Ski Building Series - Part 2

This is the second video in a ski building series. In this video I go over construction of a ski base, the layers that make up a ski, pressing together the layers, and a bit of final clean up.
Thanks for watching!

[@kenatkinson7771]

You're Back! love the videos, very informative, keep 'em coming!

[@larseastman1567]

You need to make more of these, really good quality, surprised you don’t have more subscribers!

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Thanks!! I'm dealing with the classic loss of free time due to having a kid situation :-D.... Hope to get another couple this year, stay tuned!

[@tainicon4639]

You inspired me to try my hand and making a pair myself! Though I need to do more research, soft Skis drive me insane… I’d probably need a few metal plates to reinforce the core.

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Right on! Good luck!

[@audas]

This is an excellent video - thanks very much. I loved the wood top sheet - and your logo - great looking skis. How do they ski? Does not having a metal edge at the top impact durability?

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Thanks! They ski very well, my go to skis for the last couple seasons. So far I've never had an edge get torn out. Might be my ski style, might be the skis, who knows lol. The wood veneer topsheet takes some maintenance though. I've been re-applying a beeswax/mineral oil finish on it once or twice a season. Thanks for the comment!

[@excursioniamo]

Very very cool build! Congratulations 👏 may I ask a question? The router bit edge profiler is your creation (adding washer to a original router bit) or it is available on the market? Thanks

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Thank you so much, your channel looks epic, subscribed! That is a home made tool.

[@excursioniamo]

@@redbarrelskis3361 thank you so much for the reply and for the subscription! Very appreciated. I also subscribed to your amazing channel. Best regards from Italy

[@jedbrown6792]

Is it worth it to build my own skis? I want to do it but I’m afraid they won’t be durable or last very long

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Don't think I can answer very well because its very much a personal decision based on many factors. But if your the type of person that likes a challenge and respects the idea that a hand crafted item contains more inherent value than something bought from a store then this could be for you.

[@JamesMartin-fm8ke]

Subscribed. Seriously impressed. Quick question, what kind of pressure are you using to press? Looking to start experimenting a little and it is one question I can't seem to get answered. Keep up the good work.

[@redbarrelskis3361]

thanks! yeah I am definitely still experimenting on what pressure is best. I don't do large batches so I don't get great data on comparing one run to another on the same ski... but in general I try to do no less that 15 psi and no more than 60 psi. If I'm pressing a pair and both halves of the mold seem to mesh really well, and I'm not shooting for the lightest ski possible, then I'll use a lower pressure. But if I'm going for a really light pair or if I think my mold could use a little extra pressure to assure some pressure gets distributed throughout then I push it to a higher value. Higher pressure = more epoxy squeeze out (lower weight) but risks undersaturated skis which delaminate easier is generally my thought on it.

[@yaboi9419]

Wow. Looks so good. I have a question, is the shape of the ski press the way that you determine the rocker and the camber? or do you have to change the construction of the ski to increase/decrease camber?

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Thanks! The mold that I stick in the press is what creates the camber. Everything is flat going into the press, then the pressing action curves all the flat parts and the epoxy sets the shape. Cheers!

[@jezzc2535]

When your putting on the tips (curved black bits of plastic on the ends) how do you make sure they stay flush with the ends of your wood core? Amazing skis btw, keep up your brilliant work!

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Thanks! On a few pair I've made I added a dovetail to lock them together. I'd say that's worth the effort. Otherwise it is just placed there and the tackiness of the glue holds it okay.

[@jezzc2535]

@@redbarrelskis3361 brilliant, thanks

[@berrybeastjdb]

❤🎉

[@gael7051]

Very nice, I was looking forward part 2. Quick question please, from start to finish how long do you estimate it takes you to build one pair ? Do you you have a rough estimate of your set up cost ? Cheers

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Thanks! Once I built 2 pair in ~1 week (not full time work). But typically it takes a month or so for me to find weekends/nights with enough time to push a pair through. Lots of glue drying steps. Setup cost is almost impossible for me to calculate because I've been acquiring tools and whatnot for a long time, but the Ski press was ~8k, CNC close to 2k, base grinder another 2k. Its not a cheap hobby unfortunately but once you get it built up you will have a shop that's capable of much more than just skis/snowboards. I plan to make a video some day to discuss this, stay tuned!

[@gael7051]

@@redbarrelskis3361Thanks for the quick reply. Planing on building my own, this helps a lot.

[@excursioniamo]

@@gael7051 may I share also my own ski building experience. If you already have some tools (circular saw, jig saw, hand planer, router or trimmer, belt sender) you can manage the whole process. Instead of an expensive and very big ski press, you can use the vacuum press technique, buying a dedicated vacuum pump (around 200$). About the materials, you need some wood to make the mold and the shaping jig, plus all the special materials for the skis (base, sidewalls, fabrics, epoxy, edges, etc) easily you reach from 200 up to 400 $. Enjoy your build

[@th3oryO]

I'm looking at picking up a drag knife, did you buy the D3 or the D4? Seems like some base material is slightly thicker than what the D3 recommends but just wanted to ask.

[@th3oryO]

Looks like you had a D4 from another one of your build videos. Guess that solves it

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Yeah, which ever one came with the 1/4" shaft is what I use..

[@JamesMartin-fm8ke]

One more quick question, what did you think of the skis when you hit the slopes? Did they meet expectations? Anything you would have changed in terms of design and layup?

[@redbarrelskis3361]

I am honestly amazed at how well they perform on slope. As good or better than mass produced skis, even top of the line models. The flexibility to create a ski that match's my personal preference is so so nice.

[@JamesMartin-fm8ke]

Plus the fact that you made them yourself! Thanks for the info, still doing my homework before I jump in with both feet. Thanks again!! @@redbarrelskis3361

[@tetra8909]

Have you ever experimented with added a metal sheet in your skis?

[@redbarrelskis3361]

Its hard to source the metal thats typically used (titanal). So unfortuatly I have not. Hope to someday for sure.. Cheers!