I’ve been working on some fish for the kids and thought that I should try to build the keel fins, thinking of all the time and money I would save, and the pride I would feel after a few brief afternoons of fin building.
For background, I have “not been building fins” for about 10 years now; really since I started building boards. It has worked well for me.
But I got into to it for 5 pairs a few weeks ago. I bought some 7 ply plywood and a new blade for my jigsaw. I was well into to it when I realized that it was really hard work. And it was going to be a little more than a few afternoons to finish. And foiling those little buggers was trickier than it looked. I soon learned that I didn’t really know what the hell I was doing and wasn’t having a very good time. I also learned that I don’t really have the tools for it either. I thought about all the things I could be doing instead of fighting mosquitos and sweating in the garage.
As I was building, I got to thinking about Swaylocks and how there seemed not to be any information about “not building fins”. I searched the archives and sure enough, totally void in that category of knowledge. So, remembering all the help I have received through the years here, I thought it would be good to give back and show others some of the in’s and out’s of “not building fins”. Sort of a FAQ post with some pics. Focus on the how to aspects.
I figure if I can help just one guy to keep from going in the house angry, kicking the dog, yelling at the old lady, maybe getting a little rough, the police come, she says its OK, but it’s really not, and you start up again. Next thing you know you are on the street. Haven’t had a shower in days, loose your day job, and boom you are a homeless bum with a card board sign saying god bless, and gimme some food before I spit on your windshield. Whew. Fins. Ugly mess. Hey, it could happen.
So, let’s get into some of the obvious questions. Maybe head off some mistakes and solve some problems and get you on the right track. Maybe keep you off the street.
1 What are some of the advantages of “not building fins”?
Well just for starters, I’d say that you’re are going to be a lot less ichy after not sanding those little mothers. And, many have found that your back will not hurt and your lungs won’t get full of sanding dust. Geez louise, you should see the dust they create when you get 5 pairs going. I have also found through the years that you can really save a lot of resin and sand paper by “not building your own fins”. Does a number on your sanding pads when the fins cut the foam and the sandpaper goes flying off. And hey, G10 sheet ain’t cheap. I’m going say that not buying bandaides and anticeptic ointment can be a real advantage, too. Wrestling that jigsaw to the ground when the cord gets wrapped around your leg can cause some serious accidents. No pic’s sorry.
Also, remember how your friends laughed at your first board and said what a lame SOB you were and how crappy you felt because you thought a friend wouldn’t do that, but you got over it? Well, just wait until you show them your first fins. Some friends they are. (Hell, it won’t get any better when you show them your second and third fins).
2 Would you say that it is qucker to “not build your own fins”?
Yes. I think you will find that there is a lot of time to be saved by going to what we call “the internet” and ordering what you need online. They can show up at your door in about 1/4 of the time required to “build your own fins”. While some dispute this, I believe in my heart that the shape and foils you get from “the internet” are vastly superior to the random pieces of crap that spew off of your grinder. What is cool is that you can actually see the fin picture on the “internet” and not have to just keep grinding until it looks symetrical but hopelessly lame because you didn’t know when to stop. But that is just me.
And not just quicker. i can buy an IMac with the money I will save buy not buying a WHOLE NEW SET OF FRICKING TOOLS! Just to build a few pairs of fins each year.
3 What can you do with the time you save by “not building your own fins”?
The sky is truely the limit. I’ve heard of guys who are really good at “not building their own fins” who will drink beer. I know, can’t believe it either. Some even get a little frisky with their wifes and girl friends. Perhaps that should have been “wives OR girl friends”. If you are disciplined, you could even shape more boards. Perhaps go for a surf. I’d say just get your blood pressure back to some sort of normal. And get those sanded off parts of your hands healed before hurricane season.
4 What if you are already not “not building fins”?
OK, take a deep breath, and put down the grinder. Step back and look at al the mess you have created. Go to Greg Griffins website and check out his hand foiled G10 fins and ask yourself why God put you on this great big blue ball we call earth. Look at your so called “foil”. Sure, you got the outline close. But, nearly took your finger off with that diamond face jigsaw blade. Too embarrassed to ask for stiches. But really, you have plastic fins from 10 year old boards that look better. And you think you can build a second set just like these? Are you mental? Start right now and begin “not buildiing fins”.
5 Are there any good websites or printed resources on how to “not build your own fins”?
Yes, go to google and search on drinking beer, sleeping, watching TV and, I am not making this up, ice cream. That’s right. Ice cream. Way, way better than actually making fins. And ironically, you can not make fins while eating ice cream. I proved it myself. I’ll post some pictures later.
6 OK, last question before we wrap this up. If you are going to get set up for regularly “not building your own fins”, what are some of the tools you will need?
I like to use a razor knife for opening the cardboard boxes that internet fins actually come in. You will want to keep the blade nice and sharp. Probably a thread here somewhere on sharpening blades. I also keep a small piece of sandpaper and a sanding block to trim the base of the fins before dropping them in the fin box. You will want to hold the paper and block between the thumb and forefinger and push away from you. You can use some of the money saved from not buying plywood and jigsaw blades for this. Unless you drank it up in beer. And if so, good for you. Just don’t get it on the bandaged areas of your hands.
