Poster: A snowHead
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Hi. I am a keen ski tuner, and have most of the equipment thanks to this forum (And Spyderjon last year) that I need. I have the stuff I need to maintain and tune edges, and waxing.
What I still rely on my local workshop to do for me is base grinds. I am wondering if the tools to do this are availabel to buy, and are practical for a well laid out home workshop?
Would like to be able to do the whole job, especially as I do service friends skis fairly regularly now.
Thanks for any advice!
ScottyDog
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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scottydog, basically don't go there. This is one job for a commercial workshop not a home tuner. In theory it's possible to flatten bases & impart structure by hand but in practice it's nigh on impossible to get anything like the quality of a proper commercial machine job. I know as I've tried.
A full blown belt sander & stone grinder with variable speed, auto-feed & dressing diamond is in excess of £20k. Moonflex now offer structure imparting belts for sanders meaning you could get a sander set-up from £5k without an auto-feed - & you have to be very well practiced if you use a machine without an auto-feed. These prices are based on 3 phase motors with single phase for domestic use being more expensive & you loose the variable speed control.
If you keep your ear to the ground it's possible to pick up second-hand machines, especially as stores have been changing from ski width only machines to ones wide enough to take boards - but the ones I've come across have been so poorly maintained they weren't worth what initially looked like a good price. And then you'll need a lot of floor space to house it.
As grinds are required so infrequently stick with a competent store for that process, insisting that they flatten/grind only & then do the edge setting & base prepping yourself.
If you want an affordable pro tool that will make a real difference then buy a Tec 350se base repair pistol from me
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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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Just curious, but when is a base grind needed?
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hornster, a number of causes:
1. The bases have worn concave - caution as some skis with wide tips & tails like my Metrons are slightly concave in this area & this shouldn't be ground out
2. Repeated tuning of the base edge which lowers it below the level of the ski base, known as a 'high' base
3. If there's been a lot of base damage then after the repairs it can be easier, faster & neater etc to flatten & re-structure
4. Accumulated damage to the base edge from use so that it's hard to get a smooth clean edge
5. If you're a high performance skier/racer & want to alter the grind pattern for specific snow conditions
6. If you want to re-set your base edge angle to an angle less than it's currently set to, ie you have a 1 degree base edge angle & you want to set it to 0.5
I ground my B5's after 6 weeks use due to no.4.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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spyderjon, i live in cheshire and because it is so bl""dy flat we dont have to many ski shops near by and after watching a couple of downloads about ski waxing would like to do my own is it really as easy as it looks and can i get the right equipment on the net
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spyderjon, sorry i must read on before posting just found your site will be in touch by mail
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