 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
I'm going to have a crack at repairing/waxing my own skis before Jan's trip as £25 for a edge and wax is getting to be too much, especially when DATA wax sell there own stuff on their site, for what seems a great deal..
So, my main question is do you good people recommend using a £3.97 value iron from Tescos/Sainsburys/Asda for the uses of waxing skis ? If anyone already does, what setting on the iron do you use.. or should I spend £40 on a proper ski one?
Also since I've not attempted any of this before are DATA wax products any good ? they are an English make I came across whilst searching for info...
Cheers for any help and advice
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 28-10-09 21:52; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yes, I do exactly that. I use an ASDA £4 iron and set it to about 150, though that is not critical. The main thing is to keep it moving and feel under the ski to make sure it is no more than warm to the touch. You will soon get the hang of making the wax melt nicely and spreading it evenly. Results are good. You will notice a difference. I use wax from decathlon, and that is fine. No idea about DATA wax, but I would guess it will be OK. I mean, have you seen what happens when your skis go into one of those machines in resort?
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Data wax is fine for your first waxing experience.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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munkee, welcome to
I used to use a cheap £4 iron from Tesco, but really went for it and splashed out for a Toko T8 - £30 from Decathlon, so not a major outlay (relatively speaking). Data wax is absolutely fine for getting experience - bear in mind, though, that Polar X is primarily designed for dry slope and is pretty hard stuff - also suitable for fridges! Data do other waxes that would be more suitable to snow. Personally, I use Swix CH6 or CH8 depending on time of year.
Why don't you get down to the NEC at the weekend for the ski show? spyderjon (this will introduce him) is going to be there and I'm sure he'll happily help you out with all your needs. Bring your wallet! He also does a tuning course at his place in Nottingham (which is only up the road?) - details here. That Toko tuning thing looks okay (and is probably perfect for 'on the hill' work), but you'd be better off getting a 'proper' file guide and a chrome file (for initial setting of the edges) plus a diamond file for keeping them nice and sharp.
You can end up spending quite a bit of dosh on getting your own waxing and tuning kit but, I'm sure people on here will agree, it's definitely worth it.
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I use a travel iron from Argos - cheap and small for packing in luggage.
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munkee, You really need to edge the skis before you wax as the edge file/guide will tend to clog up with the fresh wax if you use it after. The Data Get a grip edger is quite course and brutal and if used a lot will wear your edges away pretty quickly. Wear gloves too as one slip and the edge will slice your hand.
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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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munkee, for the sake of £4 its worth a pop, I tried with a travel iron off ebay but because of the temperature stability I gave up and bought a toko one.
It was just a pain, the wax would melt but then i'd find that it had cooled to much and wasn't doing anything, only for it to get hot and melt it again. I spent 30 mins attempting to do one ski and gave up, got a proper iron and got it on in now time at all.
Worth a shot though, if it works, brilliant you've got it for next to nowt. If not its £4!
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I've used a normal iron for many years with no problems, although by the prices quoted here it must have been gold-plated as it cost about £12! A Philips iron if I recall correctly, and it is a full-size rather than a travel iron. For edges I use the Kunzmann Edge Trick procured from our very own Spyderjon (see link here). Don't forget a good brass brush too, for cleaning the base structure prior to waxing and for brushing after waxing and scraping.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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munkee, As above,pretty much.If you only have your own skis,a travel iron is fine(unless you want to splash out on a proper job)I used one for years,still do on the occasional holiday wax.Set around the mid point,so that wax melts readily when you touch it on.Keep iron moving on the ski.Expect the smell of wax..but NO SMOKE  Feel the underside of the ski,no more than nice and warm.Remember,you have to warm up the ptex to open the pores.A cold surface is useless,no absorption,the wax would just scrape off on the first run.Dont be afraid to warm up the ski...some heat is good(just dont overdo it).As said,this follows any edge filing you may wish to do.
Data Wax is OK,in fact Polar X is pretty much the wax of choice for dry slope and domes.I found it Data waxes had limited life on snow.Far and away better is Zoom Dominator,as sold by spyderjon.Resist any temptation to ski service without vices...it really is a pain.So,if initial outlay is an issue...buy vices,travel iron,zoom wax,edge tool...enjoy 
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You know it makes sense.
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munkee, You can get alu-oxide stones at B&Q too. It is worth getting a guide to hold your files, I use a Data one.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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munkee, I have skied hemel on candle wax.
I was suprised how well it worked but it only lasted the evening, it would not last a day.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Dwarf Vader, scented or not 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Dwarf Vader, Having just checked out your website, is it you that does the ski tuning?! Surely you would of had time!
I might try the mulled wine candles on mine
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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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anotherproblem, I Do, but I wanted to see how candlewax performed. It's that blokey thing. 
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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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As far as Gummie stones, is this the same thing - would obviously need to know if the ski ones have course, medium or fine grit on them - I cant see the point in buying the one with Toko or Holmenkol on the package for twice the price when there available on ebay etc.
Garryflex abrasive cleaner
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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munkee, Skiing is the same as wedding. When used as a prefix to any product, said product automatically doubles in price.
I.e. Ski Jacket, Wedding cake
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FAQ
you will have of course have done the edges with your B&Q file, make sure you get a fine one, but start with an alu-oxide stone (not sure what the B&Q equivalent is), then file medium first then fine, and then debur with a gummi stone. have left out the diamond stones. Seriously if you are going to do your own then I agree with the above that the Get a grip edge sharpener is a bit harsh, you can use the edge trick if the edges aren't in too bad a condition, but if you have any dings you will need the Alu stone to smooth them. Oh nearly forgot you can use a scotchbrite pad instead of a fiberpad for smoothing the bases 
