Fcs plugs in a twin or quad fin?

I’m looking into using a quad setup on a small, Lis style fish. Two larger fins (maybe 4.5 x 4.5) with two small carnards (around 2 x 2). I am looking into my options with this setup. I am thinking about glassing on the larger fins and possibly using Fcs for the carnards. Or maybe Fcs for both? Anybody know if Fcs would hold up with just their standard two plug fins? (that would give me more fin options). I’ve heard that a twin fin using the Fcs two plug fins would tear out, because of the torque on the fins in turns. What do you think? I’m open to suggestions on this setup. I’ve been racking my brain and can’t come up with what would function best. Thanks for any help- ryan

I’m looking into using a quad setup on a small, Lis style fish. Two > larger fins (maybe 4.5 x 4.5) with two small carnards (around 2 x 2). > …Ryan,i’m sure there’s more torque on larger fins vs. smaller “thruster” types.I USE THE FCS TWIN SET-UP WITHOUT PROBLEMS,and you can use fcs for carnards, with the main twin-fins glassed on.If you do it this way you must use either a forshner bit or a spade blade-bit,because of the tight location you won’t be able to use a jig to stablize you saw-hole bit.Herb.

I’ve heard Herb mention before to fut an extra glass patch over the plug areas both top and botom. Had this done on the longboard I just had glassed and it seems very stout around the box and plugs. good luck, Scott.

Ditto- to Herb, no problems with the FCS on the twins. I always add cloth patches or a whole tail area reinforcement with plugs. I’ve never bought a jig kit for the FCS. I uses a 1 1/8 hole saw w/pilot bit, then a Forstner. To finish I use a homemade tool, (1 1/8" hole saw with the pilot bit ground off + a T-handle from a die set) that allows me to turn and cut to the top layer of glass for proper FCS installation. Good luck. tom>>> I’m looking into using a quad setup on a small, Lis style fish. Two > larger fins (maybe 4.5 x 4.5) with two small carnards (around 2 x 2). I am > looking into my options with this setup. I am thinking about glassing on > the larger fins and possibly using Fcs for the carnards. Or maybe Fcs for > both? Anybody know if Fcs would hold up with just their standard two plug > fins? (that would give me more fin options). I’ve heard that a twin fin > using the Fcs two plug fins would tear out, because of the torque on the > fins in turns. What do you think? I’m open to suggestions on this setup. > I’ve been racking my brain and can’t come up with what would function > best. Thanks for any help- ryan

Send me your email address and I’ll send you some images of the fin set-up I have on my fish which is very similar to what you want to do. I used (I’m not the shaper but I designed the board) Future Fins for the main fins and fcs for the canards. I have it set up to use as a twin or a thruster. You’ll see better when I send you the pics. The only quirk I’ve noted re fin stress is that I have to re-tighten the main fin box screws after each session, as they tend to loosen with use. The fins rattle around a bit due I guess to the water pressure against them when surfing. They stiffen right back after about a quarter to half turn on the screw. My email address is: Aloha (I’m on vacation in Kauai so if I don’t get back to you right away you know why!) Malama pono Gary

Ditto- to Herb, no problems with the FCS on the twins. I always add cloth > patches or a whole tail area reinforcement with plugs. I’ve never bought a > jig kit for the FCS. I uses a 1 1/8 hole saw w/pilot bit, then a Forstner. > To finish I use a homemade tool, (1 1/8" hole saw with the pilot bit > ground off + a T-handle from a die set) that allows me to turn and cut to > the top layer of glass for proper FCS installation. Good luck.>>> tom Tom, the Thandle finishing tool…could you use the finishing bit with a drill instead of the t handle. Then put the drill at a low speed and cut thru the top glass? What is a Forstner?

Hola Steve: Sure you could use power instead of by hand, just go slow. I use the T-handle with modified 1 1/8" hole saw (ground off pilot bit)for that last cut that allows the resin to bond with the top layer of glass. I hold my hand on the deck side so I can “feel” the scraping of the tool as I get to the backside. Real easy to cut through if you use power…go slow. A Forstner bit is basically cuts a hole without the pilot bit. It has a very small tit to center up on your punch mark if you were using it for woodworking. I used to use a Forstner bit from top to bottom on the FCS but it can wander out of bounds of the template marks too easy. Hole saw with pilot bit works best for cutting the glass cleanly. The only FCS supplied tools I bought is the plastic template for layout and a set of jig fins for mounting the plugs while the resin goes off. Homemade angle templates from cardboard. Craft store modeling clay holds the jig fins in place, I don’t use masking tape any more. tom P.S. didn’t you buy some of those Australian glassing stands? Know of any others that can be found online? I want to weld something as simple as the single post type seen on the J.C. Glassing video. What have you found?>>> Tom, the Thandle finishing tool…could you use the finishing bit with a > drill instead of the t handle. Then put the drill at a low speed and cut > thru the top glass? What is a Forstner?