The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction - WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

Chapter 8 – Tools and the Boatshop 63
Figure 8-7 An electric plane used here to trim a wing mast
during construction.
Electric plane—This tool is excellent for planing large
surface areas, such as keels and sheer clamps, where
a lot of stock is to be removed. A long 18" bed provides
excellent fairing ability and saves labor. It is very good
for removal of stock on curved surfaces and for changing
the bevels on frames, bulkheads, and deck beams.
Heavy-duty electric random orbital sander—We use
it with 80-grit and finer sandpapers on wood and wellcured
epoxy.
48" belt and 12" disc sander/finisher—We use this
stationary tool constantly to mill wood and metal to
close tolerances.
Figure 8-8 A 7" electric orbital polisher is used with a foam
disc pad for sanding.
Figure 8-9 A selection of electric sanders: 4" finishing
sander, random orbital sander, and detail sander.
Electric finishing sander—Small and lightweight, this
sander is wonderful for getting into corners. You can
easily hold it with one hand. Its pad is approximately
4" � 4".
4" electric belt sander—This sander spends most of its
time on the shelf in our shop, but comes in handy for
sanding scarfs and other surfaces which must be flat. To
use this properly, you must have a great deal of skill.
Abrasives
<strong>The</strong> following types of sandpaper are most often used
for fairing and finishing:
Zirconia Alumina—Fairly aggressive cutting action,
very long wearing (toughest), useful for rough fairing.
Aluminum Oxide—Aggressive cutting action, long
wearing, good all around paper for rough and finish
sanding.
Silicon Carbide—Very aggressive cutting action
(hardest), moderately long wearing, useful for finishing
and wet-sanding (with waterproof paper).