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Building a rail

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skihippie43
Posts: 45 - Karma: 204
So I'm trying to build a rail for this winter to have a small setup at my boarding school. My friend wants to use a steel rail so that it feels more legit. I keep telling him that i think PVC is a way better option because its not as hard on your skis and its easier to drill into wood. I know PVC is what most people use to make rails at home but i was wondering is there any downside to using a steel rail instead of a PVC rail? Sorry if this is already in another thread i searched and nothing came up.
Oct 31 2013 9:06PM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
pvc is cheaper but if you already have a metal rail and have the right tools needed you might as well use it!
Oct 31 2013 9:08PM
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d00d
Posts: 2687 - Karma: 7,086
If you make a metal rail

pros: Last longer and at least to me much easier to grip

cons: more expensive, harder to make, harder to move
Oct 31 2013 9:10PM
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chacha33
Posts: 959 - Karma: 4,163
I personally like PVC pipe more than metal. Mainly because its so easy. If you really need something to do or you are just willing to out up with it metal is definitely the way to go
Oct 31 2013 9:18PM
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.tony
Posts: 321 - Karma: 74
If you have the tools, just weld one together. Learning the basics of welding is one of the simplest mechanical tasks a modern man can learn. Just be smart and safe... and welding will be a breeze. If you can't make a metal rail, pvc is the obvious solution. Steel rusts, so just be aware of that if you do make a metal rail (steel contains iron...).
Oct 31 2013 9:32PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,902
If steel, you need to know how to weld, or someone does. Also, need to use cold rolled steel. PVC works great. Check out the Build-A-Jib 101 cult for how to's.

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/cult/forum/cat_id/1453/
Oct 31 2013 9:34PM
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Cleapster
Posts: 622 - Karma: 1,402
If you don't have a welder than it's going to be very hard to make a metal rail, so I would just go with PVC it's cheaper and easier.
Nov 1 2013 12:42AM
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ermz
Posts: 79 - Karma: 294
Wouldn't your edges catch or dig into the PVC? Serious question, I've never tried it
Nov 1 2013 12:55AM
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cannaguts666
Posts: 504 - Karma: 256
You must have a welding hood. You know, everyone with a hood is a welder. Retard.
Nov 1 2013 1:16AM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11989 - Karma: 12,264
it's really not hard to weld.
Nov 1 2013 1:39AM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
not really. unless you have brand new skis or sharpened edges. Usually a couple runs with a file at 45 degrees preps them though.


Cons to metal rails are they require maintanence to slide well. they must be painted and waxed, or they will rust, or just get sticky. PVC just slides.

Steel is nice though for stopping after a spin on. much more grip there to slow your rotation.

I prefer PVC for slow speed flat rails on slow summer setups, because you can carry your speed across them much easier, and you don't need as much initial speed to hit it.

I prefer steel for steep downrails or kinks, because the added friction makes them easier to balance on at high speeds, and dropping from a considerable height onto them is much less sketchy. big drops to pvc shatter the pipe, that is if you don't slip out.

One last thing to consider if you plan on lapping this rail constantly: pvc doesn't cause edge wear...
Nov 1 2013 1:39AM
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cannaguts666
Posts: 504 - Karma: 256
It's not hard to do anything in general. Being good at something is totally different.
Nov 1 2013 1:40AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51751 - Karma: 163,600
I mean if there was a downside to using steel vs. pvc you would probably see pvc rails at resorts.

That's if you have access to both easily though. For a backyard rail...

PVC = Dirt cheap, lightweight, easy to drill

Steel = More expensive, heavier, harder to drill if you're screwing into something, or the need to weld.

At the same time

Steel = solid as fuck. You build something out of steel and you've got a good rail forever.

PVC = Doesn't have that solid feel that steel does. There's the chance of it not holding up over time although that's more unlikely in backyard use.


If you put a ghetto pvc rail in at a mountain, it would get destroyed. At the same time, you're not going to hit a rail in your yard nearly as much as a resort rail gets hit. Also if you get hurt, you won't sue yourself. If you manage to break it, pvc is cheap as fuck.

Build a jib cult has a lot of info on pvc rails.
Nov 1 2013 9:45AM
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skihippie43
Posts: 45 - Karma: 204
Thanks guys! Lots of helpful info.
Nov 1 2013 1:24PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11989 - Karma: 12,264
no really, a retarded monkey can make a weld look good.
Nov 1 2013 7:38PM
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wynnyk
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 555
no, fuck off. there's a reason why welding is a trade of its own, and why welders are well paid. good welding takes practice.
Nov 1 2013 7:50PM
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owenmci
Posts: 118 - Karma: 207
I would go with pvc rails. i have both and the pvc rails are light, slide super well in all weather(never sticky), the pvs will last 15 years and the wood will last you 5 years, and they are easy to build and repair.
Nov 2 2013 7:31PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51751 - Karma: 163,600
Fuck diamonds, a metal rail is forever. Might be a little tougher to build but you don't have to do much for repairs. Grind the rust off and paint in the off season, don't run it over with a truck, and that's about it.

Pvc def works. I just feel if you have the option to do both metal is the way to go. PVC feels kind of weird to me anyway.
Nov 2 2013 8:15PM
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