Ski Pulk Completed 31Jan17

I completed my ski pulk. I'd assembled the parts over a couple of weeks of diving on eBay for appropriate parts/vendors/prices. Pic #1 shows the goodies and #2 shows the finished sled. I fabricated the towing hinge #3 from effectively a section of steel stop sign post. Cut it to shape with an angle grinder. It's cool and remains strong yet flexible by employing a 5/16 go-kart tie rod ends. I burned & epoxied the tie rod end into the end of schedule 80 pipe and burned/epoxied an eyebolt on the opposite end for attaching to hip belts #4. The tow bars attach to a used army rucksack (Afghanistan) hipbelt for towing - or to my backpack hipbelt. They are stiff and crossed for control. To create a soft-hinge attach to the hipbelt I wanted to make loops with ribbon and therefore needed to learn to sew #8. I poked my finger with the sewing awl several times before I got it; yeah, the red is my blood... now I can also repair my sail myself. I also fabricated two fins #5#6 (to assure tracking) from angle aluminum. All attachments to the sled are done with 5/16" allen through bolts with rubber backing (from old bike tire) between sled and metal. I added strapping with adjustability and plastic clamps to secure the load - I have a tarp to assure all gear being towed stays out of the elements - I'll use the tarp like a burrito tortilla. Everything seems to work as intended. I fashioned an automatic" brake for stopping on hills from a Lexan triangle #7 - it won't add friction on forward motion but digs in on a backslide. About $100 all in vs $500 outright purchase - a day well spent with beer and power tools.