Homemade surf tabs

[Shoebox]

My biggest mistake was using aluminum hinges. That’s what MB uses, but I guess theirs are much thicker than what I used. My hinges started to bend, particularly at that one broken screw.

I pulled the tabs back off, and was able to get that broken screw out. My buddy suggested we tap the holes for ¼”-20 machine screws, which is what we ended up doing. The threads are the same depth as the sheet metal screws, but there are many more of them, so the holding power will be much greater. I don’t know why Lenco and others don’t suggest doing it this way.

I ordered some new, thicker, stainless steel hinges. They were supposed to be delivered yesterday, but apparently were damaged in shipping, so now I’m in waiting mode. Once I get them, I’ll polish them (actually to a brushed finish) instead of powdercoat, and get everything reinstalled next week.