Making a Ski Press

NinetyFour made a sick thread about that. Check it out! It's worth the read
https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/651776/

I've built my own. done three pairs of skis so far. From my experience, it's a lot more money and time then expected even if you expect to pay alot, expect to pay more. Also it completely takes over your life. I spend many nights just thinking of building skis and different ideas. Some tips that i wish I would have taked when I was building mine is to creat a mold that can be interchangable because you will want to test with rocker and camber and different tip shapes etc. I personally advise using an air bladder with compressed air, its just a better way but you can do vacuum press if you prefer that, both work. For the first few pair don't worry about anything fancy like graphics and full wrap edges just get the process down and make sure theyre functional before you start investing in the look of them. The last thing is i advise do dry layups to make sure everything is ready to go, I've almost forgottipspacers in a layup before. Skibuilders (dot) com is a great resource and the forum has every answer to every question in forum as well as endless ideas. Building your own skis is super time consuming, but sooo much fun and rewarding in the end.

^this for sure. i ended up backing out of building a press a year or two back, but that forum was super welcoming and the guys on there answered every question i could throw at them. it's a much more expensive hobby than you might expect, but it's something i'll definitely be getting into when i find myself with a little extra cash.

Well my school can supply me almost all the tools, cnc router, saw, air compresser, sanders, table saw, all I need is the materials and time, do I really need to have a air bladder in the press or could I use a high density foam possibly?

I recommend an air baller and cat track. It only cost me like 80 bucks to make. I did my cat track out of 3/4 inch mdf although most people use aluminium, my air bladder is just 3 pieces of 6 inch lay flat discharge hose i got at tac and then the hardware to attach it to the air compressor. It works like a dream for me, even pressure throughout and that's what I recommend. I can get pics of my set up if you want.

Yah dude I would love to see some for sure. What did you make the frame out of?

As requested, here's a little bit into my life of skibuilding, (hopefully pics work)

sorry for the small pics, they're on my profile as well.

Thanks man + k! Few questions, what did you use for your air bladder and where did you get it. And I have an air compreser so what psi should I use?

It's 6 inch lay flat discharge hose and i got it from my local tsc. and it's typically around 40 psi

O, hai there. Aha thanks for the promotion!

derek.urben, Check out the thread my thread listed above, browse ski builders:

http://skibuilders.com/phpBB2/

Browse a few material websites:

http://www.skilab.com/
http://www.blankslateskis.com/
http://www.snowboardmaterials.com/

And feel free to shoot me a PM with any questions any time. I'm in the midst of whipping up my next pair as we speak. Stoke!

Wow thanks ninety four! + k for sure! I have hit up ski builders a lot and their forum. Sent so lab a dozen e mails. Will have to check out those others

Ski Lab is awesome! Had no troubles with them, awesome service, and timely shipping to Canada. Everything is packed up nicely and materials measure up true to length to, not getting shorted any.

I'm sure Blank Slate or Snowboard Materials would be just the same to, I just haven't had the chance or need to deal with them yet.

DIY ftw.