Refinishing Hardwood Floors
Sanding The Edges
Using A Floor Edger
On this refinishing hardwood floors guide, we're going to be sanding the edges of the wood floor.
Edger
You should do some stretches, before using this equipment, to prevent any back injury.Operating positions you can use are.
You could either fully stand, then, bend over to operate machine, or kneel on your kneepads.
Which ever is more comfortable, use that one to operate a floor edger for refinishing hardwood floors.
Before we start here's a list of things you will need for this operation.
Let's get started,
Load up your floor edger sanding machine, starting with the lowest grit.
Place the maroon pad in between the machine and your sanding disc. This will reduce vibration and swirls, on your wooden floors.
Caution: The disc moves in a circular pattern. To prevent injury, don't start up the machine with the sanding disc resting on the wood floor or sand near your feet. Edger will spin out of control. Don't hurt yourself.
The disc will spin in a clockwise motion.
When, refinishing hardwood floors, operate this equipment, moving in either a tight circular or oval pattern, counter clockwise.
Moving the maching the opposite direction as it rotates. Will cause the sandpaper to sand more agressively, reduce vibration and swirls. This would be considered a conventional direction, going against the rotation.
Moving the machine the same direction as it rotates. Will cause the sandpaper to float or sand less agressively. This usually introduces more vibration and swirls onto your hardwood floor surface. This is considered climbing, going with the rotation.
Always use a conventional sanding motion.
Try not dwell in one area, this will create unwanted low spots or gouges. The sander spins at 2300 rpm. It removes material very rapidly, can damage your floor with a blink of an eye.
Back to using the hardwood floor edger. Grasp the machine firmly in your hand.
Start sanding the wood floors, until, the boards and clarity are even to each other and the body of the hardwood floors. Remove all the old finish and any unwanted scratches and marks. Always keep the machine moving.
You do not need to apply any downward pressure. The weight of the machine is more than enough for downward pressure. Adding any additional pressure will cause the machine to be unbalance, which can cause gouges, uneven surfaces, and swirl marks.
Avoid forcing the machine, in doing anything, it doesn't want to. You will cause the flooring sander to kick back at you.
Try and keep the machine as balance as possible, when your operating it. This will ensure that you get a nice, even surface.
If, the material removal rate slows down drastically, change out the sanding disc for a new one.
After you've completed an area, stop and check to make sure that the wood flooring is even, and flat. And the clarity is to your satisfaction. This is an important step for refinishing hardwood floors.
The body and edges, should be even and flat to each other. Fix any spots, that are bad, before continuing.
Repeat this process until you've completed sanding in all perimeter.
Repeat the process with each grit of abrasive, until you've finished your final grit.
Set nails and apply wood putty to any nail holes and gaps, before starting the final grit. Clean up any saw dust as needed.
You can also use the edger to refinish any small area, such as closets, halls, stair treads, stair landings, do touch ups, spot sand gouges and scratches. Where the drum sander may not be able to do so.
When, refinishing hardwood floors, don't forget to take frequent water breaks, as needed. Stretch that back also.
Now, we're ready to refinish hard to reach areas, under cabinets, shelves and radiators. You'll also learn how to use a hand scraper.
Refinishing hard to reach areas
Learn sanding tricks and tips on refinishing hardwood floors on certain types of wood flooring like:
Antique Flooring
Reclaimed Heartpine Flooring
White Pine Flooring
Maple Hardwood, Birch, and Beech Hardwood Flooring
Brazillian Cherry, Santos Mahogany, Teak, And Ipe Wood Flooring
White Oak and Red Oak Hardwood Flooring
Repairing Common Wood Floor Sanding Issues
G and S woodfloors Lynn,Massachusetts
