How to Build Wood Toboggans
Toboggans have been used for sliding down snow covered hillsides for generations. Designs for wooden toboggans vary greatly; however, they all have a smooth bottom or runners that glide on the snow and seating for children and adults alike. You can make a wooden toboggan in your home workshop in the off-season, so you and your family will be prepared for winter excursions in freshly fallen snow. Build a toboggan that is simple to construct and easy to maintain, so it will last for years to come.
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Things You'll Need
- 1- by 6- by 48-inch maple boards, 2
- Flexible ruler
- Pencil
- Band saw
- Router
- Roundover router bit
- Drill press
- 1/2-inch drill bit
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- 3/4 by18- by 36-inch maple plywood, 1 sheet
- Roman ogee router bit
- Shellac
- Flush trim screws, 1 box
- Screw gun
- Rope, 48-inch section
Instructions
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1
Draw a gradually rounded edge on one end of each 1- by 6- by 48-inch maple board. These are the runners. The rounded edge is the front of the runner.
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2
Cut out the rounded end of the runner with a band saw. Feed the board through the saw slowly to allow the blade to cut as you guide it through the saw.
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3
Route the bottom edge of the runners with a roundover bit. Route both sides of the bottom edge on each runner.
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4
Drill a 1/2-inch hole through the front end of each runner. Position the hole approximately 1 inch in from the tip. The holes are to accommodate a pulling rope.
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5
Sand the runners with fine-grit sandpaper. Sand with the grain of the wood until the surface is completely smooth.
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6
Place the 3/4- by 18- by 36-inch maple plywood sheet on a work surface. This is the toboggan seat. Route around the perimeter of the seat with a roman ogee bit. This will provide a detailed edge to the top surface of the toboggan seat.
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7
Sand the toboggan seat with fine-grit sandpaper until you have achieved a smooth surface.
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8
Apply a coat of shellac to the seat and runners. Allow the first coat to dry. Apply a second coat if directed to in the instructions on the container.
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9
Place the runners approximately 18 inches apart. Align the seat on the back end of the runners. Make sure the runners are flush with the side edges of the seat. Screw the seat to the runners by driving flush trim screws through the seat into the top edge of the runners. Space the screws the screws evenly approximately 3 inches apart.
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10
Thread the rope through the holes in the ends of the front runners. Knot each end of the rope. Use the rope to drag the toboggan up the hill after sliding down.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Apply a fresh coat of shellac to the toboggan once the finish begins to show wear. Inspect it at the beginning of each season.
Wear eye protection when woodworking.
Apply shellac in a well-ventilated area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit astronaut girl space walking with sled toboggan image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
