Diamonds are....

[Gary]

I wanted to share some info on a new file I just purchased for tuning. I was in the ski shop with a friend looking for a new diamond stone. The owner who races said he just started carring a product made by SVST called a Diamond File. I didn't know they made them but he raved about them. SO...for $34.95 and trusting his judgement, we each got one.

Tried it the other night and found it works way better than a regular steel file....doesn't clog as easy and really takes out those hardened scrapes on the edges with less effort. I purchased the SVST Medium (red). I sprayed the edges with water and went to work. Followed this with my 400 Diamond Stone. Best results on my edges in years.

Another cool little thingy I started doing....if you tune you know that the files always get clogged with metal,? wax, sidewall material and sometimes even base material. I have this neat little brass brush about twice as big as a tooth brush. When I notice the file or stone start to build up material, I spray them with water or All purpose cleaner and just hit it with that little brass brush and they're clean and ready to go again.
Would love to hear other tinning tips from you all....
Hope this helps some....best, g

[Ron]

you don't have to wet the brush, it should clean out just fine without. You can buy file cleaning brushes.

[jbotti]

My hope is that I never use a file on my skis ever again (Tri One Tool instead)!! These do sound superior though to regular files. Having said that all regular files are not alike. Willi Wiltz has told me to only use Vialla #1 8 inche files. They are the best FWIW.

[Gary]

Ok Ron..I get it...one could buy file cleaning brushes ....as I just happen to save stuff...don't even know where I got it....a small brass brush seems to work well....I didn't have to go out and buy a brush and this particular brass brush cleans better when I wet the file or stone.

Hey, if file cleaning brushes are easier and faster....I'll have to let the fam know I have something to add to my Christmas list. Good suggestion, thanks!

JB the diamond file does work better than the Swix file I have but sounds like the VIALLA file is a great file tip. I suspect I'll be using Diamond files and diamond stones  since I don't expect to own a TOT in the near future. Question: after you use the TOT, do you still run the diamond stone on the edges to polish and harden?

G

[Ron]

I think I paid no more than 5 bucks for it and it also cleans out the other brushes of wax. I don't wet it.

[jbotti]

Gary, Yes you have to clean up the burrs that get left on the edge with a daimond stone or with emery or both. Will be trying my first skis over the weekend. Will report back.

[Gary]

Ron....5 bucks....I don't know...I mean....Ok....send me the link on those waterless brushes..

JB....sounds like a great weekend ahead...look forward to hear your sharpened review!

I'm curious...do you just hold the emery in your hand and run it down the edge to remove any burrs or do you rap it around a stone and place in the guide? Never thought about using the emery....but I can see how that could work.

I know with the diamond stone (wet)...using it in the guide maintains the same degree of edge. For somenone like me..the KISS rule applies!

Have a fun sliding and gliding weekend JB,
G

[LivingProof]

G,

From some quick reading, the red 200 grit diamond stone is considered more of a cutting tool (read substitute for a file) than a polishing tool, therefore, used for cleaning up hard edges and adjusting edge angles. No so much a fine tuning or finishing implement as a 400 grit diamond would be.

I remember you tuned my skis when we did the Holimount excursion and that included some file work as my skis had not been tuned and we were in a freeze at night following a very soft snow warm day. But, I'm thinking that a 200 grit diamond stone is not intended for daily use. Once the angles are set, then just touch up with a 400 grit or polishing stone is needed (assuming normal snow use - whatever that is). We ice coast skiers may have to deal with glare ice and tune more aggressively. For sure, I'm not a racer looking for hundreds of a second or skiing a watered down course that you and I would not enjoy (but, I do ski the Pocono's and just sometimes mother nature provides those conditions). Mostly, I just do touch up after a few days of normal skiing, but, nothing major unless feedback from skis tells me it's time. That may be unacceptable to you or John, but, it's more the way of the average skier, which, by the way, is something you are not.

You, sir, are a skier of status on JC's board! We are not worthy!

BTW, I'm going to include the SVST 200 red in my order.

[Gary]

Hey Mike....of course you are worthy....you are a carver for sure!!!

Now....I've got the 400 Diamond Stone which I use for finishing...

The Diamond File I got from SVST is the substitue for my metal file....and I've been very happy with the results.

So I take it you're using the 200 Diamond Stone for preparing your edges? Does it remove enough to get out the nasties...?

Like you Mike...I rarely put any kind of flile on the base edges after the season begins. Unless the base edges are really banged up, I typically use the 400 Diamond Stone. Same applies for the side edges.

No need to take off more metal than necessary. I almost think it's more important to maintain the desired angle of the edges so they are uniform. I do however like my edges sharp and after a day on the mountain, I hit the edges with the diamond stone and some wax....call me OCD....but..."I love the feel of sharp and waxed skis first thing in the morning!!"?

[LivingProof]

Gary,

We're on the same page with respect to finishing skis, although, I am most definitely non-OCD with the possible exception of who I get my instruction via. Take some valium Ron!

I don't have the 200 yet. I have not done this year's prep on my skis and my intent is to use that tool in place of my fine files.

[Ron]

john, gary is talking about cleaning out the file grooves.

Gary, Yes you have to clean up the burrs that get left on the edge with a daimond stone or with emery or both. Will be trying my first skis over the weekend. Will report back.

[Gary]

Hey Mike...this time of year is SOOOO shoulder season...no golf, no ski...I suppose I could bike ride....but kinda catching up on household chores I neglect the rest of the year...

BUT...It's my end of day, after dinner, head to my shop for 60-minutes to work on skis...mine and any other family member that drops off a pair. AND when I run out of edges to work and bottoms to wax...I re-wax...cause they look soooo pretty  !

Yeah OCD....guilty!!! 

Ron and I were speaking about the brush that cleans the flies...He's got a small steel brush for that. I was using a brass one...sounds to me like the steel will be quicker and waterless...I like making things easier...or do I?  HA!

Mike...when you heading to the slopes?

G

[Ron]

THis is the best time of the year to ride, I had a great ride Sunday am, low 30's sunny, blue-bird morning. trail had frost on it, leaves are down and very quiet. Awesome. Looking forward to riding all winter unless we get ice.

[Gary]

In a conversation we had Ron, you brought up an interesting point ....riding the bike in the woods and tree lines makes you a better tree skier...

I can see how that works as you are always looking ahead.....just one question....

do you fill your camel back with Brandy or Hot Chocolate? 

Heck...either would do!!! 

G

[Ron]

this is something I posted last year. It improves your spacial relation skills. also body postioning and balance. It's also just a lot of fun, but you also need to this on single track. Looking up is just another good habit. It helps your brain to process info faster about blance, speed: spacial issues.

So you ski in zero degrees but you can' ride in the 20's?  Why not?  I burn more energy on a good ride than skiing anyday. that makes no sense.