How to Make Skis for an Ice Shanty
- 1). Lay the 2- by 6-inch boards side by side on the sawhorses. Use a ruler and marking pencil to trace a line from the top corner of each board end to the bottom edge of each board at a 45-degree angle.
- 2). Cut along each line with a circular saw. A neat triangle of wood should come off each edge of the board to give you two identical skis at least a foot longer than the full length of your ice shanty.
- 3). Cut a series of holes in the middle of both skis with a drill and hole saw bit. An electric drill is the best tool for the job.
- 4). Apply with a brush an even coat of weatherproofing stain to each ski. Cover all surfaces and edges with two even coats of stain, allowing the first coat to dry before applying a second one. Don't forget to stain the inside rim of all the holes you cut with the drill.
- 5). Cut short lengths of smooth aluminum strips to cover the 45-degree angles on each end of both skis. Hammer in one edge with the tack nails. Bend the aluminum over the bottom edge of the ski and hammer in the other side. Overlap the aluminum on the wood about two inches on each side of the ski.
- 6). Cut more strips to cover the entire bottom edge of each ski. The top edge of the aluminum strip on each side of your skis should sit just below the bottom curve of the holes you drilled earlier. Keep the aluminum wrapped as tightly to the wood as possible.
- 7). Screw the framing brackets to the top edge of the skis for mounting to the shanty floor. Position the skis against the floor with each one at least six inches in from the outer side walls, centered so there is about six inches of the ski extending out past each end wall. Drill the floor brackets into place and check the skis for stability.
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