Weatherman 523 Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 I just picked up the Swix EVO Pro Edger and tried it out. After two hours of work, I've managed to sharpen exactly one pair of skis and properly mess up the edge on a second. I have some feedback you might be interested in. The most important piece of advice I can give: practice on your rock skis. Seriously. This thing takes some practice and you will make mistakes. My rocks skis and I are going to have to spend some quality time with files and stones to sort out the damage I have done. My second caveat: before you use this on a pair of skis, check to see if the machine with clear the brakes. That is how I got myself into trouble. I've discovered that freeride skis with flat-mounted bindings DO NOT work with this tool. The side guide is too deep and will get hung up on the brake. I'll be tuning these skis by hand, and I have some side damage to repair. But the race bindings, demo bindings, and system bindings all seem to be okay -- but some just barely! Another interesting bit... the cord is way too short. You have to mount the transformer just under the center of the tuning bench. It's annoying, but not a show-stopper. I used a elastic band (brake retainer) to hang it under the center piece of my vice. Before sharpening with the tool, you seriously need to plane back the sidewall. Seriously. Get with the times and save it clean. It's import to keep it neat, boys. So far I have yet to manage to set a bevel with the tool. You definitely can only do weekly touch-ups with the included fine disk, and only after knocking off the burrs. I'm going to spend more time with the coarse and then medium stones to set some bevels. I'll let you know how it goes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted October 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 I'm getting a bit better at using the machine. I'm still not clear that the "course" stone does much of anything. For me so far the medium stone has been the workhorse. I'm getting dialed in a shaving the sidewalls, and but am not sure what to do with the K2 plastic cap construction on the tips and tails of my Rictors. It does not plane well, and the machine does not like it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ABV 147 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 Woah that sucker is $$$, Ill be doing it by hand for a while ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Meh 9 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 Does your file guide go to 6degrees+ ? If yes, put a pansar file in it for that sidewall. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted October 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 9 hours ago, ABV said: Woah that sucker is $$$, Ill be doing it by hand for a while ! I got it cheaper than that on a pro deal. I'm not sure if they have these yet at the Swix outlet in Haverhill, but they usually have good prices there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cannonballer 639 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 (edited) It's obvious from your photos what you are doing wrong. No beer! I've never seen a proper tuning bench without a beer on it. And that's just for tuning. Binding mounts require completely different materials. Edited October 4, 2017 by Cannonballer 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cannonballer 639 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 19 hours ago, ABV said: Ill be doing it by hand for a while ! Me too....Leaving tomorrow for a month at sea! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ABV 147 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 1 minute ago, Cannonballer said: Me too....Leaving tomorrow for a month at sea! 3 hours ago, Cannonballer said: It's obvious from your photos what you are doing wrong. No beer! I've never seen a proper tuning bench without a beer on it. And that's just for tuning. Binding mounts require completely different materials. Nice Bench ! I think I have something similar ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ABV 147 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 9 hours ago, Weatherman said: I got it cheaper than that on a pro deal. I'm not sure if they have these yet at the Swix outlet in Haverhill, but they usually have good prices there. it seems pricey but hey add up tunes for your complete quiver per multiple times per season and Id guess its not too bad ! and being able to do it when you want....... nice ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cannonballer 639 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 3 minutes ago, ABV said: Nice Bench ! I think I have something similar ! haha, yeah I think you just might! Here's the first pic I ever took of it. Already had the most basic tools..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ABV 147 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Cannonballer said: haha, yeah I think you just might! Here's the first pic I ever took of it. Already had the most basic tools..... Sent from my iPhone using Northeast Mountain Sports mobile app my not in season pic....notice no beer on the shelf ! Edited October 4, 2017 by ABV 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cannonballer 639 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 FWIW. In the pic I posted above you can see my ski brake retainer. I traced my boot sole onto a piece of 1x3 and cut it out. I click the wood into the bindings and find that it keeps the brakes out of the way better than straps or bungees. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BumpOut 70 Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 20 hours ago, ABV said: Ill be doing it by hand for a while ! 1 hour ago, Cannonballer said: Me too....Leaving tomorrow for a month at sea! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted October 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 1 hour ago, Cannonballer said: FWIW. In the pic I posted above you can see my ski brake retainer. I traced my boot sole onto a piece of 1x3 and cut it out. I click the wood into the bindings and find that it keeps the brakes out of the way better than straps or bungees. I was actually just thinking about this yesterday! I now regret throwing away our old boots. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted October 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 On 10/3/2017 at 10:27 PM, Weatherman said: I'm getting a bit better at using the machine. I'm still not clear that the "course" stone does much of anything. For me so far the medium stone has been the workhorse. I'm getting dialed in a shaving the sidewalls, and but am not sure what to do with the K2 plastic cap construction on the tips and tails of my Rictors. It does not plane well, and the machine does not like it. After exchanging a few emails with Swix, I think they may have a serious problem with defective or mislabeled stones. I think the course stone they sent me was either blank or really an extra-fine stone with the wrong label. They said they would send me a return authorization, but I should send it directly to someone specific and not general return department. For a week now they have been silent and no return shipping info has been sent. Something is not right here. I wondering if they walked into the warehouse and pulled some stones only to realize they have a larger problem than just me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted October 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 Got a call from Swix today with the return info. I'll send the disk back tomorrow and keep everyone posted on what they say. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted November 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 I got the replacement coarse disc today, and they included a free Extra Fine too. Kind of them. I was told that the coarse stone I sent in was "glazed" and that I should be careful to plane the sidewalls. I'm going to have to be doubly careful about this. I'm still not sure how to handle shaving cap construction sides on my skis with the mixed cap-wall construction. Also no word on how to clean the stone after it gets clogged with sidewall, or if it can be done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MadRussian 22 Posted November 4, 2017 Report Share Posted November 4, 2017 On 10/3/2017 at 11:32 PM, ABV said: Woah that sucker is $$$, Ill be doing it by hand for a while ! wow this is expensive toy/tool. I think this "little" machine would be much better option https://www.ebay.com/itm/WINTERSTEIGER-1500-MCR-grinding-machine/162684281820?hash=item25e0bd23dc:g:ivQAAOSwWlNZxobo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted November 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2017 2 hours ago, MadRussian said: wow this is expensive toy/tool. I think this "little" machine would be much better option https://www.ebay.com/itm/WINTERSTEIGER-1500-MCR-grinding-machine/162684281820?hash=item25e0bd23dc:g:ivQAAOSwWlNZxobo Huh. I am seriously thinking about that grinder. Anybody an electrician who wants to wire this up for me if I do it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Puck it 256 Posted November 5, 2017 Report Share Posted November 5, 2017 10 hours ago, Weatherman said: Huh. I am seriously thinking about that grinder. Anybody an electrician who wants to wire this up for me if I do it? It should not be hard. Just needs a 220 connection it looks like from the plug. I can help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MadRussian 22 Posted November 5, 2017 Report Share Posted November 5, 2017 1 hour ago, Puck it said: It should not be hard. Just needs a 220 connection it looks like from the plug. I can help. from looks of it. This is three phase motors. You will need a Rotary phase converter little bit more complicated compared to single phase 220. Also you most likely going to need 6" stone it's not difficult job to wire it ... even put together phase converter yourself. I done myself to wire my Montana machine... PM me if u will buy it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Puck it 256 Posted November 5, 2017 Report Share Posted November 5, 2017 Is that one yours? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MadRussian 22 Posted November 5, 2017 Report Share Posted November 5, 2017 11 minutes ago, Puck it said: Is that one yours? yes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 I just want to stress, be very careful with this tool. It would amazingly well but takes a steady hand. You can really do some damage to the edge if it slips. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Weatherman 523 Posted October 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2018 I tried using my edger for the first time of the season this weekend. No dice. The power supply is blown. Confirmed that it is the power supply by stopping by a local shop and trying out their power supply with my edger. I sent Swix an email asking how I find a new one. Sad! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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