Where can I buy inserts to put footstraps on an epoxy surfboard?

Kitepower Australia said...

benk said...

Where can I buy inserts to put footstraps on an epoxy surfboard?

Surftech stick down pad/strap sets with brass inserts in the pads, work extremely well.
https://www.kitepower.com.au/catalog/product_17189_Surftech_Strap_Pad_cat_355.html

If you are good with epoxy/glass and basic power tools;
www.kitepower.com.au/catalog/product_17352_5_Hole_Insert_Blocks_cat_355.html

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

I'd go with the Surftech pads (there's a couple other makers of them as well but can't be asked). Problem with the inserts is most of the epoxy boards don't have a centre stringer and you run the risk of ripping them out of the foam because there's no local reinforcement

Those inserts are good, but if you have an old board and just want a cheap fix then this is what I did. ( I have inserts but couldnt be bothered to cut a square hole)

I cut some disks using a hole saw, I used a bit of scrap 5 ply and cut the same size hole with a speed bore in the top of the board. But you could use any material that will hold a screw. You just cut through the glass skin, no need to press, then dig out the foam with a screwdriver. Once the hole fits then mix up some resin, if your worried about weight then mix in some foam dust, pour in the hole and fit the insert. make sure it over flows, vibrate the board to get rid of air bubbles, sand when cured and drill some pilot holes.

pretty straight forward.

or if your real cheap( or no tools ) , just cut the hole, mix the resin, poor and then drill a pilot hole for the screws once its gone hard. You could also put in a stainless nut and bolt ( or plate ) and resin the nut into the board, make sure you have the bolt screwed in to it, when you remove the bolt after its cured you have a good threaded hole.


Most important, remember to use the correct resin, epoxy for epoxy and polyester for traditional fibre glass boards. Polyester resin will melt the styrofoam used in epoxy boards. Epoxy you can use on any board but its expensive. You can also buy acrilic resins now that are safe for epoxy boards from your surfboard shops, they set in the sun so no catalyst required, but they set real fast so work in the shade. And their pot life is short.

catapult kiteboarding .com has them for about $100