BUILD A SLED FROM SHIPPING SKIDS!

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There's nothing like bounding down a snowy slope on a good of runner sled to fill a kid's winter afternoon. Sometimes, however, while the children old enough to look after themselves are having a grand time, their younger siblings are "grounded" indoors, brooding over the big kids' new plaything with something akin to jealousy.

Well, it's easy enough to avoid that scenario: If you're building the skid sled anyway, you might as well go the extra mile and whip up this pint-sized replica while you're at it. It's made from salvaged wood as is the larger toy, but-instead of employing runners-it rolls on four furniture casters that allow a toddler to pull the sled along the floor or carpet . . . which can be big-time fun for someone who's just learning to get around!

To build it, follow the basic guidelines given for the snow sled. They boil down to [1] choosing the parts of the shipping pallet that are necessary to make the individual components called for in our illustration, [2] planing and cutting those pieces to match our given dimensions, and [3] shaping and sanding them to render a smooth, finished look. As is the case with this model's big brother, the use of power tools will make your woodworking chores a good deal easier . . . but the job can be done with handsaws, a bench plane, a coping saw, and a sanding block (if you don't mind using a bit of elbow grease).

Assembling the little carpet scooter ought to take only a short time (once you've made the pieces) . . . if you refer to the diagram. All of the wood joints should first be bonded with carpenter's glue, then as each one is made-secured with 5/8" 18gauge wire nails.

(The side rails will require a larger, 1 ", nail.) Put the frame together by laying the three cross braces down-parallel and about 5-1/4 inches apart-on a work surface and then attaching the two side rails to the boards' ends. Next, the three deck planks are fastened (positioned at 5/8" intervals, with the center one extending beyond the front cross brace by 4-3/4 inches), and the handlebar is attached.

Finally, screw the swivel-base casters in place beneath the sled's four corners, and tie the tow rope through the holes in the handlebar. A coat of varnish or polyurethane adds a finishing touch, and your house-bound skidder is ready to roll!

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