Windsurfer, the products I use have three modulus of stiffness. They can be mixed and matched to suit my needs, but that takes time and testing. Without test equipment and procedures it would not be possible to quantify, and as you can see anything we say would be speculation, anecdotal, and opinion...

O.T. alert Windsurfer, I apologize for the thread drift, but I had to ask. knightsofnii, can you back up any of your assertions about marine epoxies? I don't want to hear what you think. I would like to see some research, engineering, test data etc. Anything that you can provide to back up your stat...

Here's one place. I have not had any dealings with them yet.

http://teragren.com/products_veneer.html

http://www.skibuilders.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=543&highlight=foam+core I think the problem here is poor conection to the side walls or side walls not wide enough. I cut up several skis a few years ago when I started this... project and found one that has an air core. Not kidding. It had a pla...

http://www.goode.com/skisfreeride.htm#str8 I saw these at the local area Saturday. I rode the lift with him. He works for Goode and help make the skis. I didn’t get to ski with him so I didn’t get to see how they worked. It was a packed powder/ powder day and you have to ski runs to get around this ...

Have a look at 333 skis. Lots of vids on youtube. He uses a pretty thick pre bent aluminum plate. It would be tough to get a flat base without the plate IMHO.

The texalium, silk and light glass are not necessary, but neither is a plastic top sheet. :) Only difference is the texalium adds structure to the top side. And I can do without it and did for the first couple of years, but I like the effect and I had a compression fracture on a ski last year that d...

I been working on that idea right now. I’m not going as light weight as 333, but I have four pairs of skis that all have lighter glass top and bottom. Here’s what I’ve done so far. Base/edges VDS along edges 17 oz biax Wood core w/ wood side walls on 2 pair, faux cap on 2 20 oz triax on top 8oz. tex...

I had someone asked me if I could build a pair like that, but their plan was to use them as ascenders with a permanent skin attached. Kind of a snowshoe. Anyway for something that size and as a test make the tool (camber and tip form) and vacuum bag instead. Simple tools low cost and easy to do. One...

Dr. Delam, I have a pair that behave like you describe also. I think the reason is due to a long binding mount area. I kept the binding area long, like > 1/3 of the ski length. You really have to be on your game to ski them. They are fun in smooth powder or groomers as long as you can keep up with t...

It would work fine. The only thing I know that could be an issue is that most vacuums use the air pulled in through the hose to cool the motor in the vacuum. Not sure if that is an issue to a central vac (if i'm reading right that would be your plan?). I have read some articles where a guy did just ...

Just glass the surface with some leftover fabric. It'll cost all of $20 max.(epoxy and glass) and a bit of elbow greese to make it pretty and flat. Mine are wide enough to do a pair of skis or a snowboard. And its a very easy surface to maintain. See photos here http://www.skibuilders.com/cpg/index....

Twizzstyle, I’m working with one of the machinists here at work who has a lathe at home. He can make the parts for me, but has me wondering about some of the tolerances in your drawing. Is the .025 for the teeth to run in that tight so the tool has traction on the edge so it feeds through the roller...

CAFactory, if you really want a fridge compressor check with a local appliance store. They are always replacing fridges and have to deal with the coolant. Then they have to deal with the body of the fridge. They may let you have the compressor for a cheap price (maybe even free) and that would be al...

LifeisRiding, poly bag material might get soft. They do make some bagging material that can deal with high temps. I get mine here. http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Vacuum_Bagging/vacuum_bagging.html its the WL 7400 36" Diameter Nylon Bagging Tubing. You can use it as a tube or cu...