Never tuned a ski and I'm thinking of starting

[fullStack]

If you are in the Boston area. Invite a few Pugs with tuning experience to your man cave to share a few adult beverages. It'll become second nature after the first beer.

And...cue thread about how many drinks while tuning is okay, fingerless Kincos vs full finger vs naked hand, etc.

 

[KingGrump]

Real man don't wear Kinco. Reduces feel
.
Oh, gloves. Sorry, my bad.

 

[oldschoolskier]

I have to say “who has the most tools when they die wins”, so I know I’m going to be close.

Seriously, start slowly, learn in the sequence @KingGrump suggested. Start waxing, iron scrapper, brush and a good all around wax (Hertel race wax as it works well in all conditions so it’s hard to screw up wax selection, later add specific waxes for best performance). Get a feel for your skis.


Then get into tuning, easy to blow a ton of cash here and also ruin skis here so start slow and easy. Make small adjustments and take off a little at a time and you should be ok.

I started tuning 45years ago, I can still tune with a simple file, iron, scraper and brush. (Still don’t use too much more, a guide to 2 couple of diamond stones, few more brushes). My tunes early on matched what most shops did so it encouraged me a lot.

Biggest thing I learned was go slow, have fun, and enjoy the process. Beside skis that will perform it will produce lasting memories.

 

[TheArchitect]

I have to say “who has the most tools when they die wins”, so I know I’m going to be close.

Seriously, start slowly, learn in the sequence @KingGrump suggested. Start waxing, iron scrapper, brush and a good all around wax (Hertel race wax as it works well in all conditions so it’s hard to screw up wax selection, later add specific waxes for best performance). Get a feel for your skis.


Then get into tuning, easy to blow a ton of cash here and also ruin skis here so start slow and easy. Make small adjustments and take off a little at a time and you should be ok.

I started tuning 45years ago, I can still tune with a simple file, iron, scraper and brush. (Still don’t use too much more, a guide to 2 couple of diamond stones, few more brushes). My tunes early on matched what most shops did so it encouraged me a lot.

Biggest thing I learned was go slow, have fun, and enjoy the process. Beside skis that will perform it will produce lasting memories.

The cost doesn't scare me too much. I'm a firm believer in getting the right tool for the job.

The Hertel seems like a good choice based on a quick read of reviews on Amazon. Thanks!

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I'm toying with learning to do this myself. I've a friend who will show me all I need to know. I have access to a tuning bench in the locker room of our condo so I have somewhere to do this. Since I work at a mountain i get a pretty sizable discount on tunes so I usually just pay full price for that first pair out of the season and then get discounted on mountain tunes the rest of the time. I find this very affordable so I haven't really pursued learning how to do it myself. I used to wax my own snowboard but always left edging to the pros. I may take this approach with my skis.

Let us know it goes. Here's another vote for a tuning show and tell party.

 

[cantunamunch]

The cost doesn't scare me too much. I'm a firm believer in getting the right tool for the job.

The Hertel seems like a good choice based on a quick read of reviews on Amazon. Thanks!

Check with Mike first - the backbone of your wax box should be compatible with what he uses.

Hertel race is not the same as Hertel Hot Sauce and they have different compatibility.

 

[JayT]

I'm a big fan of Hertel's Hot Sauce. Also, +1 to the fiberlene wax finish to save yourself some scraping.

 

[Dave Marshak]

I like the Skivision tools. (http://skivisions.us/) The site has several videos that provide procedures that are easy enough for me to follow all the time. IME it's easier to keep a good tune going than to get a good tune on a ski that's been neglected. YMMV.

I never use hot wax more than once a season, but I use a Swix liquid wax almost every day. All my friends who hot was and scrape and brush and use flourocarbon speed powder all laugh about that, but they all borrow my liquid wax when it gets warm.

I have maybe >$1000 in ski tools over the years, but if I was gonna start again I'd get a Razor-Tune (https://www.razor-tune.com/) and the simple bench fixture in the Ski vision videos. As it is, I'll throw my tools away when I move out West.

dm

 

[Core2]

I think it is understated how much better skiing gets when you can wax your own skis as much as needed. It is a pretty easy process and there isn't a lot you can do to mess it up. Even a non-perfect hand wax job is better than no new wax or relying on crappy belt waxes. Now tuning edges is a different ballgame. There is so much you can do wrong. I leave the edges to professionals and robots.

 

[TheArchitect]

Check with Mike first - the backbone of your wax box should be compatible with what he uses.

Hertel race is not the same as Hertel Hot Sauce and they have different compatibility.

Very good to know. Thanks!

 

[TheArchitect]

I'm toying with learning to do this myself. I've a friend who will show me all I need to know. I have access to a tuning bench in the locker room of our condo so I have somewhere to do this. Since I work at a mountain i get a pretty sizable discount on tunes so I usually just pay full price for that first pair out of the season and then get discounted on mountain tunes the rest of the time. I find this very affordable so I haven't really pursued learning how to do it myself. I used to wax my own snowboard but always left edging to the pros. I may take this approach with my skis.

Let us know it goes. Here's another vote for a tuning show and tell party.

I don't have room to host a Tuning Show and Tell Beverage Extravaganza but I'd attend one. Plus, like, I don't have any waxing and tuning stuff yet!

 

[KingGrump]

Plus, like, I don't have any waxing and tuning stuff yet!

That's why you have the beer, wine and other alcohol.
The others will bring their stuff. You can gain a lot from war stories.
War stories = other peoples' experiences.
Experience = name we call our mistakes.

 

[TheArchitect]

That's why you have the beer, wine and other alcohol.
The others will bring their stuff. You can gain a lot from war stories.
War stories = other peoples' experiences.
Experience = name we call our mistakes.

Good point, but there's still the issue of room.

 

[TheArchitect]

Speaking of room, I won't be able to fit a fixed bench in the garage so I need to go with a portable bench. I see that the price range is anywhere from $150 and up. I assume the cheap ones aren't going to be very stable? Any recommendations on a solid portable? Are these good options?

https://the-raceplace.com/products/bench-of-beast?variant=27673046343
http://www.race-werks.com/svst-portable-tuning-bench/
http://www.race-werks.com/swix-t76-2-world-cup-waxing-table/

How about the vises on this page?
https://the-raceplace.com/collections/tuning-equipment?page=2

EDIT: I found this thread but any additional comments are appreciated
https://www.pugski.com/threads/portable-tuning-set-up-show-and-tell.6494/

EDIT 2: I've seen a few references to using a hot box. Do regular people use these? Isn't this what an iron is for?

 

[Mendieta]

Speaking of room, I won't be able to fit a fixed bench in the garage so I need to go with a portable bench. I see that the price range is anywhere from $150 and up. I assume the cheap ones aren't going to be very stable? Any recommendations on a solid portable? Are these good options?

https://the-raceplace.com/products/bench-of-beast?variant=27673046343
http://www.race-werks.com/svst-portable-tuning-bench/
http://www.race-werks.com/swix-t76-2-world-cup-waxing-table/

How about the vises on this page?
https://the-raceplace.com/collections/tuning-equipment?page=2

EDIT: I found this thread but any additional comments are appreciated
https://www.pugski.com/threads/portable-tuning-set-up-show-and-tell.6494/

EDIT 2: I've seen a few references to using a hot box. Do regular people use these? Isn't this what an iron is for?

I got a full, first ever set up last year, as I suggested above. Lots of good info in that thread. These are the vises I got. And a few days later, I got a portable bench. Love it!

 

[TheArchitect]

I got a full, first ever set up last year, as I suggested above. Lots of good info in that thread. These are the vises I got. And a few days later, I got a portable bench. Love it!

Which Swix table is that?

 

[Near Nyquist]

Which Swix table is that?

This one
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/product/index/3807v/?colorFamily=99&itemCode=3807V-99

 

[cantunamunch]

EDIT 2: I've seen a few references to using a hot box. Do regular people use these? Isn't this what an iron is for?

Forget about hot box for now; the difference between iron and hot box application is for when you know your wax box backwards and forwards.

Figure out
- task lighting
- power ( outlet and recharge)
- cooling rack/ work in progress stand
- cleanup

All of those stack up to make or break a tuning station.

 

[KingGrump]

Which Swix table is that?

That looks like the Swix T0075W I cart around with me all winter. It's pretty light weight. The top is particle board and will blow up on the first sign of moisture. It's not the most stable thing around. I like it because it's light weight and cheap ($70). Replacing the top sometime next month.

The SVST bench looks like pretty bomber so long I don't have to lug it around.

Just to be clear - Don't get the Swix.

 

[Mendieta]

Which Swix table is that?

I got this one. I am planning on taking it to Tahoe for multi-day ski trips. It was inexpensive enough to just get it, stable enough that it is more than fine for a couple sets of skis a week, and portable. If I were doing lots of skis a day, I would love to have a permanent bench. For my use, this is perfect.