Sander & dust collection system for brightwork - questions

[Hardhead]

My long experience with the round, orbital, hand sanders is that the hook & loop attachment scheme is prone to much aggravation, i.e. hooks deteriorate with heat & pressure, and won't stay attached eventually. I switched to a 1/4 sheet sander for that reason.

[Lepke]

I use a Mirka 6" powered by compressed air (quiet). And I have vacuum extension hoses so I don't have to listen to the vacuum. My Mirka is many years old and done hundreds, if not thousands, of hours. Sanding disks and replacement pads are cheapest on line at places like Amazon or eBay. Mirka or Mirka dealers can rebuild the sander. Best sanders I've ever used.
Other brands, especially electric, are very noisy and don't last long.

[Hoodsail]

I just finished stripping & varnishing teak around the perimeter of my cockpit. Used a heat gun to remove multiple layers of varnish, then hand-sanded (w/ a block) w/ 220. When i thought i was done sanding, i wiped with tack cloth then i wiped on denatured alcohol, which mimicks how teak should look varnished..I applied 10 coats of Epifanes varnish, lightly sanding/tack clothed between coats 3-10...then applied 3-part poly urethane as final coat. did all this while boat was covered (canvas not shrunk-wrapped) in the spring...hoping this will last many yrs with periodic touch ups...

[slug]

No sand between buildup coats is standard practice

The object is to build film thickness rapidly

To achieve perfection takes time

Unfortunately single part Varnish or paint shrinks as is ages

A mirror finish will show grain at the end of the season

This means that at the end of the season you block sand again , then revarnish

Two component varnish shrinks much less that oil based

This is why 2 component is preferred by boat builders

Some painters buildup and eliminate grain print thru with two component , then top coat with single component

[slug]

Originally Posted by Lepke

I use a Mirka 6" powered by compressed air (quiet). And I have vacuum extension hoses so I don't have to listen to the vacuum. My Mirka is many years old and done hundreds, if not thousands, of hours. Sanding disks and replacement pads are cheapest on line at places like Amazon or eBay. Mirka or Mirka dealers can rebuild the sander. Best sanders I've ever used.
Other brands, especially electric, are very noisy and don't last long.

Yes indeed

A truly professional dust free sander

Unfortunately You must take out a bank loan to purchase an electric one , but when you have a lot of work to do , particularly inside or overhead work ...you will celebrate your purchase

You might even bring a Mirka to the bar after work to make all the other painters envious

The abranet sanding paper is first class

I see that 3M makes what looks like a Mirka clone

Might be worth investigation

[toolbar]

I have the electric Mirka sander+vacuum combo and love. I hate to think back at the time I used my Fein Multimaster for sanding. The guys at my boatyoard praise their Festtool equally.



If you look closely there are good package deals on Mirka every now and then. Also take a look at the used Mirka/Festool market. If you have a big project coming up, just buy one and sell it later. You won't loose too much, they keep their value.


Paul

[slug]

Originally Posted by toolbar

I have the electric Mirka sander+vacuum combo and love. I hate to think back at the time I used my Fein Multimaster for sanding. The guys at my boatyoard praise their Festtool equally.



If you look closely there are good package deals on Mirka every now and then. Also take a look at the used Mirka/Festool market. If you have a big project coming up, just buy one and sell it later. You won't loose too much, they keep their value.


Paul

The big question with Mirka is what orbit diameter to purchase ?

In a perfect world you would purchase all three orbits

Medium orbit seems to be the most popular

[witzgall]

I have been very happy with my Bosch 6in sander and hepa vacuum. The sander can be set to orbital, or turn that off for faster material removal - model 1250DEVS. It looks like it has been superseded. VAC090AH-RT vacuum.

[Time2Go]

Check out YouTube dude on “Sailife”
Guy loves to sand
Cheers
Neil

[jimp1234]

Thanks guys for the comments. I took a look at my marina rules and they do require dust collection for sanding (not unexpected I guess given it's located in California which has stricter environmental regulations). Looks like Mirka and Festool (though expensive) are at the top of the list and interestingly enough both make hand sander blocks that attach to their dust collection system which is pretty cool.

[slug]

Originally Posted by jimp1234

Thanks guys for the comments. I took a look at my marina rules and they do require dust collection for sanding (not unexpected I guess given it's located in California which has stricter environmental regulations). Looks like Mirka and Festool (though expensive) are at the top of the list and interestingly enough both make hand sander blocks that attach to their dust collection system which is pretty cool.

festool is also first class

Your choice

[slug]

Originally Posted by witzgall

I have been very happy with my Bosch 6in sander and hepa vacuum. The sander can be set to orbital, or turn that off for faster material removal - model 1250DEVS. It looks like it has been superseded. VAC090AH-RT vacuum.

That is a very good all purpose random orbital

It’s defect is size and weight

[clockwork orange]

I have a Metabo equivalent, great tool but I rarely use it now since I bought the Mirka.