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Tip Delamination, Help Please!

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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
So i went skiing last night and just noticed today that there is now a 1/8" gap between the base/edge and the sidewall. I only have 8 days on these skis and could def get them warranted, but i don't feel like going through the pain of getting them mounted again and dealing with warranted stuff. i fall as if im capable of fixing it, the problem is the epoxy i have (24 hr. marine grade) says it doesn't bond with polyethylene well, which happens to be what base material is made out of.... i also have gorilla glue but that says it doesnt bond to polyethylene well either.
i have heard of people using rivets, but the rivet gun i have is like this one:
Click for larger image
and i don't think it could drive a big enough rivet to go through the tip.
Also, if it is big enough, should i use aluminum or steel rivets?

Thanks NS!
Jan 28 2012 12:24PM
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buttsnorkeler
Posts: 53 - Karma: 20

As much as it might suck, I would strongly recomend doing the warrenty and here is why....

If you try and fix it yourself and you fuck up the skis even more, there is VERY little chance the manufature wil take it back after your hack them up.  They will see that you tried to fix them and they will deny your request to get them replaced.

If you send them back now, they will be replaced.

Just my 2cents

Jan 28 2012 1:10PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
^ thanks, but the company that i got them from are really good with warrantes and you just send them pics of the problem, so there is no need to send the ski.
Jan 28 2012 1:42PM
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FreezerKid
Posts: 744 - Karma: 274
so if you dont even have to send of the ski why are you worrying about doing it, warranty the skis, have ago at fixing the old ones, that way you can see what works and if it does work then you have some urban or backyard skis
Jan 28 2012 2:42PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
yea that's what im thinking. but does anyone know how i should go about epoxying and bolt/riveting the tips? and is it possible to rivet them with my rivet gun?
Jan 28 2012 3:25PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
i doubt the riveting will work with a gun like that, just put a bolt through ....
after almost 3y mine are still going strong!
Click for larger image


What i did was first drill the holes so they're ready, then prep the epoxy , smear it in between the delaminated parts excessively, then squeeze two parts together (epoxy will come out of the sides, be careful you don't spill any on your trousers or shoes) put bolts through, tighten em , put extra clamps on to make sure the seal is clean
wait 24h, remove clamps, trim excess epoxy with razorblade and boom, you're ready to go !
Jan 28 2012 3:48PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
thanks a ton! 10/10

that's a damn good idea! i think ill go ahead and do that. just wondering, did you use loctite on the threads or use a lock washer? how well do the bolts stay tight?
Jan 28 2012 5:30PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
when threading the bolts through the epoxied tip it was inevitable to get some epoxy in the threads, so 3y later and they haven't loosened a bit :) so no need for loctite

i used no washers at all, you cant see it but i used round head allen bolts (something like in the pic) [IMG]http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/353452101/round_head_bolts.jpg[/IMG they look a bit smoother and i figured they wouldn't catch as easy as normal hex bolts ...

Jan 28 2012 6:01PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
^^
Click for larger image
Jan 28 2012 6:16PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
thanks, i'm still learning how to embed pictures ;)
Jan 28 2012 6:29PM
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kvan
Posts: 3085 - Karma: 1,225
See if you can get them warrantied. I had the same problem and backcountry.com hooked it up. Honestly I think that trying to repair them will only result as a temporary solution to the problem and won't help you in the long run. If you're skis are delamming with only 8 days of use, it definitely sounds like a factory defect so I'm almost positive you shouldn't have a problem getting a warranty. Best of luck!
Jan 28 2012 7:22PM
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skiiing4life123
Posts: 36 - Karma: 10
I had that problem and i strongly suggest you put bolts through it like 3 and it will be fine and i dont think the rivets will work and i prefer jb weld instead of exposy
Jan 28 2012 8:48PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
also, for pretty much any ski repair, pick out a slow curing epoxy, possibly marine grade, these slow curing ones stay flexible while fast curing tend to become brittle, especially in cold environments with lots of vibrations going through the bond, that's not a very good thing ...


Jan 29 2012 4:33AM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
yea, i have 24hr. marine grade epoxy
Jan 29 2012 10:39AM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
well i got a reply, and they said i would have to send them back. but i dont feel like its worth it to try to rip out the bindings, pay postage from NY to UT, wait 2 weeks, get new skis, pay 70 dollars for a mount, wait a week for a mount, and then finally ski 3 weeks later....when i could just throw some epoxy in, and bolt em up.

does anyone disagree?
Jan 30 2012 1:58PM
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FreezerKid
Posts: 744 - Karma: 274
dont know man but 70 quid for a mount is ridiculous, i thought paying 20 quid was a bit expensive ( £20 so like $40 or so)
Jan 30 2012 2:50PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
well, thats what every ski shop in the area charges
Jan 30 2012 3:22PM
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FreezerKid
Posts: 744 - Karma: 274
not doubting bro just saying, think if u plan and take your time, let everything set you should be good
Jan 30 2012 4:27PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
go for it!

if it holds up you'll take pride in your work every time you ride em ! :)
Jan 30 2012 4:50PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
oh trust me i already do, i mounted the bindings myself and there holding up great.
Jan 30 2012 7:29PM
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-AP-
Posts: 819 - Karma: 344
I've used a rivet gun like that before with no problems. Just make sure to put like 3 rivets in, not just one. And go to the hardware store and get a different epoxy that will hold up. Don't ski on them until you fix them otherwise the damage will get a lot worse.
Jan 30 2012 7:52PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7160 - Karma: 17,589
What it comes down to really is how long you want to keep the skis. If you want them to last a few seasons, send them back and get new ones. 2 weeks is not long, and if you mounted the bindings last time do it again. New ones will have a new warrenty and be well, new.

Im sure you could fix them by bolting them, but if it does not hold, you will not be able to warrenty them. So you may get 2 weeks skiing now, but you may lose a season or 2 in the long run.
Jan 30 2012 9:11PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
one last question:

i see that rivets are sold by grip length, but there's only 1/8" and 1/4" grip lengths. my tips are 3/16" thick. do i use 1/8" or 1/4" length rivets?
Jan 31 2012 8:19PM
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