3 Steps to Fairing a Hull, Building a Fairing Tool, S2-E27

In this episode of the Art of Boat Building I begin fairing the hull. In this 3 step processes we discuss the method of hand planing followed by sanding with a slow speed rotary sander. The last step of long boarding is sanding by hand with a long board. As a part of the tool building series I talk about my criteria for the marine fairing board. Finding a donor tool at Harbor Freight I use the auto body sander to produce an improved tool that will be a flexible sander over the curves of the hull. Producing handles in black walnut not only makes the fairing board function better but it also becomes a beautiful comfortable tool.

“If you’re going to make it, make it beautiful.”
-Bob Emser-



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[peepawhebert]

Another great video! I love how you approach each step with the mind towards business like efficiency and the heart and hands of an artist. Just so you know, Steve from Acorn to Arabella was wearing one of your shirts on his last video. It's good to see you independent channels prop each other up.

[grandenauto]

That long board build is a stroke of genius

[davidc]

The last two videos I watched on making tools I see how clever you were to use commercially produced tools and revamp them into a tool that suites your need and style. Great work Bob and thanks for sharing!

[GeorgeSagen]

I've loved all the videos in this series, but this one left me with the greatest sense of satisfaction. I'll sleep better tonight knowing all the imperfections have been smoothed out.

[Oldmanseenalot]

Real craftsmanship. Glad I found your channel

[davidmspinelli]

Looking awesome Bob. Won't be long now before you get to turn her keel side down. And then, to top all things, you turn a cheap Harbor Freight tool into art...I'm boggled! LOL You're awesome Bob, keep up the great videos! Be safe and stay healthy!

[tomtruesdale]

Great video Bob and that tool mod is perfect, I have seen that sanding block before but never thought of modifying it the way you did. Boat is coming right along.

[dwaynekoblitz]

Happy Father’s Day Bob. That will be the fairest hull ever.

[hawazz]

Thanks for the video Bob! Eager to see the hull completed!

[nordyfamily]

Thank you for doing this. You are a very skilled craftsman and a jack of all trades! Keep up the good work.

[mattevans-koch]

Thank you Bob for the wonderful video and another tool build. This channel just keeps getting better and better every episode. Take care and stay well.

[richardbohlingsr]

Oh my shoulder muscles are aching just watching you sand. I like the flex sander and you really improved the grips. You didn't say anything about the grit, but from the scratching sound I'm guessing 80 to 100 grit. The boat is really looking sharp.

[glencrandall]

Very nice. I bet the hull is as smooth as a baby's bottom. I like your long board sander. But I expect you spent as much time modifying that Harbor Freight tool as you would have making one from scratch. But the result appeared to be very satisfactory. Well done. Thank you for sharing and please stay healthy.

[bumpkin]

Love the longboard. I have been looking at building one, instead of forking over $40 to $70 for a commercial one. I hadn’t a DIY version that I liked, mainly for the same reason, that the paper wasn’t easily replaceable. Thanks for the tutorial. Guess I need to make a trip to Harbor Freight in Davenport. I need to build one for my SCAMP build.
Thanks again for the great channel.

[rogerbayzand]

Nice one Bob, we don't have Harbour Freight in Australia but I will check out the tool shops for a similar flexible long board. That was a really nice job on the handles.

[MCsCreations]

Really beautiful work, Bob! It's looking fantastic! 😃
I made a small sanding pad with 2 blocks of wood that are working well... But I really liked the one you showed!
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[JenkinsBoatWorks]

Looking lovely! You made sanding look quick and easy! I hadn’t long board sander before I did mine and it is pretty satisfying. Keep up the great work

[mrklyles]

Great video as usual Bob. The boat is really looking good.

[richardcranium]

Wasn't sure about your channel, then you bought something from Harbor Freight .... dude I'm in !!! New sub here

[tomharrell]

Agree I have been doing just that for days!
If you shine a light at the end of the boat it will create shadows that show you the dips and humps that need to be sanded.
A darker paint can be applied too as a sanding guide coat. The paint helps show up the humps and dips. When sanding a dip will collet sanding dust exactly like a crater on the moon. A high spot gets gets clean! By watching and sanding between the two the boat can be faired quickly without removing extra!!!