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How to keep your wax scraper sharp

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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,997
So I tune my own skis, and when I wax I normally do a hot wax first. So I'm always scraping a ton of wax. After like half of one ski, I feel my scraper gets super dull and then I just file it again to keep a decently sharp edge. Is there any way to keep my scraper sharp? It's just a plastic svst scraper. And help gets k+ And has this happened to anyone else?
Jan 25 2015 1:00PM
29 11
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
What I do is use a metal one for a few swipes down the ski and then move to the plastic one to get the rest of the wax off, i found this works best because the metal one gets the majority off and the plastic cleans it up really.
Jan 25 2015 1:11PM
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Dobber
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 9,835
Those things get dull way too fast. I have a swix sharpener that I use for mine. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000EB9YHU/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/181-1493913-9464733
Jan 25 2015 1:13PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,997
B.QuincyWhat I do is use a metal one for a few swipes down the ski and then move to the plastic one to get the rest of the wax off, i found this works best because the metal one gets the majority off and the plastic cleans it up really.


DobberThose things get dull way too fast. I have a swix sharpener that I use for mine. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000EB9YHU/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/181-1493913-9464733

Alright sweet, I don't have the money for a sharpener so I guess I'll just use a metal one for like the first scrape. K+ to both
Jan 25 2015 1:15PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
It probably just feels dull because you've scraped 99% of the wax off the base.
And if you've been hand filing the edge is probably about as flat as a banana and not great for a consistent scrape, but whatever.

If you're not racing, I wouldn't even bother scraping. Just go ski them.
Jan 25 2015 1:42PM
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nosnowsnakes
Posts: 301 - Karma: 133
You can use an old file. I wouldn't use the same one you use on your edges but you get the idea.
Jan 25 2015 1:42PM
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Session
Posts: 5389 - Karma: 22,281
I use a razor blade to scrap the edges of my scraper. go real lightly so that i just scrape off the built up wax, and maybe just a little bit of plastic to sharpen it up....Don't cut yourself.
Jan 25 2015 1:58PM
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Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
The toko scraper sharpener I have is one of my better tuning purchases. Makes that perfect almost burred edge, takes off wax so much better than a dull sharpener. I run it through the sharpener once per coat of wax usually, especially with Harder waxes. If you can afford it buy it, pays for itself in time saved in my opinion.
Jan 25 2015 3:52PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,997
rozboonIt probably just feels dull because you've scraped 99% of the wax off the base.
And if you've been hand filing the edge is probably about as flat as a banana and not great for a consistent scrape, but whatever.

If you're not racing, I wouldn't even bother scraping. Just go ski them.


no it just feels 99% dull even with a thick coat of wax. i just plan on taking a couple scrapes with a metal scraper first.
Jan 25 2015 7:25PM
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Matt_
Posts: 20 - Karma: 69
Get some roto brushes and just brush and don't scrape
Jan 25 2015 10:40PM
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
Matt_Get some roto brushes and just brush and don't scrape


You should brush and scrape....
Jan 26 2015 12:46AM
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rtl32
Posts: 679 - Karma: 1,161
B.QuincyWhat I do is use a metal one for a few swipes down the ski and then move to the plastic one to get the rest of the wax off, i found this works best because the metal one gets the majority off and the plastic cleans it up really.

If you care at all about the structure of tyour base of the material in general do NOT use a metal scraper. Metal scrapers are only for scraping and flattening after p-texing, not waxing.

What I do is take two short length of 2x4 and lay one flat perpendicular to me. Then I put sandpaper on it and put the other 2x4 on its small side on the sandpaper creating a perfect 90* angle and then I place the scraper flush to the second piece and rub away. 100 or 160 grit works perfectly, 60-80 grit if your scraper is really dull.

I used to just use a file in an old edge beveler but that didn't work well at all. I've found I have way less wax coming off when I brush after because I'm getting most of it off cleanly with just the scraper.
Jan 26 2015 1:50PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
shin-bangno it just feels 99% dull even with a thick coat of wax. i just plan on taking a couple scrapes with a metal scraper first.


Why are you putting that much wax on your bases if you're just going to scrape it of?

Thick wax is only for storage.
Jan 26 2015 1:59PM
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HuckNorris44
Posts: 1025 - Karma: 2,393
rtl32If you care at all about the structure of tyour base of the material in general do NOT use a metal scraper. Metal scrapers are only for scraping and flattening after p-texing, not waxing.

What I do is take two short length of 2x4 and lay one flat perpendicular to me. Then I put sandpaper on it and put the other 2x4 on its small side on the sandpaper creating a perfect 90* angle and then I place the scraper flush to the second piece and rub away. 100 or 160 grit works perfectly, 60-80 grit if your scraper is really dull.

I used to just use a file in an old edge beveler but that didn't work well at all. I've found I have way less wax coming off when I brush after because I'm getting most of it off cleanly with just the scraper.


Caucasian_AsianWhy are you putting that much wax on your bases if you're just going to scrape it of?

Thick wax is only for storage.



You really dont need a metal scraper for ptex either, a sharp plastic one works just as well and doesnt fuck up the base. If you have a belt sander, you can turn it upide down and use it to sharpen the scraper.

Another option, go to your local hardware store, grab a large sheet of 1/8 or 1/4 inch acrylic. Use a table saw and cut the sheet into as many 5 x 3 in pieces. Anytime the scraper gets dull, throw it out and get a new one.
Jan 26 2015 3:46PM
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joelski
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 736
when i worked at a shop, i just used the side edge sharpener and that worked really well,
Jan 27 2015 12:16AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Jeezus christos taquitos, what are you kids spouting. No metal, never metal. Plastic then brushy brushy. Sharpen plastic via straight and sharp fixed metal edge. There are conveniently located sharp fixed metal edges on what you are working on, and if it's clamped stable...
Jan 27 2015 12:36AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Matt_Get some roto brushes and just brush and don't scrape


If you do the perfect coat, you can. For mortals and cheap wax, scrape.
Jan 27 2015 12:38AM
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rtl32
Posts: 679 - Karma: 1,161
RudyGarmischJeezus christos taquitos, what are you kids spouting. No metal, never metal. Plastic then brushy brushy. Sharpen plastic via straight and sharp fixed metal edge. There are conveniently located sharp fixed metal edges on what you are working on, and if it's clamped stable...


Exactly. You shouldn't have to press hard enough to dull the edge of your scraper if you are using the proper amount of wax, have a sharp scraper to begin with, and have the skis secure. Sharpen your scraper with either a side edge beveler, a file put up against something to keep the angle consistent, a scraper sharpener, or sandpaper and a corner. Make sure your using a vice (they are expensive but SO worth it) and only use enough wax to cover the ski with a thin layer. Also, a smooth base helps to so don;t hit a lot of rocks and fuck them up a lot. My race skis are easier to tune than my rock skis because everything is smooth and flat.
Jan 27 2015 12:57AM
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brizz
Posts: 1051 - Karma: 74
power/belt sander
Jan 27 2015 9:48AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
the amount of stupid that gets posted in gear gabbers is astonishing
best scraper sharpener

can't believe ive managed to keep er 18 years spent a season buried in a parkin lot snowbank but found er in the spring
Feb 1 2015 10:03AM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,997
Caucasian_AsianWhy are you putting that much wax on your bases if you're just going to scrape it of?

Thick wax is only for storage.


Well I have a small quiver of skis and I hadn't scraped the storage wax off one pair of them, so that's why I made the reference to scraping thick wax. And holy cow this thread blew up and I didn't even know about it lol
Feb 1 2015 11:19AM
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
shin-bangWell I have a small quiver of skis and I hadn't scraped the storage wax off one pair of them, so that's why I made the reference to scraping thick wax. And holy cow this thread blew up and I didn't even know about it lol

Hey, did you figure this out yet or still working on it haha? Just curious
Feb 1 2015 1:48PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,997
B.QuincyHey, did you figure this out yet or still working on it haha? Just curious


Yea well the day I made the thread I was scraping so I just did it with a normal plastic scraper and wondered if their was an easier way to get that thick coat off. But yea I'll take some sand paper and sharpen that thing up
Feb 1 2015 2:26PM
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