Ski Builders Forum

So,
guessing at it, what would you all say the end-all-be-all costs of building a pair of skis is?

$100
$200?

Curious before I begin the endevour.

Just in materials? Couple hundred sure.

When all is said and done, thousands (gotta build a press, gotta heat the press, etc). Not to mention all of the time. It's a commitment for sure, not for the financially squeemish. (but it's WELL worth it)

There are cheaper ways of doing it, but the tried-and-true methods are that way for a reason, they work and produce relatively consistent results. There have been many who try to get clever and think outside the box to save money, but more often than not they spend more money in wasted effort when they end up reverting to the "standard" methods anyways (I say this from experience, on more than one occasion)

Like everything else, it depends. I'm making decent skis for under 150. But start adding in carbon fiber, kevlar, metal, fancy printed top sheets and it starts adding up fast, well over 200.

Also depends on your starting point. If you have no tools just add that to the over cost. Here's the basic tools http://www.skibuilders.com/howto/equip/tools.

The cost of a ski press really varies depending on the type and depends how talented and resourceful you are. Knowing how to weld or some one that does is a home run. Read every post about building a ski press, there's lots of variations.

I stopped keeping track what I've spent on material just for the pneumatic press but I'm sure its around $1200+

This site should come with a WARNING label. Ski building is addicting.

$123.00 per pair

I would have said 333$...

A Lot!
Skiing your own = Priceless!

rockaukum wrote:A Lot!
Skiing your own = Priceless!

Lol,
For now, I might be around 400$ for 2 pairs of skis, including everything, by borrowing tools from my neighbors and/or at my school, using a vacuum press. (Might not be credible, since I have not finished my first pair yet ;p, just wait another 2 weeks, damn school...)

Materials to build 1 pair of skis will probably cost you about $200.
If you buy in bulk you can get that down to about $100.
Equipment costs depend on your process, but I'm guessing I've spent around $1200.( haven't really been keeping track)
If you asked my wife she'd probably say $10,000
All the little things add up! (good router bits aren't cheap/ cheap router bits aren't good)

sam

In bulk i bet material's for snowboards could be down around 100, doing 1 or two at a time though it almost doubles

Making ~5-10 per year I have cost visibility into 150-170/pair. Maybe less after I factor in the 5gal of epoxy. PM me if you want a copy of my spreadsheet.

You guys are doing better than me. I started adding it up, factoring in tools and press, and gave up around $400 and drank a beer instead because it was too depressing. Maybe when I've made them for all my friends, neighbors, the mailman, aunts and uncles it'll be a little more reasonable.

Riding your own board? Priceless.

OnDeck wrote: Riding your own board? Priceless.

Damn straight. That's what it's all about