dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

One last pic. Starboard about middle way:

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Can anyone recommend a good random orbital sander? This black and decker just isn't cutting it. Or could I safely run two small compressors to my d/a sander to help keep up with it?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Hi MWE,
Wow what a nice restoration you have going on over here...
I started reading through your thread about a week ago, off and on, and have just gotten through the whole thing.
For someone who just knew how to use just a skilsaw and a jigsaw before starting this, you are doing some TOP NOTCH work...:thumb:
Lots of good info for many to learn from, thanks for taking the time to share.
I would like to come aboard and watch as this awesome build as it reaches its inevitable and successful conclusion.

I have had fairly good luck with my Ryobi electric D/A but it is kind of tall and a bit bulky...at H-D they go for around 40 bucks and it has served me well...I have actually seen them on sale for close to 30 bucks...they have the velcro-type pad and they have a decent selection of sand paper for them ranging from 60-220 grits, one good thing about them is you can rig it to be connected to a vacuum and most of the dust gets sucked away...

Hey man, here's wishing you some great progress in the upcoming days and much success in this build!
Gus

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Looking real good on the tabbing and decking M.

Your boat is going to be better than new when you finish because you took the time and cared about what you were doing... and it'll last a lot longer than the factory job. It'll be a job you can be very proud of.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Thanks guys! The words of encouragement help tremendously! I'm happy with it so far, and I guess maybe I'm rounding the home stretch?

I've done most sanding with the grinder so far, but that leaves dips and ripples, and I can't have that on the visible deck. I just bought some more sandpaper and am gonna try to struggle through with what I have.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Walmart Mobile

This is the random orbital I've been using. Just not enough muscle! Need I completely remove the excess resin rolled onto the deck from tabbing, or just scuff it up?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I think you'd want to smooth/taper it out, any bumps or waves are likely to be transferred into your deck layups... plus sanding is good exercise to build up those arm muscles!:laugh:

What grit are you using?

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I have 40, 60, and 80 and 24 and 50 for my grinder. I'm tempted to go buy myself a decent air compressor. The d/a works well...for about 12 seconds!

I'm thinking about using some pb to taper it some from the tab.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

What grit are you using on the RO sander? I'd think that 100 grit would make short work of any excess resin if it's completely cured. If the paper clogging is the problem drop down a grit 'til you find the grit that works the best. That's what I had to do when I started sanding epoxy resin, I found 120 grit works best for that.

I was going to suggest fairing it out too, but PB would be too heavy. A fairing mix about the consistancy of mayo might be better.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I have some glass bubbles in the mail heading my way. I think it was 80 grit I was using on the orbital and 40 on the d/a, but I bought an assortment last night. Gonna try several. Although in a day the resin wasn't fully cured I'm sure.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Ha! Trying to sand uncured resin is like trying to sand bubble gum... you know better than that.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Well I was really focusing on screw holes and 5200 drips and deck joints for the most part. Sampled on the tabbing some to see how it.goes. Perhaps it will be ready tomorrow!

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I think you'd want to smooth/taper it out, any bumps or waves are likely to be transferred into your deck layups... plus sanding is good exercise to build up those arm muscles!:laugh:

What grit are you using?

As far as tapering and fairing it, I understand the need for that completely. I just want to make sure a bit of pure resin on the wood is okay from where I wet out my tab. Since everyone says its too brittle to use by itself to seal wood, I wanted to check to be sure it won't behave in the same way if a little is rolled onto the wood, dried, then left on and glassed over later. I guess the layers of glass over it will bond everything and hold it all together.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Yeah, you'll be ok since you're going to glass back over it... it just needs to be smooth so you don't glass over bumps and lumps which will become bigger and bigger with every layer of glass.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Gotcha! I hope to sand and foam tomorrow. Want to be done with all major glassing next week.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Even cured resin will clog sandpaper. Got an old yard work tennis shoe laying around? Maybe 1 half eaten by the dog?

Hit the rubber sole w/ the sander & it'll unclog the paper . Get you a little more use out of the sandpaper.

I knew I kept the previous shoes for some reason, I just didn't know what it was :facepalm:

Uncured resin, probably not going to help much, maybe if it was almost cured & you let it cure before you hit the rubber sole w/ it........

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

I got it all sanded nice and pretty. With a 50 grit instead of the 24 that was on there it wasn't too difficult to keep the wood nice and flat. Hot it all with the grinder, tapered the tabbing, then went over it all with the orbital.

Then I did this :heart-borken:

I really made a mess. I hope the foam sands off OK. One 16 lb kit to do the bow. Hope the other does the rest!

Foaming isn't nearly as scary as I imagined.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

get a 6" stiff putty knife and it should scrape that off the deck. Or a real flexible blade on your recip saw.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

On the other foaming I kept a wide putty knife handy to.scrape away foam before it set and kept it much cleaner. For those interested it sands right off too.

I don't think the ropes are coming out . I want to try to winch them out. I'm afraid for the ones that turn corners that might potentially cause harm to the boat pulling on them like that. May still give it a shot.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: dixie hustler "deck job" (turned full rebuild)

Uh OH!!!! Not enuf Grease I take it????????????????????