Ice skate repair (loose rivest and some others) Please this is urgent??

Question

1) one of the rivets on the bottom of my skate came off. what should i do? go to the pro shop and let them s***w in another rivet? can i buy one from the hardware store and do it myself?

also how many rivets should i have to hold the mount? currently i have four and it seems to be enough.

2) where the loose rivet was, the wood on my skate looks wierd. it looks likes its just a little loose. is that normal? (also for my other rivets that are still in place the wood looks like that.

3) the holes that are not filled in( don't have rivets in them), the mount sorta made an imprint and i can see it. is that supposed to happen?

4) what's the best website to find knee pads? or sports store to buy them. i tried the volleyball knee pads (small ones) from sports authority, but i'm not sure if those allow free movement.

5) is it necessary to wet seal the leather of the boots, and the sole of the skate? if so what is the best product to use? wet seal or can i buy anything.

Answer 1

I would suggest going to the pro shop to get the rivet put back into your skate, but since you have had your skates for a year, and it sounds like they are pretty worn you should consider a new pair of skates. Most skates last a year to a year and a half depending on the level of skating you are doing and the skates that you have. It is best to seal the leather with sno seal  and seal the wooden heels with heel/sole enamel (you can usually buy this at your pro shop) or boat polish to help protect the skates. It's best to seal things when you first get the skates, but you can do it later. It sounds like the wood on your skates may be rotting which also means that you may need a new pair of skates.

As far as knee pads you can buy them at your local pro shop or you can buy them here http://www.figureskaters-resource.com/ca...  Good luck!

Answer 2

First of all, do you have expensive skates?

How old are they?  They sound old, and the sole may be dry rotting and thats maybe why the wood (leather) looks weird.  . But it's hard to tell not seeing your skates.

I would  take your skates to a  professional  skate shop or shoe repair to have them look at it.  

As for wet sealing your soles, I would highly recommend that.

My daughter has had both the wet seal and varnish method. They both worked well but if they are wet sealed your suppose to maintain them with a coat every year is what I was told.  

I hope you know, you don't wet seal the leather of the boot itself. If you have a good pair of skates, the sole of the boot is leather also, and that's what your suppose to seal.  I hope you dry your blades and soles when your done skating, and also put soaker's on you blades when your not wear them. That helps from dry rot.

As for the knee pads, my daughter used the volleyball knee pads when she was 6-8 years old, she thought they worked well. but when getting into her doubles and triples she wore nothing because they were restricting  to her.

Below is a great link for referencing care on your boots and blades.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I got a self tapping s***w from the local hardware shop where they put it in for me but I bought some spares too. My skates just had four in the heel though there were holes for six if necessary. I just use these skates for recreational purpose and they weren't too expensive but if yours are you might be better going to a pro shop. They could give you advice on other issues too.

As for knee pads I got both knee and elbow in-line pads from eBay last year.    They shouldn't impede performance.

Answer 4

do it yourself.