they need to come with the grub screws already installed. why do I need to spend $10 to run my old fins
I put in a grub screw from the FCS Infill package on my Coil and it seemed to almost be too fat for the threaded hole. It’s on verge of cracking the thin-ass material that holds in the screw
I guess to avert ruining that part of the box I’m forced to buy FCS2 quad fins to use, otherwise if I snap that part, that side of the quad fin will be useless to old FCS fins.
I liked the fcs2 fins for the two hours they lasted before one fell out for no reason. 15 minute hike back up a 300ft. sand dune to put in my t. patterson’s. no response from FCS after three days.
mine have cracks around the grub screws already. couple more fin changes and that part of the system will be done.
this system is a total fail for me. you can buy the crappy expensive fins that fall out unless you use grub screws which totally defeats the purpose of the system. Or you can use your old fins with the spacer which is more of a pain in the ass when you want to change fins as you now have all these spacers to fiddle with and keep track of. not to mention about a third of the boxes on my coils have cracks around the grub screws now.
I’ve had a good experience installing non-fcs2 fins and the screws into the holes. HOWEVER, it’s yet to prove itself and not get all cracked from stress caused by the fins themselves.
Given the force it takes to remove a fin from the FCS II box a correctly inserted fin would not just “fall” out. It takes a good deal of force to insert the fin and when it seats there is a definite feel and sound to the lock engaging the base of the fin. If the box or the fin were defective there should be a noticable difference from the other boxes or fins. Also a good tug on the fin after inserted should affirm that the fin is in fact snapped in. If they are too easy to “dislodge” is another issue.
As far as any problem with the grub screw holes. The first time a grub screw is inserted you must be very careful to make sure it follows the existing threads. If it does not want to easlily thread in you have to back off and find the problem. When you get the cracks like mentioned here it’s usually from cross threading the screw or possibly resin in the screw hole. It could also be from overtightening of the grub screw as well. Not sure if the pic of the grub screw cracks are posted here but I saw them on the “erbb”. On my boards I always check the grub screw holes out before I let the board go.
I have installed/surfed on 4 or 5 sets and no problems for me. Haven’t used the grub screws or old FCS fins with the system. My take on the grub screw holes is that when you sand down the board, the sanded/heated nylon from the box fills in the top surface of the grub screw holes and makes them smaller. When trying to thread grubs screws through these clogged holes, you put alot of stress on the holes which leads to the cracking. This was not a problem on fusions because you already had grub screws in the hole, and backing them out cleared out the excess nylon without a problem.
The smart solution is for FCS to include the grub screws in the boxes. This will cost more and we’ll be charged more for the boxes, I’m sure.
In the mean time, as builders I suggest we use an exacto knife to clear out the built-up nylon around the hole as a final QC before handing off the board to a customer.
I install boxes with the grub screws in and down, usually use probox, then back them out after. It cleans the holes better than other ways. I agree that when you insert grub screws you really need to be careful about starting them out right, so I try to avoid taking them all the way out.
Yep. Like Harry said. Put the screws in before you lam and sand.
I’ve had no experience with the new set up, but I really don’t want to have to buy all new fins. And yes I know you can retro fit, but there is no point if you don’t buy the new more expensive fins.
To be clear, I should have put the original post in quotes. I have not bought a new board with anything besides glassons or a single box in the past year. These were various quotes from the erBB thread.
Being as the erBB Design Forum is somewhat a consumer forum, while Sways is a builder forum, I wanted to get thoughts from people who build boards especially since it seems that people are having problems.
I have my own thoughts on it but I’m not going to mention them because they will be completely unconstructive.
Yeah like Greg said I also prefer to put screws in before lamination, seems less likely to do damage to threads etc.I was pretty dubious about moving parts etc but trying my first set of FcsII at the moment and so far no problems. Actually like the system and the look but its early days and have only installed them in one board for now , using them with the plastic composite fins as the fiberglass ones aint down this way yet. ill report back with any findings.
I havn’t seen any yet but have been wondering what happens when you damage one and need to route it out? Hiting a metal rod with a router doesnt seem like a good plan.
If a consumer has a problem that he makes public, its worth any company’s time to investigate and offer a solution. Ignoring a public complaint only makes others think twice before buying. Send a replacement, get a rep to drop in, but nip bad press ‘in the bud’ before it gets any more oxygen.
Ive lost one fin from FCS 2, but I ran over a bodyboarder, so it wasn’t a total loss…
I like the new smaller size and design of the box. I have no interest though in the pop out fins. I have a suggestion for FCS. How about a new FCS Fusion II box that uses the smaller size box but only takes traditional twin tab fins. One router template for either system. I do like Fusions but I don’t think the box needs to be as big as it is.
