Ski Disc

I remember seeing a post on building a plywood circular disc. The post included an old popular mechanics article on how to build them. I have a little time this winter so I was looking for it but I cannot find it. Can someone point me in the right directions, or some of the key words - I have tried skiing disc, saucer, popular mechanics, but I cannot find it.

Thanks

Tom, the ones I've seen and used were simply a half a sheet of plywood cut in half (making a 4x4 sheet and cutting 4 foot circle out of it., Round down the edges a bit then CPES the crap out of it.   One of guys here put down a yer of glass on both sides to help seal it up and to prevent those unwanted splinters. The last coating of epoxy on the top he tossed some sand on one side around the center so you won't slide off it thn standing.

Thanks guys - I will have to tell my teenagers about climbing on top of each other's shoulders - give them a challenge.

How else?

Tom,
I feel plywood is a very poor choice of material even if CPES'd. I recommend MDO commonly called sign board. They use it out in the elements for road signs for a reason!!!    I also recommend a router with a circle attachment rod for cutting a perfect circle. If you use a bull nose bit in the router, it will cut the nice half radius edge and be a very clean edge. Then I do recommend a CPES treatment. I too suggest adding non skid compound (silica sand) on the top to what ever top coat you choose. Pettit packages the non skid and Jamestown would be a good source. 42" is the proper diameter. I've made a few!!

[QUOTE=Gary S] Plywood would be fine your not making fine furniture. QUOTE]
Gary,
My goal was not to build a piece of fine furniture and my suggestion was not to build a fine piece of furniture ether. My intent was to spend about $15 more and start with something that will last. Yes, the one your father made lasted the years but how much use and how much time was it in the water? Mine did and still does get used plenty. Wouldn't you rather start with better material since you will be putting in the effort and man hours making it? It's like installing SS exhaust manifolds rather than plain old cast iron ones. The better material will last longer so you don't have to keep doing the job over and over!

Don't know why, but we've called them "saucers" for over 60 years. I've never broken a plywood one --- and there's a real beauty on the porch at the cottage.
It's so pretty, it never gets used -- for fear of scratches.
"To each his own," methinks.
Remember, not too much sand or you'll scratch your knees.

Yes, use a jig saw or sabre saw or band saw.   A circular saw or a hack saw don't make good circles.   A hole saw would be good but they don't have one that big.

Grant's disc looks like my wife's "good" table.

TRBenj wrote: Plywood is fine. Pressure treated is better. Paint and/or epoxy optional, but it'll help longevity. Mine is 4-5 yrs old and still bare. Use a jigsaw like Joel said. A nail, string and pencil will mark a good circle. Sand it smooth. 3' diameter is a good size for general use, up to and including a chair. For a step ladder, I'd recommend a full 4'.

I thought I might be the only one that left it bare. Always meant to paint it but figured it would be slick and I don't like the sand method, want it not slippery but also not so it will skin you.

As for longevity, they are wet a few hours a year, and it's a circular piece of plywood. Mine is pretty old at this point, no splinters that I'd worry about. It's not a gazebo.

8122pbrainard wrote: 42" is the proper diameter.

Here are two who didn't get the message:

At this moment Larry is in his workshop cutting his disc down to the proper 42".

Bbwwahahahaha!

Hollywood wrote: lmao. where did the 42" spec come from?? some waterski disc association from the 1930s? .

From the 30's? Not quite! Before I cut mine, I too wondered the diameter. The ski club and a friend both had Cypress Gardens disks and both were the 42". Certainly other diameters can be made.

How do you know which side to make round??

I've seen regular disks on ebay and craigslist for $30 and $40, but I've see the asking price for those Official 42-inch D1ck Pope Cypress Gardens disks as high as $500.