Flap Disks?

We used the cheapest and most aggressive we could find... which ended up being the 24-36-40 grit 4-packs that our local Harbor Freight stocked. I dont see them on their website... but I think they were a good bit cheaper than the ones theyre selling for $3.99/ea.

Those loaded up fast (especially when griding gel) and we went through a TON of them on the BFN. 50? Maybe more. We did remove every last bit of gel from the bilge and transom though, and had a lot of grinding to do in general. Id be curious to know if the more expensive ones worked better- maybe they last long enough to justify the higher pricetag?

Have a scout around US eBay or tool suppliers as we have these new range of diamond wheels that are popping up.......I haven’t used them yet but will on my next fibreglass project, may work out cheaper than flapper disks as they sell between £8 to £15 over here for 115mm wheels.

Flush cut blade (1/8 thick)


Grinding Wheels

TRBenj wrote: Wow, those look serious Roger! Almost a little scary... but Id like to try them. One nice thing about the flap discs is that they have a little bit of give to them, allowing you to finish off a surface (like the bilge) nicely. For bulk grinding, one of those hard diamond discs might save you a lot of blade changes though.

They do look scary but there only small....the picture make them look like bad boys and I would agree that a combo of these and a few flapper disks would work well.

If there not available in the US I will bring some over in March for you to play with.

Tim have a look under this...but we do describe some things different here...

As it is on our eBay 115MM ANGLE GRINDER DIAMOND GRINDING CUP WHEEL MARBLE GRANITE CONCRETE
Yes your 4.5 is our 115mm with a 22.23mm hole (this one comes with a sleeve which can take it down to 20mm if needed.

Diamond Grinding wheel

Yes I'm booked too...wish me luck I have got to do Disney before I get to SJRR

Might have to check those out too... Fed ex delivered my new grinder, diamond cut off wheel and sander on saturday, now I just have to find some time to start cutting.

I'm ready to help, Kris!!! Let me know when you plan to start digging in.

Dave, those look interesting- how expensive? What were you using them on that allowed them to last long? The gel in the bilge can be over 1/8" thick so it just eats the cheap flap discs (its a big area). Would love to find something equally effective that lasts longer.

TRBenj wrote: Dave, those look interesting- how expensive? What were you using them on that allowed them to last long? The gel in the bilge can be over 1/8" thick so it just eats the cheap flap discs (its a big area). Would love to find something equally effective that lasts longer.

Tim, I used them when repairing a significant hull de-lamination. I started with 32 grit disks and they wore out and clogged very quickly. these held up much longer. They have the angled layers making them somewhat self replenishing, and it is just plain harder to clog 16 grit than 32. I don't remember the cost off hand but I am always on a budget with the boat, so they must not have been to bad. I will try to look the next time I make it to depot.

OverMyHead wrote: I used these from home depot They were quite aggressive, 16 grit and lasted a long time.

I still have one or two of those...want 'em? I didn't like those but did try them.

The better flapper disks with sandpaper tend to clear themselves or at least the better ones do. I still have a few I'm using in the shop for shaping cellulose. I was scared to call it the common term.   

BuffaloBFN wrote: I still have one or two of those...want 'em? I didn't like those but did try them.

Buffalo -   not sure who your offering these to, but I'd be interested.   LMK if I can pay for the postage.

kroundy wrote: I'm ready to help, Kris!!! Let me know when you plan to start digging in.

will do Kevin,    I'm still collecting supplies, but will let you know soon. I thought I might try to pull the trailer out this weekend so I can get the boat all supported, but will have to play it all by ear.

I may have been unfair in my above post; was anyone else interested? How about anyone who wants one, send me a little box? I think I saw 4 new ones.

en route

I forgot to mention that you can use with water too which will keep the dust down ......but just need to be careful when using electric grinders and you will still get glass/gel splatter over you.