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Thoughts on making a Prowler out of wood?

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B

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
First off, this is a Prowler (push/pull sled):

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=289&pid=2294

I think it would be pretty easy to make one out of 4"x4" wood, but I am not so sure what to do about the feet.

I plan on using it up and down my driveway, and metal scraping against it will make a horrendous noise, and may hurt the driveway.

Do you think wood would slide ok? I could use a 8" long piece of 4x4 for the feet, and cut an angle on the toe and heel.

If I need metal I could get 1/16" sheet metal and bend it over the wood feet.

Some sort of heavy duty plastic would be great for the bottoms of the feet I think, but I don't know much about plastics. I've seen some sort of white industrial plastic that is slippery, but extremely tough, and can be machined and drilled. But I have no idea where to get it. Probably expensive too.

I was going to use pipe for the push handles.

The plates cold just sit on the sled, or I could use my keg or sandbag.

What says the S&C braintrust???
 
C

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#5 ·
I'm useless when it comes to building home made contraptions. After all the R&D (test, fail, tweaking of the device, then realizing it won't last very long), it would probably have been cheaper for me to purchase the original in the first place. :supergrin: So, even though you need a second person to steer, I have just settled on pushing my truck around.

However, I know the Denver Broncos use a similar wooden homemade sled, they call it the "Beast". Might give you some ideas ...

http://cbs4denver.com/sports/Colorado.News.Denver.2.560113.html
 
B

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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Scarecrow28 said:
The wood may work. My biggest concern would be friction eating away at the wood.
Click to expand...
Yeah, my thoughts too.

I could just replace the feet as needed. I will be the only one using it, so they might last long.

I did find a place that sells thick sheets of all sorts of plastics. But the thicker stuff is expensive, and I need it to be thick to counter sink the bolts that sill hold it to the wood.

I'd like to keep the cost to $50ish.

On to the drawing board.
 
T

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#9 ·
A few random ideas:

- 2x4 or 2x6 hardwood
- plastic cutting boards
- scrap Corian counter-top pieces
- scrap Granite counter-top pieces
- make your feet from a home-made mold and Home Depot cement
- black iron pipe mounted laterally to a wood frame/feet of some sort (probably something like 3 nipple pipes per foot); maybe heat up the edges, and hammer them in, so that the edges don't dig into your drive-way if it's not laying exactly flat

I'd probably go the simple route and use 2x4 wood, and replace as necessary. Don't forget to counter-sink the screw heads if you secure the feet from the bottom.
 
CSnakes

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#10 ·
go for plastic... think old school skateboard rails, but do them up full width. Make sure to use clear or black plastic if your driveway is black... Or hell use it in the street if you are on a cul de sac. Afterall what driver is going to give a hardtime to a sadistic sucker pulling a weighted sled in the middle of the street... They will 3 point turn and run!

Also, I bet you could have a local welder look at some photos (maybe you could get some actual measurements), and they could weld a near identical one for less... just a thought.

Good luck with the build!

Csnakes
 
B

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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
TurboRocket said:
A few random ideas:

- 2x4 or 2x6 hardwood
- plastic cutting boards
- scrap Corian counter-top pieces
- scrap Granite counter-top pieces
- make your feet from a home-made mold and Home Depot cement
- black iron pipe mounted laterally to a wood frame/feet of some sort (probably something like 3 nipple pipes per foot); maybe heat up the edges, and hammer them in, so that the edges don't dig into your drive-way if it's not laying exactly flat

I'd probably go the simple route and use 2x4 wood, and replace as necessary. Don't forget to counter-sink the screw heads if you secure the feet from the bottom.
Click to expand...
I love the cutting board idea Pro!!! Right on!

I actually found the plastic I was looking for, and will probably use that. It is quite similar to cutting board plastic.

And I have numerous 4x4's lying around, in good shape. So I am going to use those as planned. Super Ghetto, so I'm keeping the cost low.

Counter sinking is already in the plans.:supergrin:
 
B

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
CSnakes said:
go for plastic... think old school skateboard rails, but do them up full width. Make sure to use clear or black plastic if your driveway is black... Or hell use it in the street if you are on a cul de sac. Afterall what driver is going to give a hardtime to a sadistic sucker pulling a weighted sled in the middle of the street... They will 3 point turn and run!

Also, I bet you could have a local welder look at some photos (maybe you could get some actual measurements), and they could weld a near identical one for less... just a thought.

Good luck with the build!

Csnakes
Click to expand...
Skate rails are a good idea too. And ironically, I collect vintage old school skateboards, and have lots of Powell rails still in the bag.

I did consider having a welder whip one up for me. But by the time he is done cutting the pieces and welding it up, I think it might cost over $100.

I'm planning on mine costing $50-60.

I got all the plans done and just need to order a couple of things prior to final assembly.

Hope to have it done in a week or so.
 
S

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#13 ·
BCR said:
Skate rails are a good idea too. And ironically, I collect vintage old school skateboards, and have lots of Powell rails still in the bag.

I did consider having a welder whip one up for me. But by the time he is done cutting the pieces and welding it up, I think it might cost over $100.

I'm planning on mine costing $50-60.

I got all the plans done and just need to order a couple of things prior to final assembly.

Hope to have it done in a week or so.
Click to expand...
Good luck! Make sure to post some result photos when its completed!
 
B

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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
Well, I have all the pieces cut and ready to assemble.

I got very lucky with the materials I had available. Years ago I made a calf press attachent out of 4x4's that I no longer need.

So that gave me all the wood I needed, and it had sixteen 6" lag bolts that are the perfect size.

That saved me a chunk of change right there.

And I decided to go with Turbo's cutting board idea. I just need to hunt around for the thickest one I can find locally.

So all I need to buy is pipe for the push handles and the cutting board for the feet sliders.

I'll get picks up in a week or so hopefully, don't get PUSHY. :rofl:
 
B

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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
TurboRocket said:
Alright, but I want royalties. Every time you use the prowler, two "reps" are for me :supergrin:
Click to expand...
LOL.

I found a place that sells cutting board material in all sorts of sizes. I got some that is 1" thick, with enough to make an extra set of sliders when the time comes.

Maybe I can get a wood burning kit and put TURBO ROCKET in the side of my sled. :rofl:
 
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