Binding freedom inserts vs heli coils

Potato/potatoe. They're essentially the same, especially if you're just using it for 1 stripped hole. Some people might say helicoils are more secure, but honestly I'm not sure why.

Fwiw I've got bf inserts on skis that are almost 8 years old now. No issues whatsoever, even when swapping bindings around weekly.

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2021 at 10:21:38pm

I prefer binding freedom.

When installed properly, either a helicoil or a Binding Freedom / Quiver Killer insert will be way stronger than the original hole. Biggest thing to note with a BF/QK install is that the hole needs to be dead-fucking-on, down to the fraction of a mm, so get a trusted shop to do it if you aren't sure.

+1 on what he said, you need a jig really, or at least the clampin angle style + 110% accuracy on the drawing for it to end up nice. drillpress + patience will work as well.

jigarex works though.

In theory the helicoil should be a stronger mechanical connection as its got deeper threads than an insert but, if you factor in the decreasing connection of the binding screw to the helicoil as the screw tapers and that helicoils are usually wood glued in and inserts are generally epoxied in, its anybodys guess without doing pull-out tests.

Helicoils are easier as you just need to buy it and remount, instead of needing inserts and the right length machine screws for BF/QK.
Inserts do have the benefit of being a sealed unit and so any moisture going down the thread isn't going to ever come in contact with the core, but the helicoil relies on full glue coverage on the screw to protect the core from rot.

A point on BF/QK installation: I've only ever done them on skis pre-drilled for binding screws (to help centre the insert bit) and using a drill press to drill for the insert but you don't have to be as precise as some are making out (obviously it needs to be mostly drilled right) and it's a case of technique when you're putting the bindings on that you don't do it one machine screw at a time, screwing each all the way in. I found if you screw all of them in enough for the threads to grip and then go round each screw progressively tightening them, any minor innaccuracy in the insert drilling can be spread across the toe/heel plate, rather than getting 3 screws in and finding the last insert is mm away from the hole in the plate.

...As i write this I think of the stories of tech's badly messing up mounts and think my accuracy/care is probably higher than some techs using a hand drill, with a wall of skis to mount/service beside them, and a boss breathing down their neck about how long its taking.

proper regular mount job = 5-15 mins depending on threading, metal topsheet etc

proper binding freedom or quiver killer = 1-2 hours.



I've put in about 150ish binding freedom inserts at this point though, so hardly an expert, but getting there



I like to predrill with highspeed 3.6/4.1 then using the bigger drillbit, then I clean it out gooood.



when mounting up a wood ski with soft core on say a jester, there is 0 chance of not getting air under the heel track, as it WILL crater to some extent. with binding freedom, perfect, just perfect, 0 gap. Very OCD friendly

Also remember to let epxy harden ish, but mount the bindings up not 100% tightend, so the threads can micro adjust the last bit vs binding.

imho its an awesome system and far superior a helicoil, but its way way way more time consuming.

FaunaSkisA point on BF/QK installation: I've only ever done them on skis pre-drilled for binding screws (to help centre the insert bit) and using a drill press to drill for the insert but you don't have to be as precise as some are making out (obviously it needs to be mostly drilled right) and it's a case of technique when you're putting the bindings on that you don't do it one machine screw at a time, screwing each all the way in. I found if you screw all of them in enough for the threads to grip and then go round each screw progressively tightening them, any minor innaccuracy in the insert drilling can be spread across the toe/heel plate, rather than getting 3 screws in and finding the last insert is mm away from the hole in the plate.

...As i write this I think of the stories of tech's badly messing up mounts and think my accuracy/care is probably higher than some techs using a hand drill, with a wall of skis to mount/service beside them, and a boss breathing down their neck about how long its taking.

I've got a pair of skis that I've been wanting to put inserts in so I can swap between alpine and telemark. It seems like it will be a hell of a lot easier since they are pre-drilled and I have a drill press, however the holes from when they were previously mounted alpine are filled with epoxy and the telemark holes were literally my first time doing a mount myself with a paper template. So hopefully I can be precise enough, but I may see if I can find a shop that is willing to just pre-drill with a jig to clean up the hole pattern and I'll do the rest of the install.

Just need to bite the bullet and get a 100 pack of inserts already.

No.QuarterI've got a pair of skis that I've been wanting to put inserts in so I can swap between alpine and telemark. It seems like it will be a hell of a lot easier since they are pre-drilled and I have a drill press, however the holes from when they were previously mounted alpine are filled with epoxy and the telemark holes were literally my first time doing a mount myself with a paper template. So hopefully I can be precise enough, but I may see if I can find a shop that is willing to just pre-drill with a jig to clean up the hole pattern and I'll do the rest of the install.

Just need to bite the bullet and get a 100 pack of inserts already.

Doing inserts yourself especially with a drill press isn't as hard as you would think, just take your time, doing planned, methodical steps.
Like any mount, I would suggest doing a dry run with 2x4, especially doing the tapping of the holes, you dont want to cross the threads or over tighten the insert.