an affordable super duper sander

[Ann and Neville Clement]

Good News!

    Nev is right now happily sanding where we are well overdue on brightwork maintainence..  He is using a Chicago variable speed multifunction tool very much like the expensive Fein brand of multifunction tool which we have long admired.  We got ours at Harbor Freight here in Rhode Island but there are Harbor Freight stores in many states so maybe you can get to one or order on line through Harbor Freight.  This sander, like the Fein tool, has a tiny movement so it is easy on your hands and joints, the sander head is a small triangle which gets into the corners, and the saw function cuts through wood or epoxy fillets like butter.  We used a Fein to remove a stringer that had gotten into the wrong place on one of our friends Tiki 46s which we visit often.  It not only removed the stringer, it saved the skin ply and the stringer for future use.  It was easy.  The saw part on our Chicago from Harbor Freight looks identical and  is shaped like a putty knife so you can just slip it in and it does its work.  There are a bunch of other attachment heads you can get.  These tools are easy on your hands and wrists because they are not acting like a gyroscope and going out of control all the time and the vibration is minimal.  It is comfy for smaller hands and requires less muscle which is nice too. 

    So Peace IV is now getting her brightwork sanded starting at the bow and I will be painting Cetol right soon and all will be lovely. 

     Ann and Nev

[Ann and Neville Clement]

I have just learned that the $35 Chicago tool is single speed and there is a slightly more expensive one with 6 speeds which is nicer. So check your budget and get whichever one you can afford. Ann and Nev

Chuck Valley said:

Niel,
The Chicago brand from Harbor freight is about $35.00 here. Fein= over $200

[Bob Bois]

I will definitely give the HF multifunction tool one chance ($70 for the variable speed version), but if it dies after only moderate use, I will probably spring for the Fein. Funny, but I have no problem buying belt sanders from HF that will get abused and replaced rather frequently. Thanks for the tip, Ann and Nev!

[Ann and Neville Clement]

When you need more triangle shaped hook and loop sanding papers for your Chicago multifunction tool, you can google in Klingspor Woodworking Shop ( woodworkingshop.com ) and they have all the usual grades about 50 in a box. They ship all over and are nice folks to deal with. If you live near one of the shops, you can go to a huge bin full of sandpaper and they sell it super cheap by the pound. Nev uses one grade to sharpen chisels. Ann and Nev

[RMG]

woodworkingshop.com has only the sanding papers for Fein tool. Are these identical to those of Chicago multifunction tool in both size and shape? Or at least, can they be used on the Chicago multifunction tool?

[Ann and Neville Clement]

We don't know yet, but will hope to be able to stop by on our way south to find out. Ann and Nev

RMG said:

woodworkingshop.com has only the sanding papers for Fein tool. Are these identical to those of Chicago multifunction tool in both size and shape? Or at least, can they be used on the Chicago multifunction tool?

[RMG]

I checked with woodworkingshop.com. The sanding papers they have are for Fein tool, about 1/8th inch longer on sides, but still work for Chicago multifunction tool.

[Ann and Neville Clement]

That's wonderful news RMG - thanks - Ann and Nev

[andy solywoda]

Just got a Harbor Freight newsletter with the multifunction tool on sale at 41% savings, $34.99 near Baltimore in Glen Burnie. I already have one, left it outside in the rain. Found it to be of good use on sanding areas the belt sander couldn't reach. Seems to be of adequate quality with many additional accessories available online. I only endorse these tools because they are at reasonable cost and the salt environment will destroy any tool, no matter how long they may last in a non-nautical environment.

[Raymond O'Neill]

Hi Nev and Anne

  i am very pleased to see you two are still going on Peace 1V do you still heat by latitude? You may just remember I joined you for a week in Barbados some years ago. Well I have eventually brought a Tiki 38. Kind regards Ray O'Neill