77 Skeeter Restoration

[Woodonglass]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Just make sure to keep it Blown Out. The dust is a KILLER on motors.

I do, but others on the forum disagree so I quit posting it

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Gotcha - I'm going to stop by Lowe's this week and pick up the sander - the budget says I have to wait that long...haha - but I'll prob give it a try with the scrubpad as long as it doesn't get too hot - I'll make sure and blow it out frequently too...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Use the Coarse 3M pad so air can flow well.

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Use the Coarse 3M pad so air can flow well.

Thanks for the tip! Will do!

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

My $60 Hitachi Random Orbit Sander(Lowes) with 40 grit does a decent job.

Hey WOG, Are you using the single-speed or the variable speed model?

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Went ahead and ordered the Hitachi today - I found it online at Big Sky Tool for 45 bucks so not too bad - just have to wait for it to get here! I've also been procrastinating with the epoxy I've got to order - will probably do that this weekend.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Sorry I took so long, I use the single speed.

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Sorry I took so long, I use the single speed.

No worries! I figured that was what you were using, but I just thought I'd ask!

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Got my new sander today! Nice dual action - going to take it out tonight and see what damage I can do!

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Here's to having the right tool for the job! Haha - the new Hitachi works great - even with 80grit, I got more done in 20mins than I did in a whole hour with my little finish sander! Thanks again for the input WOG! Going to be a busy week, but I will definitely post some pics when I get more sanding on the cap done.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Yep them R/O sanders work Purdy Darn Good!!!!

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Staring to try and plan out what I want to do with my cap and tackle/rod storage eventually. I don't think I want to do too much in the way of mods, but I do want to have some inlaid rod storage and possibly some tackle storage. There is a hatch along the port side is already a little over 6 feet long, so I think that will be my inlaid rod storage. I'll probably extend the hatch a little towards the bow so I can fit 7 foot rods in there. Ran across this design by Edgewater boats that I may copy...

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

The Weather Report's in! Sunshine and 50's for the weekend - Planning on going out and spending some quality time sanding the cap and getting a better idea of what mods/repairs I'll do with it before painting.

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Got out and sanded on the cap for about 5hrs today - almost have the entire thing done with 60grit. I have just a couple more spots that I can hit with the orbital sander, then I have to do the detail areas around the hatches. Should have the initial sanding on the cap done tomorrow! Will post some pics tomorrow...

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Well, the plans to get out and finish sanding today backfired on me...haha - my wife informed me that after the day working on the boat yesterday, it was HER turn today hmmm...weird...

I did get out to take the pic I promised. Took this from the roof of my garage..haha

As you can see, I'm not quite done with the sanding - still have to do some of the vertical "walls" that rest on the deck, and then I have to sand between the hatches. I tried using one of these flap-wheels from lowes (use it with a drill), but it's not getting in some of the crevices.

Going to have figure something else out... maybe a smaller size, or just hand-sanding...

Any suggestions?

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Going to get out and finish up the initial sanding today on the cap. Then I'll do filler and re-sand.

Question - I've read in other threads how lots of people seem to be using 3M marine filler. Is it necessary to use their "high strength" filler or can I just get the "Premium Marine" filler? The PM filler is about 1/2 the cost vs the HS.

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Got some more sanding done today - nothing picture-worthy. I'm hand-sanding around the hatches, and it's coming out nice, just going to take some time...

 

[BigBassin78]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

following your build, cool stuff!

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

following your build, cool stuff!

Thanks BB! I have this weekend off, so hopefully will make some more progress!

 

[fishbone77]

Re: 77 Skeeter Restoration

Ordered a quart of filler today - going to go out and sand some more this evening, going to try and finish the rough-sanding.