How to Mount Karhu Telemark Skis
Unlike alpine ski-bindings, most telemark bindings are not designed to release on impact and have few moving parts. Since they are comparatively simple, they require little technical knowledge and can easily be mounted at home. That said, great care should be taken to ensure that the mount is done properly. Double- and even triple-check all of your measurements before actually drilling any holes. In mounting ski bindings, you really do get only one chance to get it right.
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Things You'll Need
- Work bench, preferably with a ski-vice
- #3 posi-driver
- Tape measure with millimeter markings
- Wood glue
- Drill
- Drill bit, 4.1 or 3.5mm depending on the ski model
- Paper template that came with bindings
- Sharpie
Instructions
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1
Set up the ski in a ski-vice. Use clamps if you don't have a ski-vice; protect the ski with a rag or bit of rubber.
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2
Find the "chord" or center-point of the ski. Modern Karhu telemark skis come with three "mounting location lines" printed on the actual ski. Each line represents the chord recommended for a range of boot sizes. The larger the boot, the further forward the line. If you are an expert and want more precision, Karhu publishes charts that take into account boot size and ski model-and-length to generate the exact distance, in millimeters, that the company recommends for your particular configuration. If you use this technique, you must mark your own line on the ski.
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3
Position the template on the ski and align it with the appropriate mounting location line.
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4
Use a nail-set or hammer and nail to pre-set each screw-hole on the template. Typically, there will be four. Remove the template.
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5
Set up the drill with either a 4.1 or 3.5mm bit. Use the 4.1mm for Karhu's "titanal" skis and the 3.5mm for the "carbon construction" skis. The skis should be clearly marked as one or the other.
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6
Drill straight down on the screw-holes you have marked, holding the drill with two hands.
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7
Release the ski from the vice or clamps and flip and tap it to clean out the holes.
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8
Fill the screw-holes with wood glue, line up the binding with the ski and the holes and, starting from the forward holes, insert the screws and move back. If you use a drill to do this, keep the clutch at a low setting so that the screws are only partially driven. Tighten the screws by hand using a cross-pattern. Do not over-tighten the screws; they should be snug but don't need to be especially tight.
Karhu makes several wide but thin powder skis that, depending on the make and model of the bindings you are mounting, may require that you cut the ends off of your screws. A general rule is that you do not want your screws penetrating more than two-thirds the thickness of the ski.
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9
Position the boot in the mounted toe piece and latch it in place with the heel cable. Use the boot to position the heel-piece and then remove the boot and mark the screw-holes through the heel-piece. Measure from the toe to heel-piece and make a note of the distance to use on the other ski.
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10
Drill the marked holes and screw in the heel-piece as above.
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Repeat all of the above as needed with the other ski.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a posi-driver and not a Phillips-head. They look very similar to the uninitiated; if you do not know the difference, ask at your local hardware store.
Always use appropriate caution when operating power tools.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit telemark skier image by Mike & Valerie Miller from Fotolia.com
