I couldn't get the straps tight enough by hand so I've bought a battery drill.
What torque setting should I use to get them tight without doing damage?

Sue, if you can, return the drill and get an impact driver. Much much much better for what you're doing. They may look similar to drills and ultimately cause rotation of the screw but the ease and control they bring is remarkable. They also don't work off torque setting, which I suspect will vary wildly by drill manufacturer, battery capacity etc. Instead, you visually observe the rotation taking place with each percussive blow, making it easy to see when the screw is snugging down. Be careful though - with only a 12v impact driver, I was able to twist the head off one of my footstrap screws when I didn't pay attention.

Power drills are dangerous for stripping holes as well as breaking screws .
Id go with a big Phillips head screwdriver with a big fat handle . You should get enough twist power with that.

#3 Philip's screwdriver should do everything you need. Make sure the screws aren't too long and punching through the bottom of the insert!!

Bugger, now I'm really paranoid..
You mean my 2 corona risk visits to Bunnings this am were for nothing..

A strong guy on a no3 Phillips screwdriver.
Or a No 3 bit in a socket with a socket wrench could work.

Use a low torque setting to drive the screw most of the way. Do the last few turns manually with a number three Philips driver. Choose one with a fat handle as this will make it much easier. It's easy to strip out a plastic footstrap plug with a power tool if you are not used to them. So start with a low torque and work up - always finish with hand power.

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Imax1 said..
Power drills are dangerous for stripping holes as well as breaking screws .
Id go with a big Phillips head screwdriver with a big fat handle . You should get enough twist power with that.

I ended up getting help and doing them by hand again. I'll probably have to re tighten them again after a few sails.
It's a new board and the screws came with it so I assume they are the right length..
After some advice I'm experimenting with strap position for better control.

In anticipation for the next thread title:
"How to fix stripped/torn inserts?"

+1,000 for the impact driver with the correct bit. So superior to manual screwdrivers or an ordinary drill driver.

That's an EXCELLENT question!

I do find many people strap screw shy and I certainly was one of them! Even renting centers can be.

Anyway, I tightened them in "stages." Reasons are... not too overheat the plastic, wait for the pad to compress.

So, be sure the screw is lining up correctly with insert hole. Go slow. Then, tighten until it becomes hard and stop. At that point your grip will have moved to under hand. Come back and continue tightening with an underhand.

I use a nice and wide handle screwdriver and a piece of inner tube to get good torque.

Finally, you might want to measure depth to make sure you won't go through the insert and pop it.

May be helpful to others...

I remember our go to repairer over here telling bout a board he'd just fixed. It was brand new.


Owner used the battery power drill to do the footstrap screws and missed the holes. One more reason to just use the screwdriver and re tension after the first few sails.

My thinking is , if the screws aren't tight enough, this is determined by the strap is moving when in use, nothing else comes to mind.
many variations of straps exist . I would invest in a set of anti twist devices , and if using them and the hand held screw driver doesn't tighten to your satisfaction , something is wrong.
Always been afraid to use a machine driver to tighten these screws, 99 reasons. I see the usefulness to start the screws , then tighten by hand.

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Manuel7 said..
That's an EXCELLENT question!

I do find many people strap screw shy and I certainly was one of them! Even renting centers can be.

Anyway, I tightened them in "stages." Reasons are... not too overheat the plastic, wait for the pad to compress.

So, be sure the screw is lining up correctly with insert hole. Go slow. Then, tighten until it becomes hard and stop. At that point your grip will have moved to under hand. Come back and continue tightening with an underhand.

I use a nice and wide handle screwdriver and a piece of inner tube to get good torque.

Finally, you might want to measure depth to make sure you won't go through the insert and pop it.

May be helpful to others...

The weight when wet would be useful, the materials obviously will differ and soak / absorbing rate Will vary.
Kovalski or similar , that don't absorb h2o much would be a weight saver.

Absolutely. I wish manufacturers would do the same with sail and board weights!

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forceten said..

Manuel7 said..
That's an EXCELLENT question!

I do find many people strap screw shy and I certainly was one of them! Even renting centers can be.

Anyway, I tightened them in "stages." Reasons are... not too overheat the plastic, wait for the pad to compress.

So, be sure the screw is lining up correctly with insert hole. Go slow. Then, tighten until it becomes hard and stop. At that point your grip will have moved to under hand. Come back and continue tightening with an underhand.

I use a nice and wide handle screwdriver and a piece of inner tube to get good torque.

Finally, you might want to measure depth to make sure you won't go through the insert and pop it.

May be helpful to others...

The weight when wet would be useful, the materials obviously will differ and soak / absorbing rate Will vary.
Kovalski or similar , that don't absorb h2o much would be a weight saver.

You could maybe buy something like this:


m.banggood.com/25Pcs-Multifunctional-Screwdriver-Bits-with-T-Wrench-Set-Repair-Tool-p-1188436.html

if you cannot open that link, just google "t handle screwdriver set". the handle of that screwdriver should give you enough leverage to tighten the footstraps.
Since it is a new board (and maybe new footstraps), I am pretty sure that the pads are compressing for the first time so the screws are getting loose. that should stop after a while.

I some times use an old fashioned brace with a screw driver bit, again care is needed, there's enough torque to twist the screw apart.

I've now gone to double screws, that stops all twisting. No matter how tight the initial fixing, pads will compress and the strap starts twisting again.

Used to strap up 20 boards a day for the WS trade shows.
Good screwdriver and 2 hours.
The boards were often demo'd or sold later, and needed retightening after about 3 days of use, then 12, and never again.
It's NOT a do it once project, as straps compress.

I learnt that putting a bit of dishwashing detergent down the holes makes the screws go in a bit easier

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windsurftom said..
I learnt that putting a bit of dishwashing detergent down the holes makes the screws go in a bit easier

Good practice to put it on the screw thread itself instead. Dipping the screws in slightly soapy water for example.
Just make sure that the screw is set in correctly, straight, because you'll be less sensitive to feeling how well the screw goes in. Finally avoid any soap on screwdriver tip and screw top!

Personally I like the dry feedback especially when inserts are starting to get tired.

Easy in, easy out.
Meaning...while the straps are compressing, the screw can loosen.
Maybe?

Glad I asked. Some good information there..

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sboardcrazy said..
I couldn't get the straps tight enough by hand so I've bought a battery drill.
What torque setting should I use to get them tight without doing damage?

Hi Sboardcrazy - reading your question, as it happen, I just had one to install - so I did it and filmed it. Have a look and it will make your installation easy without the use of a battery powered drill - which I do not recommend.

Here is the youtube link:

Do it that way and it will help you the rest of your Windsurfing live :-)

Here the link again - the one I placed before is somehow not working.... Sorry for that. Will check back in if that one works properly.

Here the link:

Regards
Karl