What's best for waxing, bottom sanding for painting and grinding for fiberglass repairs? My yard makes it a relatively long reach for power (~100'++) to use a corded buffer/sander. However, I'm not convinced that any cordless device will have the power or the stamina to get through a day with 1 or 2 batteries. Anyone have any experience with this? Do I need corded, or can I do ok with a heavy duty cordless (19.2 volt??) and a couple of batteries. I've got a lot of work to do. I need to do some deck repair including rebedding hardware, refairing (sp??) the keel, sanding the bottom for painting and waxing the boat. I want to buy a buffer/sander/grinder, but I'm not sure which way to go. -Smitty
Buffer/grinder?
- Thread starter Smitty
- Start date
- Status
Go with 110 volt.
Just my two cents. You are right, after a long day the batteries will be cooked. And after a year or so of recharging you need new ones. I do use the battery drill a lot but always have two backups, a 3/8" and a 1/2". But my buffer, grinder, orbital sander, mouse sander, and dremmel are all AC. And I have yet to find a decent vacuum that runs on batteries. I have an old shop vac that runs constantly to keep the dust at bay.
Just my two cents. You are right, after a long day the batteries will be cooked. And after a year or so of recharging you need new ones. I do use the battery drill a lot but always have two backups, a 3/8" and a 1/2". But my buffer, grinder, orbital sander, mouse sander, and dremmel are all AC. And I have yet to find a decent vacuum that runs on batteries. I have an old shop vac that runs constantly to keep the dust at bay.
Use 110
Build yourself an extension cord with 12 or 10 gage wire and the 100+ ft. won't be an issue. Sell the extension when you're done if you don't plan on repeating the project soon.
Build yourself an extension cord with 12 or 10 gage wire and the 100+ ft. won't be an issue. Sell the extension when you're done if you don't plan on repeating the project soon.
Extension cords
The marina where I keep Bietzpadlin has 275 foot long piers and my slip is at the far end. As a result I have three 100 foot long extension cords in Number 12 wire. I can recharge my house batteries, vacuum the interior of the hull including the blige. I have a few battery powered tools, but when you need some real staying power go with extension cords and 110 vac.
The marina where I keep Bietzpadlin has 275 foot long piers and my slip is at the far end. As a result I have three 100 foot long extension cords in Number 12 wire. I can recharge my house batteries, vacuum the interior of the hull including the blige. I have a few battery powered tools, but when you need some real staying power go with extension cords and 110 vac.
110V Definitely
Absolutely get a corded sander/buffer. However, I'm not sure my arms can keep up. I just bought a Porter Cable sander polisher at Lowes for $99.00. Made in the USA and you can't kill it. Great machine.
Absolutely get a corded sander/buffer. However, I'm not sure my arms can keep up. I just bought a Porter Cable sander polisher at Lowes for $99.00. Made in the USA and you can't kill it. Great machine.
Seriously....
Forget the battery stuff and get enough power to do the job. More importantly, DO NOT use a circular machine for sanding bottom paint or fiberglass. Use ONLY a random orbital machine. A good one at that, like the Porter Cable mentioned, or a Fein or DeWalt for sanding. A circular drill will wad the sandpaper immediately and gouge the fiberglass. You probably won't find the right machine at the big box hardware store, so search farther. I use the Porter Cable 6" variable-speed random orbit sander with the vacuum hose dust collector. (Even a little orbital finish sander will get there eventually, but may destroy your wrists.) 60 and 80 grit are pretty common papers to use for basic work. Insert here: lots of recommendations for chemical strippers, sandblasting, hand sanding and ablative paints by everyone. I'm talking sanders because you mentioned them. For grinding away fiberglass, I like to use a small metal grinder, but enough rough grit paper will do it on a circular machine. Make sure you get a good mask at least.
Forget the battery stuff and get enough power to do the job. More importantly, DO NOT use a circular machine for sanding bottom paint or fiberglass. Use ONLY a random orbital machine. A good one at that, like the Porter Cable mentioned, or a Fein or DeWalt for sanding. A circular drill will wad the sandpaper immediately and gouge the fiberglass. You probably won't find the right machine at the big box hardware store, so search farther. I use the Porter Cable 6" variable-speed random orbit sander with the vacuum hose dust collector. (Even a little orbital finish sander will get there eventually, but may destroy your wrists.) 60 and 80 grit are pretty common papers to use for basic work. Insert here: lots of recommendations for chemical strippers, sandblasting, hand sanding and ablative paints by everyone. I'm talking sanders because you mentioned them. For grinding away fiberglass, I like to use a small metal grinder, but enough rough grit paper will do it on a circular machine. Make sure you get a good mask at least.
What about pneumatic?
Smitty If your concerned about the line lose running a 100 plus feet extension cord is air available? As suggested earlier check out what most body shops use. All that I’ve seen use pneumatic tools because there is virtually no “power” drop over long runs, the tools are lighter, variable speed, and seem to last longer. Just another idea. Bob Noble S/V Miss Lisa
Smitty If your concerned about the line lose running a 100 plus feet extension cord is air available? As suggested earlier check out what most body shops use. All that I’ve seen use pneumatic tools because there is virtually no “power” drop over long runs, the tools are lighter, variable speed, and seem to last longer. Just another idea. Bob Noble S/V Miss Lisa
- Status