Best current kit for ski tuning??? Clamps???

[Crass3000]

After hearing how much I was going to shell out for mounting, waxing, etc for a couple pairs of skis and thinking about how that would surely add up when I bring the next few pairs in I decided to start tuning my own skis (maybe learn to mount them later).

What is the best kit out there that has what you really need to sharpen and wax your skis without a bunch of stuff I won't need (because it is geared toward snowboards)? Any consumer iron on the market better than the others? I don't mind paying a little more up front if it will perform better and last longer.

What kind of clamps do you use to hold your skis for tuning. I know there are quite a few on the market. My hope would be that the clamps I get would work for just about any ski I would buy in the future -- meaning they would work for fat skis. I don't have anything fatter than 108mm waist now.

Are the tuning tables by Swix, etc worth buying? If so, any advantage of the higher end tables over the lower end ones? Are the advantages worth the extra price to you?

[Cirquerider]

If you are starting from scratch it can cost quite a bit to get up to speed. One of these kits from Slidewright Tools has all the basic tools and a really nice cinch vise. http://www.slidewright.com/products.php?cat=113 You basically need files, a guide, waxing tools, an iron, vise and a stand. All the stuff on this page is really precise and good to work with, and will work on everything from a race ski to a snowboard.

I use the vise and it will hold any ski bottom or side up. It works for wide skis and snowboards, and doesn't use a clamp, but has a nylon cinch to hold things in place. Tht top supports fold back and provide a side clamp. These give a nice stable surface for sharpening, waxing or mounting bindings. Most vices require a binding already be mounted so it can clamp on, and they are not really made for top work.

Tuning is a good place to start building your experience and abilities. If you are just starting out, I think its a big leap to start drilling skis. Your idea of getting the tuning equipment first is pretty sane. Good luck

[LC]

Check out snowboard vices for your tuning platform (ones like Burton's design here). They'll be cheaper than ski clamps and a decent set will hold just as solid. The rubber surface means no need to grip the ski like with a ski vice and you just need to get the distance between the two right and they'll hold it perfectly well for side edge tuning (just make sure the vertical slits are less than a half ski-width deep like the Burton ones). When I worked in Whistler we used very similar snowboard vices for all hand edging.

Add to that a good Moonflex-style diamond stone (a single 300-ish grit will suffice) - best for deburring, when a full-on attack from a file would just waste edge. And a side edge guide like this one with a good spring clamp is the most solid and nicest to work with.

Get an old heavy-soled iron for waxing, gets the job done. You won't harm your bases. I'd rather use one than the cheap Toko travel iron I used to own. If you're buying a wax iron, get something mid to high range.

P-tex glue-gun style repair pistol if you're serious. Or just live with minor scrapes and get one or two full tunes at a good shop every year.

Wax tables? I sold a Homenkohl one for $500 once. It definitely was a sturdy beast, but come on. Find something in solid wood, preferably with drawers to keep all your kit organised.

Nylon brush, good for al round.

Lots of epoxy and a few g-clamps.

And in case you haven't already... http://www.tognar.com/

[Tye 1on]

Might also check out this http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ighlight=group thread again, IndyGS put together a great group buy on bulk wax, and if you read through it you'll see that he's putting together a website to sell tuning equipment. Could be a great resource for ya!