Comp Vector thread

[Deznuts3570]

I found this just now. It reminds me of the old disc express composites used to sell that I've seen a few people use
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-c...QaAgWqEALw_wcB

[rjdubiel]

That looks like it, I agree. The one from Express Composites was like 90-100 bucks. This one will work but I bet it will not stay as sharp, but buy two or three and your good! I did just call Express, they don't have them anymore. The guy said they work great, just not many spend that money for a wheel to grind one project. I wish I would have bought one.

[LakeFever]

I used 24 grit disks on an air grinder with a fiber flex backer. Makes quick work and low buck

[JoshP1]

I found this just now. It reminds me of the old disc express composites used to sell that I've seen a few people use
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-c...QaAgWqEALw_wcB

D, Imma need that fo sho!!!

[JoshP1]

I used 24 grit disks on an air grinder with a fiber flex backer. Makes quick work and low buck

Lake, unfortunately, I don't believe I have the proper setup for my air compressor for one of those. I know for sure, I don't have enough hose. I have plenty of tank volume, but it doesn't regulate properly. It has a DRO on the "dash" for tank pressure and output pressure, But I don't think the output is accurate.

[JoshP1]

I tried to find it on Express Composites but don,t seem to be on their site anymore. I just used the flapper disks and find the 24/36 grit which should be ok. When doing your last grind, do it very light and quick with new disks and should be good to go. You can use these disks for a long time when removing material at the beginning, just remember to do another quick grind with fresh disk before you start laying up glass. The rpms on an angle grinder with a warn out disk doesn't leave a good finish for fresh glass. Seems to heat up and makes it too smooth, but a new disk with light pressure leaves some tooth for the new glass.

RJ, I'll keep that in mind. When I cleaned out the inside of my Viper, I used three flap wheel in total. If I remember, I think I used an old one to make everything uniform, but never thought about the surface needing tooth for a mechanical bond. We moved shortly after I got the majority sanded. I even sanded right through the hull outboard of the middle strake on the starboard side! I absolutely had no idea what I was doing at that time. I will definitely have to smooth everything out then do a rough pass before my layup on the Vector. I have a lot better grasp of using composites now, plus getting information y'all with a hell of a lot more knowledge than I have helps tremendously.

[JoshP1]

I picked up one of the 4" carving disks from Harbor Freight this morning and WOW! This thing eats wood. I wish I would have thought of this or someone had made the comment before I started the tear out of my transom, it would have saved my hands a lot. I can press a little and feather edges or turn it up on end and cut through the earth without hesitation from the wheel. It barely bogs my Dewalt 4-1/2" grinder. I kinda want to cut a tree down just to say it would! LOL! Back to making dust!

Oh, it does cut glass just fine. Be very careful around the outer skin.

[XstreamVking]

Be cautious with it. It can make a mess real fast.

[JoshP1]

Quick question. How are y'all clearing clogged grains on those carving wheels? They do not like wet wood at all. I have some cooked on the wheel and can't get it off/stop burning and it won't cut like it should.

[JoshP1]

This is what's left on the transom and what's been ripped/ground off so far. Taking a break because I'm sweating like a stuck pig.

[Deznuts3570]

Keep on truckin, it's coming along good!

[tnelsmn]

These don't clog up and dull nearly as much as the carving disk. And you can actually sharpen it. It looks intimidating but isn't as bad as you'd think. I used one to remove a lot of wood out of my hull.
https://a.co/d/hlVUmnG

[JoshP1]

Well, all of the wood is out except for a very thin layer on parts of the transom. I started getting into grinding the stringers out, but noticed my neighbors where outside with their baby so I stopped. He's about 4-5 months old and I didn't figure he wanted to hear my loud tool or breathe in this nasty crap! Back to work today!

[JoshP1]

Here is what I'm seeing. I just stopped grinding the outboard starboard stringer from the transom to the seat box. There is a layer of gel, a layer of chop, a layer of what appears to be thickened epoxy, then the innermost layer of glass of the outer hull skin. My question is for the factory comp guys. Are all comps laid up like this with thickened epoxy in place of actual core? I almost reminds me of a foam core, but there is no grid pattern in it at all. The wood carving disk for my 4" grinder eats it quicker than wood. I don't know what it is really, I do know it needs to come out in the areas of my stringers so I ca do a good, clean layup. The surface is definitely not flat in any way unless you look from about 100' away. If y'all can't understand what I'm trying to ask, please let me know and I'll do my best to elaborate. Next post will be pics of it.

[JoshP1]