FX-1 Purple Madness

[Sanoman]

Referring to post #18,l went looking for sanding belts locally yesterday.Seemed easy enough,l needed either 36 or 60 grid belts 1/2” x 18”.Went to Lowe’s,Home depot,and then Northern...nope.Guy at Northern said try Harbor freight.I do like some of the stuff they carry,but their brand of sanding paper will not last.So ended up ordering on line.
Just kind of pisses me that l can’t find products that are common in this area.l do like to support local if at all possible.

 

[mikesx]

Referring to post #18,l went looking for sanding belts locally yesterday.Seemed easy enough,l needed either 36 or 60 grid belts 1/2” x 18”.Went to Lowe’s,Home depot,and then Northern...nope.Guy at Northern said try Harbor freight.I do like some of the stuff they carry,but their brand of sanding paper will not last.So ended up ordering on line.
Just kind of pisses me that l can’t find products that are common in this area.l do like to support local if at all possible.

The Warrior belts at Harbor Freight are terrible. The Baxter belts( more expensive ) aren't to bad though. Try them out, at least they are locally available.

 

[Sanoman]

Ended up buying some Red Label 1/2 x 18 belts,36 grid coated.After looking at a lot of different brands.Tomorrow morning l will give them a try.With 36 grid it will go fast,probably a light touch with the sander will be wise.Then l can actually start the reinforcement inside the tray.
Things to do list:
Reinforce the conversion pump area where it mates to the rest of the ski.
Encapsulate the pump inserts.
lnstall the front scoop grate inserts.

Then l’ll have to flip her over on her backside and start the same process on the outside by grinding down a lot of the previous material,because it is better to use thickened epoxy with glass strands for the mating area.Just want to make sure it’s tough.

 

[Sanoman]

The sanding belts turned out to be great.The one pictured was used for about 2 hours.So happy with my purchase.

Got the rest of the inside of the tray sanded out because of the little mini belt sander.Other than hand sanding l am ready to start laying some glass.The ride plate mounts will get a blob of thickened epoxy around them and then covered.Not a lot to report,but progress

 

[wydopen]

Looks like that would work well. Never thought of using one of those. Always done everything with the trusty 4” angle grinder.

 

[Sanoman]

Probably too late now,but Northern Tool sells the brand Klutch.lt’s a good tool.l had bought one from harbor freight years ago,but the arm where the sanding band wraps around was weak and the bands just kept coming off.
Gets you in those “tight” places

 

[Sanoman]

Productive day today.Got a number of other things done,but finished hand sanding the inside of the tray so l could start the actual rebuild process.Mixed up some epoxy with some cut glass and cabasil.Filled in the chines and laid some carbon over it as a first layer.Not much,but happy with the progress.Now just start putting a couple more larger layers.

 

[Sanoman]

Made some progress today.Finished sanding the tray areas.All of it really.Found some caps to encapsulate the pump bolts. Cut out all the pieces of glass for 2 layers covering where the grafted 144 pump tunnel meets the hull.Wanted to mention @brapperdoodle hooked me up with enough glass to do this build! (thanks bro). Also glass for the very rear of hull as you see in the last pic.l am adding some thickened epoxy with glass strands to smooth the area first.That’s about it in that tray area,unless something doesn’t look like it has enough reinforcement.
l’ll be ready to start on the bottom next.
Starting to get my momentum going on the build now.Knowing spring will be here and l won’t be ready.

More pics to come...

 

[E350]

I wanted to ask you, what is the best little band sander?

 

[Sanoman]

3m makes a good one.l see them in a lot of the shops l work in.The Klutch l bought from northern tool has done great for no more than l use it.Now that l have bought some good sanding belts,l’m happy with the set up.
lf l use a tool on a daily basis l try to buy the best.Anything else comes from harbor freight or NT.

 

[brapperdoodle]

Too bad @wydopen isn't closer, Id give you the bit extra glass you need for yours too! haha BTW you are both doing a great job. High five to anyone taking the time and energy to revive a true classic. LONG LIVE THE FX-1!!!

 

[Ducky]

Are those toilet bolt caps @Sanoman ??

 

[Sanoman]

Are those toilet bolt caps @Sanoman ??

You busted me! lol Yes,they work perfect! Wondering when someone would notice.

 

[Sanoman]

Started at 6am this morning mixing epoxy for the first two layers (1208} to go down.Got it all wetted out and laid one and then another larger one over it.Scuffed it up this afternoon and did two more layers of 1208.Which fully filled the entire area.l wet the glass out,then squeegee the excess epoxy off.
Busy work week ahead,so l won’t get back to this till next weekend..

 

[Sanoman]

Got the ski flipped over this week and tied down securely.Just been looking to access what needs to be done.One thing is for sure,”more grinding and sanding in my future”.Definitely need’s some attention.
My plan is to grind down all the way around the pump tunnel and pump box for right now. Then see what l have to work with.Going to try to get as much of the thickened epoxy ground out.l have enough layers on the inside of the tray to be able to do this.Also will need to drill out a couple holes for the front of the scoop grate.

While the ski is flipped over,l plan on cutting part of the rails down in order to widen them.This will also allow me to work on the top of the tubbies and get them smoothed out.

 

[Sanoman]

lf you look at the before and after pics you will probably see some differences.l basically trenched out all the way around the pump graft.Found lots of bubbles when l got down to my reinforcement from the top side.Still need to sand more but just worn out from close to 3 hours of grinding today.
Really wanted to work on the rails but happy with what was accomplished

 

[brapperdoodle]

Looks great! You should easily be able to fill and patch that area! Your work will be worth it, not wondering if you got ALL the air pockets haha

 

[Sanoman]

Well,decided l needed to cut more stuff off.Deleted the front tow eye and cut the rails off.Who needs that stuff anyway

 

[wydopen]

Looks good. Unfortunately you will be in the same boat as me hand sanding between the new rail and tubbie. Not fun..Although your mini belt sander will come in handy I’m sure

 

[ScottS]

Looks good. Unfortunately you will be in the same boat as me hand sanding between the new rail and tubbie. Not fun..Although your mini belt sander will come in handy I’m sure

I always loved that video, I haven't seen it in years. Thanks for posting it again