I’m a first time shaper and I’ve got these fsc fins to install. I’ve already came to the understanding that this is pretty hard to do and that its best to buy an instruction video. But these are hard to get in Holland. But I was already very surprised when I saw the plugs. They had these little extentions, like arms and a small legde al around, What is it? How do I deal with them? Break em and sand screen the legde off? Any pointers?!
You don’t need the instructional video, it’s all here in the archives.
Line out where you want your fins - draw a line on the board. On that line mark where the tabs are (by using your fin). In the center of the tabs is - about - where you drill. You’ll note if you look at the fins that the flat side of the side fins lines up with the side of the tabs… my point, is that the flat side of the side fins is offset 1/8" from the center of the plug. SO… when you drill your holes for the side plugs, offset it 1/8" to the OUTSIDE of your fin line.
Get your hole saw and drill out your holes… look up in the archives for information on drilling the holes, the “H” pattern, prepping the plugs, scribing the holes, etc.
The tabs are to make sure that the plugs don’t sink too much if you drill your hole too deep (I think). You can cut them off, I leave them on, but I file off that little bump on each one. I have an old pair of fins that I use when I drop them in. I attach the plugs to the fins, guaranteeing that the spacing and alignment is correct (and that you don’t get resin on your good fins).
Dont break off the legs and edge! They keep resin out of the plug when you set them. When you sand your board, you just sand that ledge (along with the legs) right off. They are designed to just plop in and sand off.