Ski Builders Forum

I am sure these are silly questions. When measuring for core size template, how much do you need to subtract from the board/ski size to accomodate for the sidewalls?

For example, if I have a board that has finished size of 28.3mm at tip and tail width and waist at 23.5mm. How much do I need to subtract to get core width for drawing up a template?

AND

I see snocad-x has choices for exporting designs into board or core, does this automatically account for the sidewall thickness?

Lastly, what needs to be considered for base width and the metal edge?

What i found was that after taping my drawing together, gluing it to a piece of hardboard,and cutting it out, it wasn't symmetrical.
I made my drawing the same size as the finished ski.
Figured out which side had a better line and used that edge as a template
I shifted my rough (hardboard) template 2 mm inboard to account for edges
used my router to make a final template w/ 1/2" mdf.
now i have a (almost perfectly) symmetrical template the size of my base (minus edges).
As for sidewalls I'm using wood so just made my core a bit bigger than the finished ski.
Hope this wasn't too confusing.
sam

When measuring for core size template, how much do you need to subtract from the board/ski size to accomodate for the sidewalls?

It depends on what type of router cutter/bearing/guide bushing set-up you plan to use. I have used 20 or 30 different router bit set-ups to make cuts that are smaller, or larger, than my original template. So, it is best to plan ahead for all of the operations that you are going to be undertaking when building your skis/boards, then plan out how you're going to accomplish the machining for those steps, then decide what size master template would best accommodate all of those processes. You may even want to make other larger or smaller templates from your original template. Just about anything is possible using a router and the right bit set-up. You just have to lay awake lots of nights planning out your processes.

Sidewall width is pretty much a matter of personal preference. It depends on factors such as sidewall finish angle, sidewall step distance, cost of your sidewall material, weight of the sidewall material compared to the weight of the core material (you probably don't want to use a lot of sidewall material if its heavy... or costly). So, even if SnoCad auto-adjusts for sidewall width/core size, the result may not be what works best for your personal needs/process.

G-man