Sealant/Glue for Bindings... and other mounting secrets.

[GrimSurfer]

I’ve used these before, but not on skis. There’s a tendency for a screwdriver to “cam out” and slip when driving these fastener inserts.

The ones with an internal hex (which I have also used) drives more consistently. The walls of these fasteners are much thicker too,

[Capercaillie]

Did your Asnes skis also have the recommendation for polyurethane? My Ingstads have a sticker saying to only use polyurethane without a solvent. Interesting.

I noticed that sticker too: "Use only Polyurethane one-component, solvent free wood adhesive for binding installation."

This is what I emailed Åsnes:

I was planning to install Binding Freedom inserts to swap Rottefella XP bindings to/from a spring ski, and to reduce the possibility of ski/binding damage in flight baggage. Binding Freedom recommends a 2-part epoxy for installing the inserts. Is epoxy contra-indicated for any reason?

Here is what they replied:

We recommend using PU glue, because it seals better than many other types of glue, and it is possible to unscrew the binding. Epoxy glue is a strong, good glue, but it makes dismantling the bond difficult.

Inserts shouldn't ever need to be unscrewed, so epoxy away.

[GrimSurfer]

Did your Asnes skis also have the recommendation for polyurethane? My Ingstads have a sticker saying to only use polyurethane without a solvent. Interesting.

I noticed that sticker too: "Use only Polyurethane one-component, solvent free wood adhesive for binding installation."

This is what I emailed Åsnes:

I was planning to install Binding Freedom inserts to swap Rottefella XP bindings to/from a spring ski, and to reduce the possibility of ski/binding damage in flight baggage. Binding Freedom recommends a 2-part epoxy for installing the inserts. Is epoxy contra-indicated for any reason?

Here is what they replied:

We recommend using PU glue, because it seals better than many other types of glue, and it is possible to unscrew the binding. Epoxy glue is a strong, good glue, but it makes dismantling the bond difficult.

Inserts shouldn't ever need to be unscrewed, so epoxy away.

Makes sense.

[Stephen]

Did your Asnes skis also have the recommendation for polyurethane? My Ingstads have a sticker saying to only use polyurethane without a solvent. Interesting.

I noticed that sticker too: "Use only Polyurethane one-component, solvent free wood adhesive for binding installation."

This is what I emailed Åsnes:

I was planning to install Binding Freedom inserts to swap Rottefella XP bindings to/from a spring ski, and to reduce the possibility of ski/binding damage in flight baggage. Binding Freedom recommends a 2-part epoxy for installing the inserts. Is epoxy contra-indicated for any reason?

Here is what they replied:

We recommend using PU glue, because it seals better than many other types of glue, and it is possible to unscrew the binding. Epoxy glue is a strong, good glue, but it makes dismantling the bond difficult.

Inserts shouldn't ever need to be unscrewed, so epoxy away.

Makes sense.

However, it has been posted here to mildly heat the metal part epoxied in the ski, which one wishes to remove from the ski (for example), which will soften the epoxy, and allow for easy removal.
(It takes a few tries to figure out how long to heat -- if you see smoke, that is of course too hot!)

I have done this myself on dozens of inserts using a small soldering iron for a few seconds each piece.
With Meidjo having 26 screws / inserts, I don't feel like leaving behind $50 worth of inserts if I sell a ski.
(I then fill the holes with epoxy.)
Have I said I love epoxy?

If I was a manufacturer (Asnes), I would make a recommendation and stick to it.
Once you say something different, you lose control of the situation.

However, I was impressed when I contacted Voile about inserts in their Hyper Skis, and was given an official version of why that voided the warrant, and then further, unofficial comments about actually doing it.

[Capercaillie]

However, I was impressed when I contacted Voile about inserts in their Hyper Skis, and was given an official version of why that voided the warrant

Why does it void their warranty? Voile doesn't want you mounting inserts, doesn't want you mounting telemark bindings. There seem to be a lot of normal things people do to skis that void Voile's warranty.

[Stephen]

Others may know more than I do, but it has to do with the difference between their Ultra and Hyper series of skis.
Without checking right now, as I remember, the Ultra skis do not have the inserts limitation relative to warranty.
The Hyper skis are a lighter construction (less dense wood for core) and will not hold fasteners as well.

As it was explained to me, they had problems with pullout and so came up with the limitation.
Lots of inserts are installed DIY and install quality can't be controlled.
If the insert goes in crooked they can pull out easier.
If water gets in the core, they can pull out easier.

It seems the Ultra skis tolerate this better, or at least have fewer pullout problems.