Does anyone know where or who supply's / where i can source the materials in NZ to build skis.
I'm looking for base, sidewall, edges and topsheet.
Any help would be great
NEW ZEALAND
Moderators: Head Monkey, kelvin, bigKam, skidesmond, chrismp
I think you're out of luck in NZ for pre-prepared materials.
Most people tend to use plastics that have been pre- abraded and flame treated for better bonding. UHMWPE isn't anything special as a plastic it is more that Crown plastics and the like prepare it especially for skis/boards knowing the thickness needed and the need to bond with epoxy (untretaed UHMWPE will not bond with epoxy at all).
You could likely source UHMWPE from a plastic supplier in NZ, but you would need to sand and flame it yourself, a process that can take some trial and error + adds a lot more work.
ABS plastic is better at bonding with epoxy and can be sourced locally for use as sidewall material and tip/tail spacer. It prob still needs some sanding (any maybe flaming) before you bond it.
Edges are only made as far as I have read by 2 companies in the world. CDW in the USA and a company in europe.
You could contact Kingswood skis and see if they have any surplus (I'm pretty sure I've read he makes one big order per year from Europe for his materials).
Otherwise the skibuilders store, snowboard materials or the board supply place in europe are the go for small quantities.
Alex13 has also recently ordered base material and tip spacer overrun from Crown plastics directly from China. He said he emailed them and they can supply quantities up to the value of $200US without chinese customs becoming a difficulty. This method was cheaper than shipping and costs from the states, but a bit limited in the thickness and colours available.
Most people tend to use plastics that have been pre- abraded and flame treated for better bonding. UHMWPE isn't anything special as a plastic it is more that Crown plastics and the like prepare it especially for skis/boards knowing the thickness needed and the need to bond with epoxy (untretaed UHMWPE will not bond with epoxy at all).
You could likely source UHMWPE from a plastic supplier in NZ, but you would need to sand and flame it yourself, a process that can take some trial and error + adds a lot more work.
ABS plastic is better at bonding with epoxy and can be sourced locally for use as sidewall material and tip/tail spacer. It prob still needs some sanding (any maybe flaming) before you bond it.
Edges are only made as far as I have read by 2 companies in the world. CDW in the USA and a company in europe.
You could contact Kingswood skis and see if they have any surplus (I'm pretty sure I've read he makes one big order per year from Europe for his materials).
Otherwise the skibuilders store, snowboard materials or the board supply place in europe are the go for small quantities.
Alex13 has also recently ordered base material and tip spacer overrun from Crown plastics directly from China. He said he emailed them and they can supply quantities up to the value of $200US without chinese customs becoming a difficulty. This method was cheaper than shipping and costs from the states, but a bit limited in the thickness and colours available.
Don't wait up, I'm off to kill Summer....
Didnt think it would be so easy
Didnt think it would be so easy guess I will keep looking thanks
Here are the details of the guy I went through at Crown Plastics in China: Jack.zheng@crownplastics.cn
He can get base and tip spacer material. They don't do topsheets in China yet.
For topsheets, you could always consider wood veneer instead of plastic. More prone to damage, but looks great and easy to bond.
Unfortunately there's not much over this side of the world. You need to buy a lot out of the states or europe.
He can get base and tip spacer material. They don't do topsheets in China yet.
For topsheets, you could always consider wood veneer instead of plastic. More prone to damage, but looks great and easy to bond.
Unfortunately there's not much over this side of the world. You need to buy a lot out of the states or europe.