Tools

Hi all, getting close to starting a build of a Briggs based on Andy H's plans. Any tools out there that anyone has found helpful that isn't of the obvious ones. Cheers!

Mike

Views: 524

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on July 20, 2015 at 3:48pm

Here's a response that I provided some time ago. The gentleman using the tools was building a boat in Alaska, hence the recommendations provided for some of the tools.

Hand plane and block plane, router and roundover bits, I love my $40 Woodriver HVLP sprayer from Woodcraft (I can give you some ideas on how to set it up with pressure regulator and such), I use 17" auto body block sanders from Harbor Freight (HF), however I am definitely compulsive about getting the wood smooth.

I also use Harbor Freight straight line sanders and two air compressors to get enough volume of air, I just set them to repressure at the same settings and run about 90 psi. I am on my third one in ten days, the first two only lasted a day each, but they take them back with receipt for 6 months and they are only 10 minutes away.

Putty knives of various widths, sharpening tools for your planes, cabinet scraper for smoothing wood without sandpaper. Wood chisels of two or three sizes, machinists sliding square, I like the small ones. Random Orbital Sander, buy a good one. I like Rigid because they have a lifetime warranty and don't cost more. Lots of sandpaper for your RO sander in a variety of grits. 

Plastic cups for epoxy measuring, some folks use yogurt containers, gram scale for measuring epoxy, acetone and vinegar for cleaning up epoxy, shop vac for cleaning up messes, air compressor and nozzle to blow out dirt, big 2" x 4" x 6" sponges for wet sanding, metal roller that looks like a stack of quarters and dimes from Fiberglass Supply for wetting out fiberglass, selection of plastic auto body filler squeegies for spreading epoxy, HF has them pretty cheap, box of shop towels, box of nitrile gloves.

I use a Japanese style handsaw quite a bit. Some folks have reported good luck with HF saws.

Moaning chair with refreshments so when you must ponder how to fix up your newest opportunity for an improvement (mistake in some folks words).

Alaskan tools that might be handy would probably be a loaded firearm to scare away bears and a case of mosquito repellent, long sleeves, long pants, headnet and duct tape for closing the sleeves!

Vance I have been collecting tools for quite a while and do handyman work as well as lots of wood working projects so each new project is a super excuse to buy more tools. Something that I have found useful lately is a set of hearing protectors, they cut down the sound of my compressors and sander and keep my headphones from falling out of my ears. I am afraid to publish how many hours of sanding I have done on this boat, people will really know how OCD I can be then. 

Other peoples choices are probably much less in number, but you asked for opinions.

Good luck!

Rick Newman

Rick "Toolman" Newman, at least that's what I got called after I published this list of tools!

PS use the search function at the top of the page to find "Vance Wonser" He started a similar thread some time back.

Permalink Reply by Mike Eichorn on July 20, 2015 at 7:14pm

thanks Rick, very helpful!

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on July 20, 2015 at 7:37pm

You are welcome!

Rick "The Toolman" Newman

Permalink Reply by chris towles on July 20, 2015 at 11:18pm
On the flip side...
You can probably build a boat with a drill, a skilsaw, a jigsaw, a few clamps (I like the Irwin style), and some sandpaper. Literally...

If you really want good results I'd also think about a router, Palm sander, table saw, and grinder...in that order. But these tools are more nice to have rather than a necessity.

Back in the day they used to build with hand saws and such, so all modern tools do is make the job a little easier, you don't need much to build a drift boat.
Permalink Reply by Mike Eichorn on July 21, 2015 at 7:20am

Thanks Chris, I will have the tools you mentioned for sure. Cant wait to start making saw dust!

Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on July 21, 2015 at 12:41pm

Don't forget the belt sander. I use a 3x18 a LOT!

Mike

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on July 21, 2015 at 1:41pm

PS Don't forget clamps!

Rick N

Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on July 21, 2015 at 4:45pm

Lots of them!

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Christensen on July 22, 2015 at 9:24am

No, seriously. You need lots of clamps. 

Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on July 22, 2015 at 5:01pm

Take a look at my Posting "Dorf's Wooden Drift Boat"  Page 5 and 12 show a typical use of c-clamps.  I have used all of them at times.  I have approx. 30.  Also spring clamps from Home Depot, I have about 50 of them and have used most of them at one time or another.

Also take a look at Guy Fredrickson's Wooden Drift Boat Project.  He has a bunch of pics of the use of clamps.  His is a more conventional DB Build than mine.

Hope this helps,

Dorf

Permalink Reply by Mike Thomas on August 4, 2015 at 7:24pm

You could probably just use a hand saw and a yankee screw driver, but some nicer tools are nice to have and use.

I`m a tool guy, but have always had a limited budget so it took lots of years to get what I have. I like having a couple cordless drills, one for drill bits, one for driver bits. Tapered drill bits with countersink and stop are really handy too. LIke these guys, I have been buying tools for 40 years and still find more that I could use every time I do something. I like a 3x21 belt sander, but it takes lots of time to get good with it.

RSS

© 2024   Created by Randy Dersham.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service