We're getting ready to haul the boat and roll up our sleeves. The hull has lots of blisters, the deck has lots of soft spots and my power toolchest is bare. I'm looking for recommendations for tools. A couple of criteria that are important: - Tools must come with vacuum attachment points so we don't leave dust
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Grinders
I have been slowly buying tools as I'm finishing work on an 18 foot dinghy. My recommendation for all tools is that you locate manufactucter's stores and buy reconditioned. I bought a reconditioned hand held belt sander; they give you a full warranty and that's great, because when you sand fiberglass resin, it clogs the thing up. It cost me about $65 or so. Also, I bought a reconditioned 4 1/2 inch grinder, about the same price. Both were Makita. Excellent stuff. (And I've never seen a grinder with a dust attachment; can't believe it's possible.)
I have been slowly buying tools as I'm finishing work on an 18 foot dinghy. My recommendation for all tools is that you locate manufactucter's stores and buy reconditioned. I bought a reconditioned hand held belt sander; they give you a full warranty and that's great, because when you sand fiberglass resin, it clogs the thing up. It cost me about $65 or so. Also, I bought a reconditioned 4 1/2 inch grinder, about the same price. Both were Makita. Excellent stuff. (And I've never seen a grinder with a dust attachment; can't believe it's possible.)
grinders
I work with hand tools and cant say there is not a grinder with something to vacuum dust , but I can say I have never seen one, what I have done in various construction projects around the house where there is an absence of that sort of tools is to have my wife use a large leaf sucker right where I am sanding grinding or whatever, mine haas a hose that goes to a trash can , it helps out a bit also at one time craftsman did have a line of tools that had vacuum type attachments, good luck , Mike B
I work with hand tools and cant say there is not a grinder with something to vacuum dust , but I can say I have never seen one, what I have done in various construction projects around the house where there is an absence of that sort of tools is to have my wife use a large leaf sucker right where I am sanding grinding or whatever, mine haas a hose that goes to a trash can , it helps out a bit also at one time craftsman did have a line of tools that had vacuum type attachments, good luck , Mike B
Doug, Many sanders, both belt and orbital, have
vacuum ports, although in my experences I've never seen a grinder with this devise. Grinders, such as the ones we use for welding etc. (4 to 6 inch) really don't lend themselves toward any type of vacuum hook-up. I do think, that with the huge choice of sanders available, you will not need a grinder, just a sander and a big shop-vac. As long as you are starting with an empty tool chest you might also want to look at compressed air powered tools. I bought my son-in-laws 110-volt compressors as a thank-you, and was so impressed by their usefullness that I went back and got one for myself. If you go to air tools you really need a 220V compressor, but it is a thought you might want to look at. If all else fails, then look at wet sanding/grinding. Ugly, but there is no dust. Spend alot of time looking, asking, touching and learning about each tool, or tool system, you might think you need before spending a dime........oh no....New Idea! Darn, I'm on a roll now! The best bet might be to go to a community college that has industrial arts or auto body repair shop and ask them. Fiberglas or metal, I'm sure they would help and explain the different equipment available Ray S/V Speedy
vacuum ports, although in my experences I've never seen a grinder with this devise. Grinders, such as the ones we use for welding etc. (4 to 6 inch) really don't lend themselves toward any type of vacuum hook-up. I do think, that with the huge choice of sanders available, you will not need a grinder, just a sander and a big shop-vac. As long as you are starting with an empty tool chest you might also want to look at compressed air powered tools. I bought my son-in-laws 110-volt compressors as a thank-you, and was so impressed by their usefullness that I went back and got one for myself. If you go to air tools you really need a 220V compressor, but it is a thought you might want to look at. If all else fails, then look at wet sanding/grinding. Ugly, but there is no dust. Spend alot of time looking, asking, touching and learning about each tool, or tool system, you might think you need before spending a dime........oh no....New Idea! Darn, I'm on a roll now! The best bet might be to go to a community college that has industrial arts or auto body repair shop and ask them. Fiberglas or metal, I'm sure they would help and explain the different equipment available Ray S/V Speedy
Don't forget rental.
There are some tools that are better to rent. They are expensive industrial strength models that will do a better and faster job than something I could afford to own. When I barrier-coated my H37C most of the work was done with paint scrapers onto plastic ground covers. Only had to do a little sanding using an orbital with a vacuum bag and my wife operating the shop vac.
There are some tools that are better to rent. They are expensive industrial strength models that will do a better and faster job than something I could afford to own. When I barrier-coated my H37C most of the work was done with paint scrapers onto plastic ground covers. Only had to do a little sanding using an orbital with a vacuum bag and my wife operating the shop vac.
Re: Rentals
My boat yard will be happy to rent me a dustless sander for $15 per hour. Given that I have to strip down and/or refurbish the entire bottom, part of the topsides, and half of the deck, that's not a very economical solution. I haven't seen any grinders with vacuum attachments either, but I was hoping someone else had. Perhaps I'll try the leaf-vac idea.
My boat yard will be happy to rent me a dustless sander for $15 per hour. Given that I have to strip down and/or refurbish the entire bottom, part of the topsides, and half of the deck, that's not a very economical solution. I haven't seen any grinders with vacuum attachments either, but I was hoping someone else had. Perhaps I'll try the leaf-vac idea.
Grinding vs. planing
By the way, I'm asking about the planers because the bottom is in such bad shape (blisters galore). Has anyone done this themselves? I can't afford to have the yard to it (several thousand dollars). It seems like it would be a lot more efficient, but I'm just not sure. Do I need special cutting blades?
By the way, I'm asking about the planers because the bottom is in such bad shape (blisters galore). Has anyone done this themselves? I can't afford to have the yard to it (several thousand dollars). It seems like it would be a lot more efficient, but I'm just not sure. Do I need special cutting blades?
Dremmel Tool for small blisters.
Doug: What size are the blisters? Half-dollar, dime, pencil eraser sized? If you blisters are of the small size you may consider a dremmel or roto-zip tool. There are over 100 articles (on the internet) on blisters that you can check out before you start. You may be suprised on how some of these "experts" recommend dealing with these problems. It is a good time to start working on this project. You need to open them up now and let them sit until spring.
Doug: What size are the blisters? Half-dollar, dime, pencil eraser sized? If you blisters are of the small size you may consider a dremmel or roto-zip tool. There are over 100 articles (on the internet) on blisters that you can check out before you start. You may be suprised on how some of these "experts" recommend dealing with these problems. It is a good time to start working on this project. You need to open them up now and let them sit until spring.
Steve:
Oh, I've read a zillion articles... and that's why I'm starting the blister repair in the fall. That gives me all winter to wash 'em out
Oh, I've read a zillion articles... and that's why I'm starting the blister repair in the fall. That gives me all winter to wash 'em out
$15./hour!?
I can rent a quality tool for the whole weekend for that. Why would you rent from the yard? Back to Steve's question about blister quantity and size. Are they mostly small? Or are there lots of large, deep ones with water in them? In other words do you have to strip the paint AND the gelcoat?
I can rent a quality tool for the whole weekend for that. Why would you rent from the yard? Back to Steve's question about blister quantity and size. Are they mostly small? Or are there lots of large, deep ones with water in them? In other words do you have to strip the paint AND the gelcoat?
Blister sizes
They range in size greatly. The largest that we know of are a little bigger than a quarter; the smallest (going up to about 6 inches over the waterline in the stern) are pinhead size. There are many. They are most definitely in the gelcoat, not the paint. I haven't poked any yet, but I presume they are full of water. (Yes, I'll wear eye protection!) The boat's getting hauled on the 15th. I'll know more then. I'm spending the weekend of the 17th and 18th working on them. I'll probably buy a grinder AND a planer. (I already have a Dremel.) I'll start with the grinder, and if it looks like I won't need the planer, I'll just return it. Is a 4" grinder sufficient, or should I get a 4-1/2" grinder? For sanders, I'm leaning towards the 1/4 sheet size because I have a lot of deck work to do too, but a 1/3 sheet or belt sander might be better/faster for the bottom. Is 1/4 sheet size OK?
They range in size greatly. The largest that we know of are a little bigger than a quarter; the smallest (going up to about 6 inches over the waterline in the stern) are pinhead size. There are many. They are most definitely in the gelcoat, not the paint. I haven't poked any yet, but I presume they are full of water. (Yes, I'll wear eye protection!) The boat's getting hauled on the 15th. I'll know more then. I'm spending the weekend of the 17th and 18th working on them. I'll probably buy a grinder AND a planer. (I already have a Dremel.) I'll start with the grinder, and if it looks like I won't need the planer, I'll just return it. Is a 4" grinder sufficient, or should I get a 4-1/2" grinder? For sanders, I'm leaning towards the 1/4 sheet size because I have a lot of deck work to do too, but a 1/3 sheet or belt sander might be better/faster for the bottom. Is 1/4 sheet size OK?
Bottom Paint Caution
If there is bottom pain to be removed and a sander with a shop vac is used then the shop vac needs to have the motor protected from the copper dust or it can short. Recommend a "drywall" bag vice the standard bag be used to keep the copper dust out. My vacuum setup is from a random orbital vacuum sander which has about a 1.5-inch hose about 25 feet long which is attached with an adapter to the shop vac hose. The long hose makes it very convenient for moving around the boat but the problem is the heavy copper dust settles out in the hose. Therefore the hose needs to be emptied regularly.
If there is bottom pain to be removed and a sander with a shop vac is used then the shop vac needs to have the motor protected from the copper dust or it can short. Recommend a "drywall" bag vice the standard bag be used to keep the copper dust out. My vacuum setup is from a random orbital vacuum sander which has about a 1.5-inch hose about 25 feet long which is attached with an adapter to the shop vac hose. The long hose makes it very convenient for moving around the boat but the problem is the heavy copper dust settles out in the hose. Therefore the hose needs to be emptied regularly.
Air Tools
I've found that air tools, run off of a compressor are much more efficient than electric tools. I'm fortunate in that our local yard pipes air around the yard and rents the tools for $5/day (a couple of years ago). If your yard doesn't do this, how about renting a compressor and tools. You could probably do most of the tough stuff in a day and follow-up with less efficient electric tools. The air sander left my electric sander "in the dust". As far as the vacuum attachment, is it acceptable to rig something up with a shop vac, a hose, and some duct tape?
I've found that air tools, run off of a compressor are much more efficient than electric tools. I'm fortunate in that our local yard pipes air around the yard and rents the tools for $5/day (a couple of years ago). If your yard doesn't do this, how about renting a compressor and tools. You could probably do most of the tough stuff in a day and follow-up with less efficient electric tools. The air sander left my electric sander "in the dust". As far as the vacuum attachment, is it acceptable to rig something up with a shop vac, a hose, and some duct tape?
Air Tools Get My Vote
Simply put air tools are the way to go. You can check out Home Depot or other large store for Kits that give you all tools plus compressor. (In Canada the flyer that arrived yesterday has a 5HP kit with all the goodies for $399.00 cdn) If you decide to go with the electrical tools make sure the are fully grounded (Double) as most of the time you will be using them outdoors in fall/spring which is usually damp/wet Best of Luck with your project PS There is a company up here that does boat hull planeing. They use a portable industrial machine that comes in a small truck to your Marina equipped with large vacume and they claim they can shave a 30' boat in 4 hours. Cost $500.00 cdn. I will give them a call to see if there are any agents in USA
Simply put air tools are the way to go. You can check out Home Depot or other large store for Kits that give you all tools plus compressor. (In Canada the flyer that arrived yesterday has a 5HP kit with all the goodies for $399.00 cdn) If you decide to go with the electrical tools make sure the are fully grounded (Double) as most of the time you will be using them outdoors in fall/spring which is usually damp/wet Best of Luck with your project PS There is a company up here that does boat hull planeing. They use a portable industrial machine that comes in a small truck to your Marina equipped with large vacume and they claim they can shave a 30' boat in 4 hours. Cost $500.00 cdn. I will give them a call to see if there are any agents in USA
Larry!
Hey, if they can plane the boat that cheaply it's almost worth it to me to have them drive down here! You can contact me at dougtinva@hotmail.com. I'll take a look at the air tools this weekend.
Hey, if they can plane the boat that cheaply it's almost worth it to me to have them drive down here! You can contact me at dougtinva@hotmail.com. I'll take a look at the air tools this weekend.
Look on Ebay!
I purchased a brand new grinder on Ebay for $9.99 plus shipping (around $3.00). It wasn't DeWalt quality, but it sure did the job. As far as dust bags, I don't think anyone makes a grinder with one. We put a tarp down and vaccumed up afterwards. I have seen power planers there as well but I have never purchased one. Sanders are abundant and you can probably pick one up for $20.00 or so.
I purchased a brand new grinder on Ebay for $9.99 plus shipping (around $3.00). It wasn't DeWalt quality, but it sure did the job. As far as dust bags, I don't think anyone makes a grinder with one. We put a tarp down and vaccumed up afterwards. I have seen power planers there as well but I have never purchased one. Sanders are abundant and you can probably pick one up for $20.00 or so.
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