I've never had a problem with tearout on bamboo while planing or profiling the sidewalls. I only go to 7 degrees at the most when profiling though.

Falls, what tilt base router do you run? It's probably about time I buy one instead of switching out the base on mine all the time.

I decided I don't want to risk rabbeting the sidewalls so I am going to use a cork layer between the edges and just keep the cores totally flat on the bottom. I've been wanting to try some cork for dampening so this is the perfect opportunity. The sidewall profiling will probably be ok but I think I...

I found some 1/32 cork that was cheaper on ebay. The Felt Store wanted to charge $25 just for shipping. I have a general rule that if shipping costs more than the product I am ordering I won't do it. Ebay for the win!

I got a good deal on some birch and thought I would try it for some sidewalls. While profiling my cores through my planer I was getting a lot of tearout and lost a huge chunk near the end and almost had to scrap the core. Fortunately it was just barely in the cutoff area. I thought it might be due t...

backyardskier wrote:Trust me on this buy a planer, search around there are used ones out there for a lot less than a new one. Then make a planer jig and enjoy easy made cores.

Second that. I am not sure why anyone would bother with a router. Maybe its because the "How To" pages have never been updated.

Well that's good because that is the stuff that I bought. I haven't tried it yet but going to put it on some bamboo and see how it looks.

Sorry to hear that. I thought it was just just a few ashes about. At least the whole house didn't go. My neighbor's did. Around here the culprit is usually putting wood burning stove ashes on a deck in a garbage can.

Here is my setup. Simple yet effective. I didn't feel like springing for a tilt base router so I just made a shim for mine. I usually do a seven degree angle. I can also do the tips and tails with my drum sanding bit so there is a continuous consistent angle. Shif, what black stain are you using for...

Glad you didn't have a major disaster and only minor cleanup. I just happened to be staining my house, fence, decks, shed, right now. I always lay oily rags outside my house but I think I'm going to check the garage right now to make sure none snuck in with me!

Great looking skis. Those look fun! Thanks for posting. I was beginning to wonder if everyone is too busy out skiing. I'm waiting til summer is officially here and then I'll resume some builds. In the meantime, I'm off to Utah and Colorado which will probably be my last skiing except for a Shasta tr...

mammuth wrote:Regarding the sanding. I did read somewhere (here?) that a core out of the planer is better for bonding then a sanded one. Had something to do with clean cut fibres vs. more closed structure when sanded.

http://www.cedengineering.com/upload/Ad ... terial.pdf

Page 5

As I have read ash is good material for the middle part of the board because of the strength. But it is better to use another wood for the rest in order to make ski or snowboard lighter. Yes. Many also put a stronger but heavier wood just inside the sidewalls for solid edge grip. You can get as cre...

Just reposting a link that got deleted for a cork supplier in case anyone missed it.

www.thefeltstore.com/default.aspx?CN=5A5956A16661

I'm going to give it a try for my next build.

SHIF wrote: Yes, but unfortunately most of the online resources for six foot length vertically laminated bamboo flooring have dried up. Seems most of them were offering 5/8” x 3.75” x 75” planks, twelve per carton, but when you call to ask for a stock check they say not available. One reseller remai...

Thanks Vinman. If you find yourself at Stowe or Smuggs keep an eye out for these as that's where my son will be skiing. But first we are off to Snowbird and Jackson Hole next week! Fired up!