FasterSkier Forums » General

1. D. Diehl
   Member

   I purchased the Swix double wheel structure tool T0404. It's not cheap at close to $150. I warm the base of the ski with a heat gun and even with some real serious body weight on the tool I'm unsuccessful at getting any visible imprint on the base. Anyone have any luck with this structure tool or know the secret to get it to work. Also there is no directionsl arrow or instructions which way the tool should face when moving down the ski.

   Posted 1 month ago #

2. tradesmith45
   Member

   I don't have direct experience w/ this tool but since no one has copied up, I'll give it a crack.

   Give a shop like Gearwest a call with your question. I'm sure someone there has experience & they're always helpful.

   We own a few structure tools - old Toko Structurerite, new Toko & last year model Swix T0403. Both the Toko tools have sharp edged blades for both linear & skipped structure. The brass Swix blade is more blunt.

   Does the tool you are using have sharp edges?

   I find it very hard to see the structure added by the Toko tools when placed on an already ground base. I have to hold the base at an angle to use reflected light to see it. The blunt Swix tool leaves easily visible structure.

   If you have a old or rec ski or one you've metal scraped the structure out of, try the tool on it to see what it does.

   Best of luck,

   Posted 1 month ago #

3. Chris Hall
   Member

   Hi D. Diehl,

   The T404 is an imprint structure tool, so it will not cut into the ski base. It created a long broken diamond structure that is well suited for skating skis for conditions that are -2C or warmer.
   It may be difficult to see the imprint, as tradesmith45 noted earlier, but this is by design. With a glide waxing or two, the imprint will come out of the base.
   Chris Hall
   Swix Racing Service

   Posted 1 month ago #

4. D. Diehl
   Member

   Yes I realize this is an imprit tool as I stated in my post. However my Toko Structurite tool clearly makes a visible imprint. The Toko tool has one drum and is very thin and sharp on the ridges. Perhaps this is why I can get it to work better than the Swix tool. My thought is since the Swix has two imprint drums it's spreads out my hand and arm pressure more so. I remember Jenex suggested heating the base slightly to get their imprint tool to work. Finally this is not the only dual wheel imprint tool on the market. Holmenkol makes one. So finally I'm back to my question of how to get an imprint out this tool while using both imprint drumms.

   Posted 1 month ago #

5. Chris Hall
   Member

   The T404 will not make as visible an imprint as other rollers, but it does produce a pattern. The pattern is not as busy as other rollers, which makes it more difficult to see with the eye, but with good lighting you can make it out. Look for a long, elongated diamond pattern. You might need to hold it up to a light to see the pattern.
   The purpose of this tool is to reduce surface tension when there is moderate amounts of water in the snow pack. At the same time, the structure pattern is light, which reduces the chances of dirt and foreign substances collecting in the structure of the base.

   Posted 1 month ago #

6. D. Diehl
   Member

   Thank you Chris for helping me with the Swix product. My shop where I purchased it reallly didn't know anything about the product they sold. Since I think you are associated with Swix do I dare ask why my new little Swix black iron will not melt Swix CH6 wax or even has difficulty melting CH8 wax?

   Posted 1 month ago #

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