipment with them or fabricate it from the wild. So, part of the competition is to anticipate what will be needed and take enough gear without loading down the sled so much that they can't pull it through the course.
Their old sled is falling apart so I said I would help with a new one.
Collin (my son) found plans on a Scout web site and his troop leader donated the wood, white oak.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/Sled1.jpg
I have a lot of the parts cut and the runners are being bent now. I had to take apart my work table to make room for the lathe I bought last month, but it makes a pretty sturdy work table on its own.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/Sled2.jpg
I didn't think 1" by 3" white oak would bend very well and I have had good results laminating thin bent pieces so I thought I would cut slots in the runners.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/Sled3.jpg
It bent very easily then.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/Sled4.jpg
So, I made a form out of some old soft maple and glued the pieces together. I put some cloth in between the strips to add strength. I hope it works.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/Sled5.jpg
British Red
08-01-2007, 18:49
Thats fantastic weaver - thanks mate.
Really good to see the design at the top too - kind of puts it into perspective whats coming - if its not too much hassle, I for one would love to see the project develop if you can find the time to show us?
I do envy people with talent and skill :(
Red
Wow, that will need to be a tough sled, being dragged over all that rough terrain. I thought it was for snow use....Looks like you are doing a great job there...Good luck to your scout group....
Wow! I think this looks like a promising thread! Really interesting to see the sled develop, I too hope you'll find the time to let us know how its going. Thanks weaver. :You_Rock_
chrisanson
08-01-2007, 21:29
keep it coming m8, looks like it gona be good
chris
The Klondike contest, is it over more than one day? is it over a long distance? sounds interesting anyway :)
The contest starts Friday night and ends Sunday morning. Most of the events take place on Saturday but, the camp site and how the boys cook their meals are also evaluated, points can be deducted for lots of different things from how the camp is set up to how the boys dispose of their trash. Points are given for questions about Scout history and famous Scouts.
No, it is never more than a mile in any direction.
That sounds like it is actually quite challenging. I don't know much about scouting, how old are the children then? I don't konw over here if they do this sort of challenge, but I suppose the PC brigade would try to spoil it :(
Boy Scouts are age 11 to 18, most don't participate after age 16. More interested in automobiles and girls.
The PC police are very strong here as well, but we live so far out in the country they rarely visit. :rolleyes: Must have sidewalks to be PC, you understand.
Actually they have had their effect in many ways. I hate to see the Scouts diluted to the point of only reading about the great outdoors but, I fear it will be going that way.
BTW, I looked at your web site. Very nice work! :You_Rock_
I was in the sign business for almost twenty years. Alas the computer vinyl monsters killed my business. Very few here value quality such as yours. I painted, silk screened, gold leafed and carved many signs for far too low a price. :(
Thank you Weaver. I wish I could say I am making a living out of this. It takes a long time to establish a business and I would be living under a bridge with the income at the moment! But I am trying! And when I think of the activities of the pc brigade it makes me turn to :cussing: and jump on my :soapbox: !
Perhaps we should start a new thread : On the Ramblings of a Grumpy Old Man!! Might be entertaining :D Actually a while back, my children gave me a badge : Grumpy Old Man. I don't know what they are talking about :D
Coming back to the topic, is the sled completely rigid or is the flat surface suspended? hard to tell from the drawing.
The flat surface will be bolted to cross runners which are morticed into the uprights. I'll have about 5 inches of ground clearance. The flats are bolted underneath the cross members for a smooth surface to glide over obstacles. All hardware is stainless steel except the brake. Many of the dimensions are not indicated so there is a lot of guesswork and redesigning as I go along.
Eric_Methven
09-01-2007, 23:23
Any idea what the website was that the plans came from? It seems like a great project.
Eric
Thats really good...are you taking orders? :)
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/winter/gear/sleds/index.htm
Its on this one, Eric. I thought the same and had a googling session, pity there is not much snow here , but it is a nice project :D
Always things to get in the way of fun, but eventually we go back to the good stuff. This will see hard use next week and I hope to get some piccys for you chaps.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/SledFinal.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/SledFaceon.jpg
Weaver that's beautiful :D and thank you for taking the time to post the details and photos.
It sounds like your Scout group is really participating properly in the training and experience of the young. Did your son help with the sledge building?
As an aside, sledges were in common usage up until the advent of metalled roads. In the UK though we made an awful lot more use of our waterways for transport than we do now.
cheers,
Toddy
Still Waters
14-01-2008, 08:35
Weaver that is a thing of true beauty
That's a beauty. Looking forward to some action pictures!
That is a bute!!!!!
I presume one member at the back to push, one at the front to pull and crew members/kit on the sled
Regards
Pignut
Thanks for all the compliments!
Toddy,
Yes our troop is one of the smallest yet one of the best in the area, every member since 1975 has made it to Eagle and many are in Law Enforcement, medical emergency work or the Military.
Yes, my son helped some, especially after I hurt my finger on the route table. He finished the assembly and sanding. I am doing the varnish.
Pignut,
One boy has to be in the sled at all times and there is a certain amount of required gear, one boy steers from behind and 4 to 6 pull with the ropes.
They will have about a dozen challenges along the trail, including first aid, shooting, sawing a log, fire starting, estimating distances, tying knots, problem solving, Boy Scout and American history, mapping, plant identification and others.
I do hope to get action shots. Last year I had to man the target range and did not have a break all day. We have only two certified arms instructors and two are required at all times so we plan to lock up the rifles and take a break for lunch this year.
A very professional sledge there weaver.
Interesting that you used laminates instead of steam bending.
I can see why as oak isn't the greatest of woods to steam bend,i only steambend ash and that fails now and then.
What glue did you use for the laminates?
Should out last you thats for sure;)
I have more experience with laminating and the form for the hand rails would have been huge. Time was also a consideration as I have very little time to do this kind of work.
The glue is Titebond III.
from their web site:
An advanced proprietary technology that offers the best possible performance
in woodworking glues. This waterproof formula passes the ANSI/HPVA Type I
water-resistance specification and offers superior bond strength, longer open
assembly time and lower application temperature. Titebond III Ultimate Wood
Glue is non-toxic, solvent free and cleans up with water – safer to use than
traditional waterproof wood glues. It provides strong initial tack, sands easily
without softening and is FDA approved for indirect food contact (cutting
boards). Titebond III is the ultimate in wood glues – ideal for both interior and
exterior applications.
I have more experience with laminating and the form for the hand rails would have been huge. Time was also a consideration as I have very little time to do this kind of work.
The glue is Titebond III.
from their web site:
An advanced proprietary technology that offers the best possible performance
in woodworking glues. This waterproof formula passes the ANSI/HPVA Type I
water-resistance specification and offers superior bond strength, longer open
assembly time and lower application temperature. Titebond III Ultimate Wood
Glue is non-toxic, solvent free and cleans up with water – safer to use than
traditional waterproof wood glues. It provides strong initial tack, sands easily
without softening and is FDA approved for indirect food contact (cutting
boards). Titebond III is the ultimate in wood glues – ideal for both interior and
exterior applications.
Used it myself here in Britain,i use Balcotan normally.
Looks like you have a nice workshop aswell,get to do much turning on that lathe of yours?
Is that two table saws or is the green machine a spindle moulder (shaper to you yanks)
You might find yourself soon in the sledge manufacturing industry:D
Used it myself here in Britain,i use Balcotan normally.
Looks like you have a nice workshop aswell,get to do much turning on that lathe of yours?
Is that two table saws or is the green machine a spindle moulder (shaper to you yanks)
You might find yourself soon in the sledge manufacturing industry:D
Thanks on the shop comment, I built the building myself and keep shoving stuff in there till I need more space. :lmao:
I don't have time to turn as much as i would like. British Red has a bit o my turning to stir his coffee. Maybe you've seen a pic.
The green box is a router table, I thought it would be safer than holding wood in my lap and routing it but turns out the table is more dangerous! :aargh4:
Like most things I make, this is sure to be a one off.
Weaver
That is really nice make sure you work those Scouts hard.
Alf
The green box is a router table, I thought it would be safer than holding wood in my lap and routing it but turns out the table is more dangerous! :aargh4:
.
What Horsepower is your router?
I ask because routers are usually underpowered for such tasks thats why man invented the spindle moulder.
Anything under 1 1/2 HP is too under powered and has the habit of returning to sender the work piece or burning out your bit.
Feathersticks can help,i use my router in the traditional manner (but i hardly use it at the minute.)
Your lathe dosen't look underpowered:)
It is an old Skill brand router I bought when I was about 20 Years old. I think it may be 1 HP. The table is a recent acquisition for making Native American cedar flutes. It works well for that, but I am not used to it yet. I cut the tip off my finger last week. Luckily the surgeon was able to sew most of it back together.
I will be much more respectful of it in the future.
I don't have room for a full size spindle shaper. Maybe someday I can move to a larger place (shop space). My land is plentiful but I don't want to build more structures here If I may leave when I retire.
The lathe is underpowered at the moment. I have a 1/4 HP motor temporarily clamped to the frame. The 2 HP that came with it is 220V and I didn't want to run new cable for the same reason as previous.
It is an old Skill brand router I bought when I was about 20 Years old. I think it may be 1 HP. The table is a recent acquisition for making Native American cedar flutes. It works well for that, but I am not used to it yet. I cut the tip off my finger last week. Luckily the surgeon was able to sew most of it back together.
I will be much more respectful of it in the future.
I don't have room for a full size spindle shaper. Maybe someday I can move to a larger place (shop space). My land is plentiful but I don't want to build more structures here If I may leave when I retire.
The lathe is underpowered at the moment. I have a 1/4 HP motor temporarily clamped to the frame. The 2 HP that came with it is 220V and I didn't want to run new cable for the same reason as previous.
Yeah cedars not a bad timber to work with (smells nice:D ) made many shingles and weatherboards (clapboard to you colonials;) :rolleyes: ) from cedar.
Never routed it though.
1/4 HP is underpowered for such a beast ,can you not get a transformer for the 2 HP?
In Britain our domestic supply is 240 volts but on building sites you can only use 110 volts so i have both sorts of powertools.
I now have acess to a friends boat building shop (steel boats) so i now have a tablesaw,drill press and an old 3 phase planer thicknesser (jointer and planer) that could surface a redwood:D
Me and my mate are thinking about knocking up a few items for sale on evilbay,might even build another twelve foot skiff.
British Red
15-01-2008, 23:25
one boy steers from behind and 4 to 6 pull with the ropes.
Is he allowed to crack a whip and yell "mush"? :D I confess I would be so tempted :lmao:
Lovely work as always weaver - i'm looking forward to seeing some action shots - I do hope you ahve time this year:rolleyes:
The wood turning is still in regular use (indeed BB loves it for mixing up her cadbury's options when out and about ;)). I tell her its sacrilege to use my precious "mans spoon" on such things - coffee spooning only - but hey, what are you gonna do ?
Red
Stu,
I ave 220 in the shop, just don't want to spend $60 for wire to go across the shop and down the wall right now, if it looks like we will be here another year I will do it then.
I envy the big tools and the boat building skills, that's something I have always wanted to learn. But being a land lubber and a mountain man at that I never had the opportunity.
Good luck with the sales adventure!
Hi Red old friend,
I think a whip would be discouraged, yelling mush may get by if not too loud. :lmao:
I will take pics or send the camera along.
Glad you are getting good service from the spoon, maybe a more dainty one for next Christmas or come to think of it I will owe her a wedding gift.
Take care
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Misc/P0002087.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Spoons/BoxinSpoon.jpg
I spent the day helping the Boy Scouts with the annual Klondike Derby. The boys campout for the weekend, have to pull a sled around to different events and have various contests to test their knowledge, strength, team work and other outdoor skills.
It's great fun and our troop has won the last 5 years. So, I built them a new sled last year as a reward for the hard work they have done and because their old one was falling apart.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_PullingSled.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/PullingSled.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_ShelterContest.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/ShelterContest.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_RifleRange.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/RifleRange.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_TypicalSled.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/TypicalSled.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_LogRoll.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/LogRoll.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_LifeSavingContest.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/LifeSavingContest.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_LogTyingContest1.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/LogTyingContest1.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_LogTyingContest2.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/LogTyingContest2.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_LogTyingContest3.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/LogTyingContest3.jpg)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/th_BackToCamp.jpg (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/frugalweaver/Boy%20Scout%20Sled/BackToCamp.jpg)
firebreather
02-03-2008, 09:02
Looks like great days was had by all. That sled must have taken a good kicking throughout the day what with being dragged over the rough dry ground. It looks like a really nice and well made piece of kit that should last for years.
Greg
Looks like they all had a great time. Sledge looks great too!