DIY floor sanding

HOMER · 2nd August 2008, 15:58

I've just taken the carpets up in our new place to find some nice floorboards just need to spuce them up so i can varnish them ,has anyone done this with a hand belt sander rather then hire a floor sander? the boards really aren't that bad .oh by the way I don't have a sander yet but if this can be done I'll get one... would need advice on that as well

Mac_rouser · 2nd August 2008, 16:11

hi hommer
decent quality belt sander will work a treat, if your buying one for keeps then get a decent brand otherwise a cheapie from you know where will do the trick, done plenty without the expense of hiring, but then again i use dewalt and makita tools...
harsh grade paper to start, then finish with a smoother one

CDTi · 2nd August 2008, 16:35

I would really recommend a floor sander. A hand belt one may do but it will take forever to do a right job IMHO.

If the floor isn't too bad then a buffer floor sander would be the best option. Its much easier use and less chance of making a bags of it than with a full size belt sander.

Paranoid Carlos · 2nd August 2008, 17:19

Belt sanders will do the job a treat but the problem will be your back after kneeling down all weekend, plus picking wood bogeys out your nose for a week no matter how good your masks are

Worth doing though!!!!

nick nick · 2nd August 2008, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOMMER

I've just taken the carpets up in our new place to find some nice floorboards just need to spuce them up so i can varnish them ,has anyone done this with a hand belt sander rather then hire a floor sander? the boards really aren't that bad .oh by the way I don't have a sander yet but if this can be done I'll get one... would need advice on that as well

HI Hommer
One piece of advice make sure you knock all the nail heads
below the surface or you will find your going through belts
like they are going out of fashion
BEST REGARDS
NICK NICK

desperado · 3rd August 2008, 11:12

hire the proper kit .will take a tenth of the time ,your find with a 3 inch belt sander the paper will clog up very quickly and you will use a lot of monies worth that way , thats my experience anway, also use a fine dust paper mask.dan

Mac_rouser · 3rd August 2008, 11:23

using a four inch decent quality belt sander will work just fine, use a p100 or p80 grit cloth sanding belts, finishing with a p120 belt, will give good results, as Dan said use a good mask. if time is not your friend then hire, but you will still need an orbital or a belt to get into those awkward spots the hire model will not reach

HOMER · 4th August 2008, 16:55

Thanks fellas lots of options to think about , much appreciated :lol:

2nd August 2008, 15:58	#1
HOMER Gets stuck in MG ZT 190+ 2.5 V6 Sadly no more Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Doncaster Posts: 639 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	DIY floor sanding I've just taken the carpets up in our new place to find some nice floorboards just need to spuce them up so i can varnish them ,has anyone done this with a hand belt sander rather then hire a floor sander? the boards really aren't that bad .oh by the way I don't have a sander yet but if this can be done I'll get one... would need advice on that as well

2nd August 2008, 16:11	#2
Mac_rouser Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon and 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 285 Thanks: 145 Thanked 69 Times in 34 Posts	hi hommer decent quality belt sander will work a treat, if your buying one for keeps then get a decent brand otherwise a cheapie from you know where will do the trick, done plenty without the expense of hiring, but then again i use dewalt and makita tools... harsh grade paper to start, then finish with a smoother one __________________ Take care mac Rover 75 a classic

2nd August 2008, 16:35	#3
CDTi This is my second home No longer in the MGR club Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tipperary Posts: 3,933 Thanks: 35 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	I would really recommend a floor sander. A hand belt one may do but it will take forever to do a right job IMHO. If the floor isn't too bad then a buffer floor sander would be the best option. Its much easier use and less chance of making a bags of it than with a full size belt sander. __________________ 'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

2nd August 2008, 17:19	#4
Paranoid Carlos Posted a thing or two Starlight CDT Conn SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Erdington, Birmingham Posts: 1,057 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Belt sanders will do the job a treat but the problem will be your back after kneeling down all weekend, plus picking wood bogeys out your nose for a week no matter how good your masks are Worth doing though!!!! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

3rd August 2008, 11:23	#7
Mac_rouser Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon and 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 285 Thanks: 145 Thanked 69 Times in 34 Posts	using a four inch decent quality belt sander will work just fine, use a p100 or p80 grit cloth sanding belts, finishing with a p120 belt, will give good results, as Dan said use a good mask. if time is not your friend then hire, but you will still need an orbital or a belt to get into those awkward spots the hire model will not reach __________________ Take care mac Rover 75 a classic

3rd August 2008, 11:12	#6
desperado Loves to post 75 saloon 2003 cdti conn se (ronned) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: stafford Posts: 321 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	hire the proper kit .will take a tenth of the time ,your find with a 3 inch belt sander the paper will clog up very quickly and you will use a lot of monies worth that way , thats my experience anway, also use a fine dust paper mask.dan

4th August 2008, 16:55	#8
HOMER Gets stuck in MG ZT 190+ 2.5 V6 Sadly no more Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Doncaster Posts: 639 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks fellas lots of options to think about , much appreciated :lol: