I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions for routers for installing future fins without thhe installation kit. Another thing, if you have any suggestions before routing, i.e. what to watch out for. I’ve shaped a 6’ fish, drawn a fin template based on another board and I’m now ready to rout. One more thing off topic…anr recomendations on cleaning a shaped blank prior to laminating? Thanks for your help, Canuk
I know you can use a laminate trimmer for future fins or go to harbor freights website, they have knockoffs of most routers for like 1/3 the price and right now a laminate trimmer is on sale for 19.99 I have one its good. http://www.harborfreight.com http://www.surfboardglassing.com
Future makes a proprietary bit for the fin systems.I beleive that you can buy the bit by itself.Making a template is easy,I use a plunge router for future fins.They have a video,I got it with the system I bought.Maybe you contact them.
Buy something with good quality, like a Porter Cable 690, you can get it in a Plunge application, or a D handle or just a regular straight router. You’ll use it for all sorts of stuff besides surfboards. I use mine to cut my shapes out with a full template and a 6 inch Hi Helix bit. perfect outlines every time. -Jay
I’ll second the recommendation of the Porter Cable 690. A mighty fine router… SevenTenths
for cleaning a blank compressed air is the only thing I know of
…a Dewalt, period!
Thanks to Kokua he set me straight about getting a blank really dust free pre lay up. Use a soft bristle vacum attachment attached to your shop vac. It won’t scratch the blank and it gets rid of the dust, just not blow it around the shop. -Jay
Here’s what i do I shape more or less either in my garage or right in front of it. When i am ready to laminate i take a leaf blower, you know like for the yard, and make sure that I hold onto the blank and blow the board off with that. Damn powerful and never leaves so much as a speckle!!! Does make a mess thogh so make sure that you blow away from where you want to glass the board. IE not bavck into your glassing area! Drew
the worst dust is from the sand job…