Universal Binding Jig (sort of...)

[Jonathan S.]

First, some caveats:
-- Not yet available for purchase (anticipated Sep 1).
-- Price unknown.
-- Video production quality is really bad (although does provide some add'l technical details).
-- The name is very unfortunate (or perhaps very appealing, depending on tastes).
-- Will still require carefully measuring the L/R spacing for any side-by-side holes.
-- Will still require repositioning (and jig width resetting) between each set of holes.

The latter two caveats mean that mounting will take a loooong time.

However, based on having free-handed some bindings, I think this will facilitate more accurate results.
So personally, I plan to buy one (assuming the price is reasonable). I have seven jigs, but some of them are too narrow for some skis. And for some bindings that I rarely mount (e.g., old Look pivot, rando race), I have jigs for the toes but not the heels.
Oh, right, the link:
http://www.sleazyjig.com/

[iscariot]

"Sleazy Jig; it'll mount anything."

[skimaxpower]

Hmm. Not impressed. The whole point of a jig is to remove the need for math/measuring and reduce the chance of errors.

This looks like a mistake waiting to happen. When it comes to an obscure binding, I'd rather just use a paper layout than use this thing.

[Jonathan S.]

How about this jig + paper template, i.e., use the paper template to set the jig?

[krp8128]

This was posted over at epic a week or so ago. My comments pretty much echo the OP, too much fiddling and re-positioning required for a "universal" jig.

As an engineer, I'm not impressed, they should have made a list of desired product specs before embarking on this design, and checked the final version against this list. IMHO they missed quite a few. As a skier, I question who would actually use this, shops have $$ to shell out for real jigs, and those of us who mount or own bindings have simple enough ways around jigs...

How about this jig + paper template, i.e., use the paper template to set the jig?

[DHogg]

I would WAY rather use a paper template than use that. I don't see any gains from using it- only thing could be making sure you drill straight, which isn't even that hard.

Like SMP said, you use jigs so you minimise measuring and shit.

[toast2266]

I would WAY rather use a paper template than use that. I don't see any gains from using it- only thing could be making sure you drill straight, which isn't even that hard.

Like SMP said, you use jigs so you minimise measuring and shit.

Exactly. Not to mention that, for the price of what that thing is sure to cost, you can probably buy a small drill press which 1) makes sure your holes are straight, and 2) is useful for other things.

As far as I can tell, that thing doesn't even have a way to align the holes against the boot center mark.

[Conundrum]

That thing looks like it will actually take someone at home longer than freehand mounting. I guess that's a good thing if you just use mounting skis as a reason to hang out and drink beer with your friends.


Plus, I really didn't get past the first few seconds of the video. I'm sure there was good stuff towards the end but I couldn't get this image out of my head. Took me back to younger years...




Here's the video if anyone wants to check it out.

[Eluder]

I was hoping for more....

[SiSt]

As everyone has said: Paper templates are better than this product. Anyone with a minimum of skills have no issues mounting properly with a template.

I´ve been thinking about making a dwg with a bunch of well-known and loved binding templates, with a bootcenter marking for a given BSL. Change the BSL and move the center marking half of whatever you moved the mounting pattern.

This will then be universal if you have access to a free cad program that will import dwg´s (Solid edge or google sketchup.) (I could do this as a set of parametric components in sketchup if that sounds better to anyone?)

Printing properly and checking the measurements is your own problem.

Anyone interested? I have started this in an old file which I can´t remember where I´ve put, but from using the measurements given in the binding template thread it will be pretty quick to make.

[Jonathan S.]

Plus, I really didn't get past the first few seconds of the video. I'm sure there was good stuff towards the end but I couldn't get this image out of my head. Took me back to younger years...




Here's the video if anyone wants to check it out.

I was hoping for more....

Yes, my sentiments exactly -- I was hoping you were going to post the video where they attempt (successfully?) to turn gold into cottage cheese!

Okay, seriously though (although that was a hilarious episode, or at least it seemed so at the time), let's say I have the paper template for a Dynafit race heel. The upcoming version has three holes. So for the center hole I can just grab any random jig. But to get the two side-by-side holes properly aligned, wouldn't this "universal" jig help? (Although then again, I have so many jigs that chances are the lateral spacing is replicated on some other jig in my collection...)

[Patches]

I think a much cheaper option would be paper templates printed on label paper, plus a bench-mount drill press... you get get a cheap one for $75. Its fast & easy, you don't even need to clamp the skis for each hole, just position the ski with one hand and yank the lever with the other. This would get your hand ripped off dealing with small pieces, but the angular momentum of a ski is so large and the topsheet so thin that the bit can't get stuck, not that I've seen anyway. (Maybe 20 mounts or so with this method so not a huge sample)

[Tick]

First, some caveats:
-- Not yet available for purchase (anticipated Sep 1).
-- Price unknown.
-- Video production quality is really bad (although does provide some add'l technical details).
-- The name is very unfortunate (or perhaps very appealing, depending on tastes).
-- Will still require carefully measuring the L/R spacing for any side-by-side holes.
-- Will still require repositioning (and jig width resetting) between each set of holes.

The latter two caveats mean that mounting will take a loooong time.

However, based on having free-handed some bindings, I think this will facilitate more accurate results.
So personally, I plan to buy one (assuming the price is reasonable). I have seven jigs, but some of them are too narrow for some skis. And for some bindings that I rarely mount (e.g., old Look pivot, rando race), I have jigs for the toes but not the heels.
Oh, right, the link:
http://www.sleazyjig.com/

I actually have the first pair of skis mounted with a sleazy jig (or i should say about 3 iterations before the jig on you see on the website. They've been working on this for a while).

These are two buddies of mine, one an engineer, the other a life long ski / bike shop owner and employee. both avid skiers and tinkerers so there was some serious thought put into the design. I can vouch for them both being good guys to boot!

I can say that having used the jig and watched them us it, the design works really well. there is a little measuring initially, but the jig works well to align things lateraly after that.

-Tick

[garyb]

Actually, the sleazy jig is designed as an invaluable accessory for any ski shop. A competent binding tech can locate binding holes fore/aft in regard to boot ctr placement Match the hole width or use the single hole and the clamps will keep them accurately on center,drill with proper bit as to ski/screw, relocate.No need to measure l/r spacing for any side-to-side holes. Slow, yes, but not that slow with experience. Improves use of paper template by quickly centering template on ski via jig end center marks then, again, matching holes with on center adjustable drill towers. Also solves the fat ski issue while most jigs do not accommodate wide waists.

[Jonathan S.]

These are two buddies of mine, one an engineer, the other a life long ski / bike shop owner and employee. both avid skiers and tinkerers so there was some serious thought put into the design. I can vouch for them both being good guys to boot!

So which one is Beaker and which one is Bunsen Honeydew?

Okay, seriously though, why not make this device far more useful by adding:
-- adjustable length between the single hole and the set of dual holes?
-- another set of dual holes?
If the jig had that, then at least it could be set up to mount pretty much any toe or heel unit without resetting/repositioning, i.e., could be set up to mimic half of a jig. As is though, requires at least one reset/reposition for any toe or heel.

[garyb]

good point, using existing patterns/spacing on jigs is functionally retro; the sleazyjig supports this yet offers infinte spacing match.

[Eluder]

Okay, seriously though, why not make this device far more useful by adding:
-- adjustable length between the single hole and the set of dual holes?
-- another set of dual holes?

This!!!!!!!!

I mean lets be honest here. Even if your only designing for ski techs ease of use is important. Plenty of "trained" techs botch mounts with jigs that are much easier to use. Adding a second set of holes that could move for and aft as well would take it to the next level. That being said its better than what I have come up with.

[BakerBoy]

I don't get it, couldn't you just take a 1x or 2x4, align the binding, transfer center down, predrill the holes, and then just clamp that to your ski? If the center lines are aligned with the mount lines on the ski (some gambling involved), then the mount will be straight. Just measure a new mount line on the chunk of wood and you've got your + or - mount points.

BTW, I've done this before, because nobody in my entire county carries wide jigs for Fischer/Tyrolia, I got bored of clamping the skinny jigs about the 6th time, and its worked fine.

[garyb]

it's not that tough to establish x-y coordinates, meaning fore/aft location by boot center vs. the,more difficult centered width placement of every two hole pattern. The l/r ctr is by matching width and the hole pattern stays ctred by the edge clamps.Also, the spacing between the single and the ctr line of the double is tele-long.

[Eluder]

it's not that tough to establish x-y coordinates, meaning fore/aft location by boot center vs. the,more difficult centered width placement of every two hole pattern. The l/r ctr is by matching width and the hole pattern stays ctred by the edge clamps.Also, the spacing between the single and the ctr line of the double is tele-long.

Ahh, this application makes much more sense in the telemark world. Should have noted this when Tick responded.... I just think a shop would have to charge a $100 bucks for a mount with one of these, since it would take their best tech a lot of time to mount an alpine binding with this. That does not seem to be its purpose though.

[Patches]

Okay, seriously though, why not make this device far more useful by adding:
-- adjustable length between the single hole and the set of dual holes?
-- another set of dual holes?

This would tempt me.

[SiSt]

So, nice no one were interested, I made an example of what I meant.

- Download the attached skp file
- open in google sketchup 7 or higher
- right click anywhere on the binding template pattern
- select dynamic components -> component options
- deselect and reselect the binding template pattern
- type your preferred BSL in cms and click apply. Viola!

Just the Jester pattern for now, not thoroughly checked yet.

[marshalolson]

how to make this NOT stupid

1. barrell adjuster between the 2 hole set so you can adjust width between holes
2. moving secondary set of holes w/ barrell adjsuter.

then all you need to do is measure c-c in 2 directions, regaurdless of toe/heel, preset the jig, and drill. do both toes, then both heels. easy as pie.

[garyb]

ok, here it is, this jig with familiarity/practise, increases accuracy and speed in both paper template mounts and particularly free-hand mounts. Establishing fore/aft hole sets is straight forward. Consequently, having a jig that easily and accurately matches l/r spacing on center, accommodating any sidecut and width is this tools caveat. Ideal for doing any mount without a binding specific jig. perfect for heli/tour/guide applications where mounts/remounts are nearly considered a repair.For ski shops, the odd mount for which no specific jig is available this 'universal' jig can be a life saver. Again, slower but not that much slower for a competent tech.

[skimaxpower]

this jig with familiarity/practise, increases accuracy and speed in both paper template mounts and particularly free-hand mounts. For ski shops, the odd mount for which no specific jig is available.

If you marketed the jig with this explanation from the start, I would have had a different reaction. You are NOT selling a "universal jig." Instead, you're selling an aid for paper template and freehand binding mounts.

Now that I've heard an actual explanation of what you expect me to do with it ... I can see how it'd be handy, but I'm not sure I would go out of my way to convince the boss-man to drop a couple bills for this jig. Paper jig seems to work fine in the past...