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.

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A dark night in a city that knows how to keep its secrets. But high above the quiet streets on the 12th floor of the Acme Building, one man is still trying to find the answers to life's persistent questions. Guy Noir, Private Eye.

Fox Valley Rocketeers: http://www.foxvalleyrocketeers.org