1970 gulfstream makeover... Somewhat

[kcassells]

It's a ridgid from HD. I took the brushes out and they looked brand new. The grinDer has minimal use. The brushes are the things under the screw out cover that hits the appeture (???) right. Not sure but gotta look at it, it's has hardly any hours. I noticed it feeling funny so I blew out the dust. Not a good idea I guess. It made some big sparks and shUT down after that. My 4.5 ridgid went in for repairs before and I think it was th e bearings.

I went thru 2 grinders so far. Went to the less expensive ryobi with the trigger that does not lock. I like that feature alot! Like 35 bucks if I recall.

 

[Woodonglass]

Hmmm, Fiberglass dust is very abrasive. What I do is rubber band 3M Scotch Brite Pads over the vents of the grinder. These act as Filters for it yet still allows the grinder to breathe. I then try to remove them and blow out the grinder after each use. I have a 7" Porter Cable that I've used for 4 years and it's still going strong. Before I started doing this I went thru multiple cheap-o grinders in less than a year.

 

[Mark72233]

I have a 4 1/2" Porter Cable. $30 and I can't kill it. I have tried. Ground my entire boat and other projects. Dropped it a few times also. Still works great.

 

[kinaiahi61]

Hopefully can pull it apart and find out whats up. Felt almost like the bearing was locking up, but then I saw the large sparks so not sure. The 4 inches got er done, just takes way longer. Don't think I would do it again without a 7" and the ZEC 16 grit disk. I love those things and would highly recommend them. Way better than resin disks.

 

[kcassells]

Hopefully can pull it apart and find out whats up. Felt almost like the bearing was locking up, but then I saw the large sparks so not sure. The 4 inches got er done, just takes way longer. Don't think I would do it again without a 7" and the ZEC 16 grit disk. I love those things and would highly recommend them. Way better than resin disks.

You're making more dust than most people see in years with that size boat. keep at it!

 

[kinaiahi61]

You're making more dust than most people see in years with that size boat. keep at it!

Yah I belI've that! I should have weighed all the dust I been taking out. Easy 100lbs or so. Crazy how heavy the dust is. Can't wait to start the rebuild. After the grinding, it'll be a trip to the lumber yard for some marine ply. Or maybe order the supplies already to thicken the hull. Guess I need fiberglass first. Exciting times.

 

[kinaiahi61]

took the grinder apart today. Traced all the wires up to the aperture. Look like something burned in there. Probably better off just buying a new one. Don't want to spend money on parts and not fix it when a new one is a hundred bucks and change. Thank God most of the grinding is done for now.Aloha hope to post some pics soon.

 

[Rickmerrill]

Kin, thanks for the water conditions report. Sounds like some serious boating but for some serious fish! I was just sailing in the Carribean and took notice of what they use down there for smaller power boats and you see a lot of 20-25' boats, kinda narrow for their length, very deep V hulls and one, two or sometimes three massive outboards to push around those heavily built boats. But, I've passed by locals several miles off shore in really small boats fishing (nets) in conditions when I'm struggling in 40'+ sailboats and their standing up just going about their business - just another day in paradise! I don't think it's crazy to be out on a 14 footer if you know what you're doing and keep an eye on the weather, but you're sure going to love it more in you're new boat.

Glad you're almost done with the grinding, no fun especially when you have to do it when it's warm. When you're finished grinding that will be a very nice day for ya.

 

[kinaiahi61]

Kin, thanks for the water conditions report. Sounds like some serious boating but for some serious fish! I was just sailing in the Carribean and took notice of what they use down there for smaller power boats and you see a lot of 20-25' boats, kinda narrow for their length, very deep V hulls and one, two or sometimes three massive outboards to push around those heavily built boats. But, I've passed by locals several miles off shore in really small boats fishing (nets) in conditions when I'm struggling in 40'+ sailboats and their standing up just going about their business - just another day in paradise! I don't think it's crazy to be out on a 14 footer if you know what you're doing and keep an eye on the weather, but you're sure going to love it more in you're new boat.

Glad you're almost done with the grinding, no fun especially when you have to do it when it's warm. When you're finished grinding that will be a very nice day for ya.

Thanks. I learned on my 14' Livingston how to respect the ocean. Alot of people who start out on large boats don't acquire as much knowledge IMHO, and have less respect for the conditions at hand. Because they never have to. Not a bad thing but I think that learning on a smaller boat and moving up is the way to go. Another day or two and I'll be happy the monster grind is done. Been busy at work and with the family so probably need to wait until next week to get more time for the boat.

 

[kinaiahi61]

Right when I think I'm done grinding it doesn't end. It sucks. But maybe another few hours then she can get cleaned up and some photos taken.

 

[kcassells]

Yup it does seem that way. Keep at it, this is the toughest part. The rest is fun!

 

[Arawak]

I learned on my 14' Livingston how to respect the ocean. Alot of people who start out on large boats don't acquire as much knowledge IMHO, and have less respect for the conditions at hand. Because they never have to.

This makes a lot of sense to me.

 

[kinaiahi61]

Anyone have a smart way of getting a 55 gallon of resin off the back of a pick up truck? Thinking I might just order a drum, instead of a whole bunch of 5 gallon pails so that I don't run out. I don't want to have to make another off island purchase, pay freight etc if I don't have to. Just brainstorming since the time to order is near.

 

[kinaiahi61]

Thought about it for a few minutes, better to just buy a whole bunch of 5 gallon pails, and pay the premium on island if I need more. Thanks everyone for input so far. Merry Christmas, or Mele Kalikimaka in Hawaii. Aloha

 

[kcassells]

Anyone have a smart way of getting a 55 gallon of resin off the back of a pick up truck? Thinking I might just order a drum, instead of a whole bunch of 5 gallon pails so that I don't run out. I don't want to have to make another off island purchase, pay freight etc if I don't have to. Just brainstorming since the time to order is near.

Well if you get it it should be palletised. Or ask to have it shipped that way. You can rent a mechanical pallet lift to get it off your truck, does not need to be a forklift/engine type device.

And to you all yours....Mele Kalikimaka.

 

[nurseman]

Just read your thread, that is an awesome project! I will tag along for the ride if you don't mind. With what you say you want to add to your hull, I would bet you are gonna need AT LEAST 25 gallons of resin, probably closer to 30, IMO. I found this helpful. This is from fiberglasssite.com Chopped strand mat:
The general rule for chopped stand mat is 1.5 to two times the weight in resin to the weight of mat. For 1.5 ounce chopped strand mat you will need 3 to 4 ounces per SQUARE FOOT. For 2.0 ounce chopped strand mat you will need 4 to 5 ounces per SQUARE FOOT. There are about 150 ounces or resin by weight per gallon. Example: 10 square yards of chopped strand mat is 90 square feet. 90 x 4 = 360 oz. 360 oz of mat divided by 150 oz per gallon gives you 2.4 gallons.

MATERIAL.........................................GALLONS
1.5 OZ MAT = 1 gallon covers 4.2 square yds
2.0 OZ MAT = 1 gallon covers 3.4 square yds
Call us if you need help with this. 1-800-507-2003
Here is a helpful table for cloth:
There are about 150 ounces per gallon by weight
1.5 ounce cloth ( cloth not chopped mat)?.1 gallon wets out 40 square yards
2.5 ounce cloth?.1 gallon wets out 25 square yards
4 ounce cloth??1 gallon wets out 15 square yards
6 ounce cloth??1 gallon wets out 10 square yards
10 ounce cloth?..1 gallon wets out 6.5 square yards
18 ounce woven roving ?1 gallon wets out 4.5 square yards
24 ounce woven roving ?1 gallon wets out 3.5 square yards.
Biaxial mat 1708.????.. 1 gallon wets out 4 square yards
Please remember several things:
- these are estimates not hard and fast rules.
- if you are laminating over wood, the raw wood will soak up some resin, which is good, but you will use more resin on the first layer.
- thin resin goes farther than thick resin.
I have not been able to get to the mythical 4yards/gallon yet. I was amazed at how fast I went thorough resin. Mele Kalikimaka to you and yours!

 

[kinaiahi61]

Thanks guys for the replies and well wishes. NM, thanks for the table, I used that to calculate what I might need. But Im sure as you found out, it never works that way and always uses more. I called fiberglass Hawaii to get prices on the 55 gallon drum of ISO and VE resin. The ISO is $1160, and the VE is $1360. So I'm back to thinking that a 55 drum would fit the bill best. I'm sure I'll find someway to off load it. I heard my uncle lifted a full barrel of diesel onto a truck before, but I think I'll pass on that. I would guarantee blow my back out. LOL. At 30 gallons, I would be at $1100 for VE in 5 gallon pails.
Is VE that much better than ISO? Everything I read leads me to think so. Any real world experience. I ripped out regular marine laminating from my boat and that thing seemed pretty stout. The thing that worries me is the shelf life of the VE, since I've never worked with it, and it seems to be half that of regular laminating resin. 30 gallons at least I'm thinking for the boat, plus I want to make a 6'x2'x2' fish box to transport fish. So 55 drum it will probably be. Then I can make all kinds of stuff, and not need to worry if I have enough resin, and most of all not pay the exorbitant price on island if I need more.

 

[64osby]

get 2 - 12' 4x4's tip the barrel over and roll it off the truck.

Just don't be on the down side of the ramp.

Merry Christmas.

 

[kcassells]

get 2 - 12' 4x4's tip the barrel over and roll it off the truck.

Just don't be on the down side of the ramp.

Merry Christmas.

Make sure the cap is screwed on first. lol! Ho Ho HO!

 

[nurseman]

Ditto that!^^^^^
Merry Christmas to you and yours!