4-pin bindings

[Johnny]

Someone showed me his 2-pin boots and bindings last season, but I don't remember seeing a pair of 4 pins before. (Sorry, I'm only 40... ; ) Just found this one on ebay. That's pretty cool. But I was not able to find what a 4-pin binding looked like. I found another pair of 4p but they wouldn't fit those boots. Was there two different 4-pin bindings systems?

[MikeK]

Those brass inserts are pretty nice. I wish current boots came with those.

[Johnny]

Can you imagine having inserts like this on 3p's? That would be much better than smiley plates...

[MikeK]

I'll find you something that will work if you want to try set.

I need to do more research on material compatibility and sizing. I'm pretty sure you could install them in any boot and glue them in place.

[Johnny]

Dude, you could get rich by developing a product like this... You would sell at least 2-3 pairs in Vermont...!

You think it would be possible without destroying the duckbills?

[MikeK]

I'm thinking it's possible. Probably have to punch the existing holes out with an end mill so you have a square bottom of the hole and not a cone. Maybe there will be enough thickness in the bill that won't matter.

If steel will work it's possible to use a drill bushing, and probably get a really nice fit with the pin. Drill bushings are hard too so it won't wear much at all.

If it need to be brass or bronze, then I'm sure I could find some bushing stock that could be sized to fit.

Next questions would be whether or not to have heavy press with the glue or leave them a bit loose to let the glue bond better. A bit of experimentation with an old shit pair of 3 pin xc boots could give me the answer.

I'm not in it for the money either. It's all about the fun!

[Johnny]

Want!

I wonder if the 3pins were once made this way... And economic reasons turned them into just plain holes... Maybe it could be just like a smiley plate, but a lot thicker...?

Maybe ice would build more easily into those metal holes?

I'll send you all my leathers if you can do it... And please add some tech inserts on the side while you're at it... : )

[MikeK]

I'm wondering about the ice, that is why I'd like to do a little material research, possibly brass would ice less and that's why it was used on those ones above.

I've never seen any boots with those in there, but I'm pretty young and all my boots when I started skiing had plastic soles and not leather.

[bogon]

In my childhood, in USSR, virtually all (except pro) tele/XC bindings/boots were like those pictured in OP...

[Johnny]

You should have kept those oldies Bogon... As they now sell for 300$ on ebay... : )