Anyone making their own fin systems? I’m looking at glass ons for a compsand, but removable would be oh so much better. No trips in the near future, but supposedly, compsands last for a very long time and why limit the board? I know there are several good fin systems available, but the criteria for this board was; 1) Light, 2) Cheap, 3) Strong, 4) Everything bought on the gift card I had for Lowes. That said, I still have $12 US. Help me Sway-Qai-Nobi, you’re my only hope.
WM
Do a search on the archives for posts by sabs, he made his own adjustable fin systems, they adjust in damn near any way you could want. Lots of explanations and pics. I believe he put them on a compsand as well. Incredible craftmanship.
Here it is: http://www.swaylocks.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=185764
JSS
I guess it could be done, but I haven’t tried yet.
anything can be done if u try hard and dont give up and learn for mistakes
one system i thought of was to make a permanemt shallow channel
and just lightly glue the fins in with white silicon sealant
could be removed with a lino knife etc
In the early 70s, an Australian surfboards brand, KEYO, (probably among others) was using an ultra-simple system: a fiberglass box with no screw or bolt whatsoever, you just wrapped the base of the fin with some newspaper sheets and forced the fin into it. When wet, the paper would expand some, making for a very tight hold.
balsa,
The system you just described was used by George Downing in the early/mid fifties to study the effect of fin placement on board performance. The ‘‘box’’ channel was made of hardwood, in a solid Balsa surfboard, and matchbook covers were used as the wedge material. Crude by todays standards, but it did work. There is a possibility that I will offer a workshop through Cerritos College on surfboard design, and fin design, and a how to make your own removable fin system. It’s more involved than can be covered in this thread. The above color diagram is very workable,and can be constructed out of a number of materials.
Hi Bill,
Hope Hawaii’s treating you well. I just finished making the fin/box system you showed and explained to my last spring at cerritos. I’ve taken a few pictures of the process, and will try to get it posted once I can convince my housemate to finally download the pics from her camera. I hope I’ve done it justice, but you’ll be able to review my work once it’s up. Thanks, it looks like it’s going to work great.
Pat
Thrailkill,
Any chance you could post some sketches or classroom literature? Looks like my current compsand will live and die with glass-ons, as planned (or lack of planning and reinforcements). What do you think of this idea:
This is for a waveski. The builder used 8#/CF pour foam. From the web site:
"This 8LB density foam is extremely hard and rigid, like that of a soft wood. You fingernail can penetrate its skin, however it cannot be dented by hand. Uses include casting, carving, sculpting, sign making as well as areas where an extremely durable and rigid foam is needed for support. "
http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html
"14. Is this foam water resistant?
Yes, but with the following caveat. The foams that we sell are considered closed-cell, … It is completely safe for this foam to be in contact with water for hours/days/weeks and even months with no adverse effects… "
I’m thinking about routing all the way through the 1# EPS, taping the deck side completely, pouring the liquid foam into the fin cavities, sand smooth both sides, then press the bottom and deck skins on.
When the fin systems are installed, they will be surrounded by this HD foam that has the benefit of being water proof.
Maybe put the skins on first, that would fill the void to the outer lam, covering the seam between the EPS and skin.
I would like to use the foam to set the fin system, in one pour, but having played around with 4# pour foam, I don’t know how accurate that would be. Once it kicks it is out of control. Fun but out of control.
Anyone have stories using this type of material?
I was/am very surprised at the lack of homemade fin systems out there. I guess it has a lot to do with fin systems on the market are relatively cheap and easy compared to making your own. But, isn’t it the same with surfboards? My boards won’t come out as good as NameBrand, but I can’t tell. Will it be the same with fins? I’ll find out, I have more time than money.
SuperFatPat, looking forward to your successful homemade fin system.
WM
Well, the system is fully in the board with fins on now, I’m going to try for a surf this afternoon if I can find a wave or two.
Here’s the link to the thread with most of the pics up as of today, I’ll be taking a couple more of the fin system as a couple things are tweaked here and there, and get final shots of the board up.
http://www.swaylocks.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=286653;#286653
Have fun.
Pat