So in short i have a spare old steam iron that is now surplus to requirements and i’m not sure whether to throw it away or find some other use for it.

The first thing that came to mind was to use it as a ski/snowboard wax iron. Obviously without filling it with water.
question is, will it work? has anybody tried?

Any other good uses for an old steam iron?

yep ive done it

works fine

Yep

Connected to a convenient local wind turbine, they make a handy camping toaster.

Obviouslly drain the water out and set it to “no steam”, but yeah, don’t understand why anyone would buy a “proper” waxing iron.

Good for reducing dents/scratches in wood. Lay a white and clean damp cloth over the dent and press for a few seconds.
The steam gets in the pores and swells them reducing the dent.
Sand and polish.

I bought the cheapest iron I could from Argos rather than buying a proper waxing iron, assuming there was no difference.
worked fine, but the pointy bit can dig in making it a bit harder to get an even surface.

but the pointy bit can dig in making it a bit harder to get an even surface

That’s why skis are better than snowboards. 😀

…but the pointy bit can dig in making it a bit harder to get an even surface.

Use the iron sideways? And no need for an even surface really as you’re going to be scraping all the excess wax off afterwards anyway. I’m one of the techs at the local dry slope once or twice a month and have been on training courses where they only use el-cheapo domestic irons (we do use ‘proper’ ones too though).

don’t understand why anyone would buy a “proper” waxing iron

Two things: the holes can get gummed up, but the main reason is that the thermostat’s not very sensitive so it cools down a lot before heating up a lot – the temperature is not very consistent. Waxing irons stay much more steady.

Yep use an old £6 Woolworths steam iron to do all my waxing. No issues.

the pointy bit can dig in making it a bit harder to get an even surface.

Can’t say I’ve had that issue. Maybe you should get your wife to do the ironing bit? 😉

Seriously, you’re going to scrape it afterwards anyway so it doesnt need to be super even or smooth.

Controlling the temp can be a bit of a pain. Or maybe it’s just the old iron i used to use. Be careful on a new board!

I’ve always used a cheap travel iron. It has steam holes, but has been fine. Its still going strong a waxes many a board each year (until the last few years, with family commitments). Thinking about it, I bought it in ’97, so thats some going!

Yes.

I use an old travel iron, as it folds away nice and small for taking with me on snowboard holidays

EDIT: sorry didnt, read the question. old steam iron will work fine for snowboard.

A proper waxing iron weighs somewhat less when X-C touring.