Forums > Windsurfing General

Fitting a new fin to the fin box

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Created by joe windsurf > 9 months ago, 19 Feb 2017
joe windsurf
1482 posts
19 Feb 2017 12:55AM
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Hello:

This is the second time I have had issues fitting the fins from this manufacturer into my fin box
This is not a "bitch session" and I have written the "guilty party"
I have managed to get past the hurdle of mis-aligned bolt and now have about 2 mm protruding - front to back
The manufacturer has suggested "coarse emery metal sand paper" as this will cause the G10 material to "melt away"
I was using a fine wood file up to now

As i do NOT like to sand away too much, I was trying tricks with baby powder, washable ink and water paints
The hope was that attempts with those materials would show where the sanding should occur
they did NOT

It is a PB\powerbox if that makes any difference
At the moment the fin is at least usable , but not ideal
Suggestions are welcome - obviously
Thanks in advance
Joe

nb still have some time - still about 2 feet of snow out there
my son lives in Sydney
i really should visit him next Xmas !!!

Mastbender
1972 posts
19 Feb 2017 1:41AM
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Try carbon paper, if you can find any, my dentist uses it to identify which teeth need to be ground down a bit for a fine tuned perfect bite.
You bite down on the carbon paper and then you can tell which teeth are the problem, leaving the tips of them black.

Magic Ride
719 posts
19 Feb 2017 4:11AM
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I had trouble with one of my new fins fitting into the finbox and had issues with the bolt lining up through the finbox and trying to screw the bolt into the fin housing.

Solution: I adjusted the screw on the side of the fin housing, which adjusts the angle of threads inside the fin.

Solution: Try sanding the outsides of the fin housing, so the housing will fit into the finbox easily. I just sanded my fin housing with regular low grade sandpaper.

Maybe these suggestions will help.

Subsonic
WA, 3354 posts
19 Feb 2017 7:27AM
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Usually, there'll be shiny marks left on the fin where it's hitting, have to hold it face to the sun/light to see them after each try. I usually use wet and dry, retry fitting it frequently, you really don't want to take it too far.

of all the things you'd think would be a precision universal fit, fin boxes are not.

PKenny
SA, 242 posts
19 Feb 2017 12:13PM
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Have you tried putting another washer under the bolt head. Sometimes the hole in the fin is not long enough and the bolt bottoms out and the fin cannot be pulled in tight enough.

remery
WA, 3709 posts
19 Feb 2017 10:17AM
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I have noticed that I have to use slightly different length bolts on some boards.

joe windsurf
1482 posts
19 Feb 2017 11:56AM
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what i ended up doing for this round ...
used a precision compass and compared a fin that fit with the new badly seated fin
unfortunately do NOT have a caliper (to be more precise) ...
the screw adjustment helps if the angle is off - in this case the alignment was OFF and corrected with sanding
once there was about 1 mm left to pull in, used dry lubricant McLube and pulled it in
this showed where else sanding was required
since supplier was amical enough, will post the final fit here
(saying CNC in the future & issue should NOT happen again)

Mark _australia
WA, 23454 posts
19 Feb 2017 1:48PM
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You don't want lube.

The idea is it is a taper lock. Lube buggers up a taper lock fitting.
Do up any tuttle or PB tight then remove screw and see how hard it is to get the fin out. Some need a bloody good whack. Lubing has ruined the interference fit that you need.

It should be sanded to the right size for a good tight fit such that you hurt your hand belting it to remove it.

joe windsurf
1482 posts
19 Feb 2017 8:20PM
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lube was used ONCE in order to see tight spots
now reach the point you suggest .. tight as sh**

forceten
1312 posts
20 Feb 2017 1:16AM
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Use suggestions posted as deemed prudent. If the screw / hole didn't line up , it's off large.

Why would you not disclose the fin company then post a obvious photo because they were friendly ?

Fit the fin , since you started to, and yes quit bitching.

The MakaniFins crew that I m familiar with are good guys, the fins are made probably in China, and do have figment problems , not all but some do. As do most, but not all other fins.

If you are still unhappy , my thought is return it , not far away is it?

joe windsurf
1482 posts
20 Feb 2017 2:37AM
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in the end all turned out ok and as such am stating all ok with this company
so, NO bitchin here dude
these fins were on sale - due to "manufacturing issues" and now going to CNC
you figure it out

forceten
1312 posts
20 Feb 2017 4:56AM
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Initial posting says
2nd time, had problems with this company and refer to MakaniFins as guilty party.

Urban dictionary defines bitching as whining.

Now you disclose that it had issues when you purchased, reduced price for defects.

Is dude supposed to amp me up..? I like that word.

joe windsurf
1482 posts
20 Feb 2017 6:51PM
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thought I was voicing a "legitimate complaint"
as it worked out, thought I would share the stoke
seems you, forceten, perceived this as whining\bitching
.
butt whatever

forceten
1312 posts
21 Feb 2017 1:09AM
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How many MakaniFins do you think are being used by most of these guys?

Should you have wanted to air your issues, wouldn't the Canadian or IWindsurf forum reached a audience more appropriate as a consumer base?

Your initial post starts with finger pointing. Plain and simple.

Mastbender
1972 posts
21 Feb 2017 1:39AM
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forceten, you sound like one of those angry "not my president" types, are you joining that demonstration today?

forceten
1312 posts
21 Feb 2017 9:09AM
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Select to expand quote
Mastbender said..
forceten, you sound like one of those angry "not my president" types, are you joining that demonstration today?



This has no bearing on the discussion.

Stuthepirate
SA, 3591 posts
21 Feb 2017 12:04PM
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Well didn't this thread degenerate into an irrelevant American Argument quickly.
Seems as though you guys are getting good at that recently

silentbob
NSW, 28 posts
21 Feb 2017 1:40PM
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HAHAHAHA.......watching yanks argue about whose more American while fitting a fin.....Gold!!!!!
I assume the guy who fits the fin the worst while continually quoting famous yank presidents from a hundred yrs ago is the winner........for they are the most American!!!!!
Mutter.....right to bear arms......mutter.......forefathers........mutter..........making America great again......mutter....fin still fits badly.......mutter......black people criminals......mutter...........Russians scary..........mutter.......wall.........mutter.........

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
21 Feb 2017 12:56PM
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They could just employ a Mexican to fit the fin

forceten
1312 posts
21 Feb 2017 11:47AM
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Select to expand quote
Stuthepirate said..
Well didn't this thread degenerate into an irrelevant American Argument quickly.
Seems as though you guys are getting good at that recently




Joe Windsurf, is Canadian.

forceten
1312 posts
21 Feb 2017 11:48AM
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Select to expand quote
silentbob said..
HAHAHAHA.......watching yanks argue about whose more American while fitting a fin.....Gold!!!!!
I assume the guy who fits the fin the worst while continually quoting famous yank presidents from a hundred yrs ago is the winner........for they are the most American!!!!!
Mutter.....right to bear arms......mutter.......forefathers........mutter..........making America great again......mutter....fin still fits badly.......mutter......black people criminals......mutter...........Russians scary..........mutter.......wall.........mutter.........



Joe Windsurf is Canadian.

forceten
1312 posts
21 Feb 2017 12:01PM
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Excuse me. Do you people even read what's previously posted?

The original poster, in this case Canadian, finds a fin company guilty of faulty fitting fins, 2nd time.
When he purchases 2nd Fin, knowing that it has manufacturing issues , at a reduced price, he vents on this forum, that it's ill fitting ...really!

The fin company is from Quebec, Canada.

Imax1
QLD, 4925 posts
21 Feb 2017 2:27PM
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Select to expand quote
forceten said..
Excuse me. Do you people even read what's previously posted?

The original poster, in this case Canadian, finds a fin company guilty of faulty fitting fins, 2nd time.
When he purchases 2nd Fin, knowing that it has manufacturing issues , at a reduced price, he vents on this forum, that it's ill fitting ...really!

The fin company is from Quebec, Canada.



Us peoples are Aussies and we dont let facts get in the way of a joke
and.........
were Aussie windsurfers , that puts us in a constant smiling bliss

Magic Ride
719 posts
21 Feb 2017 3:46PM
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Come on Forcetan, cut the crankiness!! Has the wind been raffling with yo foils lately? Chillax ma boy! Take it from IMAX, he's one heck of a chillaxin lookin cat. Good to see ya on the threads again IMAX.

Stuthepirate
SA, 3591 posts
21 Feb 2017 9:43PM
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Select to expand quote
forceten said..


Stuthepirate said..
Well didn't this thread degenerate into an irrelevant American Argument quickly.
Seems as though you guys are getting good at that recently






Joe Windsurf, is Canadian.



Technically speaking Canada is in North America

forceten
1312 posts
21 Feb 2017 10:40PM
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windsurfers in my thinking have never had boundaries like countries.

Posting invites comments and opinions which can be supporting , offering help and opposing views.

Threads often go off topic.

Within ethical civil boundaries , which vary from person to person, other posts likely follow.

the participant always has a choice to read or not read, post or not post.



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"Fitting a new fin to the fin box" started by joe windsurf