"base grind" before layup

[ProbsMagobs]

looking at the struggle a lot of people have finding an affordable base grinder, an idea popped into my head. Couldn't you "grind" your base prior to layup with a belt sander then protect it with vinyl application tape? it would stay flat as long as passes are somewhat even. Only a minor grind would be needed afterward. I'd love to hear some feedback

[MontuckyMadman]

Epoxy always finds a way just like water.

[Dr. Delam]

There is no point of grinding before. The purpose of grinding is to flatten the base and sharpen the base edge in addition to removing any epoxy.

Putting some form of protective tape on the bottom does help with some of the cleanup process but I still find a grind is in order to get the base ready for a stone grind as well as sharpening the base edge.

I guess I am lucky that I can pop in the shop where I used to work and take care of business.

[twizzstyle]

it would stay flat as long as passes are somewhat even.

Nope. Base flatness is not as easy as you might think. Even if your mold is dead-on flat, you can still get concave or convex bases depending on a lot of other things. And as Montucky said, epoxy will get everywhere no matter what.