Hole size for binding insert on Radar ski

[RobertStewart]

I need to add two inserts to my Radar ski, the inserts are 0.200 wide for 8x32 screw, do I drill a hole same size or slightly smaller?

[Lars]

What kind of insert are you using? page 15 of this catalog says for a wood threaded insert you'd drill a 1/4" hole for an 8/32 screw.

https://www.ezlok.com/assets/documents/EZLOKBrochure_2014.pdf

[skialex]

Take a caliper, measure the outside diameter of the insert inside the threads and use the same diameter drill bit. You need to dig the foam a little inside the hole to build a solid base with epoxy putty for the insert to sit in. Drill the putty and screw the insert in place.

 

[RobertStewart]

The insert was obtained at a water skis shop, looks just like the ones that are in the ski from the factory. The shop did not know what size to make the hole. The insert is smaller in diameter than the run of the mill insert my ACE hardware shop has and the one in the catalog above.

[eddie_roberts_jr]

If you are adding inserts to your ski in a spot where there was no insert before it probably won't hold. We install nylon blocks for insert retention in the core before molding the ski, then drill into them when the ski is finished with a 15/64" drill bit and the insert is threaded into the nylon block. If you just drill through the top and into the foam that won't hold.

[RobertStewart]

Eddie that is great info, I have size 15 foot and my rear binding plate does not line up with 2 of the front existing inserts, my plan was to add two inserts about 1.5" toward the rear for the front of the rear plate, the nylon block most likely does not extend this far?

[BraceMaker]

Done it quite a few times for mounting the front release body for FM and OB plates by drilling then going in with a small dremel burr and opening out foam around the area then inject it with a composite empxy. Then redrill and install the insert.

[Zman]

@RobertStewart Would using a single plate, Radar Sequence, solve your problem without risking having to install inserts that will not be in the nylon blocks noted by @eddie_roberts_jr ?

I think that should work for you, assuming your boots will mount to the Sequence plate (if not Radar boots).

Plus, if you can use the new Carbon Sequence plate, you get micro-adjustment for 1/16th boot movements instead of standard 5/16ths. Very useful!

[Marco]

Modify the plate, not the ski. Get a longer plate if necessary. Easy to drill and countersink as needed to make the binding and ski attachment work.

[RobertStewart]

Thanks to all of you who made suggestions and saved me from drilling a sink hole in my ski. I am using Wiley double wrap bindings and will move my rear binding back on the plate itself, have to drill 4 holes.