Best ski & snowboard tuning equipment according to redditors
We found 20 Reddit comments discussing the best ski & snowboard tuning equipment. We ranked the 16 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 20 Reddit comments discussing the best ski & snowboard tuning equipment. We ranked the 16 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
I've been waxing my own snowboard for quite some time. I read an article on it a very long time ago, so my methods might not be good, but here goes.
Take off your bindings before starting.
First, i use an edge sharpener, rather than a straight file (like i see in board shops). Run that along your edges first, removing any rust.
Next, i take out my wax scraper, and scrape off as much old wax as i can. I am always surprised how much comes off.
When you are done scraping, clean your board. Use a special cleaner, or save your money and use something like Windex (that's what i do).
Next, you'll need wax and an iron. And old iron will do, or you can buy a dedicated waxing iron. I used to use an old iron, but then I left it in one spot for too long and messed up my board. If you plan to use an old iron, keep the temperature low on it. If your wax starts smoking, your iron is too hot. Be patient with it, spending a few extra minutes is better then having the spend hundreds of dollars replacing your board.
Take your wax, and hold it up against the iron to drip the melted wax onto the board and try to get good coverage. When you are done you should be looking at a board with a bunch of wax drops on it, not a solid layer of wax.
Now, take your iron and start moving it around the wax to spread it evenly across the board. You can add more wax as needed by dripping it on. Don't hold the iron in one spot for long, keep moving around.
Once you have all the wax spread in a uniform layer, let it cool back down to room temperature. Once it's cool (not warm) take your scraper and scrape off all the wax. What you want to be left on you board is just a thin layer. When you touch it with your hand, it should feel very smooth.
This is where I stop, but some people like to polish it further using some kind of cloth. I might use an old tubesock to just give it a quick rub down.
Put your bindings back on, and enjoy.
Do you actually mean tune or just wax? I do both and for the vast majority of the time here's the procedure for waxing:
Everyone that skis more than ~10 days/year should do that. For me it's cheaper and quicker than taking them to a shop. And more fun.
Lots of people will talk about brushing and more complicated waxing. It's all worthwhile, for the first and only the first run. After that run, it stops mattering really quickly. Many people don't even scrape or give a really half assed scrape and let the snow take care of it. If you've fallen with exposed skin, you know how abrasive snow can be.
As needed I'll debur and remove rust with a gummy stone. If you take care of your edges, you'll only need an actual tune every 10-20 days. This is more tricky than hard, and you can easily make a mistake by setting the wrong bevel, or taking too much off.
I just taped a this big guy last night. It mostly went well but there is a chunk missing out of that center that came up during taping. So it definitely happens. It's not to bad though. I haven't flipped him over yet. I wasn't prepared and he's to large to flip easily. I had to go to home depot and buy some larger boards to put him on to prepare to flip him. Once he's flipped it wont be to hard to bring the template back up and replace the missing beads.
The ones you've made look great! I have no idea what the one in the top left is from, but I love it.
A couple of suggestions for melting:
Three more non-melting tips.
Wow. that ended up being a wall of text. I did not intend for that, but I just kept writing. Hopefully it's all useful information for you. If not, sorry for the ramble.
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looks like he/she is using a break retainer band. You can find them on amazon and such. Here’s a link
If you’re a skier then I’d say stick with starting with skiing with your son. They make harnesses for learning how to ski like this that might be useful for you: https://www.amazon.com/MDXONE-Trainer-Harness-Absorb-bungees/dp/B07J1XKQBZ/
Here's the same kind of thing but DaKine, it's on .ca https://www.amazon.ca/Dakine-110V-Super-Tune-Black/dp/B005Z2JKGI/ref=pd_sim_200_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FFN1N79WG96N85F3BDJH
If you have a bench set up and want to be able to really keep them sharp get a file guide. I like the beast. It does take a little knowledge and diligence to use.
https://www.beasttuning.com/Side-of-BEAST-p/3002z.htm
If not and you just want a fool proof way of improving your edges and maintaining them between shop tunes get an EZ-Tuner.
Complete Edge Care Kit Base-Side Ski Edge Tool +3 Diamonds +Gumi Stone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G3YV2HM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8XV2DbNQVNZC0
Do not mess with the base edge.
Here's a comment I posted a month or two ago about this topic. Basically everything you'd need to wax, sharpen edges, and perform small-medium ptex repairs (think small core shots and scratches on the base of the ski).
Here's a kit I would go with if I were buying a kit. I personally liked buying stuff individually that suited my needs but it's easier to just buy 1 thing: https://www.amazon.com/Demon-Complete-Tune-Kit-Wax/dp/B00MAKO69O/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1478189719&sr=1-1&keywords=ski+wax+kit
The reason why I'd go with this kit over the ones you listed is because it comes with an edge sharpener guide + gummy stone. If you're sharpening edges you'd probably want to use a file&guide when starting out.
For waxing (normally use all temp wax unless you're an every week sort of waxer. Could expand out to cold specific wax if the weather calls for it):
Plastic Scrapper: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GSLE2FO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Wax: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GAYNXO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Iron: buy one at goodwill/a thrift. If you're too good for that then here: https://www.amazon.com/Wintersteiger-Ski-Snowboard-Waxing-Iron/dp/B0040OBXXU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476214415&sr=8-1&keywords=waxing+iron
You can also buy a nylon brush and base cleaner/a rag to clean your skis but hot waxing and then scrapping also works for cleaning.
When I'm done waxing my skis I usually go over the skis with a wine cork to make sure everything is even and smoooooth. Not something that you have to do though
For tuning:
Gummy Stone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017I6VNO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Edge sharpener (can choose a different one):
https://www.amazon.com/Dakine-8-2300250-Green-Tuner-Green/dp/B00L6ZC1FA/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1476214569&sr=1-4&keywords=ski+edge+sharpener
Video so you don't fuck up your edges too much:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKpSBE8YWXk
You can also get a diamond stone/nail file from the store if you'd like.
Ptex for some base repairs:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OIPZRVU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Metal Scrapper for Ptex (could use a flat blade if you'd like but don't fuck up):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OIPZRII/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Lighter: Gas Station/already in your house. After Ptexing a couple of times I fee like a torch lighter would work best here
Video for small ptex repair:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA0vDNmNAEA
If you have major core shots I would probably go to a local shop and have someone fix it who does that stuff for a living. Really research what you're actually doing before you do it for the first time. You don't want to make things worse. After you get the hang of it it becomes a lot easier and can save you money. Can also do it for your friends on the cheap
I bought a “North” kit on amazon for like $85 last year. Came with the iron, scraper, nylon brush, diamond stone, edge sharpener, and a brick of wax. Pretty good deal and comes with a nice carry bag. I also went to dollar general and bought a plastic shower curtain to put down when I wax for like $2 saves on cleanup
Swix North Ski Snowboard Wax Tuning Kit Mass Transit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LVXWDOC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_l7eQDb2B8BPEM
I dunno how much you’re trying to spend but I have been please with this kit. Might be overkill tho.
Demon Hyper Speed Ski & Snowboard Tune Kit with Iron, 1lb Wax Block & Base Cleaner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X9DQ331/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7EXwDbV1RYFTT
If you source the pieces yourself you can get what you need. You usually don't need everything that comes in a kit. Buy the additional pieces as you need them.
Here's what I found without much effort:
$35 iron
$23 wax (huge brick)
$6 scraper
$14 nylon brush
$6 scotch brite sponges
That's $84 and is all you need to get started. You can certainly get kits for around the same price that include some edge tuning bits, but they also come with a very small amount of wax and surprisingly often they don't include any brushes, or just a wire brush.
just get the clamp board holders and clamp em to what evs. You can get em at your local ski/board shop, i urge you to go there vs the interweb. you can always scrape your board out side or at the resort parking lot.
Just bought this kit off amazon and I'm going to be waxing my own skis for the first time in preparation for epic Tahoe pow this weekend. I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos. Any tips from r/skiing?
Does anyone sharpen/wax their own board? I know you can get kits like these but I don't know how easy it is to totally screw up your snowboard. The place I used to bring mine to closed and there's not much else around where I live.