Tuners 10 "Rules"

Jan has given me an excellent chance to present a topic that is essential if you want to become a good,,,no a great ski tuner. ( See messages about ski vises)!

There are some basic rules that you should respect every time you tune a ski. Some are macro-type rules such as safety issues. Others are micro rules which deal with wax temperature, angles. In my opinion all are valid!


Here are Pavel's 10 Tuning Rules

Thou shall not......no no I find such approaches negative and too forbidden! Whenever I forbid anyone ,,,,they will try it. You will see that all my rules are positive and geared to make your skiing experience happy.


1. Safety
Above all think safety at all times. If ever you get a glob of burning Ptex on your hand ( it is like napalm) and you must watch it burn your skin and muscle since you can not touch it,,,,, you will understand!

You must at all times think,,"what if this happens".
During course I will point out safety issues to respect.
There are not many but you must be aware that if you do not , you might suffer and lose valuable ski time.

2. Think for yourself ( ask that silly question)!
I am sure you all have read that we are in a world of change. This is even more true in skiing with new materials, new ski designs and new ski techniques. Be wary of the "expert" that knows the truth! Learn the basic techniques but do not be afraid to experiment. Remember you are tuning for yourself so you are the final judge if what you did was "acceptable"
This also means to be wary of "promises" from companies on get a better tune, a faster tune, a cheaper tune!

3. Avoid "cheap" tools.
You all know what I am talking about here. Cheap does not necessarily mean low cost. You will find ways to get excellent tools that will last you years but that are 70% less than what ski shops and suppliers offer.
If you are really a ski fanatic and want to tune correctly then from now on you will be on the lookout for tools at minimal cost. At end of course I will offer some ways to get tools at very very low price!
By all means buy used tools as long as they are top quality and well maintained! I once got an electric stone tuning Wintersteiger machine for $100. Keep an eye for such deals.


4. Little is more
Seems contradictory yet once you understand this rule and apply it it will save you many headaches. Most beginners tend to go too far, too fast, too hard when working. Most young inexperienced auto-mechanics tend to over tighten bolts. In the boot tuning section the most important rule is,,,,, do all changes in small increments! If ever you work with wood and sandpaper you know that you must start with coarse grit and gradually go to finer grit in small steps. Also this rule is very very important in auto painting. The preparation of the car body takes so much longer than the actual paint. Imagine using a 1200 wet grit paper as final sanding!!!!

So when you get to learn to "structure" your base,,do not think it is a quick process. Rather it is a constant "testing" of what is right for; your ski, your area, your goal in skiing!

When you learn to bevel your edges, again do not right away go to a 3 degree bevel just because the pros do it!
Start with 1 degree and move up!

A series of small steps are better than one big step!
Jan gave me an excellent analogy in his message about ski vices. In a "new" relationship only in the movies does a couple meet and instantly know they are "perfect for each other"!!! That BIG move!!!

Most of us take small steps to "get to know each other". We see if we like the same movies, the same foods, the same world issues etc... You get the point! Then we ( most of us) get married!!!!
So it should be with skis. You must take time to "get to know" the skis. To find out "how far you can go"!!!! When bliss finally happens, then you know you have done it right!
In short be patient and have that "slow hand"!!!

5. Think like a marathon runner
This point is very much related to the previous one. Let me be honest with you. You will not be a great ski tuner the first year, nor the second year! It takes about five years to really feel comfortable and know that if you do A on your skis B will result. If you want "instant" ski pleasure then you will be disappointed since serious ski tuners are aiming for "life-time" skiing pleasure. On the first year you will learn the basic techniques, the basic correct use of tools, the skiing needs you have. You will be hesitant while doing skis the first year very much like Jan's example. ( see what you have done Jan?) As you become a proficient lover of your skis on the second and third year you will feel more assured to try new techniques, new tools.

One day and that day will come, you will know that you are a great ski tuner when you "feel" your skis as part of your body. They will do everything you ask them, in every ski condition. That is why the marathon approach is more effective and rewarding!

6. Be clean!!!
I feel very uneasy in a workshop whenever I stress this rule. It is a fundamental rule which must not be violated!
Ever visit a racing car garage? You can eat on the floor!
If you want to be a serious ski tuner you must be clean for safety reasons but also to do a correct tune. This is where I have some issues with Jan about "handling" or caressing skis! We all have body oils on our hands and all "impurities" between wax and ski base cases problems!
We will also discover the the steel edges on once filed have shars ( tiny microscopic steel shanks) which can cause injury and possible infection ( I speak from experience).
This rule applies for the work area, for the tools and for the tuner! More will be said during course.


7. Seven rhymes with heaven and so this 7th. rule deals with heaven!
If you think you will rush your tuning to go skiing you have missed part of the heaven. To be an effective tuner and a great tuner you must take the time to "enjoy" your time with the skis. That is one of the major reasons you tune YOUR ski. To make the skis give you that perfect performance and that can only happen if you enjoy your time in the shop! That heaven starts at the tuning bench and continues on the slope. If you rush it or feel it is a "waste of time" then by all means go to ski shop a let others sharpen your skis! Notice I said, "sharpen" not tune!
Your goal as tuner and skier is to make the ski and you one!
That is,,,,, it becomes an extension of your body so that it responds to your desires instantly! How many skiers "fight" with the ski and feel that they want to go east and ski goes west! The road to heaven starts at the shop bench,,,,enjoy it. The very best compliment my wife ever gave me was telling how she enjoyed smelling the melted wax when I tuned our skis! It generated so many great skiing memories!

8. Be methodical
This means to know at all times what you are doing and why you are doing it. That is why I ask all students to keep a tuning diary in which they note what they do! Over the years I have kept a log ( diary) of the various persons who have come to me for "personal" tuning. Each skier has "personal" definitions of heaven and the skis must be tuned for their heaven. Most skiers who begin the course have no idea what is a "heavenly ski" but once they find that heaven they want it back at all costs. That is why you keep a diary!
It has also happened that I tuned a ski and once on slope it....well it just seems not right! Again I go back a see what I did wrong!

9. Learn to use tools effectively
There seems to be two types of people. One type can take some simple tools and use them. I am not talking about ski tools here, but just drill, screwdriver, file, sandpaper etc.. The second type are just not comfortable with tools and getting hands "dirty"!
If you are the second type, by all means go to ski shop or personal tuner to get skis done. If you are the first type take the time to get to know all relevant tools and how to use them effectively! Just dripping hot wax on a ski is an art! For some it takes 30 minutes and there is 75% of wax on floor! That is why it take some time to learn to tune. It is not difficult but it does not come easily. In today's society we wish "instant" gratification or we give up! Learning to use tools effective takes time and patience! I promise you if you persist pleasures from your ski that you have never had!
Notice that I have yet never used a negative image or a "thou shall not,,"! Now I must for your sake!!!!

Never but never use a tool for any other purpose than what it was designed for! Never use a knife to screw in a screw! Never use a Posidrive screwdriver on a Phyllips screw! Never use a shank of a screwdriver as a true bar!

10. Let us end on a positive note! Enjoy your time with the skis.

The attention you give your skis at the bench will be "returned" to you by the skis on the slope!

The pleasure you will get when you get to a very icy steep section of a run where 20 skiers are waiting at the lip ,looking where to go and you just take off is,,,,!!!!!!heaven!
Is it better technique? Is it better skis? Is it due to a better skier?

Only you know that it is because you have faith in your skis and the skis want to thank you for the "care" you gave them!

Hope you enjoy my 10 tuner rules!