![]() ![]() The machines even have a setting specifically for rentals. Like jwolter said, the big, automated machines are designed for shops that tune a lot of skis, particularly a lot of rental skis. ![]() Go to SIA.you'll find out all you need to know about tuning machines, and then some. ![]() So IME some random shop idiot(s) who couldn't organize their shop did an amazing job in 10 min once they remembered to load the skis & push the button I laugh and yell "you forgot to do them again!" which really pissed him off cuz then he gets all uppity, which is ironic cuz I am the one who should be pissed off but instead I'm just pissed to the gills on free beer, buddy tells me I could come back (ya right) or wait for my skis so I wait what seems to be 10min and they came out of the machine looking perfect and they now ski perfect, I could not have done as good a job by hand The next day buddy hands me back my skis which are not done but somehow made it into the "done" rack, buddy sez come back in 45 min, no worries I just wander down the street to the weasel tent and stumble back 3 hrs later, hurry up and wait I am standing in the shop needing to piss badly so I ask to use the can, wander thru the shop where buddy is caught in the act. very important cuz I only brought one pair of skis. I have a pair of foam core BD verdicts (atomic) that came railed/concave base so I jumped at the 1/2 price stone grinds for racers and course workers at the whistler DH, so on my day off I leave my skis at this shop where I am told my skis will be done tomorrow no problem. The positive thing about the big auto machines in the state of Colorado is that the machine did not just return from their Rec64 work break. Many shop owners feel they don't need good hand tuners once their new shinny machine arrives at their front door. ![]() If the shop has a big auto machine then you might want to question if they even try to hire experienced tuners in that back shop anymore. Shop for the most experienced people, not machines when looking for the best tune at your local ski area. The big machines are perfect for large rental/demo operations based on volume, the machines don't spend too much time thinking about any one skis needs, just like most of the large rental shop employees.Īgain, with the right operators all machines (even old ones) can produce very good tunes.Ī bigger and newer machines is no guarantee that your skis will be prepared correctly for your day. They develop a feel for the local conditions. The best tuners work on knowledge gained from past experiences. The correct edge sharpness changes every couple of days at most big mountains. A good tuner knows the current conditions and knows how to produce the right edge sharpness for the current local conditions. The real test of a good tune shop is how consistently the edges are finished, and their wax choice for the day. Also look for real wax scrapping on the floor (you might just be amazed at how many shops refuse to hot wax skis with an iron anymore.). The easiest way to tell if you're in a good ski service shop: Look in the back room and see if the space is taken up by one big machine, or if the shop has a few different machines in use and also have work benches where the skis are finished by hand after the grinding process. Your tuners (actual people) will never learn ski observation skills/hand tuning skills.Įvery ski town has one or two shops that have excellent service shops. Most all of the skis are over tuned in automated grinding machines which can dramatically shorten the life of those skis. This method of speed grinding over heats the bases of the skis and changes the base quality unless the proper finishing of the ski is performed after the grinding. The auto machine use higher stone speeds and higher weight/grinding pressure to take off the most material in the least amount of passes. The tuner (if there even is a person who actually knows how to tune skis.) is not looking closely at the ski to see what is needed to complete the service, and more importantly what is not needed. They are all about speed of the tune up, not about the quality of the tune. The automated machines grind too much off the ski. After a few years of shop turnover who is now the expert on this very specific machine? Most shops go through ski back shop employees faster than they go through soft wax on a warm sticky spring day. If the auto machine is operated correctly, then it can turn out a very good tune. ![]()
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