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Best Shim Material

> 10 years ago
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General Gps & Speed Waves Foiling Gear Reviews Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS
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Mmeyer
Mmeyer
TAS
81 posts
Mmeyer Mmeyer
TAS, 81 posts
15 Aug 2012 10:10am
I recently bought a US Box fin and it is a bit loose in the fin box. I was just wondering what the best material is for making a shim or any other way to fix the problem.
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
Mark _australia Mark _australia
WA, 23647 posts
15 Aug 2012 8:12am
The stiff clear plastic used as a 'window' in boxes
Like the ones toys etc come in
snides8
snides8
WA
1731 posts
snides8 snides8
WA, 1731 posts
15 Aug 2012 11:51am
You can use an empty can of coke!
A pair if scissors and an Ali can works fine.
Just watch you don't cut your fingers!
Waiting4wind
Waiting4wind
NSW
1871 posts
Waiting4wind Waiting4wind
NSW, 1871 posts
15 Aug 2012 2:13pm
I use a can of spray paint. Just give the base a few coats until you get a tight fit.
doggie
doggie
WA
15849 posts
doggie doggie
WA, 15849 posts
15 Aug 2012 12:25pm
Mark _australia said...

The stiff clear plastic used as a 'window' in boxes
Like the ones toys etc come in


Jeez you guys really think outside of the box dont you
MikeyS
MikeyS
VIC
1509 posts
MikeyS MikeyS
VIC, 1509 posts
15 Aug 2012 2:30pm
Strip or strips cut from a 2 litre PET drink bottle
Kimba
Kimba
SA
459 posts
Kimba Kimba
SA, 459 posts
15 Aug 2012 2:03pm
+1
snides8 said...

You can use an empty can of coke!
A pair if scissors and an Ali can works fine.
Just watch you don't cut your fingers!



You can also fix the shim to the fin with loctite or superglue. If you need double thickness wrap the ally over the top(with 1 layer each side) of the head so it resists pulling off every time you slot it in the box.
Waiting4wind
Waiting4wind
NSW
1871 posts
Waiting4wind Waiting4wind
NSW, 1871 posts
15 Aug 2012 2:35pm
doggie said...

Mark _australia said...

The stiff clear plastic used as a 'window' in boxes
Like the ones toys etc come in


Jeez you guys really think outside of the box dont you


I was going to suggest a dried nut sack from a norwegian fruit bat, but they're a little harder to come by....
Mmeyer
Mmeyer
TAS
81 posts
Mmeyer Mmeyer
TAS, 81 posts
15 Aug 2012 3:11pm
Thanks all for your suggestions. I think i will go with the plastic bottle kind of idea.
doggie
doggie
WA
15849 posts
doggie doggie
WA, 15849 posts
15 Aug 2012 1:15pm
Waiting4wind said...

doggie said...

Mark _australia said...

The stiff clear plastic used as a 'window' in boxes
Like the ones toys etc come in


Jeez you guys really think outside of the box dont you


I was going to suggest a dried nut sack from a norwegian fruit bat, but they're a little harder to come by....


Hahahaha

The southern reticulated ones are better ive been told
aus301
aus301
QLD
2039 posts
aus301 aus301
QLD, 2039 posts
15 Aug 2012 4:41pm
Mmeyer said...

Thanks all for your suggestions. I think i will go with the plastic bottle kind of idea.


I usually found PET bottle plastic too thick and difficult to bend, Ideally you want to bend the shim in a U shape and wrap under the fin as you pus it into the box. That makes sure the shim is well in there and won't come out.

Another vote for coke can, works a treat.
Mmeyer
Mmeyer
TAS
81 posts
Mmeyer Mmeyer
TAS, 81 posts
15 Aug 2012 6:41pm
I ended up using the plastic from the plastic milk cartons and it took a bit of fiddling to get it into place but now it seems to work a treat!!! Thanks again for your help
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
Mark _australia Mark _australia
WA, 23647 posts
15 Aug 2012 5:57pm
doggie said...

Mark _australia said...

The stiff clear plastic used as a 'window' in boxes
Like the ones toys etc come in


Jeez you guys really think outside of the box dont you


That plastic is also awesome for folding, then moulding fibreglass etc from to make interesting shapes as it is perfectly smooth and the resin doesn't stick to it.
Easy way to make moulds for funny shaped things.

Happy to provide you with amusement and good ideas Nate
The Craw
The Craw
WA
229 posts
The Craw The Craw
WA, 229 posts
15 Aug 2012 9:10pm
monofilm from an old trashed sail,easy to fold and some panels vary in thickness .
MikeyS
MikeyS
VIC
1509 posts
MikeyS MikeyS
VIC, 1509 posts
15 Aug 2012 11:36pm
aus301 said...

Mmeyer said...

Thanks all for your suggestions. I think i will go with the plastic bottle kind of idea.


I usually found PET bottle plastic too thick and difficult to bend, Ideally you want to bend the shim in a U shape and wrap under the fin as you pus it into the box. That makes sure the shim is well in there and won't come out.

Another vote for coke can, works a treat.


geez, I must have a really loose box. I do the u-shape trick too.

Nothing worse than having a really loose box. Reminds me about a joke about the difference between a swimming pool and this girl I used to.... Nah.
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