#1
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Blades "Stuck" on Boots
I've an issue.
The second-hand skates I got are pretty new and nice even though they are the older model. The thing is, I'm doing waterproofing with varnish. I was attempting to remove the blade so that I can reach the whole sole. Somehow, the heel plates of both blades did not give any issues but the sole plates seem "stuck" on the boots. I can't see if there are any glue under or anything like that. Is it a natural occurrence? Should I continue with the varnishing? Will it do harm in the future if I can't reach the sole? I have already applied one layer. I wanted to put some silicon under the blades like here: http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~schneidw/...ng_blades.html But it doesn't seem much like an option now. My current skates' right blades are really unstable so I want to do a good job for this pair. Thanks for any help. I may approach a coach who may know something about this if it doesn't work out. |
#2
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Is it really that neccessary to waterproof them? I mean, if you just dry them off after skating?
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#3
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I would Sessy- when I changed the blade on my current skates (bought used) the entire area under the blade plate was rotted. My sharpener didn't think it would affect the stability of the blade, but if it ever gets really bad it definetly could.
As for stuck blades- if you can't get it off with your hand, that's really weird. My blades stayed in place after the screws were removed, but I could take them off when I pulled (they had indented into the soles). Thankfully my new blades lined up to about the same place, so it wasn't an issue. Hope you figure it out.
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-Jessi What I need is a montage... Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009) |
#4
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How old are these second-hand skates? It sounds like they were varnished before the blades were mounted. Varnish takes a really long time to harden, so mounting the blades before the soles were totally dry would cause it to adhere the boots to the blades. Back in the day, it was believed that the layer of varnish under the blade sole would protect the boot, but as Skittl pointed out, that's not always the case. Think about it: the varnish contains moisture - you're just trapping it in there.
I've always had the blade sole plate "sink in" to the leather sole on pretty much every pair of skates. That makes it harder to remove the blades. Just use a putty knife and prise the soleplate off the boot. Then plug the holes before you apply varnish. FWIW, we used varnish or "Heel and Sole Enamel" in the 1980's and I still ended up with boot rot. I use SnoSeal now and haven't had many problems with rot, except around the unused holes from a previous blade.
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Isk8NYC
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#5
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Quote:
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Heel Plate with minimal force Sole plate Quote:
Pic from eBay After today's single coat What about the silicon sealant then? I'm thinking that if varnish traps moisture, so does anything else! If the intent is to keep moisture out, likewise will the moisture that is in to be "trapped" inside! Quote:
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BTW, applying the varnish was very therapeutic... either from the repetitive act or the fumes, I don't know... |
#6
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Looking at your photos of the sole plate it looks like you've got a small gap at one end, so you might be able to slot something metal in (blunt blade) and use that to prise it off.
Is the stickiness under the heel plate the varnish you've been applying? As it looks like there's something that was holding that on as well. It could well be varnish as it comes in various shades so it might just be that you're applying a slightly darker shade. Good luck getting them off. |
#7
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Thanks! I think I'll try again and if I can't.... That's the way it's meant to be! BTW, is it okay to put silicon on TOP of the plate? Since I can't get under... |
#8
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A putty knife is a tool that workmen use in building, repairing, or scraping stuff off walls. It has a thin, flexible metal blade and comes in multiple widths. You can buy one at the hardware store, but anyone who works on their house would probably own one that you could borrow.
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Isk8NYC
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#9
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#10
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I was cursing as I watched Project Runway reruns.
Why? I was prying the blades apart from the boots with a butter knife. It did come apart. It sounds and look like they were glued. In the picture, you can see the lighter spots. Those spots are raised, like a little furry too. Which makes me think, could that be to level the boot/blade? Man, I'm afraid of screwing them up. Thanks for explaining what's a putty knife! Haha I'm not very good at DIY stuff. I think I have that at home, but it's a little rusty, and slightly thicker than my butter knife. ETA: The right blade is very very very stubbornly stuck. I used the putty knife on it. It's leaving marks on the soles but the blade refuses to budge. I'm going to continue varnishing the left one.... UGHHH. The right blade of my current skates is the one giving my problems! This is so iffy! Last edited by SkatEn; 06-10-2009 at 01:05 PM. |
#11
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Well done on getting one blade off. Sounds like cursing whilst watching TV is the way to go. You might be able to prise a little with the butter knife and then get pallet knife under it.
Alternatively, if you can work out what the glue is, maybe you can find a solvent to dissolve the old glue? Although that might wet the boots so you'd have to leave them to dry before varnishing them. At least you know now that the blades are definitely glued on. Now why would anyone want to do that? |
Tags |
blades, boot, mounting, waterproofing |
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