- Joined
- Dec 11, 2006
- Messages
- 1,659
I have wanted to build a new pulk for a couple years now, being too cheap and all to pay the big bucks for a ready made one. I will spend the big bucks on a super often used item looks boots, day pack, etc. I just have a harder time spending it on a less used item, like this pulk.
It starts with the sled. The classic homemade pulk generally starts with the Paris Expedition Sled.
I have used one several times, and while they work, they are a bit too shallow for my tastes. I wanted something a bit deeper. I have found deeper ice fishing sleds, but they were either too small or too big for the overall dimension I wanted.
This year, I came across a Pelican sled that seemed to be perfect in every way.
My project is not quite done, but I wanted to share it anyway.
The sled already had recessing for attaching to.
I might go more sophisticated next year or so and try fiberglass rods, or whatever. But, for an experiment, I wanted to keep it cheap. And there is approximately $12 into this setup.
The rod is simply 10mm steel rod. I chose 3/8 swivel rod ends.
The non-matching rod size is because they were readily available. Most of the work was done by NWA is his shop. He turned the 10mm rod down on a lathe and then threaded to take the 3/8 ball end.
On the waist belt end, we simply threaded it for two eyes, and Nick tack welded them on.
Possibly a bit overkill, but I wanted to reinforce the attachment area so that I was not pulling on plastic. This was done by grinding out a shape from steel tubing.
Attached, the poles look like this.
For a belt, I decided to use the waist belt off of my Kifaru express, as it is already a super comfy belt.
As you can see, there is enough molle to rig up a nice attachment system, and I will. For my trial run, I simply tied the rod eyes to the belt.
I do not want to carry more than a daypack anyway. If I need to carry more, I don’t want it to hurt my snowshoe floatation, and it will go in the sled. I am hoping to rig this belt up to make it work with or without the pack, depending on my intended use.
Here is the final rig up.
Now, my intended use is for snowshoe backpacking. However, I know it will spend more time hauling the kids around : ) So, I will end up using it for everything from ice fishing, walking to the sledding hill, dragging the kids through the neighborhood in winter, and taking them hiking when it is too far for them to walk.
To finish off the project, I want to do the following things:
- Paint the poles.
- Paint the steel brackets.
- Fill the gap between the brackets and the sled with either black epoxy or silicone caulk. Just to keep from having edges in the sled.
- Possibly put a moon shaped cut out in the lip in front of the poles. It should give more up/down rotation for going into valleys.
- Have my wife sew a cover : ) Yes, she already agreed to it : )
So far, my little test run was only through the neighborhood and loaded with just the kiddies. But, it worked amazingly well. I am sure I will be able to tweak it into what I want.
Just thought you guys might be interested in seeing this little project.
B
It starts with the sled. The classic homemade pulk generally starts with the Paris Expedition Sled.
I have used one several times, and while they work, they are a bit too shallow for my tastes. I wanted something a bit deeper. I have found deeper ice fishing sleds, but they were either too small or too big for the overall dimension I wanted.
This year, I came across a Pelican sled that seemed to be perfect in every way.
My project is not quite done, but I wanted to share it anyway.
The sled already had recessing for attaching to.
I might go more sophisticated next year or so and try fiberglass rods, or whatever. But, for an experiment, I wanted to keep it cheap. And there is approximately $12 into this setup.
The rod is simply 10mm steel rod. I chose 3/8 swivel rod ends.
The non-matching rod size is because they were readily available. Most of the work was done by NWA is his shop. He turned the 10mm rod down on a lathe and then threaded to take the 3/8 ball end.
On the waist belt end, we simply threaded it for two eyes, and Nick tack welded them on.
Possibly a bit overkill, but I wanted to reinforce the attachment area so that I was not pulling on plastic. This was done by grinding out a shape from steel tubing.
Attached, the poles look like this.
For a belt, I decided to use the waist belt off of my Kifaru express, as it is already a super comfy belt.
As you can see, there is enough molle to rig up a nice attachment system, and I will. For my trial run, I simply tied the rod eyes to the belt.
I do not want to carry more than a daypack anyway. If I need to carry more, I don’t want it to hurt my snowshoe floatation, and it will go in the sled. I am hoping to rig this belt up to make it work with or without the pack, depending on my intended use.
Here is the final rig up.
Now, my intended use is for snowshoe backpacking. However, I know it will spend more time hauling the kids around : ) So, I will end up using it for everything from ice fishing, walking to the sledding hill, dragging the kids through the neighborhood in winter, and taking them hiking when it is too far for them to walk.
To finish off the project, I want to do the following things:
- Paint the poles.
- Paint the steel brackets.
- Fill the gap between the brackets and the sled with either black epoxy or silicone caulk. Just to keep from having edges in the sled.
- Possibly put a moon shaped cut out in the lip in front of the poles. It should give more up/down rotation for going into valleys.
- Have my wife sew a cover : ) Yes, she already agreed to it : )
So far, my little test run was only through the neighborhood and loaded with just the kiddies. But, it worked amazingly well. I am sure I will be able to tweak it into what I want.
Just thought you guys might be interested in seeing this little project.
B
)
. I am thinking of making it with a pair of surplus skis. I've tried out a rig like this before and it worked very well. Also, the cargo deck was high enough off the skis, that you could comfortably sit on it, keeping your butt off the snow.
