Fiberglassing tools

[boatnluvr]

I am looking for recommendations on basic powertools required for fiberglass repair. I realize I need some type of dual action sander, but I do not have my own pneumatic compressor (but I can borrow when necessary). Can I get away with a corder Ranom Orbit sander to do both heavy work and faring? I have a porter cable buffer (model???) and I generally use that for waxing. I will be fixing some gouges, removing gelcoat on bow (like hammer did) and then perhaps compounding and waxing the hull. So, any thoughts on the best tools for the job? I saw a Porter cable 97355 that may do it.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/portercable/97355/?ref=base

[boatnluvr]

I am looking for recommendations on basic powertools required for fiberglass repair. I realize I need some type of dual action sander, but I do not have my own pneumatic compressor (but I can borrow when necessary). Can I get away with a corder Ranom Orbit sander to do both heavy work and faring? I have a porter cable buffer (model???) and I generally use that for waxing. I will be fixing some gouges, removing gelcoat on bow (like hammer did) and then perhaps compounding and waxing the hull. So, any thoughts on the best tools for the job? I saw a Porter cable 97355 that may do it.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/portercable/97355/?ref=base

[boatnluvr]

I am looking for recommendations on basic powertools required for fiberglass repair. I realize I need some type of dual action sander, but I do not have my own pneumatic compressor (but I can borrow when necessary). Can I get away with a corder Ranom Orbit sander to do both heavy work and faring? I have a porter cable buffer (model???) and I generally use that for waxing. I will be fixing some gouges, removing gelcoat on bow (like hammer did) and then perhaps compounding and waxing the hull. So, any thoughts on the best tools for the job? I saw a Porter cable 97355 that may do it.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/portercable/97355/?ref=base

[Stillrunning]

I would not go with an air sander they take need a big compressor to run one as they use allot of air. Porta Cable makes a very nice palm sander which shold work grat of fixing gouges which usually do not require heavy sanding. They have two models one you can adjust the speed or the one I linked here which you cannot adjust the speed but will work just fine (this is the type I have.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/portercable/343K/ You can pick one up at Lowes for the same price as the toolbarn.

[Stillrunning]

I would not go with an air sander they take need a big compressor to run one as they use allot of air. Porta Cable makes a very nice palm sander which shold work grat of fixing gouges which usually do not require heavy sanding. They have two models one you can adjust the speed or the one I linked here which you cannot adjust the speed but will work just fine (this is the type I have.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/portercable/343K/ You can pick one up at Lowes for the same price as the toolbarn.

[Stillrunning]

I would not go with an air sander they take need a big compressor to run one as they use allot of air. Porta Cable makes a very nice palm sander which shold work grat of fixing gouges which usually do not require heavy sanding. They have two models one you can adjust the speed or the one I linked here which you cannot adjust the speed but will work just fine (this is the type I have.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/portercable/343K/ You can pick one up at Lowes for the same price as the toolbarn.

[boatnluvr]

I understood that random speed is required to avoid swirl marks in the gelcoat. I assume if you had no issue that you must have been very careful to keep moving.

[Stillrunning]

I understood that random speed is required to avoid swirl marks in the gelcoat. *I assume if you had no issue that you must have been very careful to keep moving.
I was thinking more along the lines of the fiberglass repair. I was not thinking about the gelcoat type repair and I'm not much help there. Porta Cable does make that palm sander with ajustable speed which runs aroun $79.00.

[Stinky_Hooker]

I rarely use air powered stuff. I have 3 Dewalt palm sanders that I use exclusively except for smoothing the really uneven stuff. Ill use a belt sander to flatten that off before I go palm sometimes.

[spareparts]

i use the Porter Cable 6" da ( the one that looks like a grinder) on everything, I have put this thing through hell and back and it keeps going (probably will break the next time I use it), i just usedit with 40 grit to sand all the old gel off the glastron, used it with 1500 grit to finish out some gel before I buffed it, it works great. I've even used it to prep gasket surfaces. I highly recomend it

[macojoe]

I no have the fancy tools likem you guys, but thats what I use, palm sander, works great!!

leave the paper off and I will tell you, makes a great rub out toy also :-*

[reelapeelin]

I would think a disc-sander on a drill-motor and a good palm-sander would yield a pretty good job...long as ya keep that disc under control :o ...

[reelapeelin]

leave the paper off and I will tell you, makes a great rub out toy also :-*





Yeah...I like it w/ 80 GRIT and plugged into 220 :o ...

[Skools Out]

hey I Love my air tools I have all air tools. I say air if you have a compressor. I run all mine on a 120 gallon 8 hp compressor usually @195 PSI. I couldn't make it without my air tools. much cheaper tools. Air DA is $7.99 from Harbor Freight. Plus you'll need a line sander if you plan on major work. never seen to many electric line sanders, they are $19.99 from HF as well.

Heck i found this compressor an it only needed the reeds cleaned. It's a Freebie and works great and will keep up with my Air DA sander.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/other/MVC-025S-1.jpg

[phatdaddy]

skools, is that a Gravely 7.6 i see ?

[macojoe]

I have a 30 gal 6 hp craftman compressor, I have impack, hammer, die grinder, rachet ect ect ect, I love them.

[Skools Out]

lol yeah you know your Gravely's There Phat i have 2 1969 Gravely 7.6 Model L's best part they are in sequence serial numbers. my grand dad bought them new. I wish i had more attachments, i only have the rotary plow, 46" sickle bar, 42" bush hog, 48" snow / dirt blade, cultvator plow, steering sulky, and ditch trencher.

[spareparts]

unless you have a big compressor, tools like sanders and grinders will wear a compressor out( or your eardrums if its too close to you), I have a lot of air tools and they all have their time and place, but I've found on gell(except for the sprayer) and glass work, its hard to beat electric

[phatdaddy]

We were gravely dealers from 69 till 84. my dad had a small engine shop. i had a 7.6 until someone stole if from the barn last year. great engines. they went downhill when they started putting the kohlers on. i had the 30" bush hog & rotary tiller. tuff pieces of equipment....

[Skools Out]

yeah those old 7.6 were Studebakers motor. I really want an old 816 Gravely Rider that has front and rear PTO for the old Model L attachments

[Skools Out]

on the Gravely's i finally got a rider but have gained 3 other walk behinds as well. Hey Blue i'm thinking of restoring one to carry to Denton

here's the Gravely rider i got but i really wanted a 816 but 812 will work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150195011293&ssPa geName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005


http://i10.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/cc/0b/3621_1.JPG

[wpearch]

did anyone else notice his price on the compressor free how does the man keep doing it

[msbhammer]

Lefty seems to loves my palm sander with a high and low speeds for some strange reason. :o :o :o ;D

[wpearch]

nothing strange about it that the same reason Harley riders get the good looking woman ;D ;D ;D

[Skools Out]

lol yeah FREE is my kinda stuff *

i got a new set of gauges today for my Center Console when i finish it. *;D

[76GMC1500]

4.5" grinder with an assortment of flap disks, resin disks for rapid material removal and surface preparation. *I'm personally a Milwaukee man, the ergonomics of the trigger on their newer generation of grinder blow everybody else's away.

For doing large flat surfaces like transoms, a pneumatic long board sander would be useful and they are relatively inexpensive. The long board sanders have pretty modest air requirements compared to the dual actions and random orbits.

A random orbit sander is a must for finish work. A dual action sander may help speed up the rough finish work.

If you ever see a good deal on vacuum pump, jump on it so you can do vacuum bagging. *This can save you a bunch of time and resin as well as create a stronger final product, especially when doing vertical and overhead work.

A close quarters drill for drilling holes in places with little clearance, like on the dash under your windshield.

[pikfish]

Skool's, I had a tractor about that size, It really helped when I installed wheel weights. Cub Cadet weights fit the standard wheel bolt pattern.