The art of ski service: edge grinding, base waxing and the correct adjustment of the ski bindings
Skiing is not only a popular winter sport, but also a passion for many. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a beginner on the slopes, one thing is certain: caring for and maintaining your skis is crucial to ensuring optimal performance and safety. In this blog we will take an in-depth look at ski service, particularly edge grinding, base waxing and proper ski binding adjustment using Z-scores. We will also provide a Z-value table to help you adjust your ski bindings. Please note that the binding adjustment can only be carried out correctly with a binding adjustment device according to the IAS standard (ISO 11088). The Z value setting should be checked electronically using a ski binding measuring device! Since these devices are very expensive, I recommend having this setting carried out in a specialist shop. The costs are around 10 to 15 euros per pair of skis. Why is ski service important? Regular ski service is crucial to maintaining the durability and performance of your skis. Here are some reasons why ski service is so important:
1. Security:
Well-maintained ski equipment ensures your safety on the slopes. Sharp edges and a well-waxed base improve control and grip, especially in difficult conditions such as ice and snow.
2. Longevity:
Regular service will extend the life of your skis. Neglecting your skis can lead to premature wear and potentially expensive repairs.
3. Performance:
Well-maintained skis enable better performance. They glide more smoothly and react more quickly to your movements, significantly improving your skiing experience. Edge grinding: The way to sharp edges Materials required: 1. Skis: Of course you need your skis that you want to sharpen.
2. Ski Grinder: You can use either a manual file or an electric grinder.
The latter is usually more efficient and accurate. I would like to note that grinding with a manual file is possible, but in order to keep the angle constant over the entire edge, an angle guide device for the files is absolutely necessary. There are also various electric belt sanders, all of which I have tried with the corresponding angle guides. However, the best electric device for grinding is the Discman 4, as this device uses grinding stones of different grits and not sanding belts like the belt sanders, which are much more difficult to use and also produce poorer results. The removal of the ski edge on the Discman 4 is only 0.02 mm. This is significantly more with manual files, electric belt sanders and especially when sanding in large machines, which leads to faster edge wear. When using an electric grinder, you do not need ceramic files (3.), diamond files (4.) or angle guides (5.). The electric sander takes over all of these functions. Recommendation for an electric edge sander: Discman 4
3. Ceramic files: The ceramic file set with 3 different files of different grain sizes is suitable for removing small burrs, as well as sharpening and fine-tuning winter sports equipment, making it an all-round ski repair set.
4. Diamond files: These files are specifically designed for ski edge grinding and are available in different grits. A coarse file is good for working on heavily damaged edges, while a finer file is used for fine sanding.
5. Angle Guide: This tool helps you maintain the correct angle for your edges. The recommended angle is usually between 87 and 90 degrees, depending on your preferences and the conditions in which you ride.
6. Safety glasses and respirator: Ski edge grinding produces dust that can be harmful to your health. Protect your eyes and respiratory tract with appropriate protective equipment.
Recommendation of safety glasses and breathing mask on Amazon:
8. Ski clamps (2 or 3 parts): Ski clamps are necessary to securely fix the skis and keep them in an optimal position for sharpening. Personally, I prefer a 3-part ski tensioner or holder. The ski is more stable and you can work with more pressure on the ski. Recommendation ski tensioner on Amazon:
Use these materials and follow the step-by-step instructions to get your ski edges in tip-top shape. Ski edge sharpening requires patience and practice, but investing in the right tools and materials will pay off in an improved skiing experience.
Step-by-step instructions: 1. Preparation: Make sure your skis are clean and dry. Remove any old wax residue from the edges. 2. Choice of angle: Decide on the edge angle you want to use. The angle setting is between 90 degrees and 85 degrees. I generally cannot recommend 90 degree angles and should not be sanded. Beginners should use 89° and advanced users should use 88 degrees or 87 degrees. Angle settings of 86° and 85° are intended for racing skis in racing and are too extreme for hobby skiers as the ski becomes very aggressive. A flatter angle (89 degrees) is suitable for beginners and hard piste skiing, while a sharper angle (87 degrees) offers more agility in soft snow. 3. Fix the skis: Use the ski clamps to securely fix your skis. Make sure they can't move. 4. Grinding edges: Run the angle guide device with the diamond or ceramic file along the edge of the ski. Be sure to apply even pressure and maintain the chosen angle. Start with the coarse file and then switch to a finer one to do the finishing touches. Be sure to always move the file in the same direction, usually from the tip of the ski to the root of the ski. If you have an electric grinder such as If you use the Discman4, you can usually save yourself the 5th point of deburring, as the grinding machine reliably prevents this automatically. When using an electric grinder, it is necessary to first work with a medium-grit grindstone and then a fine-grit stone. A detailed video on sanding with an electric sander can be found here. 5. Deburring: A small burr may remain on the edge after grinding. Remove it carefully with a diamond file or diamond sharpening stone. 6. Adjusting the edges: To ensure that the edges in the front (approx. ¼ of the edge) and back areas (4/4 of the edge) are not too sharp, the edges must be broken with an edge rubber. Move over these edge zones 2-3 times. This significantly improves the rideability of the ski. 7. Cleaning: Remove any sanding dust from the ski edges and clean the skis thoroughly. 8. Waxing: After sharpening, you should wax your skis to protect the edges and improve glide (see ski waxing instructions). Grinding ski edges requires patience and practice to develop the perfect technique. Start with a lighter pressure and work your way up to develop a feel for the finer points of sanding. Remember that regularly sanding your edges will help extend the life of your skis and improve your skiing experience. Base waxing: For speed and grip Ski waxing is an important part of ski equipment care and helps improve the performance and longevity of your skis. Here is a detailed guide to ski waxing with instructional steps and an overview of the appropriate tools as well as the types of waxes depending on the temperature. Tools and materials required: 1. Ski wax: Choose the right wax for the respective temperature. There are three main categories: warm wax (for temperatures above freezing), general purpose wax (for a wide range of temperatures around freezing), and cold wax (for temperatures below freezing). 2. Iron: A dedicated ski wax iron is best, but a regular iron with an adjustable temperature can also be used. 3. Wax Remover: To clean skis before waxing. 4. Scraper: A plastic or metal scraper to remove excess wax. 5. Brushing: A steel brush (for coarse wax) and a nylon brush (for fine wax) are helpful to polish the wax. 6. Wax profile: A tool for removing excess wax and smoothing the coverings.
Instruction steps: 1. Cleaning the skis: o Securely attach your skis to a ski holder or other sturdy device. o Use the wax remover to remove any old wax and dirt from the pads. o Thoroughly clean the ski bases to ensure they are free of dirt and residue. 2. Choosing the right wax: o Choose the ski wax depending on the current temperatures. The packaging of the wax should indicate the recommended temperature ranges. 3. Heating the iron: o Set the ski wax iron to the recommended temperature according to the instructions on the wax package. For a regular iron, the temperature should be low and no steam should be produced. 4. Applying the wax: o Hold the wax against the hot iron and let it drip onto the skis. Make sure to distribute the wax evenly over the coverings. o Work in small sections and avoid overlapping or overheating the wax. 5. Spreading the wax: o Run the iron over the melted wax to distribute it evenly on the skis. Make sure that the wax penetrates the pores of the coverings. 6. Allow to cool: o Allow the skis to cool for at least 30 minutes so that the wax can fully penetrate the bases. 7. Removing the Excess Wax: o Use a scraper to carefully remove excess wax from the skis. Run the scraper flat over the pads to create a smooth surface. 8. Polishing the skis: o Use a steel brush (for coarse wax) or a nylon brush (for fine wax) to brush the ski bases lengthways to polish the wax and ensure optimal gliding properties. 9. Control and Adjustment: o Check the ski bases for any irregularities and adjust the wax again if necessary. 10. Final stripping: o Use the wax profile to smooth the edges of the ski and remove excess wax. After following these steps, your skis should be ready to perform at their best on the slopes. Remember to wax regularly, especially if temperatures change or you go skiing frequently.
Adjusting the ski binding with Z values Ski binding adjustment is crucial to avoid injury. The Z values help to set the binding correctly. The Z values can be adjusted by turning the cross screws on the front and rear bindings. Z-scores are based on your weight, height, skiing ability and age. Here is a Z-score table to serve as a rough guide: Z-value table according to weight method ISO 11088
Skiing skills
Weight (Kg)
Size (cm)
Ski boots sole length (in mm)
Bis 250
251-270
271-290
291-310
311-330
Über 330
Beginner (Type I)
10-13
<148
0,75
0,75
-
-
-
-
Beginner (Type I)
14-17
<148
1,00
1,00
0,75
-
-
-
Beginner (Type I)
18-21
<148
1,50
1,25
1,00
-
-
-
Beginner (Type I)
22-25
<148
1,75
1,50
1,50
1,25
-
-
Beginner (Type I)
26-30
<148
2,25
2,00
1,75
1,50
1,50
-
Beginner (Type I)
31-35
<148
2,75
2,50
2,25
2,00
1,75
1,75
Beginner (Type I)
36-41
<148
3,50
3,00
2,75
2,5
2,25
2,00
Beginner (Type I)
42-48
<148
-
3,50
3,00
3,00
2,75
2,5
Beginner (Type I)
49-57
149-157
-
4,50
4,00
3,50
3,50
3,00
Beginner (Type I)
58-66
158-166
-
5,50
5,00
4,50
4,00
3,50
Beginner (Type I)
67-78
167-178
-
6,50
6,00
5,50
5,00
4,50
Beginner (Type I)
79-94
179-194
-
7,50
7,00
6,50
6,00
5,50
Beginner (Type I)
>= 95
>=195
-
-
8,50
8,00
7,00
6,50
Intermediate (Type II)
10-13
<148
1,00
1,00
0,75
-
-
-
Intermediate (Type II)
14-17
<148
1,50
1,25
1,00
-
-
-
Intermediate (Type II)
18-21
<148
1,75
1,50
1,50
1,25
-
-
Intermediate (Type II)
22-25
<148
2,25
2,00
1,75
1,50
1,50
-
Intermediate (Type II)
26-30
<148
2,75
2,50
2,25
2,00
1,75
1,75
Intermediate (Type II)
31-35
<148
3,50
3,00
2,75
2,50
2,25
2,00
Intermediate (Type II)
36-41
<148
-
3,50
3,00
3,00
2,75
2,50
Intermediate (Type II)
42-48
<148
-
4,50
4,00
3,50
3,50
3,00
Intermediate (Type II)
49-57
149-157
-
5,50
5,00
4,50
4,00
3,50
Intermediate (Type II)
58-66
158-166
-
6,50
6,00
5,50
5,00
4,50
Intermediate (Type II)
67-78
167-178
-
7,50
7,00
6,50
6,00
5,50
Intermediate (Type II)
79-94
179-194
-
-
8,50
8,00
7,00
6,50
Intermediate (Type II)
>= 95
>=195
-
-
10,00
9,50
8,50
8,00
Expert (Type III)
10-13
<148
1,50
1,25
1,00
-
-
-
Expert (Type III)
14-17
<148
1,75
1,50
1,50
1,25
-
-
Expert (Type III)
18-21
<148
2,25
2,00
1,75
1,50
1,50
-
Expert (Type III)
22-25
<148
2,75
2,50
2,25
2,00
1,75
1,75
Expert (Type III)
26-30
<148
3,50
3,00
2,75
2,50
2,25
2,00
Expert (Type III)
31-35
<148
-
3,50
3,00
3,00
2,75
2,25
Expert (Type III)
36-41
<148
-
4,50
4,00
3,50
3,50
3,00
Expert (Type III)
42-48
<148
-
5,50
5,00
4,50
4,00
3,50
Expert (Type III)
49-57
149-157
-
6,50
6,00
5,50
5,00
4,50
Expert (Type III)
58-66
158-166
-
7,50
7,00
6,50
6,00
5,50
Expert (Type III)
67-78
167-178
-
-
8,50
8,00
7,00
6,50
Expert (Type III)
79-94
179-194
-
-
10,00
9,50
8,50
8,00
Expert (Type III)
>= 95
>=195
-
-
11,00
11,00
10,00
9,50
The Z-value table is read like this: 1.) Assessment of driving skills (realistic!) 2.) Weight in kg of the skier 3.) Read the size, if smaller than the fit to weight, then read the corresponding Z value in the line of the skier's height. 4.) Pay attention to ski boot size (sole length) and select the appropriate Z value For children under 10 and adults over 50, the Z-score must be corrected upwards by one line. 4 examples: 1.) Skier 45 years old, 85 kg, 185cm tall, expert (Type III) Driver with sole length 291 mm would therefore have a Z-value of 9.5. 2.) Skier 60 years old, 85 kg, 185cm tall, expert (Type III) Driver with sole length 291 mm would therefore have a Z-value of 8.0. 3.) Skier 45 years old, 80 kg, 177cm tall, expert (Type III) Driver with sole length 291 mm would therefore have a Z-value of 8.0. The Z values are adjusted with a screwdriver (Phillips) on the front jaw and on the rear jaw. Please note that this is only a rough estimate. It is advisable to have a professional ski service carried out or seek advice from a specialist at a sports store to accurately adjust the bindings using an electronic ski binding adjustment device. Overall, ski service is an important task to ensure the safety, longevity and performance of your skis. With the right knowledge and tools, you can keep your ski equipment in top shape and enjoy the slopes to the fullest.
Materials required for ski service Ski service requires specialized tools and materials to perform the various aspects of the service. Here is an updated list of materials needed, including the ski stopper rubber and the ski tensioner (ski holder): 1. Ski tensioner (ski holder): A ski tensioner or a ski ski holder is an essential tool for securing your skis securely and stably during the service process. It allows you to keep the skis in the correct position while you work on the edges and base. For edge sanding: 1. Edge file or edge grinder: These tools are essential for sharpening the edges of your skis. There are different types of files and grinders, including electric models for faster work. 2. File Guide: This tool helps you maintain the correct angle when sanding the edges. 3. Diamond Stone: A diamond stone is used to remove burrs on the edges and smooth the edge. 4. Deburring tool (edge rubber): This tool is used to remove sharp edges and round off the edges. 5. Angle tool: It helps you adjust the edge angle precisely. 6. Gloves and safety glasses: This protective equipment is important to protect yourself from the sharp edges and filings. 7. Ski stopper rubber: A ski stopper rubber is a useful tool used to prevent the ski brake from falling off and hindering the work during the service process. It holds the brake securely in place while you work on your skis.
For base waxing: 1. Ski wax: Choose the right wax based on current snow and temperature conditions. There are waxes for cold, warm and universal conditions. 2. Wax Iron: A special iron that allows the wax to be evenly distributed. 3. Wax squeegee: With this tool you can remove excess wax from the base. 4. Brushes: Various brushes, including steel brushes and nylon brushes, are used to spread and polish the wax on the surface. 5. Wax Scraper: These tools are used to remove excess wax and smooth the surface of the base.
To adjust the ski bindings: 1. Ski binding adjuster: This special tool is used to adjust the binding correctly. 2. Ski boot: You need your own ski boot to adjust the bindings. 3. DIN Z-value table: To determine the correct Z-values for your binding setting, use a DIN Z-value table like the one mentioned previously. 4. Screwdriver and Allen key: These tools are needed to adjust the binding and ensure it is secure. 5. Expertise: Knowledge of a skier's individual needs and requirements is crucial to properly adjusting the binding. A specialist or an experienced ski service technician can help with the precise adjustment. 6. Ski stopper rubber: A ski stopper rubber is another useful tool used to prevent the ski brake from falling and hindering the work during the service process. It holds the brake securely in place while you work on your skis. Before you begin ski service, it is important to make sure you have the right tools and materials. In addition, it is advisable to have instructions or tutorials available or to seek the help of an experienced ski service professional to ensure that you follow all the steps correctly and prepare your skis optimally. I have linked all the materials in this blog so that you can quickly find them on Amazon. I'm gladly available for more questions.
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