Building My Own Weight-Sled

Krossinc

Krossinc

Design is el cool
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Alright guys, I'm heading to the store for two things in the next few days. I'm going to be making a slosh pipe and my own weight sled. Since I have not used one before I was going to get people's opinions on materials.

The material that connects the sled to me (rope, cable, chain) - What do you recommend using?

Also, here was a general idea I have. I have a bit of leftover sheet metal and some THICK pieces of plywood. I was considering making the base out of plywood and putting a sheet of metal on the bottom to protect the wood, and to make it less likely to 'stick' on surfaces. Cutting down an old adjustable dumbbell for the middle piece, this idea can be adjusted though. I would love to have a way to set up a front ridge for pushing also, but I'm clueless on that one. Anyone have any ideas? Comments? Weldings not an option for me at this point.

Hopefully I'll have picked up this weight set I found on Craigslist by then too ...400lbs of weights, bench and squat rack for $150.
 
If you're only using it for pulling, not pushing, you should be able to just use a kids' plastic sled - you'd have to pull on grass, sand, or something like that, but it shouldn't limit you too much.

I also thought about converting an old WheelBarrow into a sled - just use the metal or plastic body and pull off the wheels and axles.

You might even be able to convert it into a pushing sled by messing with the handles, I haven't worked that out yet.

Other sled ideas I've seen or entertained - old skis strapped together, car hood (metal preferably), or the long-time favorite - the white trash sled AKA a wooden palette.
 
Mines primary use will be on grass so that's no worries there. I was actually entertaining the idea of a car hood one before, but decided against it due to its large nature.

I liked the one wildman linked to but I'm not looking to spend 40 bucks on it. If worse comes to worse, I have a friend who could weld one for me in no time at all, but I won't be around his area for another 2 months.

I'm going to try my idea, the only thing I'm trying to figure out is how to connect the pipe to the wood, so I don't have to do the old 'tie the weights on really tight and pray' method.
 
For connecting to the sled - a lot of folks use bands, but I wouldn't buy them just for that.

If you can find tow rope like they use on Tug boats, I'd guess it'd work pretty well.

Def want to go with a yoke or double connection to the sled, for stability's sake.

As far as joining the pipe to the wood - just drill a hole the same diameter as the pipe or slightly smaller through a piece of wood. Drive the pipe into the hole as deep as it needs to go, then drill a hole through the wood and the pipe, perpendicular to the direction of the pipe. Run a bolt through that hole and put a lockwasher and nut on the other side. Should steady things enough that you don't have to worry. If you really want more stability, drill a second hole through the wood and pipe, rotated 90 deg from the other and do the same thing. Instant stability.
 
Krossinc said:
Mines primary use will be on grass so that's no worries there. I was actually entertaining the idea of a car hood one before, but decided against it due to its large nature.

I liked the one wildman linked to but I'm not looking to spend 40 bucks on it. If worse comes to worse, I have a friend who could weld one for me in no time at all, but I won't be around his area for another 2 months.

I'm going to try my idea, the only thing I'm trying to figure out is how to connect the pipe to the wood, so I don't have to do the old 'tie the weights on really tight and pray' method.
Click to expand...
Bro, something else you can use is a used tire. Just put some wood in the center and add weight. You can get a tire anywhere, even along the side of the road. You must drill a hole in the middle of the tire and insert a Bolt with a loop on the top. Install a few big washers and a nut or two presto, a cheap pulling sled. I hope all works well, good luck.
 
"Tools
Welder
Angle Grinder
Cut off Saw (optional)"



I was excited to try to make this, until I read that. I don't have those tools, nor do I have any fucking clue how to use them. I need to take a shop class or something, because I am clueless about building things (but I always have fun doing it when I do).
 
fennway4414 said:
"Tools
Welder
Angle Grinder
Cut off Saw (optional)"



I was excited to try to make this, until I read that. I don't have those tools, nor do I have any fucking clue how to use them. I need to take a shop class or something, because I am clueless about building things (but I always have fun doing it when I do).
Click to expand...
Home depot and lowes will rent them to you and teach you how to use them.

Better yet, find a redneck and let him teach you.
 
Standard, the push bar seems pretty low to me. 16" off the ground (give or take)? Is that high enough?
 
MatterOverMind said:
Standard, the push bar seems pretty low to me. 16" off the ground (give or take)? Is that high enough?
Click to expand...

Alot of the time when we gas out after car pushes the bumper becomes the perfect height and its about the same.
 
I can get all the materials at work and make one for nothing. What do you think about putting another bar 8" or so above that?
 
should work, just remember to have your sled balanced to an extent, alot of times when you push forward you also push down, thats why i placed the weight near the rear of the sled. If you place the stack too forward it'll tip on you, also attach your hooks low to prevent this during pulling
 
I would think that on the higher bar you would probably be pushing slightly upward.

Suppose I could make the weight placement movable.
 
Well you should be fine with the set up 8" higher, all i did with mine was eye it actually so it's not too scientific.
 
For a push sled, better to push with hands or shoulders (ala blocking/tackling sled)?
 
Green Monkey said:
For a push sled, better to push with hands or shoulders (ala blocking/tackling sled)?
Click to expand...

That would be a good option for a more strength based workout, this sled was just for conditioning, i am thinking an oly plate upgrade though
 
Standard said:
That would be a good option for a more strength based workout, this sled was just for conditioning, i am thinking an oly plate upgrade though
Click to expand...

The reason I asked is that I saw a trailer hitch insert for your truck that allows you to push your truck like a blocking sled. Elite offers it.

I was really trying to figure out a cheaper way to do that for my truck, but I'm thinking about a sled at this point.
 
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