 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi. I want to start servicing my own skis. I have a little experience from years ago with a club with their gear but past decade or so I used a guy in the town I worked. However, I have since moved jobs totally in the other direction so it's not really an option anymore. Plus I think it would be good to do myself again.
I'm going to spend the day with him in a few weeks so I will pick his brains on what I need. In the meantime, I wondered if any of you might steer me in the right direction on what I need to edge, fill small nicks and wax.
Not sure if it would help but I'm on Atomics' with an 87° side angle and base at 0.8°
Also, if any of you have anything lying around your workshops surplus to requirements I'm happy to pay a fair price so long as it's serviceable and useable for a beginner to get going. Help, advice , tips and tricks for free will also be accepted with gratitude! 
TIA.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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First things first. For edges find out what your skis are already set at. The piste office has a useful guide for most. I would definitely avoid accidentally changing your factory settings on the angles as this can cause lots of issues.
You can also look at Jon’s kit list but here’s a list of what I use.
Personally I have a simple, fixed (as all my base edge angles are the same) base edge guide which I use once (or twice max) per season and an adjustable side edge guide.
You will then need files that fit these guides. Rough, medium and a fine diamond file + a gummy stone. NB there are direction arrows on most files to indicate the way in which they should be used.
By the time you sharpen your edges four or five times, you will probably need a sidewall remover also.
You will also need vices / clamps to hold your skis when you’re working on them. If you consider buying secondhand ones make sure they are wide enough for your skis as the older ones might not be due to the increased width of skis in general over time.
You will also need scraper (pay £5 more for a good, rigid one) and a brass brush and a nylon brush to take wax off, plus an iron to put wax on. Personally, I use a small travel iron would say you need a specialist ski wax iron. Just be careful not to overheat your bases.
I use a lot more Green (general) wax than other colours as I generally prepare my bases with general wax off to getting them down for the Loft at the start of the season then wax with a temperature specific wax if it’s going to be considerably warmer or colder than normal.
As far as base repair goes just some PTEX candlesticks should be fine. If you need anything more than this for a serious piece of based damage, take it to someone who knows exactly what they’re doing and has the right higher temperature, accurate Tools to do the job as PTEX will just keep falling out anyhow. You will also need a wide, sharp chisel to shave off any excess PTEX.
Wow. Just realised how much stuff I’ve got. It’s not cheap either. The best time to buy is at the end of the season rather than just now when everyone is looking to buy this kit new or used.
I would recommend you do some reading plus watch at least three or four videos, from different people on how to do each stage from basic repairs through to edge and wax servicing. Particularly edge work otherwise you will be sliding sideways down Johan Clary faster than me 
Let us know how you get on 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| rickboden wrote: |
| First things first. For edges find out what your skis are already set at |
Thanks for the comprehensive list; really appreciated. Angles as stated in my post, 87 or 3, obviously depending on which way you want to measure, and 0.8 base, that's from the Atomic website. The Piste Office saying 3 and 1, obviously 0.2 diff on the base but in the real world... But handy for you to let me know of the guide, cheers. 
If it's not too much hassle, are there any links on the items you could share please?
@ski - thanks!
I wasn't sure to post this somewhere else so apologies if it's the wrong section of the forum.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@ski, Thanks again.
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@Boofont, My number 1 purchase would be some good cut resistant gloves (level 5 plus) to protect you from any hand injuries. Amazon has a large selection.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Henwc wrote: |
| @Boofont, My number 1 purchase would be some good cut resistant gloves (level 5 plus) to protect you from any hand injuries. Amazon has a large selection. |
Good call and not something I’d have thought about until a sliced a finger off! Thanks. Something like this I’m thinking…
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@Boofont, That one came from an experience I'd rather not repeat, glad to help someone dodge that particular bullet 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Henwc wrote: |
| @Boofont, That one came from an experience I'd rather not repeat, glad to help someone dodge that particular bullet |
100% agree. I aways use leather gloves when working on my skis.
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FAQ
Doh! Didn't read it well enough. Yes a 1 degree base edge guide will be fine IMO. You won't be able to hold it any more accurately by hand anyhow.
