Old ski binding repair?

[flammenwurfer]

I have an old, but nice Competition Slalom Ski that was my dad's wedding present. The ski is still in good shape generally, but the main binding is messed up. It's the kind where the heel has a stud on either side and a thumb screw type thing to tighten it after you've slid it forward or backward to adjust it. The studs have come out and the holes where they were are completely stripped.

What would be the best way to go about repairing something like that? Get new studs and epoxy them in the holes? Anybody done a repair job like this before?

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Old ski binding repair?

I had that exact same problem on an old obrien comp that I skied on a long time ago. I did exactly what you mentioned and it worked well the problem was finding the right stud size for the T nut on the binding side. So you may have to improvise a bit if you choose that method, as most pro shops don't carry stuff to repair older skiis anymore. I finally had enough of the old style crappy bindings, cut both of the studs off with a dremel tool and went to the local pro shop here and bought a take off from a new ski that someone had bought and upgraded the binding set. It is the plate style high wrap so while I was there they threw in a dozen or so stainless screws of the correct size/length I drilled pilot holes, filled with sealer, installed new binding and it has worked for twenty years. My wife still skiis on it to this day as the binding has shrunk over the years and I have moved on to newer skiis several times. but it is still holding strong. As a note if you don't mind the curved front you can pick up rear high wrap bindings that people remove to replace with a rear toe plate usually quite cheap. And they work just fine as a front binding

 

[flammenwurfer]

Re: Old ski binding repair?

It is the plate style high wrap so while I was there they threw in a dozen or so stainless screws of the correct size/length I drilled pilot holes, filled with sealer, installed new binding and it has worked for twenty years.

What do you mean by sealer? Is it something to keep the wood from rotting?

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Old ski binding repair?

Just some kind of sealant like 3M 5200 or even silicone I guess. Just to keep water from chasing the threads of the screws and stripping like has already done. What kind of a ski is it? if its a old wood hook or a maha you may want to leave it alone put it above the mantel and put the $ into something a bit newer. I collect old waterskis and some of the older stuff is getting tough to find and getting a bit more collectable(not ever going to be worth a ton) but looks wise nothing beats an old woody. I have been known to take the mahrajh out and throw up some walls on a 45 year old ski though.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: Old ski binding repair?

If you are the only one who will use the ski, then screw the heel piece right down to the ski at your shoe size. Remove the rivits from the heel and screw thru those holes. Fill the old holes with wood glue, it will hold up to water well.

What ski is it. I have and still use an old O'Brien Mach 1. Got that ski in 1974.

 

[kayc]

Re: Old ski binding repair?

OMGosh -- my husband was trying to get me to find something about replacing the binding on O'Brien Mach 1 that he got in 1974. And you're still using the exact same old ski too. He's wanting to replace the boot -- any suggestions on where or if he can find any?

If you are the only one who will use the ski, then screw the heel piece right down to the ski at your shoe size. Remove the rivits from the heel and screw thru those holes. Fill the old holes with wood glue, it will hold up to water well.

What ski is it. I have and still use an old O'Brien Mach 1. Got that ski in 1974.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Old ski binding repair?

I skied a Mach 1...35 years ago. O'Brien has not made that type of binding for quite a while. If you are REALLY set on staying on a 35-37 yr old ski I would look on eBay and look for old O'Brien skis with similar bindings. You'll likely need to buy an entire ski to get the binding parts you want and then you will be working with well, someone else's 25-30 year old rotted out bindings.

Here's one on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-OBrien-...ultDomain_0&hash=item588cd53429#ht_500wt_1156

Another eBay option:
http://cgi.ebay.com/OBrien-Competit...ultDomain_0&hash=item20b761c8ac#ht_500wt_1156

You could look at mounting a non-Obrien binding from Wileys for $125. (need to remove old boot, fill holes and drill new ones)
http://www.wileyski.com/shopproductdetail.asp?prodID=3778&catID=34

The World Team Comp is still made by O'Brien and is most similar to the Mach 1.
Here's a new one with bindings for $179:
http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&postid=14334