i just recieved my new c3 fin and found the bolts from my drake fin have a different thread on them. they go in a couple of turns then go tight like the thread is wrong, don't want to thread the fin. could someone tell me what the corrrect thread is and does it differ between brands?
Hi DunkO,
can't help you answer your question but I know from my variety of powerbox fins they do use different threaded bolts.
Don't force it!
Ouch...
6mm metric pan head Philips size 3 stainless is what I use on my C3 venoms, they go in sweetly.
Some brands use imperial threads, don't know which ones off the top of my head, Elmo standardised on imperial so he might be able to have more info. If all else fails you can probably get the cross dowels (technical name for the little brass inserts) from a windsurfing shop or spare fin.
Yes the inserts can be replaced but it may just be easier to go to a fixings shop and get the right screw........ or even just any marine / yachting place they'd have M6 stainless surely?
maybe i did 
.
it could be that the cross dowels are not centred or are scew. what will happen is that when you screw into them the bolt bites against the wall of the hole in the fin base giving the feeling that it is jambed.
screw in as far as you can and then wriggle the bolt back and forth to adjust the cross dowell position., then unscrew and try again.
Select to expand quoteGestalt said...
it could be that the cross dowels are not centred or are scew. what will happen is that when you screw into them the bolt bites against the wall of the hole in the fin base giving the feeling that it is jambed.
screw in as far as you can and then wriggle the bolt back and forth to adjust the cross dowell position., then unscrew and try again.
i think thats it can see where it make a thread like on the wall. tryed what you said with trying to move it straighter, worked a bit with one but the other screw was not deep enough now i think ive really threaded it, screw moved insert didn't.
sent c3 an email asking them.
would have thoght there would be a quality controll procedure of checking alighnment of hole and dowell. simple insertion of a screw in each would tell.
fin does look nice though, shame it blew all arvo and is suppost to tomorrow
finally got them both straight. will have to re-tap start of front insert though and take a mm out of back hole.the thread was right. thanks for the advise.
little annoying for a new purchase.
bugger,
i know this might sound like bad advice, and potentially it is.
but......
screw the bolt in again, and this time use a screw driver so it bites into a bit more of the cross dowell.
then wiggle again.
the screws are stainless steel and the dowells brass.
that said, if you feel that all hope is lost then stop now.
a select fin i recently got was a bit off scew. i used the method above to sort it out.
it's just something to check with all new fins. it only takes a fraction off for it to bite the wall of the hole in the base. sometime finbox screw alignment can also do it.
lol, you beat me to it.
you can use the stainless bolt to retap. bit dodgey but works.
