It is an easy and affordable way to give old or damaged wood floors a new lease of life. It can be as simple as buffing the floor to remove minor imperfections or scratches.
We answer common questions about hiring the best floor sanding machines in Australia and give some tips on how to get started.
What type of floor sander should I use?
The drum sander, belt sander, orbital and edger sanders are all used to sand back wood floors. Here are some tips on how to choose the best floor sanding machines for your job.
- Drum floor machines: These walk-behind machines are suitable for heavy-duty sanding and can cover larger areas faster. Drum sanders are the best choice for removing deep scratches, old varnish or warped boards.
Floor sanders with drums are an effective solution for large areas
- Belt Sanders: Beltsanders come in both handheld and walk behind models. They are designed to work on similar floors as drum sanders. Belt sanders are equipped with sanding grits that can be used to quickly remove wood layers and finish. They save time by removing large surfaces like decking and timber floors.
- Edging Sanders: Floor Edgers are useful to get into corners or hard to reach areas.
- Orbital Floor Sanders: More gentle and easier to use than powerful drum sanders or belt sanders, orbital sanders are ideal for light- to medium-weight sanding. The sandpaper is mounted on a plate that moves in a circle to produce a smoother surface. Random orbital sanders move backwards and forwards, which results in fewer swirl marks.
Choose a floor sander that has a dust bag built in. This will improve the air quality and prevent sawdust from spreading into adjacent rooms.
How much sanding paper do I need?
- You’ll also need a vacuum (or broom) to remove any dust or debris.
- Sandpaper and sanding straps are essential, but the type you choose will depend on your floor’s condition. For floors that require a lot more work, use sandpaper with a 40-grit. Floors in good condition can be sanded using grits from 60-grit up to 80-grit.
- To prevent your floor sander from getting caught on loose nails, you’ll need to use a hammer with a nail punch.
- You’ll also need methylated spirit to prepare the boards for varnishing, varnish and a brush in order to apply it and a bucket and mop.
- To work safely, you will need safety glasses, a dust mask and earplugs.
How to sand a wooden floor?
1. Prepare your sanding surface
- Fill in any cracks and small gaps before sanding. Also, fix any protruding nails.
- The quality of the finish will be improved by sweeping the floor before sanding.
- Close all doors that lead to your workspace to avoid dust spreading, and open windows nearby for ventilation.
2. How to set up your floor sander
- Sandpaper should be fitted tightly to the drum of your sander. If your sander’s drum is too tight to slide the sandpaper onto, sprinkle some sawdust on the belt.
- If you want to avoid sanding the floor accidentally, make sure that the drum is raised off the ground.
- Make sure the dust bag is properly attached to your sanding machines.
3. Sanding
- To achieve the best results, always move the floor sander along the grain, one row at a tim. For a consistent result, move slowly and evenly.
- Remember to gently lower the sander to start sanding at the beginning of the new row after lifting the drum from the floor.
- After completing the sanding process, clean up and make a second pass with a finer (i.e. 120-grit) sandpaper.
- Remember to unplug the wall and turn off the sander before you change the sandpaper, or empty the dustbag.
4. Sealing
- The varnish seals in the finish, protecting your decking or floors from wear.
- Wait until all the dust from sanding has settled, then thoroughly vacuum or sweep your area.
- The floorboards should be cleaned with methylated spirit and allowed to completely dry.
- Use 1-2 coats to varnish your floorboards, ensuring that you follow the grain.
- Always wear a face mask and keep windows open for ventilation.