Replacing Jr. Tuuk Custom+ blades

[ktang 34]

My son's skates (Bauer Jr. Vapor 3, size 3) are running out of steel, and I had a few questions about changing the steel (Jr. Tuuk Custom+ blades) because I am thinking of trying to do it myself:

1. Are there 2 nuts per chassis, one in the front and one in the heel?

2. Could I drill holes through the skate sole to access these nuts, or should I take it to the LHS for them to remove the rivets, change the blades, and rivet everything back together?

3. Would shops usually make the holes in the skate sole to access the nuts, or take the blade holders off the skates?

4. If I do it myself, is it difficult to get to the front nut? It looks like it might be close to being under the toe cap.

5. If I do it myself, should I use blue thread lock when I put it all back together?

6. If I do it myself, how large should the holes be (nickel-sized)?

7. If I do it myself, any other pointers or things to watch out for?

Thanks,

- Kevin

[JR Boucicaut 3808]

Yes

Yes, but it's hard to pinpoint where exactly the Tuuk bolts are, so you're probably better off getting the LHS to do it.

If they have the templates, yes

It's a pain in the ass sometimes

Yes

Yes

Have fun, it can be tricky and frustrating...

[jimmy 194]

You can do it yourself, you can't mess it up. Tip 1, for placement, drill the hole in the heel halfway between the copper rivets and the first steel rivets, right in the middle of the skate. You should then be lined up with the nut. Think of how a number five dice looks. You drill exactly in the middle. Make the hole big enough to get a 8mm 1/4 in socket with long extension in there. Tip 2, tape the socket to the extension so you don't accidently pull off the socket and have it come off inside the holder.

Tip 3, for the front hole drill it center of skate, just at the point where the tounge is sewn into the plastic cap. Basically your drill bit will will be resting against the toe cap. Don't be shy about making this hole bigger, you may need to angle your drill to do it.

[ktang 34]

Jimmy, JR:

Thanks for the advice. I bit the bullet and tried it out this weekend. It took me 10 mins for the first skate, and 5 mins for the second one. It went exactly as you described. (I didn't get the new steel yet; I was just practicing removing the old pair and reinstalling it.)

- Kevin