How do you use a hardwood floor sander?

Question

How do you use a hardwood floor sander?

Answer 1

with the grain of the wood ,,,,,   so if it runs left to right  then only apply the sander I'm that   direction,

          the sides and corners you will need a smaller sander

   give it one  or two light sanding instead of one big  heavy sand,   it take practice,  

  most floors takes a bout  a good day to  sand   three day to finish

Answer 2

It's best to let an experienced user show you how the first time - it's frighteningly easy to leave ripples and gouges in the wood unless you know just how to use the d**n thing.  And even with a professional using it after you do that to your floor, restoration is a difficult, time-consuming and expensive process.

Answer 3

My first response is VERY CAREFULLY...

If you are using a drum sander you want to work with the length of the boards.  That is to say you should start at a wall where the boards end and work backwards to the other wall where they end.

If you have never used one of these machines I would like to suggest that you practice with some very fine sand paper to begin with.  This way you can not do too much damage to the floor and any that you do will not be deep enough to be a major problem.  The sander can do a great deal of damage in a very short period of time if you have not run one before.

The grit of the paper you use should be a very high number to practice with.  This means that the paper is very fine and will not cut into the flooring too much.  Depending on how much finish you need to remove you will have to go to a lower grit paper to accomplish your goal.

When you think you are finished... go one more step with a higher grit paper and be sure.  Anything you can see in the wood when it is unfinished will look ten times worse when it is finished.

As for finishing... ask the experts at your home center.  They can recommend the right products for your floor based on your specific situation.  And don't skimp on price when buying finishing products.  It has been my experience that the cheapest is not the best or sometimes not even close to the best.

GOOD LUCK!!!