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Aluminum

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J-Dunn
Posts: 1104 - Karma: 1,845
I just got a 15 foot flatbar for free at work. I heard that ski edges are too sharp and dig right into aluminum. Is this true? And is there anyway to harden it? If you load it up with wax will it still slide? Is it worth it to built a rail out of it or should i just scrap it?
Nov 9 2010 2:01PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
its probably harder than pvc, so you should be good. and if you hit a lot of rails you should have pretty dull edges anyway. if you find that you are digging in, you can just dull your edges more.
Nov 9 2010 2:05PM
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steve0
Posts: 1119 - Karma: 1,036
It will not slide. Your edges are steel which is way harder than aluminum. Don't put all the work into building it just to find out it's too soft.
Nov 9 2010 2:08PM
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J-Dunn
Posts: 1104 - Karma: 1,845
thats what I thought and i probly wont build anything with it but jw why do skis slide pvc? Its gotta be way softer then steel too.
Nov 9 2010 2:10PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
yea, but you can slide pvc and wood rails (catching sometimes) but on my rails skis i just dull my edges a lot because i usually only ski rails with them and they usually don't catch, even on pvc. if you have urban skis, you can have the edges rounded off, which will make it way easier to slide rails and not catch. and since you got it for free, there is no reason you can just put it on the ground and give it a test run.
Nov 9 2010 2:12PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Aluminium.
Nov 9 2010 2:12PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
i think it can be spelled both ways.
Nov 9 2010 2:15PM
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hendriab
Posts: 990 - Karma: 404

i think if you think aluminum is stronger than pvc....your new a refresher course in whats stronger than what 101. 

plus, the pvc is most likely thicker than the aluminum you got.  pvc is, what, 1/8 inch thic?. 

Anyways, I would try it.  People slide wood all the time, and wood would be not as strong as aluminum. wood<aluminum<pvc

having no rails<aluminum rail<pvc rail<steel rail...

Nov 9 2010 2:16PM
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J-Dunn
Posts: 1104 - Karma: 1,845
i will give it a test once i get some snow. Fucking Ohio weather!|!!!!
Nov 9 2010 2:20PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
this.
Nov 9 2010 2:21PM
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steve0
Posts: 1119 - Karma: 1,036
It has to do with the material properties. Wood has a "grain" that you can slide along because when your edges dig in, you can sort of peel away the layer of wood down to the next one. I believe PVC is similar, not that it has a grain, but that you can sort of peel away plastic layers if you catch. Metal is not like that. Instead of peeling away a layer, your edge will dig deeper into the metal and push up more and more metal until your ski stops and you fall forward.
Nov 9 2010 2:22PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
if you dull your edges you will be fine. steel may be a lot harder than aluminum but if you edges are too dull to dig in then you won't catch.

my pvc has a bunch of little notches from me digging in and falling over, but as long as my edges are dull it doesn't ever happen anymore.

and regardless, even if i am wrong, why not try it anyway. its a free 15ft metal flat bar.
Nov 9 2010 2:25PM
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J-Dunn
Posts: 1104 - Karma: 1,845

Thanks! Plus k

Nov 9 2010 2:26PM
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norm.storm
Posts: 97 - Karma: 35
good luck welding or attaching legs to that
Nov 9 2010 2:41PM
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J-Dunn
Posts: 1104 - Karma: 1,845

I don't need luck. No just kiddin!

But really it has screw holes in it that don't stick up above the surface. If it slides then im going to screw it and glue it to wood underneath then attach legs to the wood. SHould be super easy!

Nov 9 2010 2:48PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,893
Courtesy of Newschoolers.com
Nov 9 2010 3:24PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
thats awesome
Nov 9 2010 3:31PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Sell it and buy steel tube.
Nov 9 2010 3:33PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,893
Soak it in viagra.

Serious response:  It is very soft and about the first time you dig your edge in to do a swup, it will leave a big groove.  Next time you slide it your edges will catch and you will get pounded. 

Agree with Ginko.  Sell it and get Cold Rolled Steel tubing.  Regular steel is not that much better than aluminum.  Cold Rolled is what is used in all park features. 
Nov 9 2010 3:52PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
anything that ginko and mr huck say is probably the best course of action.

and lawled at the viagara joke
Nov 9 2010 4:01PM
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