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Official Ski/Binding Maintenance Thread

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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
As all of us know, it is very important to know how to use/maintain your ski equipment, so my hope for this thread is to have everyone post videos or picture tutorials on how to do various forms of ski maintenance, whether it's adjusting bindings, waxing skis, dulling edges, anything, but just so you know where to look when you have basic questions about this sort of thing

I'll put 2 videos in the OP:

How to Take Apart/Bend FKS
by me

How to Wax Your Skis
by mrstskier

Next up just a few tips:

When you get home from skiing you should do 3 things:
1. take your skis inside and leave them there
2. wipe your bases and edges with a cloth or rag
3. pull your skis apart and lean them against a wall with the bases sticking up

Now it's your turn, post tips, stories, tutorials, anything relating to ski maintenance because it can greatly increase the life and performance of your gear


**DISCLAIMER**
A LOT OF THESE THINGS REQUIRE BASIC SHOP SKILL, PROPER TOOLS, AND EXPERIENCE. DO EVERYTHING AT YOUR OWN RISK AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO EXECUTE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT PROCESSES. THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU RISK THE LIFE OF YOUR GEAR AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING

This goes for advice giving as well, make sure you possess knowledge of the subject you're providing advice for because it can jeopardize people's safety if you give them false tips. So either make sure you know what you're saying or put in your post that you're just kinda guessing
Apr 21 2009 10:27PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
yeah, just wanted to hear it to make sure :)
thanks !
Oct 15 2012 7:55AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,524
Here you go.
Oct 18 2012 11:44AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,524
Here you go again.
Oct 18 2012 11:46AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,524
And again again.
Oct 18 2012 11:50AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,410
Mounting question... Hardware for the entire Salomon Driver family is the same for the 12,14,16 besides the extra heel screw on the 16 right? Need to order a hardware kit on BindingFreedom and the STH 12 Driver isn't listed, and I've never owned 14's or 16's. Thanks!
Nov 9 2012 12:27AM
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AndyGreen
Posts: 827 - Karma: 61
When you guys go to put your skis in a vice, do you clamp it down on the ski or the binding?
Nov 14 2012 11:56PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
do you have the bindings ?
otherwise, check for yourself, then order the kit ...
Nov 15 2012 5:16AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,290
ski
Nov 15 2012 12:17PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
Just got new boots. Anyone want to coach me through forward pressure adjustment on px bindings so that I can fit them to my new boot size?
Nov 15 2012 8:57PM
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Drew_ski.
Posts: 1310 - Karma: 1,858
Hey so I got some fks 185 and they have a 4mm raiser on them. So if I want to mount them without the raiser I'm sure I would have to get shorter hard wear right? Can I just pick those up at my shop or do I need to order them from somewhere?
Nov 16 2012 12:47AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,290
Because i dont want to get sued. Google it, Its not hard. Keywords half yellow half black, pretty sure. but google

Or go to shop and have stoned tech do it.
Nov 16 2012 7:38AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
Haha I know what the gauge is supposed to say. Hell Ive done it with bindings with screws before. I just dont know what to do with the damn tabs haha. But ill do some googlin.
Nov 16 2012 8:26AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,290
Tabs? Pxs have tabs? Explain.
Thank god ive never had pxs
Nov 16 2012 9:06AM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
Stick a screwdriver in there and lift the "tab" up then you could slide the binding along the track.
Nov 16 2012 9:15AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,290
Thats what i thought, is there more than this?
Nov 16 2012 9:18AM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
Nope. Just make sure the indicator is good.
Nov 16 2012 9:39AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Look+bindings+technical+manual+1213
Nov 16 2012 11:16AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,410
Don't have my new ones yet but I own a pair of STH12 Drivers. Just don't know if they use the same hardware as the STH12's with the Z toe, or if they share the same hardware with the STH14,16 Drivers :S

Will check the hardware on my bindings though and do some googling to see what the Z bindings are using and what the higher din drivers are using. Imagining that I'll need the driver hardware.
Nov 17 2012 12:16AM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37987 - Karma: 128,328
How quick could a shop take a pair of pivots from one pair of 90mm waist pipe skis and put them on a pair of new life's?
Nov 25 2012 12:25AM
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Drew_ski.
Posts: 1310 - Karma: 1,858
they might not do it. I know my shop wont bend fks brakes
Nov 25 2012 12:28AM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
30 minuetes. brakes might not bend that much though.
Nov 25 2012 11:33AM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37987 - Karma: 128,328
I'm hoping they're done by at least Friday if i take them in tomorrow.
Nov 25 2012 5:05PM
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Joonas
Posts: 568 - Karma: 230
What kind of glue are you guys using to fix cracked edges? I've tried epoxy but it just doesn't seem strong enough, I need to replace it after every ski day.
Nov 25 2012 5:50PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
I dont think they will bend that much and still be usable.
Nov 25 2012 7:09PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
slow curing epoxy is probably your best bet but in reality there isn't that much you can do to fix it decently ... Are they just cracked or also (partially) ripped out ?
And where is the problem area? underfoot ?
Nov 25 2012 7:17PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

Depends what you mean by cracked edges... if you mean it in the conventional sense, i.e. a hairline crack in the metal edge, then gluing it isn't going to do anything as the edge bends and it will just pull apart as it slightly expands when bent.

If you mean sidewall cracks, or sections of edge coming out, then a good epoxy is the way to go... but if you're not mixing it right or letting it cure properly then that's half your problem.

Nov 25 2012 8:58PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37987 - Karma: 128,328
I'm sure my shop has the breaks for them. I think they are a look dealer. If not, I've got a pair of STH 14 Drivers I can throw on them.
Nov 25 2012 9:11PM
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PNSkier
Posts: 775 - Karma: 169
when you got your bindings did they come with two sets of screws? my fks' came with risers and another set of longer screws. I dont use risers but if you only have the screws for the risers, you will need to get a shorter set of screws or you'll end up with 8 holes in the base of your skis. go to your local shop (if they carry rossi) and they should be able to get you the proper screws.
Nov 25 2012 11:38PM
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Joonas
Posts: 568 - Karma: 230
Yeah sidewall cracks, between the edge and the wood horizontally. I want to glue it off so no water will go in to the ski. Maybe i'll just have to find some stronger epoxy then.
thanks.
Nov 26 2012 5:17AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
if it's for sealing purposes, don't look for 'stronger' epoxy, get a more flexible and waterproof epoxy, ie. slow curing (=flexible) marine grade (=waterproof) epoxy...
Nov 26 2012 7:21AM
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Drew_ski.
Posts: 1310 - Karma: 1,858
Ok thanks i talked to a guy at my local shop and he said the raisers wont really make a huge difference and it will help to flatten the ramp angle
Nov 26 2012 5:14PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Err, wut? Unless I'm very much mistaken the risers are the same height at the front and the rear, hence no effect on ramp angle. They just get you up off the ski a bit, can't remember the exact logic behind it off the top of my head. But for park/freeride skiing, lower is better.
Nov 26 2012 11:32PM
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Drew_ski.
Posts: 1310 - Karma: 1,858
Yeah i know he gave me some other raisers that are alittle bit shorter on the heal. Raisers give you more leverage over your edge. Its only 3-4mm so i dont think i will even be able to notice them.
Nov 27 2012 1:54AM
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PNSkier
Posts: 775 - Karma: 169
so short heels and taller toe pieces? that sounds terrible for park. what dude said above, the closer your boots are to the ski, the better performance you'll have in the park
Nov 27 2012 11:24PM
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Drew_ski.
Posts: 1310 - Karma: 1,858
It's 1mm I really don't think it will make a huge difference. You can get more of a difference from worn down boot soles or snow between you bindings and boots
Nov 28 2012 1:18AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Some turntables come with risers, some don't. Mount with no risers to be close to the ski with some ramp. Mount both risers to be higher off the ski with some ramp. Mount just the toe risers to have less ramp. Ramp is a good thing, in my opinion.
Nov 28 2012 4:04AM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
just has to do with ramp angle on the pivots. I personally have mine mounted with risers since I want to be able to control ramp able with my boots not my bindings. so level is good.



plus a little higher stack height isnt a bad thing on all skis, it will allow easier edge to edge on a fatter ski.
Nov 28 2012 9:12PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
Not sure if this is the right thread, but I just wanted to know if this is even serious, and what I could do to fix it.

Sorry if the picture quality sucks:

Click for larger image


Nov 28 2012 9:52PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
Oops

Click for larger image

I know it's tough to see, but the inner wood is exposed, which is what I'm worried about.
Nov 28 2012 9:54PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
you could try p-texing it your self but if your base is exposed then take it to a shop and have them base weld it. the gun does a much better job.
Nov 28 2012 10:08PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
The base isn't exposed
Nov 28 2012 10:32PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
You said the inner wood was? That is what I meant by base.
Nov 28 2012 11:51PM
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PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 609
This thread is full of dumb
Nov 29 2012 12:11PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Can't really tell from the pic but is that just a real good coreshot by the edge of the ski or is the sidewall snapping off? If it's the former, you just need a good base repair, the latter you need some real good epoxy work done and you can expect the ski will massively shit itself in the next dozen or so days riding.
Nov 29 2012 5:51PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
It's a core shot I guess, it's about 1/2" away from the edge.
Nov 29 2012 8:36PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Mmmm.... base weld or patch it I guess. ptex candle in a rip that long won't last long IMO.
Nov 29 2012 8:42PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
Damn, didn't know it was that serious. What's patching btw? Is there a guide thread?
Nov 29 2012 8:47PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
It's really hard to tell from the photo exactly how bad it is... if it goes to the core, that's kinda bad.

Patching is where you actually cut a square/strip of base material out of the ski and replace it with a new piece of ptex which you then epoxy into place then knock flush with a file. Done properly it's just like a die-cut base like you see on many skis these days. It's a job for a tech who knows his shit though, as you're literally chiselling bits off your ski.
Dec 1 2012 2:25AM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
I see, thanks dude.
Dec 1 2012 11:17AM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,906
Some shops, depending on techs, will grind the screws shorter instead of sourcing different hardware. Sturtevant's in Bellevue did this for me a few years ago when I didn't want to mount a pair of Axial2's with the included riser. They didn't charge me for the extra work and I had no problems with the mount, or the hardware even after several remounts on other pairs of skis.

Dec 1 2012 5:11PM
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