Shaping a new 9’6" log and figured I’d make my own fin too…I’m assuming 50-60 layers of 4-6oz. fiberglass will suffice, but is anyone laying fins up with RR epoxy or should I use poly for this? Thx…
I’m in the process of making a set of epoxy fins for my shortboard (not RR, but Kinetix epoxy - much the same I believe). I used 40 layers of 6oz with a 1mm balsa core, compressed between two smooth stone slabs while the epoxy cured. I’ve cut out the fins, but still need to foil them, so currently they are a little too thick at about 7mm. I would imagine for a longboard fin, your estimated 50-60 layers of 6oz under moderate compression would give you the required thickness.
BTW, I found I could really only saturate about 4 layers of 6-oz cloth at a time, ie put waxed paper on bottom smooth level surface, put 4 layers down, spread some epoxy around to saturate, put another 4 layers down, spread some more epoxy around…repeat until done…then put waxed paper and 16kg stone slab on top and wait for it to cure. The waxed paper peels off the fin panel easily at the end.
Cheers
Paul
It's possible, using epoxy and sooo many 4 oz layers, that you end up with a fin more flexible than is considered "rideable". 60 layers will be super thick, making for tons of drag, but lots of lift.
I'd use 30 layers of 8 with poly for normal longboard fin flex.....in about a 10" swept wave fin template. I can laminate as many as 6 layer at a time, but for quality control, better with 3 layer at a time.
…hello Tenover, use G10, is just that without the hassles.
Do you still have the Hinckley Bonnie?
LeeD is right on track for a Bahne box. Is this a glass on or a box fin? I make epoxy fins with either rohacell or wood on the sides of glass, for weight reduction, specific flex, and to save on epoxy. Foam sandwich construction is a great thing, and makes my boat float.
These beauties are epoxy/glass/wood fins with carbon reinforced LokBox tabs, custom made for me by Michael Torres (search swaylocks for user name Camplus)
Along the same lines I have been wondering if I could use up all of my bamboo veneer offcuts laminated to make a fin panel. I have a whole bunch of 1/40" veneer some with 4 oz glass spray adhesived to one side. I would be using epoxy and vacuum to put the veneers together. Wondering how many layers it might take? I guess wetting the pieces individually would be time consuming because it wouldn’t exactly wet through the veneer. Maybe alternating fibe direction or maybe this would make the fin to stiff? Any thoughts on this?
Thanks
Andy
Unless you're making a 12" long fin, thickness of the fin is determiined by thickness of the finbox, or NACA design.
Most chords 6" would use a normal 5/16" total thickness at the base. Laminate as much glass as needed.
You normally wet out 3-4 layers of 8 oz at a time. When you use finer glass, it's not a given you can penetrate the smaller weaves any easier.
you can count 6 layers here but i think there are a couple more (7 or 8). i just made up a panel with 9 pieces of veneer with 6 oz between each layer and the panel came out right at 1/4". they come out a bit flexy but when glassing on, the extra glass helps to stiffen them up but they still have a softer feel to them. if you like a stiff fin, maybe add some carbon to the inside face…
also i make fin panels with poly resin (epoxy would be no different) and 30 layers of 6oz and the thickness is about 5/16. i use it for a longboard glass-on fin or grind it down some for a glass on fish fin. 40 to 50 layers or 4oz would probably give you the same…
for fcs fins, i use g-10 sheet…
Thanks. Love the look of the G10. Anyone know where I could find G10 in San Diego, or would it be easier to order online?
And reverb - Nope, sold the Bonnie about 3 years ago and bought a new Kawasaki Versys…Much better bike to do longer camping trips on. I miss it though for commuting around town…
Think G10 would be good for a noserider fin? If so, how thick of a sheet should I get?
I have used Resin Research for fins and never had an issue; 30 layers of 6oz does the trick. Need to make sure every layer is saturated well; don’t do more than a few at a time.
Thickness of you fin depends on which Naca foil you decide to adopt. Thinner fins need more speed to hold in, while thicker fins hold in from the getgo. Fin size, shape, rider preference, and materials used all affect how thick a fin you want. Most logs use fins 1/16 to 1/8 thicker than a typical long Bahne box.
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Shaping a new 9'6" log and figured I'd make my own fin too......I'm assuming 50-60 layers of 4-6oz. fiberglass will suffice, but is anyone laying fins up with RR epoxy or should I use poly for this? Thx....
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$35 and $75......retail vs bro dea.........time is money....I'm done with fins.....50-60 layers of cloth..see you later Bro...
$100 dollars for a longboard fin is a deal! Made in the USA....You can buy one for less than 50....every day.....