Sidewall Planing: Dedicated Cutter vs Steep Side-Edge Angle

[Cork7 Belly Flop]

Curious to see what people use. Also I had a couple questions regarding sidewall
removal:

- Is it possible to remove less sidewall material with a dedicated cutter than a
steep file guide?

- For the file guide option, why is the angle almost always 7°? Could I use a
mellower angle if I know for a fact I'll never go past 3° for my side-edges or
is it some kind of magic number?

 

[Scruffy]

Both. There are so many variables depending on ski construction.

I would say it's more probable to remove more with the sidewall cutter. Of course that all depends on a lot of variables.

You could use 5-7 degrees. I just use an 87° edge file guide with a 3° shim and a panzer - so 5°

 

[Dave Marshak]

I had a sidewall planer that was a joy to use when it was adjusted perfectly, but it was a PITA to adjust, so I switched to a hand held panzer. Then I found an adjustable file guide and modified it for 7 degrees. That’s the perfect solution. It’s faster and more comfortable than freehand and easier than fooling around with shims.

dm

 

[KingGrump]

As usual, flawed poll.

I used both.
Side wall cutter early season so the sidewall will be cleared for several tunes.
A couple light passes with a panzer before the RazorTune to will keep the grinding wheel clean.
I use the same edge guide set up as @Scruffy but somehow my set up comes out to 6°. We must be using different edge guide angle measuring tool or different version of new math.

The panzer is real nice for cutting towards the tips and tails. Rolling the guide over slightly will allow easing of the top sheet edge to get rid of the sharp bits there.

 

[Scruffy]

I use the same edge guide set up as @Scruffy but somehow my set up comes out to 6°. We must be using different edge guide angle measuring tool or different version of new math.

haha Yeah, That's me before coffee

 

[Philpug]

I prefer the dedicated cutter, I think it does a cleaner job. In my opinion it is akin to using quality cutlery verses a hatchet.

 

[Swiss Toni]

There are different types of sidewall material; they are mainly made from either thermoset or thermoplastic materials. Thermoset sidewall material is made from layers of kraft paper that are soaked in either melamine or phenolic resin and then hot pressed into sheets; it is a type of high-pressure laminate (HPL). Thermoplastic sidewall material is mainly made from extruded ABS or UHMWPE; this type of material is softer than the thermoset materials.

Most of the sidewall cutters with tungsten carbide blades are primarily intended for cutting back thermoset sidewalls and/or the titanal layer; if you use them on thermoplastic sidewalls you might get chatter marks; a panzer file is less likely to chatter. Sidewalls often have a 70° or 80° angle, hence the 70° or 80° angle guides.

Some sidewall cutters work better on the middle of the ski than on the tip and tail, so it's often advantageous to have several cutters.

 

[Dave Marshak]

Some sidewall cutters work better on the middle of the ski than on the tip and tail, so it's often advantageous to have several cutters.

I guess I need another quiver.

dm

 

[Zrxman01]

You guys and your sidewall cutter quivers!!!!
(Ooops). I still “need” the FK-SKS version Scottskier likes. Seems to be out of stock everywhere.

Btw I have seen the old school race coaches knock the sidewall down with the sharp end of a file….using it like a chisel….impressive.

 

[Chenzo]

Not intending to derail the topic, but check out heads new factory sidewall finishing for ‘23/‘24. Both skis are 151cm SL, one is ‘22/‘23. I’ve also seen some rossis this year with a new sidewall finish as well, although I recall just the fis tech skis received that treatment. Wish they did this decades ago, my shoulder/elbow would be in better health.

 

[Dwight]

I now use 60 grit diamond stone. Thank you @cantunamunch

 

[Jacques]

You guys and your sidewall cutter quivers!!!!
(Ooops). I still “need” the FK-SKS version Scottskier likes. Seems to be out of stock everywhere.
View attachment 188393
Btw I have seen the old school race coaches knock the sidewall down with the sharp end of a file….using it like a chisel….impressive. View attachment 188394

The old little BEAST is what I used for a long time. Then they came out with a stainless plate to apply to it. It had adhesive backing. That was better. They got smarter, and now produce a 7 degree plate for the Side Of The BEAST Pro. It's way better again!
I like the pansar, because it works with any construction, and part cap part sandwich construction all at the same time.
Like any tool, it's still in the hands of the wielder.
I have improved my BEAST a long time ago. See this short video. You can see the build up on the aluminum before I had the stainless plate. I just left it there then, even though it was ugly, it still worked.

 

[Tom K.]

I use the Beast with a 7 degree shim.

Perfect.

 

[Jacques]

I use the Beast with a 7 degree shim.

Perfect.

Yes, it's all about having a sharp pansar section. The ones I use seem to dull pretty quickly. No worries, the sections are cheap!
Be sharp, keep a sharp tool!