Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to put holes in skis, glue in the holes, and screws in the glue. This sounds easier than it is, and we highly recommend that touring bindings be mounted professionally... ideally by us! Reach out to help@skimo.co if you'd like peace of mind from the best in the business-- if you buy your kit here, your mount fee is discounted, or free! If, however, you choose to undertake this ambitious endeavor in your dimly lit garage or basement with a beverage in hand, be sure to double-check the specs on your topsheet and consult the manufacturer when in doubt. Make sure your drill bit isn't deeper than your ski, and that your screws aren't longer than your bit!
3.5 x 7.5mm Drill Bit - An excellent choice for many junior skis, just remember to check screw depths!
3.5 x 9.0mm Drill Bit - A slightly downsized diameter provides more retention in soft skis without substantial mounting zone reinforcement, including all Voile Hyper skis.
3.5 x 9.5mm Drill Bit - A deeper option for soft skis without mounting reinforcement, the 9.5mm depth buffers against dimpling bases.
3.6 x 9.0mm Drill Bit - The standard recommended bit for skis without metal mounting reinforcement; also great for folks who love numbers divisible by 0.9.
3.6 x 9.5mm Drill Bit - A deeper option for the aforementioned, prefered by those too lazy to clean debris from drilled holes before mounting.
3.8 x 9.0mm Drill Bit - An unusual but highly versatile size requested by the geniuses at Ski Trab and Kastle touring. Also great for skis with particularly thin metal mounting plates.
4.1 x 7.5mm Drill Bit - A bit for metal-reinforced junior skis, but it works great on any thin (or exceptionally short) ski, coupled with shorter mounting screws.
4.1 x 9.0mm Drill Bit - Perhaps the most ubiquitously used bit, this and its 9.5mm counterpart are the standard for skis with metal mounting reinforcement.
4.1 x 9.5mm Drill Bit - A deeper option for the aforementioned, prefered by those too lazy to clean debris from drilled holes before mounting.
T-Handle Tap - It's recommended to tap the holes for binding screws if they are going through a metal reinforcement plate, or if you are using softer Titanium screws as with some race bindings.
Torx-20 Tool - An elongated T20 driver bit is useful for reaching and turning binding screws that are often tucked in close to binding housings. Made by Dynafit.
Hardman Epoxy - This is a slow-set epoxy with very high shear strength. Flexible, tough, and vibration resistant, this is for bomber mounts and setting inserts. Cures grey despite being named 'orange,' and comes with a mixing stick. Don't rush yourself with a 4-hour working time and 18-hour full cure. One pack is about enough for a mount.
Plastic Hole Plug - Shaped plastic intended to fill 4.1mm drill holes. Be sure to seal plugs in with ski mounting glue, or epoxy if you're feeling burly. Typically mixed colors.
*** Drill bits are from Wintersteiger and Sun Valley Ski Tools, based on availabilty.
Thank you for your prompt reply Will.
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
Sure thing Juergen! It doesn't have a metal top-sheet, but instead has a titanal-reinforced mounting area and solid core construction to grip the screw threads. You shouldn't need to tap the holes since we're not drilling through a true metal topsheet - we don't bother with a tap when we mount QST's in the shop.
Answer this question:
11/23/2021
Question from
Juergen
Hi, 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 was just about to put some new holes in my Trab Misticos when I realized that Trab specifies 3.8, rather then 3.5 mm. Does that difference *really* matter?
I know the official answer is yes, but what's the unofficial answer? I promise not to sue!
Jon- You are correct as of fall 2020 Black Diamond is now recommends using 4.1 width drill bit on all newer skis. Ski construction can change these days without name changes. But if ever in doubt, drill a ski with a 3.6 first and see if there is metal. If there is metal, than use 4.1 to enlarge the hole.
I'm looking to plug holes on a pair of ski's. Your plugs say the plugs a 4.1 but the previous bindings were mounted with 3.5 (wood core) Will these still work?
Hi Jason, I like to drill out 3.5 holes with a 4.1 bit before putting in the plugs. They slide in much easier that way.
6/3/2021
Answer from
Jason S
I didn't end up drilling out the holes. Mixed the epoxy, put some down into the hole and then just used a few light taps from a mallet to push the plug in. Worked great!
Answer this question:
4/21/2021
Question from
DAVELIM8850
hey there, I'm hoping to use these stepped drill bits with a drill guide to help get that 90degree angle just right. the guides come with a variety of collars that go over the shank part of the dril bit. What diameter shank are your stepped drill bits in mm? Thanks
Thanks for your question, Dave. The shank (the part that goes into the chuck of the drill) measures 6mm. The middle part, between the shank and the flute, is 8mm. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
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.
1/9/2023
Answer from
Kimball H
FWIW I just got off the phone with DPS, they're recommending 4.1x9.5 on the Pagoda Tour 112RPs I have.
Just used the 4.1 x 9 bit to mount Marker Alpinists to a pair of Backland 85's and also Mtn Summit 79s. Both skis called for the 4.1 and it worked like a charm, cleanly cutting through with ease. Solid bit.
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!
Answer this question:
10/22/2020
Question from
Bobi
Hi 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.
Thanks for your question, Bobi. We would recommend you follow the manufacturer's direction and use the bit size listed on top of the ski!
Answer this question:
10/6/2020
Question from
Esi
hi there. I have drilled a woodcore ski with 4.1mm bit instead of 3.5mm. It is brand new one! do i have to put it aside and buy a new pair or there may be some solution?
Hi Esi,
Well you are not totally hosed yet. If your ski has a metal top sheet at all your screw may hold just fine. However if the screw spins at all or if you just don't have confidence in the screw holding, install a heli-coil. A Heli-coil is a metal insert that works as a core repair for an oversized mounting hole.
Answer this question:
7/28/2020
Question from
Paul
Which drill bit do I need for Atomic RT-86 skis and backland tour bindings. Do you sell paper templates?
Hey Paul, thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we do not sell paper templates for the Backland Tour. As for the drill bit: I believe that ski may have a metal plate in it, so a 4.1 x 9.0 drill bit should work. If there isn't metal in it, 3.8 x 9.0 would be the way to go. Many times manufacturers will actually label the drill bit size on the ski itself, are there any details like that printed on your top sheet?
Purchased some Kreuzspitze Dynafit SL2 plates from you guys for my superlight 2.0s to be mounted onto BD Helio 116s and 88s. What bit(s) do I need to mount the plates and other items do you recommend?
I’m about to mount Salomon STH2 bindings on a pair of Elan Ripstick 96’s. I have a 4.1x9.5 drill bit, but I’m afraid this is overkill since there is no metal in that ski, just carbon tubes. Is 3.6x9.5 the drill bit size I need? Thanks.
Richard, you are right. A 3.5 or 3.6 is what we use for skis with no metal.
1/23/2020
Answer from
Richard V
I used a 3.6 x 9.0 drill bit and it worked out perfectly. Thanks! I just registered.
Answer this question:
7/31/2019
Question from
Josh
Hi, I'm mounting some Look SPX 12 Dual WTR B120 bindings on a pair of Faction dictator 3.0's, the topsheet of the ski says to use a 4.1x9mm drill bit, but I've only got a 4.1x9.5mm drill bit, will this be alright, or will that penetrate too deep?
Hi Jesse, A) Yes it's 4mm. See here for more info. B) It should be marked on the ski, but likely 4.1x9 for the Ultras. C) Look at the QK install kit, which could replace or supplement the above bit. D) Depends on the ski and it's condition.
If I try to install quiver killers on my Dynafit speedfit 84 for my speed turn 2.0 binding and I comes up as below: 1) 4.1 x 9.0mm Drill Bit 2) T-Handle Tap (for quiver killers)? 3) Hardman Epoxy (one pack for 8 quiver killers ?) 4) 8 quiver killers I already have some fastener kit for my speed turn 2.0. could you verify for me this list is good enough?
Hi liming, for two skis you will need 16 quiver killers. To install quiver killers, you will need the drill bit and install tool, or whole kit, found here.
Answer this question:
11/30/2018
Question from
Chris Loda
What size drillbit do I use for atomic back land 102 skis
