Does each brand have a different size plug or are they generic? I've stripped the head of the one I use in my 125 Tabou.I could use the one in the 95 but I don't want to swap them over all the time.Too much risk of forgetting..
. I'm hoping they're generic and local shop will stock some ( although it's gone over to the dark side..)..?
They are generic, as far as I have found. When I have stripped the head of a few, I have found a 1mm cutting disc in a grinder a great way to be able to cut a slot for a flat blade screwdriver, so you can use them again.
Problem fixed..used a wire brush to clean the plug and also cleaned the hole and now it all works beautifully! I didn't realise they were lopsided like that..
It's still a bit stripped but now it doesn't take as much pressure to screw it in you can get by as long as you keep a fair bit of pressure on the screwdriver.
It's probably still a good idea to replace it. Once the screw starts looking like that there is a fair chance the o ring is perished and hard and you won't get a good seal. If you have trouble getting a hold of one you can get them mail order here:http://www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Bits+and+Pieces/346553/Surf+Sail+Australia+Chromed+Brass+Vent+Screw
$14 each + a few bucks delivery. I see they have some cheaper plastic and alloy ones as well.
The thread is ground away on one side so that it definitely isn't air tight when you loosen it.
Some plugs have a narrow channel through the thread instead of the flat section. If it's a perfect tight fitting thread there's a good chance it will still be air tight even though you've loosened it.
Agreed Decrep - if it is tight enough that you can strip it, it should have been replaced long ago. If you can't screw it in and out with your fingers, clean it up. it is only going into a plastic thread and if you bugger the plastic insert part up..... major surgery.
That screw appears to be the same as my Mistral with one side flat, my Naish boards have a smaller dia screw.
I would get a plastic plug if the insert on the board is plastic, as a plumber I've seen some disasters where male metal threads go into plastic female, the metal threads can easily strip out the plastic if crossthreaded and if overtightned the metal plug will easily split the plastic although that is unlikely here because the plug threads do not appear to be tapered.
Go to a bearing shop and they will have o-ring kits and you can buy the exact size o-ring that goes on the plug and get a couple of spares they should be less than $0.40 each. I've got a complete o-ring kit and carry 3 spares, one for each board, and the ones in the kit are identical size.
Diving shops have o rings .. got about 10 the other day for $1 . Just take in your vent plug so they can size it
My local hardware shop has a pack of o-rings,and they sell them individually. Just take the old one in for them to match it.
Auto parts places often have the same o-ring sets and also sell them individually.
Ok. Thanks. So if I get a new O ring I can take my time about finding a replacement?
I've solved a problem I was having with my new harness fit ( or at least I think I have the test will come next time I sail)..I'll post what I did in case anyone else has a similar problem..I was inbetween sizes so I couldn't get the leg straps tight enough and it was riding up.
Some time ago I lost the vent plug for my Starboard 159. I went to Boardcrazy but they didn't have any at the time. I decided that if i could find a bolt the correct thread size then I could make my own. I do a lot of motorcycle restoration so I went through my stash of spare bolts until I found one, in stainless steel. It turns out it is a common metric size 10M1.5. 10M=diam 1.5= thread pitch. I buy nuts and bolts in bulk from a fastener supply shop (Specialised Wholesale & Plastics in Lambton) to keep cost down and I use a lot.
After reading the above posts I realised that i didn't have a spare plug so I went out to the garage and made another, it took about 10 minutes.
Three easy steps.
1. Grind the corners off the head using bench grinder.
2. Put bolt in bench drill and smooth off the ground down head with a file then wet/dry sandpaper 'till nice and smooth (and fits in the vent hole recess).
3. Using hacksaw cut a slot in head for screwdriver.
4. File one side of the thread flat (as mentioned in above posts).
As the bolt I used was longer than required I cut it to length with a hacksaw
I also have plenty of O rings of various sizes which I bought from Aldi. They come in handy, gas bottles, hose fittings etc.
TIP. Use a dab silicone oil, or Vaseline, on O ring to stop it binding and DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
