Fin Prep

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David Schwantz

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First is to bevel the fins, you can do them sharp as these are, or leave a bit to be rounded off by hand.

Second is to sand the surfaces for primer. Mouse sander with 150 grit.

Third is to drill holes for "glue" fingers.

Fourth is to sand with 36 grit over glue area, don't forget where the fillets will go.
 
You drill holes in the fins at the root to act as holes for the glue to flow through as you make fillets. This will act as "fingers" and give more glue surface.
 
Are you injecting epoxy into the fin root? The technique referenced in just about all wildman fiberglass builds. If yes, then don't the holes drilled into the fin root complicate that process?
 
Is this primarily a fiberglass build technique? Something that would be unnecessary on paper and plywood?
 
No, the epoxy will still flow through the holes. Just do not make it to runny.
Let me provide a highly accurate sketch to illustrate why I asked. It seems like with holes in the root you would not be able to contain the epoxy correctly. If I make the epoxy thick enough that it wouldn't run out of the holes it wouldn't flow well lengthwise along the root. Perhaps your experience proves otherwise.
Image%20(1)~2.jpeg
 
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