I must have an edge this year!

Dear TGR,
I have not had an edge for three seasons. It really makes fast days alot faster than I won't them to be. The sad thing is that I worked in a ski shop for 12 years and since I got married I had to give up the job. It's hard to justify coming home from work on pay day and owing money. I've been tuning my skis by hand, and nothing seems to do the job that the stone grinder does. Where can I buy a grinder? Is there a website at least that will steer me in the right direction? Do I have to be a licenced ski shop to buy a grinder? Is there such a thing as used ski tuning equipment for sale? Or does everyone hold on to it till it breaks? These and many more questions have been haunting me, so I hope you can help.
Ben

No reason you can't get a I-cut-off-my-index-finger-by-mistake-sharp tune at home. Check out www.tognar.com for all things tuning.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...der&category0=

Trolling, me thinks.

Grinders are for bases. the best racing edges are all hand tunes.

Whaddya think your gonna set up a Wintersteiger machine in your garage?

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Originally Posted by Core Shot

Whaddya think your gonna set up a Wintersteiger machine in your garage?

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Yes!

Actually Yes, i am going to set up a Montana in my garage.....and some of us aren't blessed with powder 365...where do live, that is so blessed. Maybe the start to a discount tune-o-rama, but it'll be full price to you. Does anyone have any real info?
Ben

i have a much better investment for you, learn to tune well by hand. im not trying to be patronizing, but hand tuning is far better. I work in a shop and would never let the edges on any of my boards touch a machine. Machines are faster and easier, thats it. Think of the fact that all world cup ski techs tune by hand.

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Originally Posted by aspenskibum

i have a much better investment for you, learn to tune well by hand. im not trying to be patronizing, but hand tuning is far better. I work in a shop and would never let the edges on any of my boards touch a machine. Machines are faster and easier, thats it. Think of the fact that all world cup ski techs tune by hand.

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As for never letting a grinder touch the edges: my opinion is that if you've damaged and tempered the edge on rocks it can really save a lot of hassle to remove material with a grinder, but the finish work should always be by hand.

Alright, I've said it! Now will I magically transport to a website with used grinders for sale...besides ebay!

Of course a hand tune is the way to go...but we can't always grow our own potatoes and trade them for ipods. But back on point, the theory on how to tune your skis and how you use them afterwords is not the debate in this room...try across the hall and to the left.

Most race tunes are finished by hand, but often started with a grinder when necessary. Check out the grinder company vans at the base of any World Cup race. That being said, there are used grinders for sale and they are usually total crap. They are bought by very small ski and board shops these days because there aren't many small models being built. They are often so poorly maintained or just plain worn out that fixing them to be true and consistent on pattern just isn't worth it.

I got my last used one for just under $10,000 and it is getting to be pretty sad. Since I don't do enough work to justify a real one ($35k-90k), I'll probably try to lease one.

A properly done hand tune will be sharper than most grinds can turn out, it just takes longer if you haven't had one recently.

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Originally Posted by beb42000

Dear TGR,
... Where can I buy a grinder? ...

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http://www.svst.com/

by the way, this thread motivated me to make a side edger for the garage.

I took a bench mounted belt sander from Harbor Freight, cut a bunch of the housing away, mounted a guide made from a derbyflex (for maximum MoJo;) ) at an 89 degree angle to the sanding surface, and mounted it to my bench.

I used it some, it really takes a lot of effort out of removing tempered/rusted surface, and sets it up well for finish work. The project took a few hours and about $50 for the sander.

If I wasn't such a hippie yokel I'd have some digital photos for you.

that is all.

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Originally Posted by YetiMan

by the way, this thread motivated me to make a side edger for the garage.

I took a bench mounted belt sander from Harbor Freight, cut a bunch of the housing away, mounted a guide made from a derbyflex (for maximum MoJo;) ) at an 89 degree angle to the sanding surface, and mounted it to my bench.

I used it some, it really takes a lot of effort out of removing tempered/rusted surface, and sets it up well for finish work. The project took a few hours and about $50 for the sander.

If I wasn't such a hippie yokel I'd have some digital photos for you.

that is all.

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here are belated photos of said side edger, which has been working pretty well for $50.

http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_51428.jpg

http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_51427.jpg

:)

I currently restore all kinds of used machines i rebuild the motors and replace all bearing and depending on the machine repowdercoat them and sell them at reasonable prices if you still want a used machine contact me and we can discuss your options.

I have a LS9000K that needs new bearings and the hydraulics are leaking, plus it could use another coat of teflon, how much do you think that might run?

I'm not familiar with the ls9000k if you get me a year and make on that machine I can better help you. and I need to know if you just want parts or if you want someone to repair it for you. and your general location. If you'll give me that info I can get you a quote. Thanks