Year of the Core Shot! Base Repair Gun or Iron

[jmills115]

I fix all my own core shots. I also work in a ski shop as a tech so I fix a lot of other people's core shots, too.

I’ve seen a couple ugly repairs a buddy did, and how it looked after taking it to a shop to fix his work.
His thinking was a quick repair, ski it a few (20 knowing him) more days, and then do it right.

 

[Doug Briggs]

I'm sorry I misunderstood. I am usually working on new damage. If I get in a ski with failing P-Tex, I'll often ask (sometimes do gratis) if they want it repaired. Typically the failing P-Tex jobs are ones that were large and cracked over time or ones along an edge. I think that P-Tex applied with an iron is more durable than P-Tex that was dripped by burning.

 

[Doug Briggs]

Regarding core shots and repairs in general. It is better to do a poor DIY with P-Tex than do nothing if you are going to wax your skis. Wax in a damaged section compromises the repair.

 

[Jacques]

I made a core shot video. It is the most viewed video on my channel this time of year. 2.2K clicks in the last 28 days.

 

[oldfashoned]

I also have the KUU iron. Kind of expensive for what it is. But it works. Takes a little practice and the repairs are solid.

 

[Scrundy]

I’ve got a pest core shot on edge, tried everything mentioned above and find epoxy works best. It wears out due to friction, so I reapply now and then

 

[Tony S]

Tognar sells it in rolls.

I hope I don't need that much.

I was just thinking that I hope they use plenty of cinnamon and sugar.

 

[bremmick]

I don't have this iron in particular, but for core shots near the edge or not, you need metal-grip. It can only be applied with a soldering iron, never burned. I always use a soldering iron on core shots both at home and in the shop.

https://www.SkiTalk.com/threads/usi...d-a-soldering-iron-to-repair-a-core-shot.781/

Does a soldering iron get too hot and burn it, I've heard wood burner tools will do that. Wondering if these specific tools run at lower temps.

 

[cantunamunch]

Does a soldering iron get too hot and burn it, I've heard wood burner tools will do that. Wondering if these specific tools run at lower temps.

Keep a moist sponge nearby - if you see smoke just stroke the iron across the sponge.

 

[Jacques]

Does a soldering iron get too hot and burn it, I've heard wood burner tools will do that. Wondering if these specific tools run at lower temps.

See my video.

 

[bremmick]

See my video.

Where do I find it?

 

[mdf]

Racewax has a "how-to" video linked on their metal grip page

The strange thing, it is a Slidewright video!

So I guess it is only fair to link their sales page:
https://www.slidewright.com/metal-grip-wire-per-meter.php

 

[Doug Briggs]

Does a soldering iron get too hot and burn it, I've heard wood burner tools will do that. Wondering if these specific tools run at lower temps.

My soldering iron has a temperature control. I think the small white circle on the Kuu is a temperature control.

I use a higher temperature for the metalgrip than I do for P-Tex. I found the temps I use by trial and error.

 

[mdf]

I think the small white circle on the Kuu is a temperature control.

Huh.
The equivalent circle on mine is black and I never noticed it. It definitely has a slot and looks like it would turn, but I'm guessing it is meant for infrequent calibration/adjustment, not for day-to-day control. Nothing on the packaging mentioned it. I've done metal grip and ptex ribbon (or bar) with the as-shipped setting.

The spade tip makes things easier. If you already have a soldering iron, you could just get the tips:
digi-key link

 

[Doug Briggs]

I don't have access to it right now, but the shop has a new iron and I think it has that kind of dial. I'll look when I can to see if it is a temperature adjustment.

My iron is specifically designed to be adjustable which I consider a huge benefit. Using a lower temp on the P-Tex avoids remelting the metalgrip. I agree that the spade tip is the best. Mine came with a chisel tip about 5.5 mm wide. It works well. The older one we had at the shop had a spade tip. I liked it a lot.

 

[Jacques]

Where do I find it?

Here.

 

[Eric Edelstein]

Tognar sells it in rolls.

Artech has metalgrip for $5 per foot.. Definitely use it as the first layer over any exposed metal edge material...then fill the wound with PTEX over the metalgrip... If the wound is serious.. a base patch with an appropriate epoxy (West Marine GFlex 650 or 655) will do the trick.