Any idea how to fix this? Stripped the plastic in one of my boards fin lugs, now the lug just spins in there without tightening, any idea how to fix it?

Cheers

Larger grub screw..or Selleys Knead it..mix/push into hole and screw screw in..then screw out and repeat as it hardens.

plumbers tape?

Sorry, I was writing while Surfbroker was posting so I've basically said the same thing.

Apart from having someone take out the old fin plug and set in an new one, there's not a lot of options.

One could be to take the grub screw to a fastener specialist and ask if you could have the next size up, then purchase the tap to suit.

Because it's plastic, you probably don't even need to drill for the new size, just start to tap very carefully, maybe half a turn in and a quarter turn back a few times, then take out the tap and blow out the swarf then go back in again until you're done.

You're going to need to be careful about what tap you buy because they come in 3 types for any given thread size:

1/ Taper Tap
These will be real pointy and not what you want because they may bottom out in the hole before they start to cut a new thread they're not really intended for blind holes

2/ Plug Tap also sometime known as 2nd tap or my preferred name "Intermediate":
This would probably be the one to get but once again, they have a bit of a taper on the start so there's the possibility that they will bottom out before you cut enough thread, I'm guessing that there will be enough room in there for this tap to work.

3/ Bottoming tap
These are usually only for chasing out a clogged up to a freshly cut thread, especially in a blind hole, because it's plastic you're going into, it may work, but I still think the Intermediate would be the best option

There's also the option of filling the hole with epoxy and then retapping, but the mechanical bond between the epoxy and the plug plastic may not be great unless you found a way to key the epoxy into the body of the plug, but the whole thing is just too small to do that very well.

More importantly,how to glue a surfboard together

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surfbroker said..
Larger grub screw..or Selleys Knead it..mix/push into hole and screw screw in..then screw out and repeat as it hardens.

Yep what he said. A good plan now is to also move the board on

If you can't get a bigger grub screw then the next best option is to drill a new hole on the other side of the plug a tiny bit smaller than the grub screw. You should be able to tap your own thread with the grub screw.

You're onto it Mac. Might just go a new stick. May have to ride the old mans CW when it arrives.

It seems my options are drill new holes, fill the existing hole with some kind of resin or hard setting substance, or buy larger screws.

The larger screws seems easiest. Any ideas where I could find them? We have a specialised nuts and bolts shop in town, might try them. Also, could superglue be used as a filler? Might need to just buy epoxy resin and put a little in. Might try the tape also.

Cheers for the suggestions.

Go to any fastener store for larger grub screws.

Any idea on Tassie stores?:

Can I suggest Google TC..

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surfbroker said..
Can I suggest Google TC..

lmgtfy.com/

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Teacake said..
You're onto it Mac. Might just go a new stick. May have to ride the old mans CW when it arrives.

It seems my options are drill new holes, fill the existing hole with some kind of resin or hard setting substance, or buy larger screws.

The larger screws seems easiest. Any ideas where I could find them? We have a specialised nuts and bolts shop in town, might try them. Also, could superglue be used as a filler? Might need to just buy epoxy resin and put a little in. Might try the tape also.

Cheers for the suggestions.

ive done it with super glue. how I wouldn't be swapping fins around much if you do that.


a slightly bigger grub screw is the go

Think They are 3/16 whitworth thread grub screws

Get something about a 1/4 I guess...

Or try a futures one...

Do you want a link to?

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P co said...
If you can't get a bigger grub screw then the next best option is to drill a new hole on the other side of the plug a tiny bit smaller than the grub screw. You should be able to tap your own thread with the grub screw.

Good idea..

If you're using FCS plugs then get hold of a Futures grub screw. They're slightly longer and wider (not quite next size up...)

Have used them when the spinning started and no problems any more.

Next lesson... how not to overtighten the grub screws :)

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Mahanumah said..
If you're using FCS plugs then get hold of a Futures grub screw. They're slightly longer and wider (not quite next size up...)

Have used them when the spinning started and no problems any more.

Next lesson... how not to overtighten the grub screws :)

Or if you have an old leggie about, some brands have a long grub screw in the swivel. They are handy as you will have only stripped the end on the hole at the bottom, the size of the standard screw. Worth a shot