Shortening ski length?
|
Does anyone have experience with cutting down a pair of skis shorter? I have some skis that I will be using as summer skis but are too long. Can anyone direct me to a forum or give advice if this has been done. Looking to cut it down from a 186 to 178ish. |
|
Brady Deal wrote:Does anyone have experience with cutting down a pair of skis shorter? I have some skis that I will be using as summer skis but are too long. Can anyone direct me to a forum or give advice if this has been done. Looking to cut it down from a 186 to 178ish. My guesses include using a table/band saw and then applying epoxy and clamping the tails. Any suggestions?Ski faster it's easier than cutting skis. |
|
I would imagine any kind of reciprocating saw would separate the layers within the ski. I also think that shortening a ski would affect its performance, unless its an old school straight ski and not the more recent parabolic/shaped skis. By cutting the tail you're essential standing more towards the back of the ski and what was the middle and under your boot is no longer. |
|
If you really want to do this, try cutting through the metal edges with a hand hacksaw, and then cutting the core of the ski with whatever - jig saw, band saw, cross cut hand saw. I cut a snowboard in half longways by cutting the edges first and then using a jig saw for the main cut, although I dulled the first jig saw blade that I used, probably from the fiberglass layers. Then seal the cut part with varnish or epoxy. |
|
bobbin wrote:However, I agree that this is unlikely to yield a ski with the sidecut where you want it relative to the boot.Will also completely mess up the camber. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski#C… |
|
Bad idea for so many reasons. |
|
Be a man and ski em long(ish). |
|
It is really hard to think of a situation where the additional performance you would get by cutting off 8 cm could possibly justify drastically altering a ski in that way. |
|
Brady, have you thought about mounting the bindings in a more forward or centered position? This can make the ski seem shorter when initiating turns. |
|
Thanks for all the helpful input from several of you. |
|
Brady Deal wrote:Thanks for all the helpful input from several of you. I am actually an advanced skier and this is merely a fun project I was wanting to try with an old pair of skis I have laying around. If I do end up trying it I will let you know how it goes.Its possible, but you'll want to rivet the tails as well - otherwise it will delaminate fairly quickly (i.e., one day on firm snow). With a heat gun, a form and some clamps you can make twin tips too. Yes, its been done before. ;) |