Skins, Homemade?

[rookie]

Anyone know if it's possible to make homemade climbing skins, surely i can't be the first person to think of this, they did get invented that way right? Any ideas, how to fasten it to skis and what velvet/ cloth i should use?
thanks

[RR]

No clue where to start for home-made. Until they are proven, don't expect to get invited on long tours. It's a hard truth, but there it is.

[surfsnowywaves]

Well...instead of cloth and such, how about animal fur? You're correct in thinking that skins were originally homegrown production. And the name "skin" does still owe its existence to the fact that they were originally made from animal skins. See if you can get yourself some pelts, and generally marine mammals will have the best ones as far as water resistance and durability goes.

[davidhowland14]

a couple sites I briefly looked at reccomended seal skin. So you'll need two pelts. 1 polar bear pelt, for helping in the seal hunting, and then the seal skin you'll get when you kill a seal. Just don't kill a baby seal.

[clg898]

Yes, actually, you can approximate climbing skins with rope/cord that is sort of braided around the ski. I can't really describe... could show. It will climb, but it won't glide. the technique may be in "Freedom of the Hills," but I don't have my copy in front of me right now.

[Affix Snow]

Just buy them.....

[NtrentT]

It may be a fun project and all, but you should buy a pair to use on tours and just fool around locally with your home-brewed pair till they are proven like RR said.

I was told by an old drunken dude from the Alps that seal skin was the traditional pelt for skins till synthetic material came into the scene

Automatic skins would be great...... The kind that don't exist right now. You know; the ones that with a push of a button can portrude outward from the base of your ski, and with a push of a button they retract. Work on those.

[rookie]

well, i've seen some devices to hold skins on your skis, and i thought it would be cheaper to buy some velvet, i would guess that there is a specific length for the velvet. just my thought, and i think that i might go buy some velvet, and at least give them a try when im aroung joedodge loge, and if they fall apart thean i will hike, but other wise, i would use them, but always carry a pair of hiking boots

[astrotech]

Climbing skins are not made out of velvet, even though they may look it, they are a special material. The snow facing side does have the short 'hairy' look of velvet but the similarities end there, the material is actually a hydrophobic man made fiber that is then attached to a strengthening layer. You want this to be hydrophobic to prevent 'glopping', which is when water gets absorbed into the skin, the water then refreezes to the snow surface and carries a divot of the snow attached to the base of the ski. Velvet is not a hydrophobic material and it will absorb water creating a fair amount of glopping.
On the opposite side, next to the base of the skis is a glue layer that is bonded to the strength layer, this glue is similar in function to that used on sticky notes in that it can be peeled off and re-adhered multiple times. The attachments, the loop at the tip and tail, are riveted through the whole climbing skin. Overall a climbing skin is a pretty beefy piece of equipment and wouldn't be possible without some serious materials engineering technologies that our modern world has given us.

Here is link to some more technical info on skins, and the materials that go into them
https://www.climbingskinsdirect.com/SuperTechData.html

[PWDR8S]

I'll suggest not using baloney skins either. They're slippery whenever they get wet! :p

[LPNH]

check with army surplus stores, many are online. I have spoken to WWII vets and they have said the germans had the best skins made out of seal skin. I researched it a while ago and found pricing ranges from $10 to $200

[NtrentT]

Honestly I just totally forgot what I was about to post.......

Seriously, not an F'n clue.... :doh:

[Affix Snow]

.....i think that i might go buy some velvet

:justdoit:

Funniest Sh!t ive heard in a long while. :D

Seriously dood.....just buy skins. If there was an easier way like "buying some velvet" we'd all be doing it.

[2plankerider]

try strapping on some thick cut smoked bacon...glides niiiice.

mmmmmm bacon.

[ATP]

Colltex (http://www.colltex.ch/)sells bulk skin material in 30m rolls of varying widths. Probably not the cheap way for a single use, but not a bad option for a bulk discount. You'd be relying on your own ingenuity only to attach the hardware, not so different from upgrading your tailkit, which folks do all the time.

Or you could go to Climbingskins Direct (http://climbingskinsdirect.com), who pretty much do just that. While not dirt cheap, they make skins that are at least cheaper than the big names have been lately.

I do know one guy who made durable, successful homemade skins using twill as a base material and ascension gold label as an adhesive. I'm not sure what he used as a traction surface or how he attached them; I'm guessing the traction surface is sewn to the base material. How you get hold of sheets of fabric with directional nylon fibres, I don't know. You might be able to use an animal skin, but I'd hate to be the one experimenting with getting that to work. If you insist on doing it yourself, Colltex uses South African goat wool, so there's a starting point.

Whatever you do, have fun, and don't be afraid to buy some skins that work, too. Time is short in this life. Sometimes you just need to pay someone else to do things they do better than you for you.

[RR]

Cool info P. I have been inspired about making my own skis (sometime soon, info: Ski Builders dot com (http://www.skibuilders.com/)). Adding personally made skins may mean there is more hope for another level of connection with the soul of skiing.

[NtrentT]

Cool info P. I have been inspired about making my own skis (sometime soon, info: Ski Builders dot com (http://www.skibuilders.com/)). Adding personally made skins may mean there is more hope for another level of connection with the soul of skiing.


I have a friend who is in the process of making his own board, and is about 50% completed. The materials are not cheap, and its very time consuming.

Affix and I have plans to make some one day. As soon as my buds board is completed I will start mine while learning from him.

Heres a shot of the core lamination process, I can't remember what type of woods he used at the moment
http://www.techsourceconsultants.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10038/normal_Clamped_and_glued_up.JPG

You can also buy the core pre manufactured if your not into that step

[PWDR8S]

I tried natural skins once. I couldn't get the little critters tied down long enough for their skins to do any work. They kept wriggling away! :eek: And the noise they made when you stood on them! Made me wonder how anyone could call skinning in the woods so peaceful and serene!

[RR]

....Affix and I have plans to make some one day. As soon as my buds board is completed I will start mine while learning from him....Most reputable ambition!

...the noise they made when you stood on them! Made me wonder how anyone could call skinning in the woods so peaceful and serene!Reps for trying to train those weasels!

[Dizzyhips]

My cousin has been making his own for about 30 years and has b. een a guide for 45 years. He buys it in rolls, twists loops of 14 guage wire for tip loop folds the skin over and duct tapes it then glues the skins. Easy as pie, some i have used 7 seasons and more, just keep them clean! Cost is about 15 bucks each. not 115!

Have fun!...and people, try not putting other people down when you don't know what youre talking about or at anytime for that matter.

[icelanticskier]

My cousin has been making his own for about 30 years and has b. een a guide for 45 years. He buys it in rolls, twists loops of 14 guage wire for tip loop folds the skin over and duct tapes it then glues the skins. Easy as pie, some i have used 7 seasons and more, just keep them clean! Cost is about 15 bucks each. not 115!

Have fun!...and people, try not putting other people down when you don't know what youre talking about or at anytime for that matter.

or, just buy some new ones from me ya friggin cheap skate. and btw, it's fun puttin other folks down every once in awhile,
everyone has done it, it's one of the many things that makes us human and us skiers are all goin to hell anyway so we might as well have fun doin it.
duct tape, wire-have fun with that.:D
rog

[172Recon]

My cousin has been making his own for about 30 years and has b. een a guide for 45 years. He buys it in rolls, twists loops of 14 guage wire for tip loop folds the skin over and duct tapes it then glues the skins. Easy as pie, some i have used 7 seasons and more, just keep them clean! Cost is about 15 bucks each. not 115!

Have fun!...and people, try not putting other people down when you don't know what youre talking about or at anytime for that matter.
This was your first post? Good grief.:rolleyes: I'm sure he's a big boy and knows that we're just joking around. In fact, I was going to suggest that he wrap a few Scallops in bacon and tie them to the bottom of his skis while eating baloney. Also, I forgot to mention that I have been working on a homemade version of the Easy Bake Oven for my daughter that I once saw Richard Dean Anderson make on an episode of MacGyver. On a more serious note, I can see that your cousin may know what he is talking about, but do you? The majority of folks on this board do know what they are talking about, and their actions on the mountain speak louder than words in most cases. That being said, if you can't handle a little razzing every now and then, maybe you should make this post your last. I apologize to my fellow posters for coming off a bit brash, but it may be for the best.

[RR]

My cousin has been making his own for about 30 years and has b. een a guide for 45 years. He buys it in rolls, twists loops of 14 guage wire for tip loop folds the skin over and duct tapes it then glues the skins. Easy as pie, some i have used 7 seasons and more, just keep them clean! Cost is about 15 bucks each. not 115!...That is interesting info.
Question(s): No tail fastener? Just the tip loop and glue?

I ask because I am interested. I am guessing that with skill, the tail clip issue is not so important.....but I think I'd have to go with a rat-tail at the least.

[stoneman]

I'm thinking if you're contemplating using pelts - then what you really want is seal skin. Back in the day i actually did some touring with a guy that had a pair of seal skin "skins"... he got them in Europe, and we all though they were like magic. Seriously though you will spend far less money/time is you just fork out the dough for a pair. FYI there are currently 4 pair up on ebay

[icelanticskier]

That is interesting info.
Question(s): No tail fastener? Just the tip loop and glue?

I ask because I am interested. I am guessing that with skill, the tail clip issue is not so important.....but I think I'd have to go with a rat-tail at the least.

tail clips and fasteners are not necessary. i haven't used em in years. i buy the ascension standards and they work great. all those tail thingys do is add weight and drag in the snow with every stride unless using twin tips.
rog

[Teledancer]

years ago..........
one of my back country buds left his skins at home
he dug a spare pair of wool socks out of his pack and
duct taped them under(ski) he had a slow slog uphill but,
we ended up having a great day in the woods
This, however, does not answer the original Q of this post.....
(I've heard brown Klister works well! :eek:)

[PWDR8S]

years ago..........
one of my back country buds left his skins at home
he dug a spare pair of wool socks out of his pack and
duct taped them under(ski) he had a slow slog uphill but,
we ended up having a great day in the woods
This, however, does not answer the original Q of this post.....
(I've heard brown Klister works well! :eek:)

I've tried brown klister.... while it does work, it sucked removing it .... I ended up covering it with a lot of wax just so I could slide downhill. Never used it again.

Whilst we ribbed the OP on this subject often in jest, it is a good experiment to attempt if you had the time and patience.

At least it kept this thread entertaining yet informative.

And Welcome Aboard Dizzyhips! We're not all mean spirited as you imply. Many of us have many many years of experience of which we share gladly. Hope you enjoy the forum. We'll look forward to your TRs(Trail Reports) with pictures and tips and hint you could share as well.

[Teledancer]

Rookie,
Seriously, good luck with the endevour, as a "make do" yankee ;)
I applaud anybody who is willing to experiment
hope you keep us appraised as to how it all works out.
TD

[stoneman]

So if he; "buys it in rolls" - other than making tip loops out of wire, what exacly is he doing himself? Still doesn't sound like making your own... just sayin'.

[RR]

So if he; "buys it in rolls" - other than making tip loops out of wire, what exacly is he doing himself? Still doesn't sound like making your own... just sayin'.I think the deal is the rolls are unglued. Cutting to shape and length, putting the tip-loop on and then putting on the Gold Label in such a way that it lasts just like store-bought sounds like a bit of work to me.

It's an entertaining notion...getting a roll of 120mm and making skins for all my skis sounds like I would get pretty good at it after few....it's the kind of thing a ski club might do to save some dough for the members...just saying...

[PWDR8S]

Interesting concept.... Group Skins! Sounds worthy of naked group hot tubbing! http://www.techsourceconsultants.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10020/dirtysmile.gif

[RR]

purience perfected...HA!

Reps