hull # 342

[Charlie Jones]

Well, I must have 10 or 12 different sanders in the shop- and the belt sander is used probably the least. I just seldom have a need for it, with tack and tape boats. In fact, except for squaring up a damaged chisel edge, I can't remember the last time I used a belt sander.

My absolute favorite, go to sander is my Porter Cable 7335 Random Orbit machine, with stic-it pad. They no longer make this exact one, but have a new version.

My next most used sander is also a Porter cable, ROS. but this one is a one handed, with the velcro discs. Don't have the number right at hand.. But I've got two of those.

And a 4 1/2 angle grinder, with a flap wheel mounted, usually a 120 grit one. But they come in 60 to 180 grits. Invaluable for feathering edges of tapes seams on boat exteriors.

I have a bunch of other machines, but those three are in use all the time.

Then I have an assortment of long boards, and sanding blocks. You'll find that most every job winds up with a chunk of sand paper, wrapped around a sanding block, in your hand!

[makenmend]

As Tehani pionts out the belt sander has limited use but the ROS gets lots of work my Makita one hander is my goto though,plus it pays to have a couple of spare hook & loop backing pads, they do wear out and send perfectly good sanding pads flyinf off into the wild blue yonder!! aslo handy for building a supply of wood flour for fillets, and yes quite often the tried and true hand sanding is the way to finish.

MM

[PAR]

I use the belt sander and DA most of the time. I have several different belt sander, some home made. I use them to rough shape spars, grind a plank edge back to the pencil line, knock down drips, you name it, though again, it takes some practice to use it precisely. If you want to roll a plank seam for fabric, the belt sander work fast. I make my own belts too, which is a lot cheaper then buying them. A little super glue and precise cuts is all it takes. I've made a jig for the various lengths I use.

Yes, they make power long boards that can conform to surfaces, but they're not cheap and of dubious ability. Most of these tools are strictly professional use and takes a good bit of experience to master, as they can remove a lot more then you want, very quickly. I have a home made power long board, which is a 1/2" sheet sander body and a piece of 1/4" okoume plywood screwed to the bottom plate. It's set to inline sand and works well on large surfaces. I have different size plates I can screw on to suit the job, some shorter, some more flexible, etc.

One tool that also gets used a lot, is the buffer/grinder. It's like an angle grinder on steroids. They come in 7" and 9" or 10" sizes and can remove material very quickly. In the right hands, they can fair things up to a degree. Get a variable speed version so you have some options on different materials.

[makenmend]

Well she got splashed last night, put her in about 5ish took quite a while to rig, had to do that at my dock rather than at the ramp as I need to do a fair bit of tree pruneing

Had to motor out of my creek area before raising the sails, then the wind completly died on me off to the north I see the dark clouds of the front so I'm determined to spend some time on the water now I'm here so good time to learn how to reef whilst on the water. Discretion being the better part of valour ( read chicken) I went with the maximum double reef on main and mizzen. No sooner than I got that done when here comes the wind out of the north, by gps even fully reefed I was enjoying a downwind run at 6.5 mph.

you can see the leading edge of the front to the south

Ran south for awhile playing and getting a feel for the boat,then about face and do some tacking into the wind still managing a respectable 5+ mph. Played until it got dark then sail to creek entrance, douse the sails and motor on in against the wind, and unrig at the dock in the dark (thankfully good moonlite between breaks in the cloud).

so a good 1st impression, couple of minor things to improve sail contol and make up some weather protection for camping aboard then put in some real time.

MM

[MaxHammer]

Hey guys,

 

Thanks for your replies! This finaly gives me some ideas about electric sanders and the hand sanders too. Also as I mentioned in other forums. Maybe we are getting close to some sort of flexible electric sanders! Belt sanders seems to be pretty close there, but still not large enough for large surface .

 

Need some time to read trough all of this.

 

Makenmend I see that you enjoyed the ride. Nothing like a moment of peace on your boat. Only thing that disturbs me, when on the boat is my cellphone. Maybe I will throw him over board , so the fish will make the calls for me..

[ecgossett]

I've used a couple of different belt sanders, including ones growing up. It doesn't always seem to matter from cheap to expensive, the tracking device for the belt always seems to break. The belt sander was a great tool for shaping centerboard and rudder after initial shape was done with a hand plane, and around the boat to even edges of wood before things like deck got put on, you can't beat a belt sander. Oh I used it in a couple areas to carefully fair tough fiberglass cloth, and remove paint before bringing in a orbital. 

 

Used properly it can save a lot of time, and is very durable against rough epoxy that would chew up orbitals.

[makenmend]

been out of commision for a little while (bypass surgery again !!) but almost ready to get back into things.On the ROS sander it was frustrating when a seemingly good disc would fly across the shop,tried a few different brands until I came across Mirka, way more durable absolutly no comparison to the stuff I was getting from the big box stores.<br />My belt sander see's more duty as a shaper these days.<br /><br />On the boat front until I'm able to launch and rig,I'm looking at making a boom tent type affair with a dodger for those less than ideal weather days.Still in the idea stage right now.<br /><br />MaxH used to agree on the phone thing, but my new smart phone with all the boating apps is becoming a great tool, even if it's to smart for me !!<br /><br />MM

[Hirilonde]

.On the ROS sander it was frustrating when a seemingly good disc would fly across the shop.............

You must be using a hook and loop sander.  Probably the hooks on the sander pad are worn.  Time to buy a new pad.

[PAR]

This is the one thing I hate about the hook and loop arrangements.

[makenmend]

''You must be using a hook and loop sander. Probably the hooks on the sander pad are worn. Time to buy a new pad''

always keep a couple spares handy but the backing on the Mirka pads is superior, IMO

MM

[Lance Turner]

Hope everything is well with you after your surgery.  I was wondering why I haven't seen any more pictures of your beautiful Core Sound 17.  I will look forward to seeing you and your boat at the spring messabout or maybe sooner. 

 

Lance Turner

[makenmend]

Thanks Lance, doing really well, just resticted from any heavy lifting,pulling,pushing till sternum has mended.Expect to be fully funtional by spring. Until then playing with lite weight stuff like oars dodger tent set up ect. Hurry up and wait time is getting old !!

 

MM