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.