Another Ski Press is Born

[Alex13]

The only thing I can think of with the MDF cat track section is deterioration over time, MDF isn't really designed to be flexed back and forth and will eventually crack apart. How are you going to suspend it?

Also, if it's thcker than the end cat track pieces make sure there's enough pressure getting down to the end section where the join is.

[skidesmond]

Thanks Alex.

My old cat track was MDF also but I wanted wider. To suspend it I used a loop bolt. Not sure if that's the right nmae for it. It's a threaded bolt on one end with a circle on the other, kind of like an eye hook. I use HD black bungy chord to suspend it. The part of the cat track that will be cut into thin strips will be the same thickness as the large mdf piece, 3/4inch by 1/2inch wide. I'm thinking of using wood instead. MDF gets fragile the thinner it gets.

I'll get pics up in the next day or 2.

[OnDeck]

if the friend is around and still has steel, i'd say maybe make a brace for the middle. especially since you have such a trick mold set up, you could slide it all in from the ends. but, im no engineer as well. it just seems like you'll have a lot of deflection in the middle with your braces so far out to the sides.

My thoughts exactly. Based solely on what I;ve seen of my own press and others, i woudl say you need anohter brace in the middle. I suspect that'll make for a better press, but more inportantly it'll be a SAFER press.

May want to take refuge behind the tool box when you pressure this one up for the first time!

[skidesmond]

if the friend is around and still has steel, i'd say maybe make a brace for the middle. especially since you have such a trick mold set up, you could slide it all in from the ends. but, im no engineer as well. it just seems like you'll have a lot of deflection in the middle with your braces so far out to the sides.

My thoughts exactly. Based solely on what I;ve seen of my own press and others, i woudl say you need anohter brace in the middle. I suspect that'll make for a better press, but more inportantly it'll be a SAFER press.

May want to take refuge behind the tool box when you pressure this one up for the first time!

Nah.... I did leave the room when I first pressurized it last year. But I've made 6 pairs of skis so far. I ran a few tests last night with the new supports up to 40psi and it held fine. I have no plans on going higher than 40psi and usually press closer to 35psi.

[skidesmond]

Here's the latest modifications. I added the top and bottom cross member support made from 4inch U channel. The steel rods are 5/8.



A view with the new cat track. Not completed yet. The mid section of the cat track is one piece of MDF. The remaining ends of the cat track will be strips like a typical cat track.

[MontuckyMadman]

SOLID!
Nice work.

[skidesmond]

Thanks. No deflection and creaks a lot less