Longboarding w/air power

[Bob Perkins]

Hi Everyone,

Things are moving along w/my project.

I'm getting to a point where I will need to do some longboarding. While the hull is very fair at this point - it isn't perfect.

I've done some hand longboarding - but 5 minutes of work and I need a rest.

I've seen some air powered sanders that are like long boards 12-18" mostly used for auto body work I believe - however - they use more air that my 25 Gallon compressor can supply.

I'm getting to the real question - If I borrowed another compressor (same size, from a friend) and connected the two of them together through a 'Y' connector - Would the CFM rates of the machines be cumulative to run the sander?

It seems like it should work - Maybe I would need check valves so one compressor didn't try to fill the other?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Note: I plan on doing the *finish* longboarding by hand. All my friends tell be they are really bad at this type of thing.... Go figure....

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Regards,
Bob Perkins

My out of date site is at:
http://robert.perkins.home.comcast.net/

My Current project is at:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291051329
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[Buddy]

Actually, I think your friends are right. That first leveling, with say 40 grit to take down the highs should be with a LONG board, about three feet or so- certainly helpful if it can "overlap" two station molds at least. That pretty much means by hand using a homemade thingamajig and roll or opened up sanding belts and spray glue. But that goes pretty fast. The interminable fill and sand, prime and sand rountine down thru the grits can use that autobody air tool (jitterbug). The y valve and check valve idea sounds workable to me, but this I haven't tried.

[bainbridgeisland]

Some air powered long boards require more air than others. If you look for it, you can find one that can be run with a 2 hp compressor.

Two compressors together will give added capacity.

I have spent hundreds of hours sanding boats with air powered longboards and still have one. However, I don't think they are as fast as just the right manual longboard. I think the short strokes do not remove the dust fast enough.

Air powered long boards work very well with wet or dry sandpaper, better than manual long boards.
The wet or dry is hard to find in coarse but is available at least to 80 grit if you look hard. I just put a wet sponge above my work and let it drain. A squeegee removes the water well.

[imported_Conrad]

The pnuematic longboards that feature a simple back and forth stroke aren't very fast, much slower than doing it by hand. Hutchins makes a very nice one (the only one I'm aware of) with an orbital motion. It is quite fast, doesn't clog the paper, and LOVES air. You'll need a 5hp.+ compressor and about $350. :eek: :D But remember, all power longboards are rigid, and won't fair the underlying shape as well as a bit of 1/4" plywood, etc.

With a little practice and some concentration I think you'll find a disc sander with a 7-9" foam pad will work quite well. But use a hand longboard with 36-80 grit to get the basic shape fair- the disc sander is mostly for smoothing.

[ 01-23-2004, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: Conrad S. ]

[JimConlin]

Here's (http://www.rutuonline.com/html/long_boards.html) another approach.

http://www.rutuonline.com/assets/images/belt_longboard.JPG

[wolfietuk]

Jim,
Did OSHA aprove that one :rolleyes: If you built that one yourself I like it. I think a cover on the top would increase the safety value a little.
Rick

[Paul Pless]

JimConlin is my new hero. Dude your website is the shiite. That is one mean belt sander. I can't wait to build one for myself.

[JimConlin]

NOT MINE! Sorry about the missing attribution.

That remarkable tool is by Glenn Ashmore (WBF member 'gashmore', # 1638 ) and the photo is from his site www.rutuonline.com (http://www.rutuonline.com)

A very clever fellow.

[H]

Hi Bob,
I’m sorry to say that to get the best results, the best way is the hardest.
On my Palm Beach I used a selection of different length and thickness home made boards, with a 30 grit self adhesive paper from Home Depot. And loads of hard work and sweat. I did however find that to keep the dust off the paper and work surface, made the cutting process a lot quicker.
I’m in the process of decking the Palm Beach now and will post some pictures and update soon.
keep up the good work “H”

[warthog5]

H is that correct? 30gt self aheasive at HD?
Tell me more. I've never even seen 30gt. Now 36,40 yes.

[H]

Yes Warthog, I’m wrong again, it was 36 grit. But if you go to the floor sanding paper, you will get sheets of really coarse paper, then use spray adhesive to bond it to your board. "H"

[Bob Perkins]

Hmmm...

Guess I will be making a set of longboards and building up the muscles!

Thanks for the help everyone.

Bob

[SAWDUST]

This is the longboard you are looking for.

3M-83978
HOOKIT FAIRING BOARD 4-1/2" X 30"
FLEXIBLE

you can get it at www.jamestowndistributors.com (http://www.jamestowndistributors.com)

[paladin]

actually fellows.......two dozen Thai women with traditional longboards working for 88 cents for an 8 hour work day is the most cost effective method I have found............