Tools....

General Composites Discussions Products Talk
#1

Ok TS (Thermoset) composite plastics fiends, let’s start a thread on what tools you use to make a composite products other than Resins and Reinforcements.

I’m wanting from large items like a bandsaw (how big, what blade width, teeth per inch and any special type of teeth to last longer) to small tools like a small rubber hose to wrap sandpaper around to sand around a raduis…

What brands work great and what to avoid unless you teach with some High School students that would steal a plastic snap off blade knife…

#2

I have a small shop in my home garage

  • 6 Hp, 220 v, 30 gal Compressor (11 CFM @ 90 psi)

  • Air tools:

        HVLP Sprayer (Harbor Freight - HF)
    Air Saw - HF
    Air Grinder - HF
    Two 6" air sanders - palm style Ingersoll Rand
    Water/Air filter for paint gun line
    In-line oiler for tool line

I don’t recommend the inexpensive plastic air hoses, stick with the rubber ones. The plastic ones have a coil memory that just plain sucks.

  • Robinair 15600 Vacuum pump w/ a home made vacuum reservoir system

  • Resin infusion resevoir AKA paint pot 2-1/2 gal Craftsman.

  • Dremel tool

  • 2 Hand power drills

  • Grizzly 14" bandsaw, 1 hp, w/ 6" riser. I’ll post the blade I use when I get a chance to look at the specs.

  • Drill Press, 1 HP, 16 speed 17" swing Central Machinery (aka HF)

  • 10" table saw

  • 6" jointer

  • 13" planer

  • Oscillating Spindle Sander

  • Benchtop Belt & Disc sander

  • Several hand sanding blocks & a couple of long fairing boards

  • Lots & lots of sandpaper. Lately I’ve had good luck with Klingspor brand.

  • 2 Craftsman workmate portable tool benches.

  • 2 Workbenches with 4’ x 8’ melamine tops.

  • Digital Caliper 6" (HF for $14.99) best buy!!!

  • Clamps too numerous to mention

  • Hot air gun

  • Hot glue gun

  • Several sheetmetal vise grips for clamping vacuum & resin lines

Standard plethora of mechanics tools.

A lot of my tools have been purchased at Harbor Frieght only after seeing favorable recommendations on the 'net that they weren’t junk. The money saved can be pretty impressive if you only plan on using a tool for an occasional odd project. Numerous other items I’ve gotten off of ebay for excellent savings (Vacuum pump, vacuum oil, air sanders, etc).

  • Bob