Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

As a summer project, I decided to start making my own wooden nordic skis by hand. They’re not pretty or symmetrical, and I’m not 100% sure they’re skiable, but I’ve finally finished my first pair of skis without snapping them trying to steam bend them. I want to slap the NNNBC magnum bindings I have laying around on them. I don’t have the money to buy a mounting jig, does anyone have advice on how to avoid any major pitfalls like crooked bindings, screws pulling out, etc? Am I fine using the tools I have laying around (power drill, standard drill bit set, wood glue/krazy glue, etc)? Should I just send it? Any advice much appreciated. Skis pictured for reference. Yes I know that split in the shovel on one of them is only going to get worse. I’m not expecting to get a lot of skiing out of these (it is only my first attempt). Pic from the side is before treating with pine tar.

wow , thats bad ass!
i wish there where more guys like you on this forum..

i know these guys here will help you get is set up, usually theres instructions in the hardware kit or a pdf at the manufactuers site on a specific binding

blitzskier wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:29 pm

wow , thats bad ass!
i wish there where more guys like you on this forum..

i know these guys here will help you get is set up, usually theres instructions in the hardware kit or a pdf at the manufactuers site on a specific binding

Thanks!

Unfortunately the manual just says to use a mounting jig, that was my first thought of where to look as well

Tom M and many others have some good videos online on new ski mounting. i can see a lot of upgrade areas on your design , when i studies those old wood skis at chalets and bars. your on your way to being a master craftsman

Wow, Nice job.
I'd be inclined to put the boot center at about the narrowest part of the ski. That way, the pressure from your body weight would tend to flex the skis symmetrically.
Since you made them, I think your ideas on mounting position would be superior to mine.
Regular tools, drills, etc. will work. Measure twice and drill once. I have a small metal donut on a bit that stops the drill at a predetermined depth. I've also just put tape on the bit to gauge drill depth. It's not too hard to get them square.
Good luck and report on how they ski.

Wish I could advise you on binding mounting, just want to say that this making your own ski post is way cool, and anybody with the woodworking skills to build these is unlikely to screw up binding mount.

Nice work!

I mount all my own skis and have never used a jig. I either print a paper pattern for the mount holes or use the binding itself. Using methodical measurements, drawing a lenthwise centerline and either a boot center or pinline perpendicular to that helps (I use a water soluble overhead marker). You’ll get it close enough if you take it slow.

A drill collar stop is really helpful, or I use an adjustable stop countersink. Tape as a last resort. Woodglue is great (I use titebond).

I think the big thing is to not sweat it *too* much. There’s healthy tolerances.

As far as mounting point (pin line), that's up to you, and how you plan to use the ski. Seems to me it'll be for general touring, in which case pin line on balance point is, and has long been, the standard. Pin line on chord center was standard for a long time, until the advent of rocker, heavier and more active gear, etc., for telemark mounts. The definition of "telemark" varies wildly these days, I'm using it in the downhill oriented sense; I wouldn't call xcd as telemark, though the turn is one of the techniques involved.

For alignment etc, in addition to some good advice already given:
1)Find and mark your centerline.
2)Determine where you want your pin line.
3)Place the binding on the ski, and mark the fron hole on your center line.
4)Drill that, and lightly screw the binding on the ski using just the front screw loosely enough to pivot the binding (do not glue that front screw yet).
5) Place the appropriate boot in the binding, and align/center the heel on the ski. Mark the center position of the heel on your centerline.
6) Carefully (!) remove the boot, being sure to not change the binding's position.
7) Mark where the two rear screw holes are in this proper alignment.
8) Remove the binding, drill the rear holes, and glue & screw to complete the mount.
9) Give the glue it's proper drying time, indoors, before skiing.

PS: Forgot to mention I was assuming a 3 pin binding, given that I find wooden skis and NNN bindings to be an aesthetic and tradition mismatch, but that's just me. The process would remain the same for NNN though. Wood bases on those boards? Know how to pine tar 'em?

When I mounted Outlaw X bindings on a pair of skis that had Meidjo holes in them, I took them to REI. They were kind enough to put their jig on my skis and marked them (free of charge). I took them home and mounted them. Maybe they's help you out.
If nothing else, they'd be interested in seeing your work, and they might have insight into where to place them on the ski.

Impressive, something I very much want to try.

Have you checked Telewiki on this forum? Theres a couple of articles about selecting mount location, a couple that are NNNBC specific, and and article with templates.