hello swaylockers
since i only own a hand router ( a makita 700c)
can i use the futures cup and router bits from the trusther setup on a futures longboard jig plate?
cheers and good waves
No. The One Pass bit is a completely different animal. And; Any of the Futures bits look to be bits that would be near impossible to free hand. Some kind of home made straight edge or a factory jig would be necessary. I see what you are saying, but that bit would not cut the proper hole.
ok let me see if i got it, if ihave the 3 pieces bellow in the photos plus a hand router (makita 700c or compatible) i can open a longboard future fins box hole or do i need a plunge router like i was told by someone?
I’ll take a look at my Futures bits, jig etc. later today and be able to tell you. Things I would be wondering about would be; shank diameter on the bit, whether or not the jig could be adjusted to fit the slide and whether or not you could rout to the proper depth with that bit and a trim router. I will tell you having routed many center boxes on stringered blanks; a plunge router makes the process a lot easier and less dangerous. I will say though that you could use a trim router, a bit with a bearing, a standard flat jig and with a little care, rout for a Bahne/Fins Unlimited box pretty easily.
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since I have both the 1-shot and the One-Pass kits (they need to really do something about that naming scheme) here are the differences of the bit diameters:
1-Shot (Single Fin):
- Router bit is way bigger and has a 12mm (Metric version) or 1/2” (US Version) shaft ==> the small hand routers usually only take 6-8mm Diameter / 1/4” shaft maximum so you need a plunge router, the Makita RT0701 does not fit there
One Pass (“normal” Futures Fin Boxes)
- Router bit: 2 versions: 1/2” and 3/4” bits, shaft is 1/4” so you need a US Router or an adaptive Cone. they exists at least for the Makita RT0700 series, but probably fit other routers too.
Another thing that I am unsure about (need to go to the shop an measure) is the different length of the bit. The 1-Shot is longer and is designed for a plunge router. The 3/4” basically sits on a way higher end depth stop due to the blue ring in the slide. So even if the system works for the width of the Single fin box, I doubt the depth is the correct one.
US Single fin Box is 2.3cm high or depth (so roughly 29/32”) of cut required. 3/4” is only 1,9mm and with the Router Slide I doubt it will cut deep enough.
So definetly make some trial cuts before going to the blank.
I had to swallow the pill and bought a plunge router with the 12mm/ 1/2” Shaft diameter. Then the jig works like a charm
actually all things considered about what you said the reall question to ask is?
will the router bit from the normal shortboad system of future fins,(3/4 or 1/2 inch) will the bit open a hole where the longboard box fits ( if we use the longboard jig plate???)
Below thread has information. Apparently I have tried this before…
This is all what I thought. Thanks for clarifying. I have been too busy to check it out, but those are my exact concerns.
It will “open a hole”. It just won’t be the right size hole. Depth, width and flange cut. PS: The two bits for a standard Futures box are 1/2” and 3/4” depth. The Futures strong box is 1” deep with a flange. A Bahne/Fins Unlimited box is 1”. So there is no way you could rout a 1” slot with either of those bits.
As I stated previously; You can easily rout for a Bahne/Fins Unlimited longboard box by using a template jig and a bit with a bearing. I have an original O’Fish’l jig that I prefer to use. It is pretty much the same thing as the “One Shot” jig. Aluminum base with adjustable fence rails that a plunge router slides within.