Using an electric plane to reduce excess resin

sarabande

sarabande

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I have taken out the onboard WC on my restoration project and have replaced the inlet and outlet holes with ply blanking plates, doubled on the inside of the hull.

Unfortunately I have been less than accurate in fairing the ply to the original surface, and I have a slightly uneven surface (+/- 3mm of resin-soaked ply).

Can I use my electric plane on the resin to bring it down to the level of the chine, or will the blade shatter the resin or heat it up ?
 
sarabande said:
I have taken out the onboard WC on my restoration project and have replaced the inlet and outlet holes with ply blanking plates, doubled on the inside of the hull.

Unfortunately I have been less than accurate in fairing the ply to the original surface, and I have a slightly uneven surface (+/- 3mm of resin-soaked ply).

Can I use my electric plane on the resin to bring it down to the level of the chine, or will the blade shatter the resin or heat it up ?
Click to expand...


Probably depends on how you drive the plane....Like Jeremy Clarkson or a little old lady:D
 
It's one of the better B&Q ones, but will it 'shatter' the resin, or burn it ? And yes, the plane terrifies me like no other power tool.:(
 
sarabande said:
It's one of the better B&Q ones, but will it 'shatter' the resin, or burn it ? And yes, the plane terrifies me like no other power tool.:(
Click to expand...

Might want tct blades if there is much to do or at least the hss blade will be useless after finished. Minimal set cut on the planer and take it slow Keep the wire over your shoulder . Never back the plane up while cutting . Face shield and gogles resin nasty if you get it into your eyes .
I have not use planer on resin but used it on many types plastic polycarb and aluminium ! and in a mindless moment in a hurry planed an edge of mild steel to size (tct blade ) it did work but when I change the blades they came out in several pieces !! good job I tightened them up in the holders well !!:Dedit I wouldnt do that again !
 
thanks for the advice. I haven't got the Tungsten blades, so I'll chicken out and borrow a belt sander. The electric plane is a splendid tool for e.g. door edges, but it does expose driver mistakes rather quickly :(
 
NDH said:
Dont think I would risk a planer on it, might be tempted to try something with a grinding action, belt sander perhaps.
Click to expand...

agreed If you are not confident and not too much to do a belt sander would do it well and you will feel safer but if much resin then belt will clog NDH knows a supplier for those belt cleaning blocks .
 
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Using an electric plane

The electric plane is not such a stupid idea. If the resin is fairly new it will not be so hard so will clog up an angle grinder or belt sander very quickly. Try an angle grinder with rubber backing and sandpaper first.
The planer will take off larger pieces of wood and resin so less dust etc.
The worst thing I cut with my planer was lead. When shaping an addition to my keel/centre board. No problems and after sharpening still cuts wood. good luck but be careful olewill
 
Electric planer is OK - assuming we are talking epoxy. Make sure it is on a fine setting and it will take off bits just like a high quality Italian Parmesan shaver!. Only proviso is that hard fillers like colloidal silica may give the blades a hard time. When you have it level with the surrounding area, finish with a coat of neat epoxy to deal with any fibres you expose.
 
How about a router? I've been using one to take gelcoat off and it has worked pretty well. You'll need to temporarily add a bit of wood of appropriate thickness to one side of the base so that it stands off the parent surface by the amount that the protrusion exists, but the depth of cut is very controlable.
 
Excess resin removal

A grinder with a flap wheel sanding attachment (or even just a grinding disc) would also be quite effective but the dust goes everywhere!

Yoda
 
A really coarse file or rasp might be easier than you think.
TCT planer blades are fairly cheap in screwfix, I would go for the planer myself.
Or if there are big lumps to remove, a very coarse sanding disc (40 grit) in an angle grinder. Use gently! And don't breath the fallout. At all.!!!!!!
 
magic - forum power again !

thanks all. Off to sort out the resin with a belt sander, cos I'm a planer wimp.:)
 
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