SMC Discussion Areas

Restorations => Refinishing => Topic started by: davet426 on December 03, 2006, 06:24:06 pm



Title: Restoring tools
Post by: davet426 on December 03, 2006, 06:24:06 pm
I think I have all the tools I need to get started. My question is for an air sander would you go orbital or disc? I believe orbital would give a better finish, but I'm just guessing...

One more - Does it matter if you have 1/4 vs 3/8 air line and fittings for painting and using air tools or is it just the cfm I need to worry about?

Thanks


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: loman4ec on December 03, 2006, 07:23:13 pm
I always use an orbital. They use a ton of air though. I actually went to Home Depot and bought a Black and Decker electric orbital that is 100% better than my air sander. How big is your aircompressor?


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: davet426 on December 03, 2006, 07:33:38 pm
I was going to go with the Lowes 60 gallon Hobart. I think it say 12 to 14 scfm at whatever PSI. It seems to be enough to handle anything including the airless based on reading what everyone says about cfm. I am new to all of this so I am depending on a lot of reading...

I may just go with the electric orbital then, it's probably cheaper than the $85 I was going to spend on pneumatic... Although I don't think I've seen any of your painting skills yet! :hopefull:  LOL!


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: loman4ec on December 03, 2006, 07:48:42 pm
The pric ewill be the same. The 60 gallon Hobart will run anything. You might as well go with an air sander. It will last longer. Check out some of my work in the photo album section. I have several pages there. I don't do as good as some people but for an amature I do pretty good. I really miss building machines. Just a few more years and I will be back to it.


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: davet426 on December 03, 2006, 08:05:16 pm
Now I remember (after looking) you did that cool Frostie machine. I really like that! Thanks for the help. Any idea on 1/4 vs 3/8 for the hose and fittings?

Side topic - Whats up with not building machines? If you don't mind my asking...






Title: Restoring tools
Post by: Jim on December 03, 2006, 08:56:04 pm
Dave,

In order to maintain a good CFM, you'll need the larger diameter hose. You can only squeeze so much air through a 1/4" hose...

Also, don't rule out a pnuematic board file for your tool box... These are great for getting things straight and flat!


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: davet426 on December 03, 2006, 08:58:30 pm
Thanks Jim, although I'll have to figure out what a pneumatic board file is??? I guess I can sorta picture what it would be.


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: Jim on December 03, 2006, 09:12:03 pm
Dave,

I have to say that most distributors refer to the tool as a "Straight Line Sander"...


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: davet426 on December 03, 2006, 09:36:21 pm
Would that be more of a finishing tool? Or would it also take the place of the orbital for the rough stuff?


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: MoonDawg on December 03, 2006, 10:26:34 pm
This is a rough cut tool.  You will have low spots (dents) that you will fill with bondo. The length of this tool makes it easier to get a straight even finish.


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: loman4ec on December 04, 2006, 08:43:41 am
Dave, I am not building machines for a while because I am living and working for a few years for my dads company in Thailand. It was an adventure that I just couldn't turn down. I packed everything up and it is all waiting for me in storage when I get back. I figure I will spend another 2 or 3 years here. It is alot of fun.


Title: Restoring tools
Post by: sodaworks on December 05, 2006, 12:02:00 am
If you plan on sandblasting step up to a 80 gallon comp., I would also buy a 8" random orbiter sander instead of a air file or 6" dual action sander.