General Notes
Here’s the basic gear you’ll need to get started and some notes.
General notes:
- Know your bevel angles and relay them to the store.
- Specify you want it sharp “tip to tail;” otherwise, they dull the tips and tails like they do for recreational skiers.
- Get the skis done by a PRO first at the right edge angle, it makes maintaining a lot easier. If you need to, get them done again mid-season.
Gear List
Base stuff
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A table or work surface. Any workbench can do. Some tables are too low. A little higher than a standard table makes it easier to work on. I use a Swix portable table I can take to races.
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A good set of vises… That’s not one to skimp on. A good one makes a difference. I use primarily the Toko World Cup and I have a second set for when we tune in pairs:
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Break retainers (rubber bands)
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Iron for waxing
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Brushes (2x - One harder to clean, One softer to polish)
RaceWax Ski Wax Brush Kit Snowboard Set Three, Nylon HorseHair Brass
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Rotary brush for the cordless drill (very optional)
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Plastic scraper - you’ll need many.
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Gumi Stone to clean/de-tune edges
Side edges
These wear down fast and should be touched after every training session. You will not need the file but should run the diamond stone on them.
I keep a 3 degree angle on both GS and SL.
You’ll need:
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File(s) - for more serious work or tune-ups. It can be very coarse if the edges are round or finer for tune-ups. Files have a direction and can only cut one way.
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Diamond stones - again, paying a little more makes a difference here… You’ll need 100 for first passes and 200 to polish a bit on training days. For race day, I would recommend a better polish/honing with a 400 and 600 or 800. With each stone, run it until you don’t feel the stone doing much.
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Side edge holder / file guide (3 degrees, also shown as 97 degrees)
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SVST Pro-Edge Side Bevel Guides - Aluminum w/ SS Plate
Typical (and simple) file/stone holder. For 3 deg, it will be marked 3 or 87. -
Clamp - to hold the file on the guide
ANVIL 1 in. Spring Clamp-99692 - The Home Depot
This is how you hold the file or stone against the edge.
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Sidewall Planner - You need to peel back sidewall to expose enough of the edge. Won’t be needed for minor tunes, after a training day, but could be required 2-3 times during the season:
Base edges
I almost never touch them. I leave that to machines at the store. For SL I have a 0.75 or 0.5 angle. For GS I leave a 1 degree angle.
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Base edge file guide (you’ll use the same files and stones you use for the sides)
Base repairs
Base repair and pTex - once you get enough experience, you can play with repairing the bases yourself. For now, I recommend getting it done. If you want to play on old skis, you’ll need:
- ptex candles
- metal scraper
- lighter
- razor blades, sandpaper (fine), and the likes to take down the excess.
More…
The attached Toko manual has basic information.