Old sled fixer upper

[buck91]

Picked up an old sled used, of the metal runner variety. Its a fairly local manufacture which appears to be well known in the antique sled market... My intention was to refinish it, spruce it up and give it to my 2 year old for Christmas. After doing some digging online it seems to be a bit of a rabbit hole with concerns over shellac, graphics, etc.

Does anybody know much about this? I didn't spend top dollar, it has some old repairs and needs at least one cross member replaced due to cracking. What type of wood should I use for that? Further, I just want a handsome and functional sled he can use during his childhood which might even last as a hand me down... Open to thoughts and discussions!

 

[Silk]

I thought this was going to be about Volvo's !

 

[Ducked]

Rosebud

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Silk
I thought this was going to be about Volvo's !


I thought either that or snowmobiles.

 

[tc1446]

Almost any wood other than pine which might be too soft. Use a Polyurethane rather than shellac.

 

[Boomer]

I think many of the old Flexible Fliers were made of oak which was drilled and held together with bolts in the key areas. +1 on using a urethane finish but only after stripping off all of the old finish.

 

[pandus13]

use some wax on the rails....
or shine the existing metal bands

(just used one last night with the kiddos in wet snow. nothing fancy)

maybe a picture of what you have may help us with suggestions.

i see (amazon pictures...)

well, take the old finish out like it was suggested already

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: Silk
I thought this was going to be about Volvo's !

 

[sleddriver]

Sounds like a fun project! Wish it would snow down here a few times every year. I tire of doing year round yard work.