|
|
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Questions frequently come up about recommended tools, and since I'm just
over 2 years into my project I was pretty well convinced I had everything I
needed for most of the general layup work on my kit. One tool that I'd
always wanted, though, was a narrow belt sander (they're sometimes
advertised as belt files, go figure) but with price tags running from $280
to $450 depending on manufacturer and thanks to my being pretty much of a
skinflint, I have managed to get along without one for all this time.
While perusing the latest sale paper from Harbor Freight, however, I
spotted a narrow belt attachment which would fit just about any 4, 4.5, or
5" angle grinder, and the attachment was advertised at $7.99! They also
had a Chicago Electric (never knew there was a "Chicago" in China before
<g>) 4.5" angle grinder on clearance for $19.99, and I thought to myself it
was worth a flyer. Even a cheapskate like me could pop for 28 bux! (They
also have an air driven file for $59 or $69, if you'd rather use
airpower...) They all use 3/4x18" belts and they have those in stock as
well at $3 per 5 belts.
The tools arrived yesterday, and I got to try out my new toy today while
prepping my modified header tank for installation onto the front deck... to
make a long story short, I don't know how I got along without one of these
bad boys up until now, it's a really neat tool. Needless to say, I don't
know how long it's going to last, but there aren't that many parts to break
and for 8 bux it probably makes some sense to buy a spare or two. The
grinder even came with a set of spare brushes (don't even get that with a
full price Makita anything!), and the combination works really great. If
you feel like spending the $300 plus, go for the Makita, I'm sure you
wouldn't be sorry. But if you'd like to try one of these things out to see
if it works as well for you as it did for me, give HF a call (800-444-3353
or 800-388-2000) and get yourself a #30749 belt sander attachment and a
#31135 C.E. 4.5" angle grinder... you'll probably wonder how you got along
without it as well.
<Marv>
LML homepage: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
|
|