Building a Toboggan

I am currently building a bent wood toboggan. I will take you through the steps to successfully make an toboggan out of ash.

Step 1: Cutting the slats

After selecting straight grained 8/4 Ash, I crosscut the piece to 72" long (Longer if you want a longer toboggan.

Then, using a thin kerf blade on the table saw, rip the slats to 5/16" thick.

Cut 8-10 slats(I used 7, but cut extra in case of breaking during bending!), depending on how wide you want your toboggan to be.

Comments

[Thnxcya]

Cool. I need to do a project on this

[bschless]

I just finished building two toboggans (pix included below). Couple of comments...I used very green white oak (sap still running out a knot!) for the slats (couldn't find ash). I used one 10" and one 12" plastic sewer pipe for the molds. 1 hour of steaming. I never got the amount of bend I would have liked (at least 180 degrees would have been fine and 270 would have been great!) because I didn't properly secure the slats in the molds when I started bending. Also, make sure each slat is parallel to the previous one (and perpendicular to the mold) or the tobog will be "skewed".

[gabes_us]

Great instructable, just what I was looking for. I am thinking of trying to make a toboggon for my children and have a couple of questions if you don't mind. Did you use kiln or air dried wood and what is the diameter of the PVC pipe used in the jig? Thanks.

[bschless]

Definitely use green wood. Go to your local water department and ask them for pieces of 10" or 12" plastic sewer pipe for the jig/mold.

[Koubiac]

I used kiln dried, although everyone tells me you shouldn't. I soaked the wood for a week in a garbage can full of water before steaming.

I used a 10" pipe to make this one, but have also used 6 and 8" pipes to make toboggans. (10" works best)


Enjoy building it.

[bschless]

I just finished building two toboggans (pix included below). Couple of comments...I used very green white oak (sap still running out a knot!) for the slats (couldn't find ash). I used one 10" and one 12" plastic sewer pipe for the molds. 1 hour of steaming. I never got the amount of bend I would have liked (at least 180 degrees would have been fine and 270 would have been great!) because I didn't properly secure the slats in the molds when I started bending. Also, make sure each slat is parallel to the previous one (and perpendicular to the mold) or the tobog will be "skewed".

[tobogganist]

If you're looking for hills to test out those toboggans, you can check out http://tobogganhills.com/ for a map of local hills, and also add hills to the map for others to locate and enjoy. :)

[TimmyMiller]

good idea, except you might get sued by the kids parent, though still very, VERY funny, man

[TimmyMiller]

ROTFLOL : ) | : D | ; P

[vincent7520]

Shouldn't the slates be glued together after being shaped ?
Or did I miss something ?

Great Inst' anyway.

Happy New Year !…

[roboguy]

This is a gorgeous build! One comment, though. I would suggest that you shorten your carriage bolts a little and use acorn nuts instead. That way, you won't have those sharp bolt threads exposed to cut up your mitts or skin on a cold day.

[Koubiac]

I have cut an polished them off since making the instructable. Good tip about the acorn nuts, I'll do that for the next one I make!

[putipa]

very nice !!!!!!

[nsnip]

Nice! All ready for winter!

[friger]

Great Job, I really liked how you used the water pipe for a form, this was a brilliant idea. Considering a wooden toboggan sells for over $100.00 Canadian, and they are not very well made at that price I would think you easily have a $200.00 product there.

[zazenergy]

Wowsa! Great first Instructable! Featured!

[Koubiac]

Thank you, I really enjoy the instructables website.