Mounting Tools
Lightweight skis may require some unusual mounting tools. For example, some ski specs call for drill bits that are typically used for child skis. Yes, your expensive skinny skis may in fact be designed for children. But hopefully you mount them like an adult by using some of the tools below.
3.5 x 7.5mm Drill Bit - Custom size required for Vapor Svelte and shorter Nano skis (164, 172). Also good for many junior skis.
3.5 x 9.0mm Drill Bit - Step drill bits that can be used with most Movement skis. The 9mm step prevents drilling any deeper.
3.5 x 9.5mm Drill Bit - Nice steel bits that meet the specs of most La Sportiva skis, with the notable exception of Vapor Svelte and shorter Nano skis (164, 172).
3.6 x 9.0mm Drill Bit - This is the bit for Atomic skis with wood cores (including Ultimates), Elan race skis, and folks who like numbers divisible by 0.9.
3.6 x 9.5mm Drill Bit - Black Diamond thinks this is the right bit for putting holes in pre-2020 BD skis. They might know best!
3.8 x 9.0mm Drill Bit - Unusual size preferred by the geniuses at the Trab factory in Bormio. Supplied by the geniuses at Wintersteiger. Also used for Kastle touring skis.
4.1 x 7.5mm Drill Bit - Technically a bit for junior skis, it works great on any thin ski coupled with shallower screws.
4.1 x 9.0mm Drill Bit - The exact specs from most Dynafit, Hagan, & Fischer skis since they have metal plates to drill through.
4.1 x 9.5mm Drill Bit - Some manufacturers like it deep. In this case, they also like metal top plates.
T-Handle Tap - It's recommended to tap the holes for binding screws if they are going through a metal top sheet or reinforcement plate. If you need a 4.1mm wide bit, you will most likely want to tap before screwing with this sharp Wintersteiger tool, unless you like screws with mangled threads.
Torx 20 Tool - Handy T20 driver bit for reaching and turning Dynafit binding screws that are often tucked in close to the housings. Made by Dynafit.
Radical 2 Adjustment Tool - Dynafit's tool for adjusting Radical 2 bindings.
Quiver Killers - Look here.
Hardman Epoxy - The orange double bubble is a slow cure epoxy with a very high shear strength. Flexible, tough, and vibration resistant, this is for bomber mounts and inserts. Cures grey despite being named orange and comes with a mixing stick. 18 hour full cure with a 4 hour work time which is great for anal folks like us. 3.5g per pack, enough for a mount.
Plastic Hole Plug - Little bit of shaped plastic that can be stuffed into a 4.1mm wide drill hole. Insert with epoxy for a water-tight seal. Usually black.
** Please note that you should always double check the specs on your skis and ask the manufacturer if in doubt. Make sure the bit isn't longer than the depth of your skis. Some race bindings have shorter screws so you can get away with shorter bits (e.g. 7.0 or 7.5mm steps).
***Drill bits are from both Wintersteiger and Sun Valley Ski Tools. Based on availabilty.
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Questions & Reviews
I have atomic backland skis and backland bindings ready to mount. Bought QK sets with tools from here but decided not to use them on this pair.
Skis noted to use 4.1 x 9 drill bit and it looks like the skis have carbon in it so i have 4.1mm drill bit.
When i measures the screws that came with the bindings, only 7.5mm will go in the skis, so would i still drill 9mm or just 7.5mm will do?
Also shall i use epoxy i have 24hr cure) or wood glue? I prefer epoxy and don’t want to worry about remounting but want to ask before i make a mistake.
Cheers
Doesn't hurt to have an extra mm when drilling, I would drill the full 9mm. It won't adversely affect the ski.
We typically use wood glue, and only use epoxy when reusing old holes or when we're really worried about the bindings pulling out. That said, you could use epoxy no problem if you don't plan on remounting them much.
Don't quote me on this, as alpine gear isn't my specialty, but some of the Head Kores are softer, without a titanium mount plate. Those are typically made for rental/demo fleets.
Always go with what the topsheet says!
Thanks!
The recommended drill bit is typically inscribed on the ski. In the rare case that it isn't, it depends on what the mounting plate is made of. If it's made of fiberglass, carbon, or anything but metal, you'll want to use a 3.5mm wide bit. If it's made of metal, you'll want to use a 4.1mm bit. You could reach out to Salomon about the material of the mounting plate, or drill with the 3.5mm, then, if metal shavings come out, widen it with a 4.1mm.
What size drill bit do i need to order for Atomic Backland 85 UL? Do i also need to buy the tapping tool?
Your skis should list the required drill bit right on the topsheet. If not, I would use a 3.8 or 4.1 if the mounting plate contains metal, and a 3.6 if it does not.
So the QST 118 has a metal top plate? Do I have to tap it after drilling? If yes, can you recommend a suitable tool for taping please?
Thank you again for your assistance!!
Juergen
I intend to mount a Marker Jester Pro Binding upon a pair of Salomon QST 118. Can you tell what drill bit size will be the right choice for this ski (diameter and length).
Do you ship to Germany?
Thank you and best regards,
Juergen
I would use 4.1 x 9.5mm drill bit for the QST, and we absolutely can ship to Germany.
-Will
I know the official answer is yes, but what's the unofficial answer? I promise not to sue!
"3.6 x 9.5mm Drill Bit - Black Diamond thinks this is the right bit for putting holes in BD skis. They might know best!"
but its outdated.
Will these still work?
Thanks for the question! DPS should use a 3.6 x 9.5mm Drill Bit. As for Black Crows, it depends on which ski you're looking to mount. Some use a 3.5 and some use a 4.1.
Recommended drill bit size? And should I tap?
For the Voile Vector series we would suggest a 3.6 x 9.0mm drill bit. It is the ski construction that determines the choice so go ahead and mount up those Hagans and get skiing!
I'm mounting Look SPX 12 on Atomic Punx 7. On the ski it says to use 4.1x9 drill bit.
The ski doesn't have metal sheet in it so not sure if I should use 3.6 or 4.1. I can not find any information if the ski has a mounting plate or not.
I would like to know your opinion.
Thank you very much.
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