Belt sander???

[klos]

Whats the best bang for the buck when it come to buying a belt sander. I've burned up three of the cheap black & decker sanders. I'm looking for somthing that can realy rip off some material, useing it mostly for matching the angle of the hull to new stringers.

Thanks

 

[strizzy]

Re: Belt sander???

We have a Craftsman that has many miles on it. I used it to level off my stringers.

 

[i386]

Re: Belt sander???

If I understand correctly what you're doing, I've read a lot of people use electric planers for that. Might use that to remove the bulk of the material then finish up with your belt sander.

 

[klos]

Re: Belt sander???

Thanks for the replies,
I've never used an electric planer. Can the cut be adjusted to any angle. Useing a belt sander is a real pain in the a$$

 

[stevieray]

Re: Belt sander???

klos - all of the hand power planers I've seen have a guide fence that is fixed at 90 degrees to the blade. Maybe someone knows of an adjustable model? I assume you are doing this after the stringers are in the boat & can't be cut before they are in?

 

[andy6374]

Re: Belt sander???

Porta cable makes a decent belt sander

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Belt sander???

Have you ever checked out Harbor Freight, i cant speak to there quality but there pricing is so incredibly cheap you could buy 2-3 tools for the same money compared to mainstream pricing............Just picked 2.5 hp air compressor with a 8 gallon tank for $99.00 couldnt be happier so far......o

 

[andy6374]

Re: Belt sander???

FWI:

As far as grinders and DA's are concerned with respect to fiberglass, get the good stuff. Fiberglass dust eats the cheaper tools.

My friend bought the same compressor, I think, and he loves it.

 

[klos]

Re: Belt sander???

stevieray- The angle I'm trying to cut is for the stringers in the cuddy cabin. They have a compound angle, the forward end of the stringer at the bow has a sharper angle than at the middle of the hull. I'm trying to match the exact shape of the hull to the bottom of the stringer. The stringers from the middle of the hull to the transom is about 24 deg. I just use the table saw for those.

TG- That was my thinking. buy a cheap belt sander and when it breaks replace it with a cheap one.
The problem is the cheap ones don't seam to have much RPM or power, and the belt slips if you push down to hard.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Belt sander???

I dont the area you have to work with, but if you have a angle grinder you could always put some 60 grit sand paper on it and nothing can stand up to that.

Been doing so much work on the boat i have negelected the house a lot, so to pacify the wife i redid the deck, got a 8" adapter used 60 grit and sanded the whole damm thing down in a hour. Beautiful results i was so impressed on how it worked i used it on a old rusty trailer and 1 hour later i had a shiny new trailer, makes a belt sander look feeble, it's a bit unreal how fast and level that damm thing can cut off a surface.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Belt sander???

if your pushing that hard you are not using the sander properly. if you want to take a lot off get 50 grit paper.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Belt sander???

I would use the table saw - just set the angle close to what's at the bow end & keep re-adjusting & taking off small bites 'til you get to the other end. You can take off the majority of the wood that way & just finish the contour with the sander.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Belt sander???

My Go To tool is my 4, 1/2" Angle Grinder,.............

That said,.......

The angle I'm trying to cut is for the stringers in the cuddy cabin. They have a compound angle, the forward end of the stringer at the bow has a sharper angle than at the middle of the hull. I'm trying to match the exact shape of the hull to the bottom of the stringer.

WHY,..??....??.........

If you match it Exactly,........ There's No Space for the Epoxy Peanut Butter to Bed them in..............

That's the Beauty of working with Fiberglass,............
Close Enough is Perfect.......

 

[tiller7104]

Re: Belt sander???

I am trying to find the Makita model of hand power planer I have, It is adjustable and with fenced flopped you can cut some serious angle.....the ony drawn back that you can do cross grain or ajasent grain cuts but you will eat blade, and the are not cheap. I have used Milwalkee selt sanders for about 13 years and they are excellent. Just my 2 cents

 

[seven up]

Re: Belt sander???

klos,

The grinder with the sandpaper attachment can remove alot of material. I can say that it can be used as a shaper too. Maybe with a cardboard or other material for a template. I've used the 24 grit pad with it and it can dig. I am figuring you are working with new wood stringers, right ? That's the best bang I can come up with for your application.

For belt sanders I prefer Porter Cable or Bosch. Heavy duty.

Enjoy

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Belt sander???

if your pushing that hard you are not using the sander properly. if you want to take a lot off get 50 grit paper.

Just bought some 36 grit belts to even up some 2 x 4 laminations I did for a part plug for a fiberglass part. I'd been trying to use 100 grit.(very frustrating) The 36 grit cut right thru it.

I use a Porter Cable with a 3" x 21" belt. It is a very good sander but I think that anything you use with fiberglass, you better thoroughly blow it out when you are done.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Belt sander???

I am trying to find the Makita model of hand power planer I have, It is adjustable and with fenced flopped you can cut some serious angle.....the ony drawn back that you can do cross grain or ajasent grain cuts but you will eat blade, and the are not cheap. I have used Milwalkee selt sanders for about 13 years and they are excellent. Just my 2 cents

tiller, get some carbide blades for that tool. You'll be amazed.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Belt sander???

My Go To tool is my 4, 1/2" Angle Grinder,.............

That said,.......

The angle I'm trying to cut is for the stringers in the cuddy cabin. They have a compound angle, the forward end of the stringer at the bow has a sharper angle than at the middle of the hull. I'm trying to match the exact shape of the hull to the bottom of the stringer.

WHY,..??....??.........

If you match it Exactly,........ There's No Space for the Epoxy Peanut Butter to Bed them in..............

That's the Beauty of working with Fiberglass,............
Close Enough is Perfect.......

That could not have been better said.