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Old January 26th 07, 08:54 PM posted to rec.skiing.backcountry,rec.skiing.alpine
VtSkier
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Posts: 1,233
Default pressing ski boot shells

VtSkier wrote:
Private wrote:
Looking for information or websites with detailed and complete
information regarding techniques and tools for pressing and punching
plastic ski boot shells.

I need to press the toe box area to increase clearance for both toe
width and length. I need to press both Lange and Garmont (PeBax)
boots which I understand have different types of plastic and require
the application of different temperatures and heat sources.

TIA


Whew!!
You paid good bucks for those boots. I suspect that you bought
them on line and did not have the benefit of a fit guarantee
from a reputable ski shop.

Having said that, the least expensive way to go, is to go to
a shop like Super Feet. They will sell you custom inserts which
you probably need AND they will handle other fitting chores for
a single price, effectively taking over the fit guarantee
that a shop would normally provide.

As for doing it yourself. The equipment which actually works
is probably out of your price range if you buy it, or out of
your time range if you decide to make your own. Otherwise, for
what a shop will charge you, you won't be able to outfit
yourself with the necessary tools.

I've tried to do what you propose. Being an ex-shop rat, I
felt competent. I had some small success using a conventional
shoe stretcher and a paint removal heat gun. The heat gun, BTW,
will be the least expensive item you'll need.

As for p-bax, I used to have a pair of Lowa Structura, which
I think are p-bax, and stretching in the normal way worked fine.

Do the Garmonts have a heat fit liner? My Scarpa Tornados do.
If it has the heat fit liner, then go to a shop which sells
boots which have heat fit liners (i.e. Dalbello) and have them
do the job. Putting toe cap over your toes when the fitting is
done will make the toe box problem go away completely as long
as your shell fit correctly.


I might have mis-worded the last paragraph.

Have the shop put the toe cap over your toes when you put
your foot into the heated liner/shell. This move the
heat fit "stuff" away from your toes to give them more
room.
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