No a file or diamond won’t cut the sidewall. You need a specific sidewall removal tool for this otherwise you can’t get your edges sharp.

Great to hear you're thinking about tuning, you'll see a big improvement in your skiing. Tuning for beginners is an essential part of skill development and makes your progression far more enjoyable and easier. Correct tuning is paramount for beginners!! There’s no question.

It’s possible yes. We recommend starting with diamond stones first because it’s easy to learn the mechanics especially because you can go both ways with diamond stones.

Choose the smaller gap for your inside edges.

when conditions are hard/icy you’ll need to use a file every time you tune followed by diamond, ceramic or elastik stones.

the best way is to get your ground by machine and then check them with both a True Bar and a Base Bevel Meter.

Thank you so much!

this is so the tips and tails don’t ‘grab’ when skiing and it enables the skis to initiate better.

You can use either a file or a diamond stone to prep edges, but we always recommend prepping edges before using a diamond stone.

email us for more info! it’s better to wax at room temperature if possible. For removing wax watch our tip on how to scrape but in a nutshell turn your scraper a few degrees and take 2 passes on the left side of the ski followed by the right side.

Using files made specifically for skis/boards makes it much easier and creates a noticeably better edge even for the novice tuner.

Thanks, we agree! Factory tunes can vary a lot so we always recommend prepping new skis to maximize performance.

Thanks! You’ll want to remove the burrs and/or prep the edge for easy filing that’s why we don’t file straight away. This will also damage your files and shorten their lifespan dramatically.

@sidecuttuning ahhh. Makes sense. Thanks!

This season we release a video once a week. 40-50 years would be a little far apart for us.

whoosh

we appreciate you watching it! Thanks.

We will use it in the next video…stay tuned!!

Correct! Finishing with our 1000 grit Diamond Stone or the Tyrolit Elastik fine stone creates a beautiful edge. You could precede this with a coarse/medium stone depending what’s needed on your edges.

Thanks for your feedback! Our videos are geared toward ALL those wanting to learn to tune better and really feel the difference it makes. We believe more people are tuning now than ever before simply because they care about skiing/riding better and with more confidence. When done correctly - tuning provides that instantly! This new 'Learn To Tune' series is a 26 episode improved version of our popular 'How To Tune Adult Skis' 20min video. We also made a short 6 minute version which is much more basic. We also teach tuning workshops for total beginners, intermediates and advanced tuners. If interested, watch our calendar for new dates and join either an online or in-person workshop. Your comments are very much appreciated! Thanks!

Thanks Will!! very much appreciated!

Thanks very much! We're passionate about making the videos as helpful as possible.

Thanks!! We recommend only removing this metal layer when needed. For example, if it’s the cause of not allowing you to get the edge sharp or in other words causing interference.

Thanks! Keep watching this series each week, we cover this very topic. We also have a video coming in the new year on the top 12 troubleshooting issues.

@ will do!

We have a variety of kits. Just go to the tuning kits tab on the sidecut.com

The top-sheet is ONLY profiled on the tips and tails of skis and boards. Perhaps you're confusing this with the sidewall 'step'? This also needs to be removed but that's a different procedure and tool that is used.

@@sidecuttuning Thank you for clarifying! I was confused because I had just one snowboard in life (second now) and researching here looks like some skis came with their tip and tail sidewall in a square format (not the middle), so it make total sense. Looking my snowboards doesn't look it's square, I guess is something more common on skis. Btw I have your diamond stones and guides, super nice stuff!

@@felipe2fp great to hear thanks!

@@felipe2fp it common and normal to do it on both skis and boards. Your board, although slightly tapered will still need profiling to maximize its performance. Good luck!

Firstly, thanks very much for your feedback! Everything you wrote is true! However, we've noticed the 'art of tuning' growing. It's really great to see and is so important if you care about enjoying your time on the mountain. It makes all the difference to the amount of fun you can have on-snow. Sounds like you're really passionate about that too! ❤️👌

Taking the sidewall off completely does change the flex of the ski but unnoticeable to most. Having said that it's a necessary step to be able to get the edges sharp. However, in this video we're talking about removing/shaping the top-sheet which is a different thing. It's a crucial step to get more edge grip. Thanks for the question!

😊

💯 % yes! It’s made for initial setup and maintenance.

Glad you liked it! We really appreciate the feedback!!

Yes this is for skis only. We also have a specific 2 piece Snowboard vice on Sidecut.com

Thanks very much! Glad you like them. All of the videos you’ve described exist on KZbin. Simply look in the playlists for the basic videos. We also offer Free Learn How To Tune workshops (both live and online) specifically for the 90% you’re referring to.

Merci!!!

That's great to hear. Our goal was to make it the easiest base bevel tool on the market. Glad you found it easy to use and that you like the videos. Thanks!

Yes, try the 'lifting' technique and a lighter touch as well. A tiny bit of scuffing 1-2mm beside the edge will come out with brushing and waxing so you don't need to worry about that.

No problem!

I thinks it’s for the same reason why tvs aren’t shipped with the image calibrated. It costs money and the majority of people can’t tell the difference.

@@albertonoris8601 Advertising ploy too since people talk up their base edge angles. Personally, I'd like to see the effort the companies put into base and side bevels instead put into producing a flat ski. I hear ordering FIS skis gets you a flatter ski.

@@spineguy444 the skis often aren't on the angles specified but again as mentioned before you need to set your skis up (tune them when they're new) to your preference which is based on your strength, skill level, what kind of snow you're on consistently.

It's predominantly due to cost. The tune on most new skis ranges from ok to pretty good. What most do not realize is that new skis need to be tuned and the tune if dictated by ones skill level, the ski type (i.e. carving vs. powder) and the strength of the skier. The manufacture therefore really only have one option and that's to deliver a generic tune. If up to you to maximize their potential and that's why we exist...to help teach you how to do that.

@@sidecuttuning I've been a tuning guy for over 50 yrs. Since my onset the tune on new skis is the same Railed tips and tail convex under foot. As you know those findings produce a terrible ride. To say a generic tune is ok is like saying your new turbo carrera needs a tune up and alignment assuming you just bought a pair of high performance skis. Having worked shops before becoming a physician I've seen the "new ski" tune vary from a hot wax to full on tune including grinding etc. It takes a lot of time to produce a flat ski even with a grinder or stone. The side and base bevels are simple by comparison. I have an 80's Mohn Wet bet and a good friend with a machine shop. It has taken a lot of work to get the Mohn to produce a perfectly flat ski. Having a flat ski tuned the way you want with desired side bevel produce a neutral responsive ski which is what I expect when buying a high performance ski. I don't expect my high performance car to spit and sputter off the show room floor or pull to one side, under or oversteer etc.

For the most part yes, however search for finer 'grit' versions.

Scrape first to ensure all wax and/or debris is gone.

​@@sidecuttuningso: scrape, brush, wax, scrape, brush?

It's NOT recommended to clean your base with acetone. The easiest method is distilled water and denatured alcohol.

It's not mandatory but typically yes with your finest ceramic or diamond stone. If done correctly it's not less sharp it's just that you're not feeling the burr. You could try running one pass with the stone on you left ski and leave your rights ski alone. Test on snow and see what edge you prefer and then you'll know!

Any cordless will work but remember to scrape the wax off first with a plexi scraper before you use your roto brush. Rotos are only used after properly scraping the ski or board.

Yes a legend!

Great!

Available for season 24/25.

Thanks!

Thank you very much! Glad it was helpful.

It’s scares most actually….but I’ve yet to meet anyone who has started and say they wish they hadn’t. It’s literally transformative to one’s experience on snow. Sure you need to learn it however the learning curve is extremely fast. Contact and we can help you out. And yes tuning the edges makes them thinner however for most skiers the ski wears out long before the edge wears out.