Brief Review of the Harrison Competition Fin Jig

[GuyNoir]

I’d owned an Art Rose fin jig for 16 years, and it is a fine machine. It will get your fins on dead straight every time. But I saw the Steve Kristal (Gus) post for the new run of Harrison Competition Fin Jigs, I took the plunge. I sold my Rose jig locally right away, put in my order and got the new jig in 4 days (Disclaimer: I don’t live that far from Steve).

The first thing I noticed is that this unit is more substantial than the Rose; that’s not to say the Rose is flimsy or in any way inadequate. But this is one solid jig. It’s got the same basic features as the Rose, i.e., mandrels with a set screw to secure them to the spindle, a marked guide showing the relative angle around the tube, holes for 3 and 4 fins (the Rose jig only did 3), a very nice knob to rotate the spindle as you position the fins, and an adjustable platen to account for fin thickness. The platen adjustment knob feels more positive, and given that one rotation moves the platen 1/32”, you’d have to be asleep to mis-position a fin. Finally, the included mandrels have a bevel on the end, making getting a body tube on them a bit easier.

To my fellow obsessive competitors, let me suggest that if you have a Rose jig, contact Steve to confirm he still has units available for sale, buy one, and then sell your Rose jig to some up and coming competitor. Someone new will become a better competitor, and you’ll have a shiny new jig that is a great one. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

 

[WillMarchant]

Can you comment on reference markings when adjusting for fin thickness, please?

 

[astronwolf]

To my fellow obsessive competitors, let me suggest that if you have a Rose jig, contact Steve to confirm he still has units available for sale, buy one, and then sell your Rose jig to some up and coming competitor. Someone new will become a better competitor, and you’ll have a shiny new jig that is a great one. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

The last announcement that I read was over two years ago. Earlier this year this topic came up on YORF and Steve stated that there were no plans (back in February) to make more of these.

Are they again available?

 

[BEC]

Steve just answered your query on YORF. Yes, apparently they are available again...and are updated compared to Mr. Harrison's prior product, which was essentially a straight clone of Art Rose's design. I have one of those and use it every time I can for a build, sport or competition.

 

[neil_w]

A link or a picture or *something* would be nice here.

 

[BEC]

There's a post on the NAR Facebook group. Also, here is Bunny's similar thread on YORF, in which Steve has posted a bunch of pictures: https://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=20911

 

[Gus]

The final batch of the upgraded Harrison Fin Jig has just arrived. Several are already spoken for. Once the remaining are sold there is no current plan to make more.
This is an ultra-precision piece of equipment used by world-class competition modelers for the most accurate, repeatable fin placement possible.
The jig comes with 13mm and 18 mm mandrels.
Cost is $500 plus $20 shipping.
I also have several 24mm mandrels available for $45 additional.
If you are interested please PM me.

 

[Iya2]

I'm in the market for a fin jig currently. Does anyone know where to find these or if any more are available?

 

[Gus]

Dan has taken a new job and is moving out of state. There are currently no plans to make any more and I have none left.

 

[MarsLander]

Dan has taken a new job and is moving out of state. There are currently no plans to make any more and I have none left.

If someone funded making a batch of 10 (or more, if necessary), would there be any interest in making more?

 

[cwbullet]

I might be interested in one, but I would need to know the final price.