Custom Tool for Dynafit, Plum, Tech Rear Spring Barrell

by Lou Dawson
written by Lou Dawson

Do your tech bindings look like this from kludgy screw driver use?

Do your tech bindings look like this from kludgy screw driver use? At the least, use the biggest blade screwdriver possible -- or make a custom tool.

If you can’t find the right tool, just make one. I feel like a fool to have waited 20 years to do this, but any time is the right time to break the procrastination cycle.

Ever notice how bogus most screwdrivers are for spinning the spring cap on the rear spring barrel of tech bindings such as Dynafit, Plum, and others? Too small a screwdriver and you muck up the slot at best, or at worst have trouble keeping the cap aligned and end up stripping the plastic threads it threads into. Today was the day. I purchased a 1″ gasket scraper that appeared easily shaped to the required dimensions for a super wide slot flat screwdriver custom made ajustment tool. About 45 minutes later, we now have the ANSI approved DIN/ISO certified tech binding rear spring cap tool screwdriver.

The custom tool in use fits the rear spring cap to perfection, thus preventing damage as well as .

The custom tool made from a gasket scraper, in use fits the rear spring cap to perfection, thus preventing slot damage as well as helping to prevent thread stripping when you screw in the cap.

One inch gasket scraper is the starting point.

One inch gasket scraper is the starting point.

Using some calipers I determined how far up the blade I'd chop to get the thickness correct. This can easily be done by eye and trial.

Using calipers, I determined how far up the blade I'd chop to get the thickness correct. This can easily be done by eye and trial. Key is to cut up to the point where you get a blade that's snug in the tech binding cap slot. More, it's not a bad idea to file some of the taper out when you're done so the wide sides of the blade are closer to parallel. Important: A gasket scraper will have a slight angle to the blade, which isn't ergonomic when using as a srewdriver. Bend out the angle by heating first then tweaking.

I did the chop with a small cutoff wheel. A disk grinder would work as well.

I did the chop with a small cutoff wheel. A disk grinder would work as well but this sort of steel is usually too hard for a hacksaw. No worries about grinding heat wrecking tempered hardness since you'll only be using this tool on aluminum.

Completed tool for backcountry skiing tech bindings.

Completed tool for backcountry skiing tech bindings. I might do a bit more work on the blade so the sides are closer to parallel, but as is it works quite well. Nice addition to the WildSnow bench.

Looks like it was made to turn a tech binding cap, eh?

Looks like it was made to turn a tech binding cap, eh? Little things like this can make backcountry skiing easier and more fun.

Any of you ski techs out there have a favorite tool for turning the tech binding spring cap barrel? Do you like this one made out of a gasket scraper? Make a comment!

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