First EPS blank shaped, I’m using the resin research epoxy, medium (40 minute) speed. I’ll be putting in Futures boxes. I searched the Swaylocks resources and found some talk about heat buildup under the boxes melting the foam. solutions involved letting the resin start to kick before installing the boxes to dissapate as much heat as possible, also wet towels/sponges on the deck. This isn’t exactly doing wonders for my comfort level…
I’d REALLY appreciate any other suggestions before i install these boxes and turn this nice blank into a roasted marshmallow…
Well I’m hoping for the best and if the routering goes smoothly, your right…very little gaps and pooling of resin. Still I’d love to hear anyone elses experiences using epoxy resin on futures…and leash cup for that matter. Almost seems like a larger pool of resin underneath the leash cup.
Your right, it can be tricky for hobby guys that have not done a few. I melted through a shaped blank recently trying to repair the gouge from a slipped router. I installed a leash plug in eps that bubbled strangely. One set of lokbox boxes went well. Seems to be solid at this point, but I wonder if it will hold if the surf gets punchy. I might stick to glass ons in eps in the future. My 6-8 thruster is going to be a 5-11 twin. Oh well. mike
I did a leash cup in 1 lb EPS with RR and the slow hardener. The foam didn’t melt, and it seems pretty strong. I mixed in a lot of Q cell so I think they made it take even longer to cure. I was super worried about when I did it, but so far nothing bad has happened.
the melting EPS foam thing is over rated. I regularly lam in 90 degree heat and have never had a problem with Futures. Just use the template and router and keep the hole a snug fit to avoid over doing the resin. I use about 1/3 micro ballons to 2/3 resin. good luck.
You shouldn’t have a problem unless your rout is sloppy. Futures fit pretty tight to the routed hole when done correctly. The ones you have to worry about are any that are potted. Meaning an oversized hole gets cut then large accumulations of resin are poured into the hole. This could include FCS,Speeedfins,probox etc… Most guys are doing double fills on those when using epoxy resin. Fill the hole halfway one day, then fill it up the rest of the way the next day, and you shouldn’t have problems.
No problem with Futures as long as the hole is snug as stated. Careful with other systems, I personally witnessed
another glass shop liquify the tail areas on 6 boards all at once. They had fast hardener and the cutting of the
holes were sloppy, IMO, and this contributed largely to the meltdown. They are a local mostly “epoxy” shop.
If you are really worried still, you can give the heat a “path” to conduct through by installing the boxes with fins (masked) in the boxes. This will also allow you to check for proper fin angle.
Mitchell, I agree it shouldnt be a problem but that may depend on how much epoxy is in there in the first place and the density of your foam. If you routed your holes tight around the box, then no problem. If the holes are poorly made (too big) then its good you have the slow harderner, again no prob. I love 5200 but it stays flexible and that may or may not be a prob. For fin setting I use an slow curing epoxy paste, no heat, less mess, total control of where it goes. HTH
It doesn’t matter how big the hole is or how fast you set off the epoxy…if you truly know what your doing…
…WET TOWELS GUYS !!!
…Ice them…
… if you’re that bad.
I saw 5200 Q.S. @ Ace Hardware,Home Depot,and Pep Boys…it’s becoming more avalible in more places…oh by-the-way,Quick set 5200 is a bit stiffer than the original 5200.