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theabortionator
April, 2025

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A question for you ski techs

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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
i know that it's recommended to use a 3.6 mm bit for mounting bindings, but would it hurt anything to use a 1/8" bit?

3.6 mm = .14173" = (1.1)/8"

so it's a tad smaller, think it would hurt?

also i've heard some inconsistency, how deep do you tend to drill?
14 years ago
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45.
Posts: 3164 - Karma: 170
It can definitely be done, as long as whatever skis your mounting don't have a metal layer anywhere in the ski core. If it does, it will be extremely hard to thread the screw in and possibly warp the sheet.

As for depth, sometime is it marked on the ski. But generally 9.5mm for an adult ski and 7.5mm for a youth ski.

Feel free to correct me if someone disagrees.
14 years ago
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,671
I wouldn't say that the diameter would be a problem. However depth is going to be an issue. It is super duper easy to drill into a base.
14 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
i have a depth setter for drill bits with a couple of set screws, just wanted to get around ordering a metric bit when i have a good ol american one sitting right here. thanks for the input guys! i'm about to mount my 12/13 pb&j's.
14 years ago
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TOAST.
Posts: 7737 - Karma: 39,442
The 4th mount on my invaders I did by myself with a 1/8 bit and so far it has lasted longer than the shop mounts before it. Although I did put a fuckton of epoxy everywhere and I dont think i could get them off if I tried.
Dont listen to me, i have no idea what im talking about.
14 years ago
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,126
pm me and ill send ta a  3.6 bit to do it right
14 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
that's alright man, thank you, but they're already done. we'll see how they do!

p.s. keep the coherent posts rolling!
14 years ago
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Backyard.Skier
Posts: 5397 - Karma: 1,498
if you have jigs use them cause they only go a certain depth so you don't screw to deep or to little
14 years ago
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,126

no actually the jigs make it easy to line up where to drill, a drill press, skimounting bit or collared bit does that

+k for trying to be super helpful though

best thing you can get is digi calipers

unless you're mounting cap CRAP skis

14 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
Haha my jig is a piece of cardboard.
14 years ago
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triebby
Posts: 8670 - Karma: 2,190
Sounds like it went fine, you shouldn't have any issues. When in doubt with bit diameter, it's always better to size down a tad and have the screw be harder to hand tighten all the way when you're finishing the mount, as opposed to sizing up or going too big and then not getting as much purchase from the threads. I could mount a ski that calls for a 4.0 with a 3.5 bit, it just may be harder to tighten especially if there is a metal layer and it may cause a little bit more of the topsheet material to be pushed up while tightening which may make it a little harder to get your binding completely flush to the ski.
14 years ago
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Ghini
Posts: 2267 - Karma: 3,057
Pics or it didnt happen?? :D;)
14 years ago
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
been mounting my own skis for a few years with a template taped to a piece of plexi and a 1/8th bit with a collar. Never had any problems and all my mounts come out perfectly, even if the hole is a tad tight the dab of glue usually lubes things up enough to crank em down flush.


14 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
soon enough...
14 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
out of boredom i'm about to make a plywood jig. i would hate for my cardboard one to tear on a road trip hahahaha.
14 years ago
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
Pieces of clear plexi work great for making templates if you plan on doing it often. I have a whole collection of them for all the different bindings I mount, each marked with various BSL and mount points. Can easily be clamped to the ski, or I found 2 dots of low temp glue from a hot glue gun holds it firm while you work but removes easy

Be very careful with a collar and make sure to keep checking the depth after every few holes, they can easy slip when the collar contacts the ski and your holes get progressively deeper.

Also if you are doing a lot of mounts look into a cheap benchtop drill press. I picked one up for $60 last year when I was mounting a lot of quiverkiller inserts. Its really easy to set the depth, plus you are always getting a nice straight hole everytime and its much quicker
14 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
a drill press has been on my "list" for a long time. unfortunately i'm not allowed to purchase any tools until i buy a coffee table for our living room. i hate it when my girlfriend crushes my hopes and dreams...

thanks for all the tips fellas!
14 years ago
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
Tell her you'll build her a coffee table but you just need a drill press to do it. She'll think you're being so considerate.
14 years ago
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