Tune Session 2 18-12

We are on our way.

The following have indicated they will "attend" this course and I will direct my clarifications, comments and PM to the following;
Powderhound, Darko, Forny,Graviteski,Dino and Cleppard.

Jobster indicated she wanted to "attend" however I did not get PM from her, nor did I get her email so we shall consider her a course "observer".
Only the above are candidates for the TOKO vices I will give at end of course!

This session will be to clear up some issues you might have about tuning, and some general comments.

Please read WARNING at bottom of this site about information and your responsibilities.

Context
All the sessions will focus on recreational ski tune up.Thus we will not go into serious base structuring, radical angles and modification of bindings ( canting)

I am not selling products, techniques and etc.... This is provided for you to enjoy yourselves more while skiing. I will recommend some products that over the years I have found "practical". I will also give you my opinions on some products and their cost. They are my opinions and not the staff at this site. I am a straight shooter that calls a spade a spade so if you want politically correct, "by the book" ( or tradition) tuning do not attend! I will tell you what products are junk or over-priced!!!!

I will as the course evolves send manuals from various companies or illustrations and the sources will be identified. I will also direct you to books and sites to visit. That is going to be your homework.

I will also have a summative criterion referenced evaluation at end of course. This is for you self evaluation and also for me to determine who should be in the draw for the vices!

There is one book that is a classic which you all should ask for at Christmas. It is the bible among all technicians I know from the World Cup level to club level. You can not separate tuning from ski design and ski technique. That is why I recommend you all get, "The Athletic Skier by Warren Witherell and David Evrard. There are some specific chapters I will refer to since they have direct application to your tune up.

You will become a better skier because of this book. You will understand why you tune a certain way because of this book. Buy it now!

Reasons for tuning skis

1. 90% of skiers think you tune to race. To go faster!!! Yes all ski racers get their skis tuned but that is not the reason YOU want to tune your skis.

2. Protect skis. You will learn that ski bases go through some serious abrasive action and the wax you apply protects the base. I have some skis that are 5 years old yet are like new because I wax EVERY TIME I ski! Even when I travel!
That is not the main reason to tune.

3.To get maximum performance from skis. Skis coming from factory, even the racing WC skis need to be tweaked or adapted for your skiing style and conditions.That is not the main reason to tune.

4.To ski better. That is why you tune your skis. This point needs some clarification so that you will be committed to "serious" tuning. As you ski your brain, via the sensory neurons all over your body is analyzing all the "cues"and adapting your body as a result. If the input messages are weak, or incorrect your brain will make decisions that are incorrect. You will NOT adapt correctly in order to ski effectively!

Let me illustrate. If your edges are dull as you pass icy sections. The messages to your brain is that the ski is NOt responding, you are sliding rather than carving ( even if you are using correct technique) and so you begin to use "survival" strategies. Sitting back, turning body,using more muscle power, leaning into hill, swearing, closing eyes, blaming husband, blaming resort etc.....

Result-you are afraid of ice, you doubt your skiing abilities,you compensate not because of your skiing abilities but because the ski can not hold its line.
Think what you do when you have a dull knife. You push harder. You lose that fine sense and use large muscles groups to compensate for poor edge control.

You tune your skis to get better, to enjoy skiing and to trust your skis!
No one can tell you how your skis should go. You will learn in this course not only to tune your skis, but to feel your skis when they are "on". You will become a skier that will let the skis do the work. You will become a finesse skier! So when you see a "patch of ice ahead" you will have confidence in your work and skis and just cruise over that ice. I predict that in one year you will LOOK for ice just to show your friends how great your skis are!
That is why you tune your skis.


I am sure you are very hesitant in doing harm to your skis, that is why you need an old pair of used skis. Get some this week.


Some Rules

1. Safety. You can get hurt so please note my warnings! If you ever see my hands I have many scars from all the mistakes, you will not make. You must at all times think safety! No loose material while tuning. No flames near products. Just think, "what if......"

2. Little is more. Most beginners have a tendency to go too far in sanding base, in setting edges, in putting iron "hot". Do everything in increments. Small increments!

3. Do work slowly.

4.Keep a log of work and products you used.

5. Clean work area. You must at all times keep skis clean. bench clean and hands clean. I will show you how to set up work area.

6. Use all senses. Beginners have a tendency to look for errors, dings, cuts.
I never look at my edges,,,I feel them with eyes closed. BEFORE I START TO FILE!!!!
While I file edges I listen to sound coming from each stroke. Quickly you will note how the file is very much like a musical instrument. When a ding is passed a "different" tone is made! When you have a perfect edge, the same sound is heard from tip to tail as you pass file. Listen.
I smell the edges. Seriously, if ever you use a tool call SKS edge racer the blade is 10 times harder than the ski edges and a distinctive smell is evident.

7. Never but never stroke the edge once it has been file or worked. I will repeat this since IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. Never touch with bare hands an edge that has been worked. At all times use paper towel!
If you do touch, you will have tiny steel shanks that will hurt you for weeks and perhaps cause infection.
NEVER TOUCH EDGES WITH FINGERS
Three times I mentioned this ,yet I know someone will pass finger on edges just to see how sharp the edges are!!!!!!!! NO NO!!!

Look, listen , smell but DO NOT TOUCH!!!!


8. Buy best. I have found that cheap tools cause accidents, break down.I will tell you the tools you need and the ones that are "gimmicks" or over-prices. I will show you how you can get better tuning tools at low price just by going to your friendly hardware store or machinist.

9. Never use a tool for another function. Do not use kitchen knife. Do not Phillips screwdriver ( star shaped). Ski screwdrivers are POSIDRIVE units made for skiing. Yes Phillips will fit but not mate correctly!

10. Enjoy yourself. You chose to "enroll" in this class. You want to get to be a better skier. You will. You want to save money. You will. I will never ask you to do something that is too dangerous or impossible. Difficult ,,yes but when you do succeed, what pride you will have.

You are from all parts of this world. I need your input on my level of language, on my pace, and technical precision. If you do not understand me, it is my fault not yours . Just ask me to repeat in other words.

You come from different contexts so I do not know if you have a place just for tuning. When I started many years ago I did all my tuning in the kitchen on my mother's stove since in those days your "melted" wax in a pot! Try to find a place for you! I will send you some picts of a "good" work bench.

For this week, try to get book, old iron, old skis and make a sign, " DO NOT TOUCH EDGES"

Hope you will have fun!



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