Power tools

[Miker]

Ok, so there I am on Sunday sanding away by hand thinking "there must be a better way". So, what do you all do to remove old varnish, clean greying timbers and ready it for a new coat of varnish or oil?

I've thought of getting an 18volt Ryobi detail sander, or even using a small generator to run the 240volt sander. Any other suggestions?

Oh, this is to be done on the mooring, not on a work berth with 240v power.

Michael,

[Phillip]

Evening Mike,

I have been looking at an inverter but don't really know enough about them.
Like what wattage or how much battery power is needed.

I have and use a 12 volt drill and a 12 volt vaccunm cleaner.
All else is done by hand!

Phillip
SEAKA

[auriga]

Michael

My boat has been a floating bunnings for quite some time.. ive found that using a battery powered sander is a good option, we got a combo pack (sander , jigsaw, drill, torch) from aldi for <$100 with two battery packs that has served us well

no point in spending big bucks if its going to live onboard as the salt will kill anything in a short period of time (ours is still going strong after 12months!)

dan

[Shaun]

Hi Michael,
It's a daunting task, but between beers the job is not too bad!, & the rewards are satisfying.

The foam type sanding blocks are very good to get to areas the machines can not, also for a light sanding between coats which is essential to remove fine timber burrs.
Ive become a fan of hydrochloric acid , which instantly turns greying timber to beautifully new timber, but obviously its very dangerous stuff, will damage some plastics too, use sparingly & a good job for a rainy day. Not sure how it goes removing old varnish??

Is it possible to re-charge the cordless battery packs from the 12v cigarette lighter plug on the boats?

cheers
Shaun

[olly]

Hi Shawn,
was wondering about the details of using this stuff. It was used on the topsides when i went in for an antifoul and they came up beautifully. But how and where can you use it otherwise - the dilutions, hazards etc
Thanks,Olly

[Miker]

Thanks for all the replies,

I ended up going to Bunnings, I bought a Corner Cat sander for $62, two more 18volt batteries for $98 and the requisite assorted paper. I now have 4 18volt batteries because I have the cordless drill as well. When testing the sander, it actually works better than the Ozito (chinese for elcheapo) detail sander I bought a year ago.

I like the idea of hydrochloric, but not the idea of spilling it. I'm a clumsy ass these days. So I used some nice teak cleaner with a brush and will now sand with power. \

Once I have a play on the boat tomorrow I'll update with photos of before and after if I get the chance.

Now, a 12 volt vacuum cleaner, there's an idea!

Michael.