Ski Builders Forum

hey guys as you probably see I am new here and in the ski building world! so my question is for my new press where can i buy a aluminum track to go under the hose in it? thanks alot guys!

I used onlinemetals.com and they were reasonble.

try a local scrapmetal place, they can be really cheap

where are the tracks or do I need to construct them and also can i buy premade ski molds?

buy a lot of 1/2"x1/2" square aluminum tubing and string it all together

Dr. Delam wrote:I used onlinemetals.com and they were reasonble.

LMAO.

Trust me they weren't reasonable.

Online metals charges up to 400% more than you would pay at a local wholesaler.

Oh, and time for Momentz to start reading.

Yes please do some reading Momentz, you have much to learn. You'll have to make your own cattrack, people have done it many ways. I use 3/4" square aluminum. You may be able to find someone to CNC you some mold pieces, but it's not going to be cheap. Better off making your own molds when you're just starting, again read around the forum and you'll see different ways folks are making molds.

doughboyshredder wrote:

Dr. Delam wrote:I used onlinemetals.com and they were reasonble.

LMAO.

Trust me they weren't reasonable.

Online metals charges up to 400% more than you would pay at a local wholesaler.

Did I get ripped off? I paid $48 for my material for my cat track.

spend some time on the internet and call around i found a guy i utah who is amazing at making molds. i send him a drawing and go pic up my ne mold template later that day for like 20 bucks and half the time he doesnt even charge me. i would recommend finding a sign making shop he has a cnc router.

Definitely shop local whenever and wherever you can. Shipping is often times damn near as much as the material. A local metal shop/supplier will be your best bet. 3/4" aluminum tubing, 1'8" wall thickness is what you want. They will usually cut to lengths you need as well. Having them cut it will saves you hours. This is also a good source if you're going to do it right and build a proper I beam press.
A local cnc shop will become one of your favorite places....granted you can use a cad program to draw what you want. When I told my local shop I was going to be building skis, they were pumped and did the first few templates free just to sell me on their services. Kinda cool and it worked. Now everything costs $60 for 8 pieces regardless of size or shape. So, bottom molds end up being about 130 dollars.
Take the advice above and read every topic and every post in this forum. After that, you will still scratch your head, but you'll know which direction to go.

I am a long time reader and new builder. I will be picking up my free local I beams up this Sunday.

QUESTION: the flanges are 7'' wide allowing my press to only be 14'' wide. Not wide enough for 2 fatty plank pressing. Is it Safe/Logical to create the press with a gap between the two top beams and two bottom beam? If I could leave a gap then I could make the press wider!

any thoughts?

For sure! I used W6 x 20 WF beams, then put standard 3" channel from web to web just under the flanges (flush with bottom of flange) on 12" centers. I then put a 3/8" X 5" HR flat bar between the flanges to create the bed for the bottom, and the top that is 17" wide. Then out af a 48" aluminum you can get 3 cassettes that are 16". Works great! Just have to be sure your flanges are a thickness that you can purchase flat bar in...kt

I have (2) monster w14x38 beams on the bottom. They are 6.77" wide, so I have a gap of about 2.5" (press is 16" wide). My bases come out fine. I do have a 3/4" mdf laying between the beams and the bottom mold and a 1/4" thick sheet of aluminum on top of the bottom mold also.
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Thanks you guys! I am F'N Amped. Patience is a virtue that I am currently practicing....Not gonna rush it. Do it right the first time.