Ski Builders Forum

What dimensions of tubing are people using for their cat tracks? As Im amazingly slow, I still haven't quite finished my press. I really need to get it done now, so after a pretty long break, I am buying the cat-track.
I was thinking of using 1/8" wall 3/4" square aluminum box tubing. Would a 1/16" wall be adequate? I can get it for much cheaper. I plan on running the hose in the 60psi-75psi range, but would like it to be more than comfortable going up to 100psi.
I will also do some calculations, but would appreciate your thoughts as well as experiences and what you're currently using.

Thanks a lot,
Cameron

I used all steel tube for my cat track, for the main reason it is much cheaper, and weight is not a factor. I used 3/4" X 1 1/2" rectangular tube for the main "camber" part of the ski. I then used 3/4" X 3/4" square tube for the tip and tail ends of the cat track, all material was .065 wall thickness. I also have been using 60 to 75 PSI with my press and have had no problems. Hope that helps.....KT

I am also using .065 wall steel. Mine is 1/2" x 1" with the 1" oriented vertically.

I hate aluminum. It is really soft.

hmmm. i considered steel, but thought aluminum would be a better choice due to its rigidity. I will look further into using steel now.
Any comments by people that are using aluminum?

I'll put in another vote for steel. I went with 3/4" square tubing .083". I thought about doing wider sections in the middle, but decided I wanted to keep the same strength and consistency along the entire ski. Just finishing my press, so can't say anything about the results.

I used 3/4"x3/4" aluminum. Never had any problems. I pressed one ski at a time and over a few months pressed over 110 individual skis at 70-80 psi, and never had a single issue.

I am going to be building a new press soon and will be going with aluminum again.

great, thanks. Iggy, do you know what wall thickness the stuff you used was?

we used steel 1 x 1 16ga wall thickness.

Works fine, but wanted something narrower in the tips areas.

Now we have 1 x 1/2" rectangular 16ga at the ends, conforms better to the mold curve.

Im also shopping for a cat track material (aluminum 3/4"x3/4"). Home Depot only carries the 1/16" wall thickness. So anyone out there who can help me (and Camhard) out, that is using this size aluminum?

It was pointed out to me that if you are using a top heat blanket, an aluminum cat track could act as a big heat sink and rob a significant amount of heat from your blanket.