I hope some of you guys can help me out. I have been searching the forums for over an hour now and still can’t find the answers to my questions. Geting ready to glass my 3rd board and have decided to go with FCS fins rather than glasson. I have the install manual which lists the kit contents. However, my problem is I really don’t want to spend 160 bucks on a couple of hole saws, a boring bit and some plastic bottles. Hopefully someone can answer these questions. I plan on purchasing the fcs marking out template.
What size hole saw is it?
What depth do you put the stop collar on the hole saw to?
How long is the steel tube (thinwall conduit?)
What depth do you put the stop collar on the boring bit to?
Did my first FCS last night. The hole saw I use was 1 1/4" diameter bought from Home Depot. Make sure you get the one were you can remove the center bit, do not get the one piece unit. I did not have a marking tool but I used an old board as a guide on hole placements relative to the fins lines. The marking tool would be a good one to buy.
For drill depth I held the FCS plug next to the hole saw and marked the saw around with masking tape, worked like a charm. I used an old fin as a dummy jig, there’s a good chance of getting resin into the fins and could potentially make it a permanent attachment.
After marking the hole locations I drilled the hole but only enough for the saw to cut through the fiber glass. I removed the center bit and proceeded to drill the depth of the plug. Cleaned out the hole using a screw driver and needle nose.
If I plan on using FCS again I definitely would buy the marking tool, $6 at Foam EZ. The hole saw is about $8… beats the $35 Foam EZ sells.
Howzit ghostcount, I hope you drilled the hole 1/8" deeper than than the plug because that's how much space you want between the bottom of the plug and the foam in the hole. Also the holesaw is 1 1/8" diameter but 1 1/4" is OK because it will make a stronger bond. If you set up an account with FCS the install kit is only $95.00 and the fin systems are only about $25. for thruster set ups and that's with plugs, foam dams, milled fibers, key and stickers.I call a few builder friends before ordering to see what they might want which adds to the quantity which gets me a better discount which in turn gets my friends a better price. Aloha,Kokua
Here is some info for you!. You can order the kit direct from Foil Core Inc for around $125. (858)490-4353 Talk to Sandy.
The Hole drill is 1 1/8" dia
The depth is set at 7/8"
The sleeve is 2" long x 1 1/8" dia
The plug template is 5 5/8" wide. The holes for the plug centers are 1 5/16 in from each end.
I hope this helps. I broke down and got the kit. I can’t stand fudging things.
Dummy fins are real cheap. Just get some. You can use regular fins if you sont mind the possibility of having them stuck to your board! Also you need something to dam up the resin around the plugs so it can’t run all over the place.
a touch bigger than the plug (i use a dremel tool when i want to adjust the hole size a touch
What depth do you put the stop collar on the hole saw to?
the hole depth should allow the plug to sit inside and rock sideways a little…no more
How long is the steel tube (thinwall conduit?)
i’ll get in trouble for saying this but its optional…if i need a deck connection i just bore a hole in the center with a screwdriver
What depth do you put the stop collar on the boring bit to?
i mark the hole saw with a bold line or tape and eyeball the depth of cut
Can you just use fins instead of the dummy jigs?
oh yeah
practice your desired technique on some spare foam…i could do it blindfolded and have never looked at the installation manual…i just looked at the plug and it was obvious…i use a sheet of plywood with a hole as my template and put that over some friction mat (sticky shelf liner)…just make sure your markings are accurate then drill away…use slow cure epoxy to set your plugs and take your sweet time…no polyester gel drama
I used a 1 1/4" hole saw, be sure to drill a pilot hole in the stringer before you used the hole saw, it’s easy to skew off the hard wood into nthe foam either side.