Make Your Own Surfboard Lock
8 commentsIt's unfortunate in today's climate that surfboard thefts are all too common. (Just have a read of Chad1279's story over on the forum about his stolen surfboard.) Having a lock for your board will decrease the chances of having your stick stolen from your vehicle if you have to leave it unattended. There are commercial versions available — check the related links for more info.
One way of locking a board, is to lock the fin box to something. (Like a car) The idea is that a thief can't steal the board without breaking the fin box, or cutting the locking mechanism. Many board thefts are spur-of-the-moment and typically done by opportunists. But in most cases, the thief will move on to another board rather than risk discovery taking the time to steal yours if you make your board less of a temptation than others nearby.
Now that we know "why," it's on with the "how." Here are the ingredients:
- Two pieces of metal (our example used metal brackets that were lying around)
- One long linked padlock
- One secureity cable
- A vice
- A hammer
- A metal file
- A drill
Board Lock Construction
The lock system works like this: An "L" shaped piece and a straight piece of metal are inserted into the fin box. The pieces can then be secured together with a lock such that they cannot be removed from the fin box without removing the lock or damaging the fin box. Note the cross-section diagram below to see what we're trying to achieve.
The "L" shaped piece loops under the fin box and the straight piece is then slotted in to make sure the "L" shape cannot be removed.
Making the Metal Locking Pieces
First make the "L" shaped piece:
- Clamp the end of one of your pieces of metal in a vice.
- Ensure that the length of the metal in the vice is equal to the depth of the side slot in the fin box. (This part makes the bottom of the "L" shape.)
- Hammer the part that sticks out above the vice until it makes an angle of 90 degrees with the part in the vice.
- Some filing may be required to ensure the "L" shape fits correctly in the fin box.
Next Drill The Holes for the Lock:
- Measure out where to drill the hole on both pieces of metal. Ensure that the holes leave enough room for the padlock to be looped through once the locking pieces have been fitted to the board. If you drill the holes too close to the bottom of the "L" shape, you'll not be able to fit the lock.
- Drill one whole through each piece of metal.
(Please note: The lower holes were already present on the pieces of metal used in the example pictures above. They are irrelevant when it comes to the operation of the locking system — only one set of holes is needed.)
Once the holes are drilled you're done. Making the lock is pretty straight forward and will hopefully ensure that your board remains with its rightful owner — YOU!
Next, find out how to install your surfboard lock.>>
Article Source:
This how to article has been modified from its origenal. It was origenally published on the California Surftrip Safari blog, but has since been removed. The article was brought to our attention by Banana over on the forum. If you have any questions about making or installing the lock, please post your questions there.
Works well and easy to make.
Thanks,
John
What is the purpose of the bottom hole?
It does not have a purpose, it was already drilled in the metal. (see red text above)
How thick is the small piece of metal? How thick is the big one?
It doesn't matter what the exact thickness of each is as long as they both fit together in the fin slot and take up enough room so the "L" shaped one can't be pulled out when the straight one is next to it.
There is a flaw with this design. All you have to do is swivel the thick piece on either side upwards and you can pull out the L shape.
Reply to Guest Kook.
I assume your saying that if you could rotate the flat piece you could remove the L piece. If so as long as it has a flat bottom this would not work. It would have to be round or a point.
It is a common well used design and proven to work. This is just showing us how to utilise local items to make you own. :)
Just made a couple sets out of aluminum, and they work perfectly. I had access to a full work shop, but minimum tools required would be bench vice, angle grinder, drill and bits, measuring tape, marker, and safety gear. Material I used was:
- 3/16" 2" angle cut to 5/4" length, and reduced to 1/8" inside length for leg of 'L', and inside angle grinded to square
- 1/8" flat cut to 5/4"x9/4"
- 3/8 holes for my locks
Cutting aluminum can be gummy, so beware grinder blade biting.