J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by pavelski

Do you like your skis fast fried or stewed?

What you ask does cooking have to do with ski tuning? A great deal as you will discover soon!

All of you chefs ( and lesser chefs) know that there are many opinions on how to cook food. The Asiatic fast fry method using a wok appears to some to "trap in" all the food nutrients!The food is cooked but stays crisp!

Being of Russian descent I favor the slow pot roast approach in which all the ingredients "melt" into a stew-like consistency over a 3-4 hour period!

Each approach has its disciplines!

If you cook you will understand the following presentation very well!

I expected the bright students in the class, you know the ones with a twinkle in their eyes whose minds race ahead to ask me about "the hot box"!

Since we are near the end of the class and we are all getting our materials together so that we can get ready for skiing, I thought I would at least talk about this subject since it was never brought up!

Skiers are always looking for a better way to do things. A better way to go faster!
In the cross-country ski world everyone looks at how to make skis faster! How to make waxing more efficient!

Remember how in the early part of the class we talked about the base very much like a "sponge" with microscopic spaces withing the base! It is in these spaces and NOT ON TOP that we lay way the wax!

By heating a ski base,,we expand these spaces thus allowing more wax into the ski base!

I think you now remember the class! I see the eyes opening up! "oh yes"!

Now you will see the relation with cooking and ski waxing!


You realize that by placing an iron on a ski base is very much like heating up a wok and placing food on a very hot wok! Quick and sharp!

Some bright soul thought, "hummmmm what if I do not fast fry my ski base,, but let it "stew" for a slow easy melt down"?

This slow stew will allow the wax to penetrate more into the microscopic spaces thus I would get more wax retention!

So the hot box was invented! If you want to see what it looks like go to Flickr site where all other ski tuning pictures are!

I see all your hands waving!!! I know what you are going to ask. Is it worth it? Does it work?

First how does it work in practical terms.

In the hot box approach you do all the same wax procedures as before and once you have finished, you place skis in a box that has internal heating! You close box and allow skis to "cook" slowly, in order to allow wax to flow into the ski base!

In theory this approach provides superior wax penetration! The cross-country competition wax technicians have been using this approach for several years now. The alpine World Cup people also are using this approach!

Now some ski shops have set up hot box services at $25 for 2 hour soak!

Some fanatic tuners are also setting up their hot boxes just beside their saunas!
There are kits you can buy. See Solda Hot box!

Now to answer your questions!

The procedure can not do harm (if you keep temperature low) and if you have money to spend go ahead and use it!

I have experimented with a hot box wax application using two skis ( one without hot box, the other with hot box)! There is no doubt that the wax last longer on the hot box application! However I feel it does not justify the expense!

If you wax your skis regularly for recreational use there is no need to set up a hot box! Now if you want to create a "buzz" in the ski chalet bar,,then go ahead and set up your hot box! When they all ask you how come you are so fast and so good as a skier, you can casually say,,,"I owe it all to my hot box"! You will see skiers gravitate to you.........as you explain the mysteries of the hot box!

Oh.... a second great use of the hot box, I have discovered is you can place your bread in the box about 45 minutes before supper! Wonderful soft hot bread comes out! Impressive!

Gareth,

This is like telling how to meet girls! It is a bit more complicated than it seems.

Read all the course information.

Step 1 is get an old iron
Step 2 is get an old wrecked ski to practice on
Step 3 is follow course classes listed.

It really is not that difficult but as beginner you are not sure of yourself so you will make some errors!

May I suggest you visit some sites like Swiss Wax and Toko to get basic wax laying technique!

Hope this helps!

I am constantly amazed at the limitless imagination of skiers!
Tom is an example of such great thinking!
Would love to test such "ski"!!!!

First idea that comes to mind is in deep powder what happens to tails! I suspect you get that sinking feeling!

I ski on a pair of Sugar Daddys when I have chest high powder and I can feel them floating on powder! With no tails..I wonder!!!!

Do they also catch hidden Leeks
?

82ross,

You post an interesting question.

The worst place to leave skis is in garage, so I am happy that you are considering a move.

First why is it poor form to store skis in garage. People have no idea how many "break-ins" occur in unlocked garages! More skis get damaged in garages than any other place! Also skis just "feel" neglected in garages! They are part of the family!!!

Most skiers just store their skis in garages and forget them. They do not realize that skis need attention. They need you to thank them of all the pleasures they give you at least once a month!!!!

I have two systems. If you look at the Pavel wall ( see free Spyder polar fleece contest) you will see a ski rack placed in horizontal position on wall! Great system since I can place 4 pairs of skis in this rack! I place a carpet on floor so that tails are not damaged!


In the second system I take old ski poles that are discarded at bottom of ski resort and I drill holes(to allow poles through) in the 2x9 beams supporting my floors. I use insulation material ( used to insulate hot water pipes) on the ski poles! Thus the skis are never damaged as they rest on ski poles! I can place 4 skis between beams!

They are out of the way,,yet I can say hello to them every time I go into my work bench in the basement! I can also take them down in seconds when some friends come to talk about their new skis! You see I often get skis one year ahead of production!

One of the issues of storage of skis which is often neglected is how to place skis together for the Summer!

The worst system I have seen is a system in which the ski hang from the tips between two pegs! You want to allow skis to have the least pressure in one spot!

When skiers kept their skis for many many years they would "prepare skis for storage" and place a block of wood in the center to keep the "camber" of the skis! That was when skis were make of wood!

I am now undertaking a test to see if modern skis do lose their camber over time! Most ski companies say they do not! I just wonder....
I have two pairs of identical skis. One is stored flat. That is base to base from tip to tail!

The other is taped at tip and tails only with a 2x4 block of wood!

Every year I test the camber of each skis! This test has now been going on for five years!

What do you think is happening!

82ross, if you love your skis, by all means store them correctly! Both systems are good! Just keep them away from heat and humidity!

And do take them out in the Summer at least once! It gets the neighbors talking and it allows you to say you are a true ski fanatic!

PS this Summer I took mine out for a ride in my convertible! You should have seen the 'looks" I got! One man followed me for 10 kms. and finally stopped me and asked where the snow was!

Hope this helps you!

Still open for emergencies !!!
Gareth,
The is no question that you must wax your skis!
Think of your skis like sponges that have been sitting on some shelf drying!

You need to "fill" in that dry ski base before you ski! You might have to do a two coat job.If after you lay first coat you find some base area still bare ( dues to wax that has penetrated the base) do another coat!

Your skis will love you for it! They will give you much pleasure in return!

I see your next question coming!!!!

Get 0 to -12 range wax!

Do not scrap off wax right away! Let ski stand horizontly for at least two days!

cayhan,

All ski companies and boot companies have great products. The challenge is to find a product that "fits" your wifes skiing ability and your desire to pay a set price!

One minor warning. The Dynastar skis are owned by Rossignol which was recently bought by Quick Silver! A huge huge recreational oriented umbrella company.

Rumors are that the ski ( Dynaster) may be sold in coming years! I know for sure they are NOt going to produce World Cup race skis in 2008! They will follow the K2 ski company in focusing their products on the "new school" skiers with twin types, extreme off piste skiing and the "rails"!

That does not reduce the quality of the skis,,in fact I suspect that you will see a "dumping" of these skis in the coming years!

As far as Lange boots,,they are know as "narrow" shelled boots,,so if wife has narrow feet go ahead a buy!

Here is a very unique use but one you should all remember in a "survival" condition!

All serious skiers learn how to survival at least one night in the outdoors if ever....

We all know how to make an snow cave!

What many many people do not remember to do is to make several air holes!

With ski pole ( handle end) you make two or three holes in snow cave ceiling!

It will help in your survival!

dbarnaby,

Freezywater is correct.Typically it is a minimal cost to install bindings!

To really do a correct installation you must understand ski geometry, DIN level release, Rear tension adjustmet and finally front top level adjustment.

Unless you are at ease with power tools and understand the basic dynamics of ski design, go to ski shop!

Another reason why you shouls go to ski shop is that you must specialized tools!My drill bits all have a "depth gauge" limiter so that I never pass a given depth! All my drill are bevelled! I have a POSIDRIVE screwdriver which looks very much like a Philips screwdriver,,but is not!

The rear tension spring on all bindings must be set within a given range or else...

It is a question of YOUR safety and your legs!

Now if you decide to take it to a ski shop, I can tell you what to consider and check after the work is done!