Wailer 99 Topsheet Chipping & Redneck Fix

[Wapow]

Thought I'd post up a quick note about my Wailer 99 Hybrids. First off, I like how they ski, especially in firmer conditions. I have about 10 days on them now since I got them mid/late last season, 100% touring. My only complaint is that the top sheet on the tails has chipped badly every time I used them. I often plunged the tails into to the snow to secure them on changeovers. The snow was sometimes crusty, but they never hit any buried objects. I pretty much had to epoxy chipped top sheet sections of the tails after every use, so I decided to install a redneck-style fix. I replaced the last 3/4" of top sheet with an inlay made out of thin stainless steel, which I "fabricated" out of a piece of a Swix metal scraper. I picked it because it was readily on hand, and rust-proof. I was also worried that thin aluminum might separate. To install the caps, I cut the edge of the top sheet where it would mate to the SS cap (using utility knife against the scraper, which I clamped on as a guide). I then used a new, sharp chisel to remove the end section of the top sheet (which separated really easily). I rough cut the shape using a bench grinder with a cut off wheel (which made lots of sparks due to the SS) and then attached it with epoxy and rivets. Final steps were grinding the cap flush with the bench grinder then hand finished with a sanding block. Took approximately 3 Sierra Torpedo IPAs and 3 hours. I confirmed they work like a charm when penetrating the crust on the Muir snow field last weekend.

Hey DPS - Love your skis, but please add a protective end cap option for us tourers. Thanks.

[Smoova]

That's a nice job!

[Kai]

Not really a "redneck" fix. That's very clean.

[HansJob]

Where's the duct tape? Seriously, that's a sweet fix.

[flatNshallow]

No shit! Clean indeed. I tried something similar to reattach the tip edge that seperated on an old pair 179 Bro's... I failed.