Here's a device I made last season that I use to sharpen and wax skis. I wasn't happy w/ the current sets of vices on the market. It's adjustable to fit most adult size ski bindings. It pops in just like a ski boot. The turn buckle is used to adjust the length to fix into the binding. I insert the device into the ski and clamp it into a regular bench vise. I can work on the base waxing/grinding/filing and sharpen the edges with out taking the ski out. I can also clamp it on edge to work on the edges but I don't have too. I've made a few for some friends.
The hardware is from Tractor Supply Co and Home Depot.
btw - I am looking into getting a patent on it. I know it can be expensive The device still needs some tweaking/improvements (adjustable hieght for the toe/heal piece) and a name. Any ideas? More work for the summer
Here's some pics of a couple different models.
Here's a pic of it in a binding:
Clamped into a vise. You can do base and edge work in this position. The device also holds the ski brake out of the way which is great feature.
It also clamps for edge work. But edge work can be done in the same position in the above pic.
Great idea. But if you are thinking of patenting it, it has already been done. Wintersteiger makes them and they sell them for $90 to retailers only. So there is still a market for them for the home tuner and you could charge way less! Everything Winterstieger sells is overpriced.
I loved using them when I worked at a shop and I was thinking of making my own as well. Your product looks great and the only thing that might make it better is a quicker size adjuster. The Winterstieger ones have a quick release ratcheting mechanism. Not a big deal for the home tuner but a nice feature for high volume shops. Check out http://www.wintersteiger.cz/content/ima ... f0dbba1cde and scroll down to page 71. They call them dummy soles.
Ok, the link doesn't seem to work but if you enter wintersteiger dummy soles in google it will be the first entry.
Wow, $90 is a lot money. I was thinking $29.99 (and if you order now free steak knives... )
Adjusting takes a minute. And yeah, if I was to sell them they would need to be a little more commercial, with adjustable height for the toe/heal. And an easier/quicker way to adjust the size. But it does work as is and if anyone wants to make one feel free to copy/embellish it. Total cost under $5 for one.
I have another plan to incorporate the vise and "dummy sole" into a portable work bench with adjustable supports for the tip and tail area to limit the flexing while flattening the ski but looks like Wintersteiger has a similar one already.
