Ski Builders Forum

Hey Guys - my brother and I have been at this for close to two years now, just getting to ride on our own skis this winter, as crappy as its been in the northeast. Figured it was time to share. Thanks to all you contributers who helped make this happen for us, its greatly appreciated. The knowledge on this site is incredible. I'm hooked, and thanks to you every free second I have is spent in my garage building or thinking about building (so my wife thanks you too). Some pics...

Getting started...
[IMG]http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t51 ... C03914.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t51 ... C04533.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t51 ... C04615.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t51 ... C05264.jpg[/IMG]

more to follow...

Buz your links don't work

sam

Wow, sweet press, that thing looks huge!
Nice work.

sam

Thanks for fixing those links Falls! Yeah she is a beast, got the beams on craigslist from a contractor who used them to move a house. I told him I only needed 2 (20 footers) but he threw the 3rd one in for free. They were for a steal.

Steel for a steal!

That thing is massive, nice work. Space is always tight on mine, I really wish I would have thought things out better before I built it.

twizz I'm about to build my first press and I was going to use the design they have in the "how to" section.

Would you recommend building a bigger one?

Thanks Twizz. Our initial plan was to build 2 beams across the top and bottom, but with the extra steel we decided to go with 3. Thought maybe we could layup 2 pairs at once. Wishful thinking...after our first few pairs we quickly realized we'd need a lot more hands to accomplish a double layup. We're learning

Looks like you and I have the same width press. you right around 18"?

What made you use such big L channel for your bladder ends? Just what you had?

how many skis do you do at a time with 3 bladders?

Nice press and sweet Rift poster.

i think i have 3 eight inch beams so its 24 inches wide, though the molds we've made are only 14. If we get faster at laying up or more hands helping in the shop, maybe we could go wider and try 2 pair at a time. A bit ambitous for us at this point.
Thanks WhitePine, strangely my wife doesnt like the Rift poster so it gets its space in the garage.

That's a shame. It seems like all my music posters and Pink Floyd The Wall flag got the boot too. The garage may be just the place.

here are some more pics...hope i'm able to post this time.

Planer Crib
[img]http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t51 ... AG0090.jpg[/img]

Ribbed white pine mold - before.
[img]http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t51 ... C05148.jpg[/img]

Ribbed white pine mold - after 4 presses, even with an aluminum sheet over top
[img]http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t51 ... AG0621.jpg[/img]

Shop shot
[img]http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t51 ... AG0254.jpg[/img]

of course it doesnt work...