Fiberglassing tools

B

boatnluvr

Junior Member
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
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
boatnluvr said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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 :-*
 
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 ...
 
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.

MVC-025S-1.jpg
 
I have a 30 gal 6 hp craftman compressor, I have impack, hammer, die grinder, rachet ect ect ect, I love them.
 
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.
 
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
 
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....
 
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
 
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