Really good Sidewall cutter?

[Noodler]

Ya don't need any of those contraptions, I've tried them all. Spring clamp on the top & your thumb in the middle, I have never had one move or slip.....EVER! View attachment 131184

Which I also used for years... and then I tried using the Irwin clamp and experienced just how much more solid the connection between the file and the guide was and how much easier it was to use the tool with precision. Just trying to help out a few folks with a better way. Trust me that it is better...

 

[Lilledonmarco]

@Noodler : does your Irwin clamp look like this:

 

[Noodler]

@Noodler : does your Irwin clamp look like this:

Exactly, but it's the smallest "mini" version of it.

 

[Marker]

I thought you meant these!

Parallel Bar Clamps | IRWIN

www.irwin.com

 

[anders_nor]

loving the swix WC one! why did I not get this sooner.

 

[gwat]

Can someone explain round vs square cutters?
The square cutter makes most sense to me but I see a lot of tools with round cutters.

 

[KingGrump]

Different look and feel.

 

[gwat]

^ Yea, I get that.
But why one vs. the other?
I've only ever used a square cutter, it seems like a more precise tool.

As the edge gets thinner over time won't the round cutter start gouging into the actual sidewall of the ski (vs. just cutting the sidewall lip over the edge)? The square cutter can be set parallel to the sidewall to avoid this. What am I missing?

 

[KingGrump]

The round cutter are generally easier to use. It leaves less material on top of the steel ski edge. Usually good for couple tunes.
The square cutter at 45° leaves more material on top of the steel edge for more support. It also cuts into the sidewall more. Not my favorite way for sidewall cutting.
The square cutter "parallel" to the sidewall at a steeper angle than the steel ski edge will generally require a do over on second tuning session. It is basically a panzer with a 7° guide.
I use a Toko square cutter with a small radius on the corner to leave a small cove on top of the at the edge. A panzer for the tip and tail where the two titanal sheets come together.

My usual routine is to rip the sidewall with a cutter at the start of the season. Edge tuning for the rest of the season is usually couple light passes with a panzer before the edge grinder.

On the subject of ski edge durability. My skis flex out long before the edges get thin. I have race skis but I don't race. YMMV.

 

[Dave Marshak]

My sidewall planer needed way too much adjustment. I switched a hand held panzer, and recently switched to a panzer in a FK/SKS edger modified for 7 degrees. Fixed guides with a spring clamp are fine for filing, but I hardly ever file. the Skivisions adjustable edger works better with stones, but you need to set it carefully for the edge angle you have.

dm

 

[Dave Marshak]

Edge tuning for the rest of the season is usually couple light passes with a panzer before the edge grinder.

I never touch my edges with a panzer, not even to change the edge angle. All I do is work down the shark bites with a coarse stone before I grind the edge. The rock hits are harder than the panzer anyway. I sharpen almost every day, and I don't think my skis would last the season if I used a panzer that way.

dm

 

[Scrundy]

Different look and feel.

View attachment 177155

Kinda like the design as you can actually see where the blade is. Mine I can’t see where it is, my eyes won’t focus that close.

 

[KingGrump]

I never touch my edges with a panzer, not even to change the edge angle. All I do is work down the shark bites with a coarse stone before I grind the edge. The rock hits are harder than the panzer anyway. I sharpen almost every day, and I don't think my skis would last the season if I used a panzer that way.

dm

The panzer is only for clearing the side wall material and the titanal. Never use panzer on the steel ski edge. Some people do. I don't.

 

[KingGrump]

Kinda like the design as you can actually see where the blade is. Mine I can’t see where it is, my eyes won’t focus that close.

Which side wall cutter do you have?

 

[slow-line-fast]

The round cutter are generally easier to use. It leaves less material on top of the steel ski edge. Usually good for couple tunes.
The square cutter at 45° leaves more material on top of the steel edge for more support. It also cuts into the sidewall more. Not my favorite way for sidewall cutting.
The square cutter "parallel" to the sidewall at a steeper angle than the steel ski edge will generally require a do over on second tuning session. It is basically a panzer with a 7° guide.
I use a Toko square cutter with a small radius on the corner to leave a small cove on top of the at the edge. A panzer for the tip and tail where the two titanal sheets come together.

My usual routine is to rip the sidewall with a cutter at the start of the season. Edge tuning for the rest of the season is usually couple light passes with a panzer before the edge grinder.

On the subject of ski edge durability. My skis flex out long before the edges get thin. I have race skis but I don't race. YMMV.

I also find this (round cutter = easier), for all the reasons kinggrump states.

 

[Scrundy]

Which side wall cutter do you have?

Three points to adjust, height on each end and one for blade (other side, in, out ) I’m farsighted and my glasses are set to focus at reading distance, to set it correctly you really gotta get close, to close for me to see. Worked great years ago… I don’t understand lol.

 

[KingGrump]

View attachment 177187
Three points to adjust, height on each end and one for blade (other side, in, out ) I’m farsighted and my glasses are set to focus at reading distance, to set it correctly you really gotta get close, to close for me to see. Worked great years ago… I don’t understand lol.

Sucks being old.

I have progressive lens for far sight and reading. Still have to take off my glasses for close up work. It suck but beats being dead sucks more.

 

[gwat]

Where are you guys finding 83 degree edge guides?
I see a few 85 degree guides...
If I'm tuning my edges to 88 degrees, would a panzer in an 85 degree guide take off enough sidewall?

 

[Muleski]

Race Place, the online shop run by Scott and Eric Holmer sells a short panzer file and 7 degree guide called the “Plane Beast”. Used to be called the Side of the Beast, I think.

My kids used them when they were younger teens, simple, pretty effective, and reasonable.

I think FKS and others market essentially the same thing.

 

[Dave Marshak]

Where are you guys finding 83 degree edge guides?

One of these:

Take it apart, turn the adjusting wheel upside down and put it back together = 7 degrees. Best sidewall planer I ever had.

dm