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Sanding bases

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gnarley_marl
Posts: 200 - Karma: 178
I have had my skis (08' k2 silencers, red target graphic) since I started skiing ~4 years ago. They have been my only pair, and they have received some abuse both intentional and unintentional. Skiing over parking lots, salt and sand, plenty of rails, grass, some pavement. At this point, any shop I take the skis to refuses the base grind because they are so beat down. Last base grind I had was before last season when my bindings were re-mounted and the tech messed up and pushed the screws through the bases somewhat.

So I ask this question, could I do my own base grind with a belt sander? They are so slow and hold no wax so anything would be an improvement. Damaging the edges isn't a concern because underfoot they are so worn that they are completely rounded. I can't afford new skis yet since I am a full time college student but I need a little extra speed.
Sep 17 2011 1:15PM
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gnarley_marl
Posts: 200 - Karma: 178
Actually they are the 09' silencers.
Sep 17 2011 1:19PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
no......take them to a shop
Sep 17 2011 1:56PM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
What kind of ski shop refuses to base grind them? That is messed up. But you really need to have it professionally done
Sep 17 2011 1:58PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7151 - Karma: 17,543

Do not do it with a belt sander. You will ruin them. You need the water to cool the grinding as it happens. I had a guy bring some skis in to my old shop that he had tried to grind, and he had ruined them. We ended up having to grind half the base away and then still they were burnt somewhat.

There does become a point where a ski can not be ground any more. Most shops would refuse to grind a ski which is on its last legs. If the grinder went through the last part of base and damaged the core then the shop would be liable. I have refused to grind skis in teh past. Thre machines are thousands of dollars so they will not want to put a beat up old ski in it which may possiby damage the machine.

Sounds like its time for some new skis. Silencers were pretty terrible any way so you will enjoy a new ski so much more. The skis will have pop again and you will have some edge if you like to turn.

Sep 17 2011 2:04PM
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gnarley_marl
Posts: 200 - Karma: 178
believe me I would love to be skiing new skis, but when you have parents that don't really support the activity, it can be challenging to get new gear when it is important.
Sep 17 2011 2:09PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Sandpaper wrapped around a file. Seriously.
Sep 17 2011 2:28PM
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gnarley_marl
Posts: 200 - Karma: 178
this is the info I was finding on some nordic skiing sites.
Sep 17 2011 2:51PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Take them to another shop, bring the guy a rack of PBR to sweeten the deal. If this is your first time tryinng to do something like this, you're going to ruin the ski and make it worse. Make sure to tell the other shop that the first one wont do it, that should spark some ego in whoever you talk to. if you really wanna do this yourself, get a pair of skis from a garage sale and try it on those first.
Sep 17 2011 4:15PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7151 - Karma: 17,543
I find having a job helps me pay for all the things I want. Try and get a job in a ski shop then you get all the stuff your after really cheap.
Sep 17 2011 4:38PM
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gnarley_marl
Posts: 200 - Karma: 178
honestly I held a job all last summer, fall, winter, spring, into early summer. now I have class 15 hours a week and 15 hours of homework a week (engineering student). not looking for pity just an explanation.

now i'm a broke, unemployed, full-time student and i just want some fast skis.

I have found a few resources stating that it isn't totally unheard of to sand a pair of skis.
Sep 17 2011 5:16PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6665 - Karma: 10,932
interesting why the shop wouldn't grind them... but if they are beat to the point where the skis would damage the stone, then I could understand that. a good stone can cost around $3,000...
Sep 17 2011 5:27PM
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razors-chaz
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,250
Rather than get new skis just buy something off here for cheap? You say yout broke but cant you do something like get an/extend your overdraft with the bank?
Sep 18 2011 5:05AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
a simple steel scraper blade can also somewhat clean up your base.....

but otherwise take it into a shop or look for some second hand pair ...
Sep 18 2011 6:12AM
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