Antique Sled Restoration

[@loadhawg9357]

Nice job, well worth doing. If you do intend to do any sledding, There is one oversight you may wish to correct to re-enable steering control. These sleds were designed to have 'some' steering but as restored, this particular one will not really steer at all. The three deck slats should *NOT* be nailed to the forward most support bridge. The should float/slide over the front bridge - this allows the sled to have a slight degree of steering. By nailing the slats to the front most support essentially locks it and prevents any steering. Modern Flexible Flyers also have an additional support in front of the fixed support that the slats float on - that support can be added and the slats nailed or screwed to it. Also the front most rivets that were drilled out at the nose and replaced with screws should probably be replaced with rivets OR slightly loose screws that have double nuts. The sled is designed to have some flexibility in those front most fastening points to again allow for steering. If the screws are over-tightened, it will hamper steering. If going sledding, remove the paint from the bottoms of the runners that contact the snow and ice, then wax the exposed metal. But if just for display - none of the above really matters and can be ignored, left as-is. FYI - this sled appears to be a later modern era production 60 inch Flexible Flyer imported from China (not one of the originals manufactured in Philadelphia, PA). You can do a web search and see images of current production Flexible Flyers for further restoration guidance. Again great job - was curious how a modern era sled might come out after treated to a restoration

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for the info! This one will be for display only :)

[@heimatau3888]

Absolutely right! I restored or rebuilt several flexible flyers they're the best. If you don't nail the deck slats to the first crossmember their will likely be a gap of about 1/4" so that the slats float over the crossmember. Also if you are really going to use it sledding; it is a good idea to varnish (spar varnish) all the wooden pieces before assembly, then once again after it's all together. Another point, don't bother to paint the bearing surface of the runners. It will just wear off after a few uses. Instead use automotive clear coat on the non-bearing surfaces before assembly. I liked to use ski wax on the bottom of the runners. Please notice the nail holes near the front of the original center slat. That is where the stabilizer brace was nailed. When properly assembled, if you twist the steering arm to it's extreme; the runners will bend in a curve from top to bottom. My guess: Paricon 54-Inch 🛷

[@rustyshackleford1282]

That sled is actually called "the flexible flyer". I'm restoring one now for a total stranger. Her dad died and she is clearing out his garage. I saw an ad for table saw and while there, she said I could have the rusted out barely recognizable frame of her childhood sled. She said she had great memories of it with her dad but that I could take it since it looks like scrap now. What she doesn't know is I'm restoring it for her and going to return it to her soon. I think her dad probably kept it with the same intention. So I'm going to get it done for him.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

That is awesome!!!! Thanks for sharing. This just made my night. I hope it turns out great! :)

[@edie9330]

That is incredibly nice of you, it will mean so much to her. Well done Sir.

[@marycatherinebailey5740]

It’s heartwarming to read of your thoughtfulness and generosity. This has made my day!

[@98mr574]

❤ Just pulled our old flexible flyer out of my attic and was searching videos on how to restore it. Now in retirement, I will be cleaning it up as a Christmas decoration. So many fond memories! Thank you for sharing your story.

[@porternelson2926]

Cool sled always wanted to own one

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks

[@jeremecrane7924]

Great job man

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😄

[@grandduke2145]

I had and as of Wednesday now have a Speedaway. It is in pretty good shape. I just have to clean it up, sand down and paint the runners. And urethane the wood. Oh and bye the way, I ate those Flexible Flyers for lunch when I was a kid 😊😊. Gonna make sure my Grandson does the same. Great resto !!

[@danielcoleman4807]

Nice job. All that is missing is a test ride.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! :) that would have been great!

[@marycatherinebailey5740]

This sled is exactly like the one I have from my childhood, except mine is in better condition for the wooden parts and worse for the metal parts. I don’t have the space or the equipment that you have, so wish me luck! I don’t plan to disassemble the sled, just clean up the metal and paint. First, I must find the wire brush. Thank you for a great video.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😄 Good luck with yours!

[@nathan3377]

Yes indeed that is a flexible flyer very big company nakes plastic sleds now not sure if they make vintage style one's anymore but Great job that is a very nice transformation

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much!

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

I remember getting one of these Radio 📻 Flyer sleds, at Christmas 🎄 in 1978, or 1979. It was one of my favorite things. We had two hills by our house 🏠, that I could sled down. It was a GREAT 👍 sled. I remember trying to impress my stepmother 🚶, by trying to do a jump, but I missed the ramp. It was utterly disappointing. As I tipped over on the sled, I bruised my hip, which was no 👎 fun. I cannot remember if I cried 😢, or not. To add to my sled, I got a Radio 📻 Flyer wagon the next year, which was for my birthday 🎂. I may have received the Radio 📻 Flyer wagon in 1978. I don't remember specifically. All I know 👌, is that I was still in kindergarten 👌. The sled was received in 1978, or 1979. It could have even been 1980. Ya sure do a GREAT 👍 job at this restoration. Just wanted to let ya know 👌 about my childhood history of Radio 📻 Flyer sleds and wagons. Our family 👪 name also starts 🌟 with "H". Coincidental, isn't it, and we never really outgrow these fantastic Radio 📻 Flyer sleds or wagons. Your friend, Jeff.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you so much for sharing you story! You can buy new sleds what are made to look like these old sleds but they don't make them like they use to. That's why i take any chance I get to save an antique off of the side of the road and fix it up like I did with this sled. Thanks again for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! :)

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

@@SimonSaysDIY I live in Phoenix, Arizona, where there is no snow, and sleds and wagons, just aren't made the way they were, then. I was in Gakona, Alaska at the time, when I had mine. Your friend, Jeff.

[@leonardbutler9338]

Very nice restoration! I did a similar one on a Speedaway sled a few years ago and we too use it as a Christmas decoration. As a woodworker for over forty years, I would be remiss if I failed to comment about two safety issues I noted. Gloves should not be worn when using power tools! If the glove (or a thread or a loose strap) gets caught, it will pull your hand with it. Secondly, if you have inserts for your router table, please use them. That open space between the spinning bit and the table is an invitation for an accident. Please consider my comments. Again, great restoration!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you! Thanks for the recommendations. I actually don't normally use gloves, I agree it isn't good to do so. I just had a bad poison Ivy reaction all over my hands in the first half of this video. it looked pretty bad so I used gloves in this project to cover that up. I will look for an insert for the router table. I purchased it used and it didn't have one. Thanks Again!!

[@leonardbutler9338]

@@SimonSaysDIY Just for fun, here is a link to my posted sled restoration project on a woodworking website: "lumberjocks.com/projects/116041".

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! I’ll check it out :)

[@frederickguerra9999]

Well done

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks :)

[@Cbockhoff]

Doing a minor restore and the video helped thank you!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad it helped! :)

[@krstr5960]

White oak is probably what they originally used😊 I use mine as a Xmas decoration leaned up against the house with magnolias

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much! 😄

[@lowellirish]

I just got one of these from the dump! It's bad... lol. But I will be restoring it over the spring and hang it in the kitchen, mount LED strip under it, hardwire it... and use it over my stove/sink/Island as a "chandalier!" I was going to use drop lights... but this is WAY more betterer!! 😃

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thats sounds like a great idea! Good luck with yours!

[@tiha8111]

It is a happy- time 1950’s sled

[@SimonSaysDIY]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@stoobe]

Impressive restoration! I have my dad's sled that I'm looking to spruce up sometime soon and your experience will be quite helpful. Thanks!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that. Good luck!

[@wilbard6708]

Great video, will help with my projects. One observation with the steering handle, why not just flip the old one over to get the pattern instead of free handing it?

[@SimonSaysDIY]

haha, great idea! I didn't think of that :)

[@ryanjosephson4852]

Your handle is installed incorrectly. Should go over the top of the rails. Solid restoration though, I'm starting on a 1930s sled, but will deffinitely be using it.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Your correct, my wife pointed that out to me after I finished the video lol. 😂 I have since fixed the handle. Thanks!! :)

[@kingthetonto]

Yep Oak wood.

[@marcusk1520]

Nice job. I know the sled is for show but one mistake is that you nailed the boards to the first support. This does not allow for steering. Instead a free flowing support should be nailed to the boards near the first support to allow for steering. The oak should work fine but the actual wood that was used was ash.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the info! That is helpful to know if I should fix another one.

[@jmhall918]

This was exactly my take away as well. This is a great video, but having grown up using these sleds, the steering issue was immediately noticeable to me. That's why these were built with rivets. That said, I've never heard the tip about putting a nut onto a bolt before cutting it to make restoring the threads after the cut!!! That was such a killer tip! Great work.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks, Jeremy! I appreciate it.

[@lowellirish]

@@SimonSaysDIY Great tip on the threading thanks!

[@markyoung-t6z]

Does he know that the steerer is is on wrong

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Haha, yes I realized that when the video was done and went back as fixed it. Nice catch!