I’m gonna take my first stab at installing a system (ProBox) instead of glass-ons. Gonna get the install kit that comes with the router bit and template. Checked out some routers at the local hardware store, cheapest I found was a Black & Decker plunge router for like $60.
Any one know the best router to use, especially if it’s ProBox specific?
Thanks!
ncgringo,
I was using a plunge router for a bit because I had one already (it was a cheap Black and Decker) It did the job but eventually I ended up going with a trim router (i got the Ryobi TR45K) and much prefer this router… light weight and easy to handle as compared to the plunge router. Not much more $… got mine at Home Depot for around $80. Mike
[quote="$1"]
I'm gonna take my first stab at installing a system (ProBox) instead of glass-ons. Gonna get the install kit that comes with the router bit and template. Checked out some routers at the local hardware store, cheapest I found was a Black & Decker plunge router for like $60.
Any one know the best router to use, especially if it's ProBox specific?
Thanks!
Hi ncgringo, Thanks for choosing ProBox, fbfla is correct about the Home Depot router. THANKS, fbfla for stepping in my friend. I use a Trend Router, which you can see on our website, www.ProBoxfinsystems.com I have found when using a trim router, you should get a RPM reducer or a router that has this feature built in like the Trend Router which helps in giving you a clean cut. Trim routers are designed for wood and can burn the glass when pushed to fast in a install on a fiberglas or epoxy board. WELCOME to the ProBox Movement. Mahalo,Larry
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Nice! I appreciate the help. That’ll be the one I look for once the money’s scrounged up. Are the Pro Box center fin boxes meant to be used with traditional longboard fins, with the screw and the plate? Or just Pro Box/FCS style fins? And can you use Futures with a Pro Box setup?
Many thanks.
Thats the one I have,perfect for a garage builder doing just a few boards a month.I got mine for 20$.It paid for itself after the first install!
does anyone know if there is such a thing as a variable RPM trim router that will accept 1/4" and 1/2" shanks?
I really want to use my trim router for outline cuts, but it only accommodates a small shank size…for the deep cut bits that you use for profile cuts you need 1/2"
the only alternative is to buy a new variable speed hog…expensive and wasteful for me.
Call me on my cell phone. Tuesday is a good day! 1/4" is fine. I forgot to mention I use a speed control as well. Available at: www.rockler.com
SD
ncgringo,
the 'Probox' center fin boxes are meant to be used with either Probox center fins or FCS center fins.
if you want a center fin box that takes a longboard style fin with a screw and a plate, there are several
manufacturers. i have heard that you can get one from ProboxLarry. you can also get one from most any
other surfboard building supplier: foamez.com, fiberglasssupply.com, etc...
as far as Futures fins in Proboxes, : http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/futures-fins-modified-to-fit-probox ...
i went to Probox a while ago and never looked back. i've converted and or built all my boards with Probox.
there is no 'best' fin system only 'best for you' or 'best for me' and, Probox is best for me.
ncgringo,
Klingspor Woodworking carries the Trend router. Just noticed on their site that they have a store on Capital Blvd in Raleigh. I have one and it has a great plunge function. I'm in Newport if you ever make it this way. BTW Brian (yankeesurfer) who does some of his building in my shop has been using probox and swears by it.
regards,
Dave_D
The Harbor Freight trim router works fine and can be combined with a speed control unit if desired. I had one go out after about a month and they gave me a new one and for a few bucks they gave me an additional one plus a full warranty. Bosch and Ryobi make good tools, but I see absolutely no reason for spending more on them then these Chicago trim routers.
At $20, I have several for different jobs and backups to boot as down time is more expensive than the purchase of these. A long bit for outlines is no doubt around if you look enough and want to go that route. I do a lot of one offs and have never gotten into that.
I have a cheap 50euros plunge router but it is really crap and heavy, the router bits that came with it didn’t even fit in it.
I’m thinking of buying me a dremel with a router piece. Its littlebit more expensive but you can do a lot with it like sanding laps, repairs, cutting laps, other hobby projects, … and it has variable rpm!
with this:
or this, if you need it (the above is good enough):
And there is a lot more, check their site!
I have that exact dremel tool that is pictured in your post. It is a very good tool for small jobs, but lacks the power to tackle a wood stringer on a fin installation. A cheap laminate trimmer with a good bit would probably be cheaper and more effective.
"
does anyone know if there is such a thing as a variable RPM trim router that will accept 1/4" and 1/2" shanks?
I really want to use my trim router for outline cuts, but it only
accommodates a small shank size…for the deep cut bits that you use
for profile cuts you need 1/2"
the only alternative is to buy a new variable speed hog…expensive and wasteful for me."
Tyler, I went through this whole search a while back and came up empty. The little trim routers will only take a 1/4 inch bit. And I couldn’t find 1/4 pencil bits that would do the job without killing me or others nearby. I ended up getting a rebuilt big router from some website. It takes the 1/2 bits. my 2 cents.
I have the Ryobi 2 hp plunge router. Works well. It is variable speed + 1/2" shank with a 1/4" adapter.
I think it was $99.
Go to the Probox website and check out the Trend plunge router with variable speed. Looks like a good one to me. Priced at $109--. You pay almost that much for a Ryobi or PC trim router or a Dremel with the attachments. I would think that a tool reccomended by Larry would be satisfactory.
CRAP!! No sooner do I report positive experience on El Cheap Model from Harbor Freight than I have TWO nearly new ones go out on me! I jinxed myself I guess. Luckily my habit of keep extras around to not lose product time is paying off. I have a 3rd new one that I pulled out and fired up. The only thing that is of concern is that even this brand new one started 4 out of 5 clicks. I don’t like the idea of a 20% failure rate on my last one of these!!!
They will replace these, but I’m gonna have to take time to take them back, etc. .
Dead I use to do the Harbour Freight gig about 10 years ago. I found that my better tools last much longer. I have Hitachi, Porter Cable, Dewalt, Royobi and Ridgid. Just bought the new Royobi Cordless Router because Balsa has one. I have the new jig comming for the FCS Fussion set up so the new router will be stricky a one trick pony. The supid thing on my part is I already have a few trim routers and did not need to buy the cordless. Some people drink, take drugs, gamble or chase women I buy tools. The temptation from these kind of treads is addicting.
Please don’t talk about tools! I’m a recovering tool junkie!
Surfding
Damn funny ding. Tim Taylor would be proud of you. More weirdness from the cosmos. I went out after writing my last post and was going to change El Cheapo for brother of El Cheapo. But I switched it one more time and BANG! El Cheapo must’ve read my post and fired up…then continued to fire up thru two Stoker V Machines.
Faulty switches that day of assembly in ‘your town’ China. Probably the whole f-cking town makes trim routers… you know the drill. It makes me goddamn sick to think of a whole town making cheap tools. Whatever happened to Bridgeport Connecticut?
Ok, I’ll quit while I’m ahead… I;ll mosey on over to the Surfblanks Yellow vs. 2 lb Marko thread.
C YA
P.S.
How 'bout them Saints!!?
Howzit surfding, You have some good quality tools except I feel Ryobi is a hobby persons tool, not the best quality and I think that Craftsman puts their name on a few Ryobi tools. The tools I like to buy these days are Rigid since they are the only tool maker that gives you a lifetime warranty.Aloha , Kokua