Best tool for fast, fair material removal?

[averagehack]

I have my boat in the shop and am giving it a facelift. I have been sanding on the deck to get it fair and do some major core repair and patching.

I have been looking for the best tool for the job starting with my Bosch Random Orbital and as 36 grit. This tool just does not seem quite up to the job but the dust collection is awesome. (I highly recommend a cyclone on a bucket (Dust Deputy) with a reasonable shop vac.) Then I tried an air powered random orbital from HF that I had around. No so good because you cannot "bear down". Then I borrowed an 8" gear driven (Mud Hog) DA sander and it is great but is not only a "Mud Hog" but an "air hog" as well. My compressor is a 60 gallon/5 hp Ingersoll Rand and it just kinda keeps up. Anything smaller would just not work.

I have been experimenting on the abrasive side as well and have found that the Mirka Abranet HD 40 grit is great. It only come in hook and loop so have only tried it on the Bosch Random Orbital.

It seems like the best combination is going to be an 8" geared DA sander with hook and loop pad and dust collection cover. Then use the Abranet HD. But It would be great if it did not use as much air to run.

So...two questions --

1.) Are there other options that are better for fast material removal?

2.) Does anyone have experience with the different geared DA sanders and know which ones do the job with the least air. The options seem to be:

- National Detroit (The original)
- Ingersall Rand
- Dynabrade
-?



Thanks,
Averagehack

 

[metaleltr]

Not sure about air consumption, but dynabrade makes the best sanders, higher quality typically translates to more efficiency in the air tool world

 

[PugetDude]

Try one of these on a 4.5 " angle grinder...

http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_27_40028_-1_683129_192544_192327

I used one to clean up some weathered 8x8 beams for a cabin, it did a remarkable job with a 36 grit disc. A lot faster than my Makita 5" RO sander-almost as fast as a 3x21 belt sander, but didn't leave tracking ridges. Dust collection is a real issue, though...

 

[Dustball]

What about electric?

 

[metaleltr]

On the electric remark, a low speed 9" polisher, not a 9" grinder, with a 8" sanding pad could accept psa disks in whatever grit you please, i would be very aggressive cut and should get the job done fast, similar to the gear drive air sander

 

[Slowboat]

Sounds like fun! I know most folks say to get a big dual action sander.

Good to see another sailing anarchist on this GJ.

 

[averagehack]

Thanks for the help. On the Sailing anarchy forum they came up with about the same suggestions. Except they also like the 150mm Festool.

I think the right answer is to get them all Actually I will get a 15 amp Milwaukee Sander/polisher..grinder (I really can't tellt he differance sometimes) soon if not tonight on my way home.

And I will be getting a good "Mud Hog" geared DA with dust collection.

Not sure about the Festool. I am sure it is great and I certainly beleive in buying your last tool first (Quality only hurts once). But I just can't quite convince myself that the Festool is as good as it's price indicates.

Slowboat -- I was looking for pics of your boat in the forums. The only one I could see is from a distance. Is it a Columbia Sabre? Neat Boat! My wife and daughter tell me that if this J24 comes out nice I can go get something like an Olson 40 to redo next

Pics of the boat, barn, coming later. I am just getting it setup including a couple ibeam hoists that should lift 4 ton each.

Thanks,
Average

 

[ez-duzit]

...I have been sanding on the deck to get it fair and do some major core repair and patching.

I have been looking for the best tool for the job starting with my Bosch Random Orbital and as 36 grit...

Sorry, but you're off to a bad start. With all the machines listed you will find yourself digging numerous holes. You'll need long-boards to fair it.

 

[RivennHewn]

The real deal: http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=3395

 

[skruft]

The problem with the Milwaukee or any other regular rotary disc sander is the "fair." They are for rough jobs like metal grinding and will gouge the wood. I have not seen them used in woodworking. A belt sander would be traditional for removing a lot of wood more smoothly.