Seems like I was just out of the WildSnow shop, then I’m back again helping with another Dynafit FT-12 custom supermount. This time, guest blogger Dave showed up with his new Black Diamond Method boots and a pair of Killowatts. We pulled his Fritschis off the Killos and spun the screws on the new FT-12s. The plan, he’ll test the ’12s as an aggressive skier with enough mass to give the new grabbers a run for their money.
It took a while to clean up the old screw holes. I don't like just plugging them with plastic as is usually done in ski shops, but prefer to fill them with epoxy.
This time I slightly drilled out the screw holes in the binding base so the screws wouldn't "double thread" and cause difficulties with getting the plate tight on the ski. Even so, we looked like a couple of engine rebuilders while setting the screws, as I helped Dave learn to use his arm as a torque wrench. As I always say, a good craftsman can do this at home using our mounting instructions (see Bindings menu above), but you'd better have some experience with handwork to do so.
Interesting observation during this project was that the Method boot’s sole block moves a tiny amount when torqued to the side in the Dynafit binding. That’ll be important to watch, as anything that moves over and over again in a mechanical system may eventually wear. If I’d ever wondered why the Dynafit ZZeus boot uses 6 scews and a flange for the front sole block attachment, now I think I see why. It’ll be interesting this winter to see if Dynafit’s solution is overkill or not. I suspect not. Nonetheless, the BD boots use a beefy attachment system as well. This has been tested and engineered, so I’ve got faith in it too. WildSnow’s real-world testing will tell the tale.
Happy Dynafitter for now, ready to find out if he can really make the switch. I'm optimistic. Next step will be fitting those Methods.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
