Best electric tool for gel coat repairs?

[Jamesuk]

Hi,

I picked up an Auto express magazine a few months ago and remember reading about a Sealey detailing tool with lots of end bits. This was the Auto Express best buy. Salavating at the prospect of buying this for the boat to do Gelcoat repairs, i thought to ask the forum users: What is the best tool for gelcoat repairs?

I have usually done it the hard way 'by hand' the guys who visit other boats have Dremel type detailing tools (engraving) any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[rosssavage]

I use a Dremel. Use one of the rotary sander heads and it makes (very) quick work of digging out the damage.

Careful though, it EATS gelcoat!!

I only use it for the initial opening up though, as it is a bit brutal. Rest is done by hand.

 

[Little Sam]

I also use a Dremel, the 8200, cordless lithium ion jobby. Its brilliant and the batteries last ages provided you dont run it at full tilt.

I also use the Dremel cordless sander/ cutter, great for sanding and detailed cutting of bits of all sorts of boaty stuff, the batteries are interchangeable with the 8200 too !

Not cheap at just short of 300 euro for the combo but if i was going to start boat repairing from the beginning again the first thing i'd do is get myself the above mentioned tools knowing what i know now.

 

[sailorman]

after a yard quote for gelcoat repairs ( they were short of work at the time as well) i bought a dremmel spare cutter set from Aldi scrounged the gelcoat from the yard cool & did the job in 1/2 a day & saved £450

 

[tokoloshe]

I use a Dremel. Use one of the rotary sander heads and it makes (very) quick work of digging out the damage.

Careful though, it EATS gelcoat!!

I only use it for the initial opening up though, as it is a bit brutal. Rest is done by hand.

+1

 

[Stemar]

after a yard quote for gelcoat repairs ( they were short of work at the time as well) i bought a dremmel spare cutter set from Aldi scrounged the gelcoat from the yard cool & did the job in 1/2 a day & saved £450

The Aldi "Dremel" is a also a decent bit of kit, albeit limited to mains power. While I probably only use it 2 or 3 times a year, mine must be the best part of 10 years old now and still going strong (kiss of death? ). If I were a pro, using it every day I could justify the cost of a "real" one, but for the amount I use it, the Aldi one does me.