Help me build an aluminium racing toboggan....
Discussion
Long-time, no-updates, so here we are. Work has been hectic, finally managed to get all my last minute parts to get the Mk3 finished.
So here it is, in all its glory, with strap, runners, and some seat support webbing on the back 'cos it digs in to your back a little bit when you lean back all the way. Bit of a design flaw actually, which will be resolved with Mk4 (watch this space).
Overall, I'm really pleased with this one. It's simple, effective, cheap, everything it was set out to be.
Update on the new Mk4 one coming shortly....
Mk1 and 2 still need seats, and I'm running out of time!
So here it is, in all its glory, with strap, runners, and some seat support webbing on the back 'cos it digs in to your back a little bit when you lean back all the way. Bit of a design flaw actually, which will be resolved with Mk4 (watch this space).
Overall, I'm really pleased with this one. It's simple, effective, cheap, everything it was set out to be.
Update on the new Mk4 one coming shortly....
Mk1 and 2 still need seats, and I'm running out of time!
OK, so here it is, the build of the Mk4 version.
The Mk3 was pretty successful, but the rear cross-bar digs in to your back slightly when you lean right back, so the Mk4 has two curves to make it a little more comfortable front and rear.
I also used a lot less material on this model. It's a single length of rectangular section for the two runners, half a length of 1" 10swg that made the uprights and crossmembers, and a length of 3/4" 10swg for the side bars.
I'm making the seat tonight of Cordura, will fit that and the runners, and it's done.
I'm not going to paint this one, partly because I don't have time, and partly because my welding is OK enough to not really need it now! I might just give it a brush up and polish, it should look OK as it is.
You can see the evolution from the Mk3, it's very similar, but easier and quicker to make. Rather than weld plates on the front and rear of the runners, I just built up weld to the front, and will leave the backs open to drain swarf/water. It's not like it'll rust!
So, runners were already bent and ready, my mate helped me with that a couple of weeks ago, so this is a basic, time-lapse build video, that unfortunately cut off the last little bit of the build. Gives you an idea though!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S37r86cxkvc
Which produced;
The Mk5 that's in the thought process now is a bit of an animal to design and build, but should be excellent to use, very nimble and quick on the corners. Watch this space, once again!
The Mk3 was pretty successful, but the rear cross-bar digs in to your back slightly when you lean right back, so the Mk4 has two curves to make it a little more comfortable front and rear.
I also used a lot less material on this model. It's a single length of rectangular section for the two runners, half a length of 1" 10swg that made the uprights and crossmembers, and a length of 3/4" 10swg for the side bars.
I'm making the seat tonight of Cordura, will fit that and the runners, and it's done.
I'm not going to paint this one, partly because I don't have time, and partly because my welding is OK enough to not really need it now! I might just give it a brush up and polish, it should look OK as it is.
You can see the evolution from the Mk3, it's very similar, but easier and quicker to make. Rather than weld plates on the front and rear of the runners, I just built up weld to the front, and will leave the backs open to drain swarf/water. It's not like it'll rust!
So, runners were already bent and ready, my mate helped me with that a couple of weeks ago, so this is a basic, time-lapse build video, that unfortunately cut off the last little bit of the build. Gives you an idea though!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S37r86cxkvc
Which produced;
The Mk5 that's in the thought process now is a bit of an animal to design and build, but should be excellent to use, very nimble and quick on the corners. Watch this space, once again!
Tallbut Buxomly said:
RM have you considered a lean turn option? Whereby if you lean one ski goes flat and the opposite digs in more like with normal ski's or both skis dig in more by changing angle slightly more?
Otherwise awesome build thread.
Right, back from Oz and back in the game.Otherwise awesome build thread.
I have 10 days to build and fit seats to mk1 and 2, and fit the runners and polish on pretty much all of them before heading out to the alps.
The mk5 version is exacty what you suggested here, similar principle to a skateboard (but with both king pins facing the same direction rather than opposites). It's likely to be a right bugger to design and build, hence leaving it until last!
Once they're all runnerred, painted and ready to go I want to get some decent pics, before we ruin them, so will post these as the 'final' product.
Pics of mk5 coming soon!
Hi have just read full thread. Very impressive build especially impressed with the speed at which you picked up alu welding.
I have been wanting to build a fast toboggan myself for a quite a while and I reckon this thread has pushed me over the edge.
With my own build I am quite concerned about centre of gravity. What kind of height are the seats from the ground on your toboggans?
I have been wanting to build a fast toboggan myself for a quite a while and I reckon this thread has pushed me over the edge.
With my own build I am quite concerned about centre of gravity. What kind of height are the seats from the ground on your toboggans?
hwbd said:
Hi have just read full thread. Very impressive build especially impressed with the speed at which you picked up alu welding.
I have been wanting to build a fast toboggan myself for a quite a while and I reckon this thread has pushed me over the edge.
With my own build I am quite concerned about centre of gravity. What kind of height are the seats from the ground on your toboggans?
Welcome to PH!I have been wanting to build a fast toboggan myself for a quite a while and I reckon this thread has pushed me over the edge.
With my own build I am quite concerned about centre of gravity. What kind of height are the seats from the ground on your toboggans?
These were built for use on public toboggan routes in Austria, which can sometimes be a little bumpy! Hence the seat being at around 18 - 20cm from the ground. You can go lower (like a luge), but you'd need quite a flat surface to use it on, and I would recommend a solid seat rather than canvas if you went much lower than this, so you wouldn't injure yourself going over big bumps.
Just putting the final touches to mine, I'll post some 'final' pics before we head of to the alps on saturday and ruin them!
Tested last night at Kirchberg!
It was really a shakedown evening, to get an idea what needs fettling, and a feel for the different designs.
Oddly, the best one out of the box is the simple, Mk4 silver one. It's comfortable, turns perfectly, and is very, very fast.
The suspension on the black one works excellently, but the high centre of gravity when you sit on it means it's quite twitchy, and takes a bit of getting used to. A new, lower seat would improve it!
The red one, my absolute favourite of them all, is too stiff to turn well, so although being very fast, corners like a cow.... Softer springs would almost definitely help.
I have some video footage, but it was dark, and the helmet camera is a bit shakey to get a good idea of what it's really like.
There are plans to go in the daytime in the next couple of days, so I'll do a proper update with pics, etc.
No broken bones, no bruises, and all good fun, so it's a highly recommended pursuit!
maser_spyder said:
Tested last night at Kirchberg!
It was really a shakedown evening, to get an idea what needs fettling, and a feel for the different designs.
Oddly, the best one out of the box is the simple, Mk4 silver one. It's comfortable, turns perfectly, and is very, very fast.
The suspension on the black one works excellently, but the high centre of gravity when you sit on it means it's quite twitchy, and takes a bit of getting used to. A new, lower seat would improve it!
The red one, my absolute favourite of them all, is too stiff to turn well, so although being very fast, corners like a cow.... Softer springs would almost definitely help.
I have some video footage, but it was dark, and the helmet camera is a bit shakey to get a good idea of what it's really like.
There are plans to go in the daytime in the next couple of days, so I'll do a proper update with pics, etc.
No broken bones, no bruises, and all good fun, so it's a highly recommended pursuit!
Looking forward to further pic's vids.
Well, winter is coming to a close, and I'll be heading home next week.
I never did get around to updating the thread with the 'finished' articles, so here we go.
The Mk5 was ridiculously adventurous, and to be honest, I ran out to time to do it properly, although it was finished enough to have a play with.
The whole idea was to base it on a 'skateboard' type design, with angled king-pins creating a turning angle movement. The only difference being where skateboard wheels turn in opposite directions, these would turn the same. Using carving ski shaped runners would create the angle required to make a speedy turn.
Started by cutting out the 'ski' shaped runners (based on Head WC Slalom race skis!).
Took ages!
Then welding on the angle brackets to the skis. Went for a simple 45 degree angle to save any confusion of the maths involved!
Then simply bent a tube to 45 degrees, drilled some holes, and fitted it with stainless bolts. You can see the idea of the 'turn' already.
And here's where I ran out of time/pictures, but I'll take some of the 'nearly finished', so you can see the idea!
More to follow on this one. Next post - in use!
I never did get around to updating the thread with the 'finished' articles, so here we go.
The Mk5 was ridiculously adventurous, and to be honest, I ran out to time to do it properly, although it was finished enough to have a play with.
The whole idea was to base it on a 'skateboard' type design, with angled king-pins creating a turning angle movement. The only difference being where skateboard wheels turn in opposite directions, these would turn the same. Using carving ski shaped runners would create the angle required to make a speedy turn.
Started by cutting out the 'ski' shaped runners (based on Head WC Slalom race skis!).
Took ages!
Then welding on the angle brackets to the skis. Went for a simple 45 degree angle to save any confusion of the maths involved!
Then simply bent a tube to 45 degrees, drilled some holes, and fitted it with stainless bolts. You can see the idea of the 'turn' already.
And here's where I ran out of time/pictures, but I'll take some of the 'nearly finished', so you can see the idea!
More to follow on this one. Next post - in use!
So, leaving the assembly stuff aside, we got some piccys of the real action.
These are taken on an afternoon out tobogganing at Going, near Sheffau.
First, you have to get the chairlift up. Most people have hired toboggans, which are the old fashioned, wooden type. There are hooks on the side of the chairs, the lift chappy puts them on for you, and the guy at the top takes them off.
We were interested to see what the lift guy would make of our home-made concoctions....
The diamonds in the rough....
We stopped for a cheeky hot chocolate with rum (highly recommended), and took the opportunity to get some 'publicity' shots.
I'm standing, matey who helped me build the Mk3 and also his own, is 'modelling'.
Mrs Maser doing her bit for publicity!
The Mk3, Mk4 and Mk2 (Mk1 was left out for this run).
Going involves a short walk before the start of the course....
Mrs Maser showing us how it's done!
The Mk4 after a damned good thrashing. Perfect. Just perfect.
And lastly, I have to report the sad demise of the Mk1 Toboggoff. It had an excellent innings, but the seriously bumpy rodel route at Soll got the better of it....
There were bumps about knee-deep, so flying in to them at 20-30 mph meant coming out the other side was seriously bumpy. Great fun, but it turns out the bottom supports were at slightly the wrong angle, and the tube not quite strong enough. The bottom section gently collapsed, causing the runners to go well out of kilter.
It'll be rebuilt when I get home, with the runners slightly further apart to improve handling, and using larger tubing, with a smaller footprint on the runners for extra strength.
On the plus side, the suspension part of it worked absolutely perfectly!
I have some more pics on another camera somewhere, and will attempt to get some more video footage before the snow finally disappears for the year. Earlier footage was either in the dark, or was by a seriously wobbly helmet cam!
We did a GPS logged run at Gaisberg (in Kirchberg), that logged a top speed of just over 36mph. That was on the Mk4, in my opinion, the very best of the lot.
These are taken on an afternoon out tobogganing at Going, near Sheffau.
First, you have to get the chairlift up. Most people have hired toboggans, which are the old fashioned, wooden type. There are hooks on the side of the chairs, the lift chappy puts them on for you, and the guy at the top takes them off.
We were interested to see what the lift guy would make of our home-made concoctions....
The diamonds in the rough....
We stopped for a cheeky hot chocolate with rum (highly recommended), and took the opportunity to get some 'publicity' shots.
I'm standing, matey who helped me build the Mk3 and also his own, is 'modelling'.
Mrs Maser doing her bit for publicity!
The Mk3, Mk4 and Mk2 (Mk1 was left out for this run).
Going involves a short walk before the start of the course....
Mrs Maser showing us how it's done!
The Mk4 after a damned good thrashing. Perfect. Just perfect.
And lastly, I have to report the sad demise of the Mk1 Toboggoff. It had an excellent innings, but the seriously bumpy rodel route at Soll got the better of it....
There were bumps about knee-deep, so flying in to them at 20-30 mph meant coming out the other side was seriously bumpy. Great fun, but it turns out the bottom supports were at slightly the wrong angle, and the tube not quite strong enough. The bottom section gently collapsed, causing the runners to go well out of kilter.
It'll be rebuilt when I get home, with the runners slightly further apart to improve handling, and using larger tubing, with a smaller footprint on the runners for extra strength.
On the plus side, the suspension part of it worked absolutely perfectly!
I have some more pics on another camera somewhere, and will attempt to get some more video footage before the snow finally disappears for the year. Earlier footage was either in the dark, or was by a seriously wobbly helmet cam!
We did a GPS logged run at Gaisberg (in Kirchberg), that logged a top speed of just over 36mph. That was on the Mk4, in my opinion, the very best of the lot.
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