Details Showing the Method of Rear-Sled Oscillation, the Bracing, and the Steering Wheel
As the rear sled must oscillate some, means must be provided for this tilting motion while at the same time preventing sidewise turning. The construction used for this purpose is a hinged joint. The heavy 2 by 5-in. crosspiece is cut sloping on the width so that it remains 2 in. thick at one edge and tapers down to a feather edge at the opposite side. This makes a wedge-shaped piece, to which surface the three large hinges are attached. The piece is then solidly fastened to the upper edges of the runners that are to be used for the rear sled, and so located that the center of the piece will be 8 in. from the front end of the runners.
The supporting crosspiece on the front sled is fastened on top of the runners, at a place where its center will be 11 in. from the front end of the runners.
The top board is prepared by making both ends rounding and planing the surfaces smooth. On the under side, the two crosspieces are placed, which should have two 1/2-in. holes bored through the width of each, near the ends, to receive the eyebolts. They are placed, one with its center 12 in. from the end to be used for the rear, and the other with its center 8 in. from the front end, and securely fastened with screws. The shore is placed in the center of the board, and wires are run over it connecting the eyebolts. The eyebolts are then drawn up tightly to make the wire taut over the shore. This will prevent the long board from sagging.
LIST OF MATERIALS
| 1 | top. 6-1/2 ft. long, 16 in. wide, and 1-1/4 in. thick. |
| 4 | runners. 22 in, long, 4 in. wide, and 1 in. thick. |
| 4 | crosspieces, 16 in. long, 3 in. wide, and 1 in. thick. |
| 3 | pieces, 16 in, long, 5 in. wide, and 2 in. thick. |
| 1 | piece, 16 in. long, 5 in. wide, and 1 in. thick. |
| 1 | shore, 16 in. long, 3 in. wide, and 1 in. thick. |
| 4 | seat backs. 12 in. long, 16 in. wide, and 1 in. thick. |
| 1 | dowel. 3 ft. long, and 1 in. in diameter. |
| 4 | rods. 5/8 in. in diameter, and 30 in. long. |
| 4 | eyebolts, 1/2 in. by 6 in. long. |
| 3 | hinges, 5-in. strap. |
| 8 | hinges, 3-in. strap. |
On the upper side of the board and beginning at the rear end, the backs are fastened at intervals of 18 in. They are first prepared by rounding the corners on the ends used for the tops, and the opposite ends are cut slightly on an angle to give the back a slant. They are then fastened with the small hinges to the top board. On the edges of the top board, 1-in. holes are bored about 1 in. deep, and pins driven for foot rests. These are located 18 in. apart, beginning about 5 in. from the front end. The dowel is used for the pins, which are made 4 in. long.
The Top Board is Well Braced on the Under Side and Fitted with Four Backs on Top to Make It a Luxurious Riding Sled, and the Runners are Provided with Metal Shoes for Speed
The steering device consists of a broom handle, cut to 18 in. in length, with one end fastened in a hole bored centrally in the 5-in. crosspiece of the front sled. A hole is bored in the top board through the center of the crosspiece fastened to the under side for the steering post. The broomstick is run through this hole after first placing two metal washers on it. After running the stick through, a collar is fastened to it just above the top board, so that the top cannot be raised away from the sled. At the upper end of the broomstick a steering wheel is attached, made from a nail-keg hoop. A piece of wood is fastened across its diameter, and the hoop is covered with a piece of garden hose and wrapped with twine. In the center of the crosspiece, a hole is bored to snugly fit on the broom handle, which is then fastened with screws.