best way to shape and trim 25mm underpad.

[WaveDemon]

I've got some 25mm underpad that will need to be trimmed and shaped. I'm guessing a few passes with a razor blade should cut it but what about shaping? sand by hand or power tools?. I have a sanding disc that seems to be the perfect size to cut down the area for the stern eye, should I use that? I'm sure I'll need to shape the area in the holds too.

the hardest part will be in the front. I've got a 1/2 in thick plate that my foot strap will mount to. I'm thinking I should cut the pad out in that area and replace it with either a shaved down thick pad or use the thinner underpad that will come with my turf kit. Maybe just tuf over it?

Thanks for any advice. :biggthumpup:

 

[RiverRat]

SLFsurfrider is the turfmaster..........he can give you all the info on anything turf related.

 

[yamaslut]

the best way to cut that stuff is w/ a long serrated knife... just mark the lines and hold the knife almost paralel to the turf when cutting... It will make it very east to cut a straigh line... razor blades don't work on that stuff well... it needs to be cut like foam. the best tool would be an electric knife for cutting meat, but most people don't have them. as far as shaping, I use a high speed angle grinder w/ 80grit discs. just shape and grind as needed....

 

[RoyalFlush@PCB]

SLFsurfrider is the turfmaster..........he can give you all the info on anything turf related.

I use a high speed angle grinder w/ 80grit discs. just shape and grind as needed....

Yes and yes!

I have used a DA before with sanding discs and it works good, IMO. :biggthumpup:

 

[Rickster]

Yes and yes!

I have used a DA before with sanding discs and it works good, IMO. :biggthumpup:

That worked a little for me, but the DA tends to grab the 25mm padding around the edges.:frown:

I ended up with a dremmel and sanding roll on the end, making small passes and used 60 grit paper to smooth it out. :haha:

It's all I had....urr:

 

[sflsurfrider]

:haha:

 

[yamaslut]

:haha:

have you worked w/ the 25mm padding???

 

[T-bone]

r/o sander w/80 to 100 grit paper shapes it right up.

 

[WaveDemon]

I've got a 5" RO sander that seems a little on the big side for this job and a stright die grinder with sanding rolls and 2 or 3" sanding discs. anything else recomended? I may be able to borrow other stuff.

 

[sflsurfrider]

have you worked w/ the 25mm padding???

yes, its very soft. sanding discs tend to tear away at it. i like to use old, matted 2" scotchbrite pads. takes a bit longer but it doesnt grab and tear at the edges.

 

[butti]

i had good results with carbide's on my die grinder for the stern eye and around the bilge switch and such.dremmel/sanding drum should work well also

 

[WaveDemon]

Surfrider mentioned scotch brite pads, I"ve got sanding discs that look like that for my die grinder, I can give those a try too.

 

[yamaslut]

yes, its very soft. sanding discs tend to tear away at it. i like to use old, matted 2" scotchbrite pads. takes a bit longer but it doesnt grab and tear at the edges.

huh??? I have had great results w/ the 2" discs... I use a high speed angle grinder, so it's spinning so fast that it cuts smooth... I will try the scotch brite pads next time to see if it's smoother...

 

[yamaslut]

Surfrider mentioned scotch brite pads, I"ve got sanding discs that look like that for my die grinder, I can give those a try too.

that's what he's refering to... I'm almost sure...
I use them too

 

[2lick]

dremel with sanding drum... and cover your mouth.. it really throuws it!!!

 

[WaveDemon]

I'm done shaping the underpad except for around the stern eye. what do you people do there? I'm thinking about cutting out the area around the stern eye and rearward so a tight tow loop won't rub on it while towing. worth while or not?

 

[yamaslut]

I'm done shaping the underpad except for around the stern eye. what do you people do there? I'm thinking about cutting out the area around the stern eye and rearward so a tight tow loop won't rub on it while towing. worth while or not?

I just cover the hole and then cut a slit all the way down to the hole and then you can slide the rope through... I don't use a stern eye thingy... just a hole throught the glass.. it works great, cause the rope is stuffed down into the slit and out the back and you don't step on it.

 

[WaveDemon]

I just cover the hole and then cut a slit all the way down to the hole and then you can slide the rope through... I don't use a stern eye thingy... just a hole throught the glass.. it works great, cause the rope is stuffed down into the slit and out the back and you don't step on it.

are you saying that the rope is beneath the turf with the underpad?

 

[yamaslut]

are you saying that the rope is beneath the turf with the underpad?

got it???

 

[WaveDemon]

werd.