One of my fcs side fin front screws has started "not tightening up"
Chucked some JB weld type stuff into the "female part"
whacked some thread tape around the male bit before inserting and screwing
Doing the job so far but maybe there are other solutions?

Next size up on the screw?

Haven't had that problem yet. Only ptoblem I had was the key getting worn and not undoing one. New key fixed that instantly.

colas said..

Best solution so far is the one by Umberto: www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=69049

key points:
- IMPORTANT: tap the hole with a bigger tap first, to provide anchor for the resin.
- fill the hole with epoxy resin heavily loaded with microspheres (IMPORTANT) & bits of fiber (Umberto adds also some thickener, I don't)
- let cure plenty of time, if possible at 30-40C for maximum hardening (at least one day)
- drill a hole smaller in diameter than the tap
- tap with a "UNC 10-24 tap"

Ta-Da, you now have a screw hole better than new!

Or take it to someone that can do what Colas suggests

Futures are a better system

supthecreek said..
If we ALL have to baby our screws and constantly check that our high priced fins are not loose.... then something is wrong with the system.

Personally, I only had problems when I buy boards (new or used), not afterwards, so I do not have to worry about it. It is just part of the regular routine when you buy a board: inspect for transport damage, sand the fins, glue the pad, apply the monster paint, try on the bag... stand on the board on the bed imagining riding it :-)
So it is not such a big problem after all.

Alternatives exist: the Pro Box, or FCS new screwless fin box. I do not like the Future system, as it seems to always have some lateral loosenes, and having2 different box standards (front/rear) is plain insane (plus there are no C-Drives in Future format :-). Too bad as future makes some really great fins. But the Pro Box definitively seems the way of the future.

GizzieNZ said..

One of my fcs side fin front screws has started "not tightening up"
Chucked some JB weld type stuff into the "female part"
whacked some thread tape around the male bit before inserting and screwing
Doing the job so far but maybe there are other solutions?

Time for new board

I have this problem with one of my fcs grub screws on a new board the shop where I got it from said just put next size grub screw in the board hasn't hit the water yet.

supthecreek said..

Come to think of it...
If we ALL have to baby our screws and constantly check that our high priced fins are not loose.... then something is wrong with the system.

Even cheapo dodads have threaded metal inserts to provide a secure tightening..... why don't $2,000 boards, that require aftermarket $120 fins???

Come on surf industry.... surely you can improve this crappy arrangement.

Plus 1

towball said..

GizzieNZ said..

One of my fcs side fin front screws has started "not tightening up"
Chucked some JB weld type stuff into the "female part"
whacked some thread tape around the male bit before inserting and screwing
Doing the job so far but maybe there are other solutions?

Time for new board

but I like this one......on the other hand I remember when you sold your Hokua 9'5 or whatever it was and bought a new one lol