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Can you sand a hardwood floor with a belt sander?
A belt sander will make stripping and sanding the floor quick and easy. A belt sander for finishing a wood floor should be a hand-held one so you can move the tool around on the surface of the floor. Belt sanders will do a good job of leveling out the floor and preparing it for a finer sand.
How long does it take to sand a floor with a belt sander?
It can take 1-5 days for a professional and 2-15 days for a DIY enthusiast, depending on the size and condition of the floor. For planning purposes, it would take 1-day per room for a professional and 2 days per room for a homeowner doing DIY.
What kind of sander Do I need to refinish hardwood floors?
Random orbital sanders are the best choice for do-it-yourself hardwood floor refinishing. They take longer to remove old finishes than drum sanders, but they do not require a lot of experience to use and are less likely to damage your wood floor.
How many sanding sheets do you need to sand a floor?
How long does it take to sand a floor? It’s hard to say without knowing the size and condition of your flooring. But with the right tools (like a drum sander and edger), you should do three sanding passes in an average-sized living room or bedroom in a day.
How many times should you sand floors?
Generally, you should do sanding after 10, 15, or 20 years from the time of installation. After that, you can sand it after every 10 years. The number of times you can sand your hardwood floor in its lifetime depends on how thick the solid or top layer of the engineered flooring is.
What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?
Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.
How hard is it to use a floor sander?
There’s really no getting around it – sanding your floors is hard work and physically tiring. Mostly, this is down to the floorboards not being completely flat which means that the drum of the floor sanding machine won’t be able to reach all areas of the floorboards in one go.
What is the difference between an orbital sander and a drum sander?
Drum sanders work fast due to their aggressive cutting action. If you have a large room or several layers of finish, this type of sander saves time. This can result in scratches with a drum sander. Orbital sanders are gentler and require less physical exertion from you, but they take longer to remove heavy finishes.
Can you use a belt sander upside down?
Each sander has a different shape, so custom-cut the plywood sides. This jig firmly holds your belt sander upside down for easier sanding of handheld project parts.
What can you not do with a belt sander?
What should you avoid while working with belt senders? Do not use a sander without an exhaust system or a dust collector present that is in good working order. Do not exert excessive pressure on a moving sander. Do not work on unsecured stock unless it is heavy enough to stay in place. Do not overreach.
Can you sand floors with a hand sander?
The palm sander is definitely the most common tool for sanding a wooden floor by hand. Use it with a coarser sandpaper grit for a lot of efficiency and quick results. Palm sanders also have a square edge, which means you can sand right into the corners of the floor.
Is it hard to sand hardwood floors?
Sanding hardwood floors might seem like a pros-only project. And then there’s that big, scary sanding machine… But it’s really not that difficult. I’ve helped hundreds of homeowners—some of them complete DIY novices—successfully prep their floors for a new finish.
How long should a sanding belt last?
The abrasives we sell at Pete’s have very distinct lifespans; drum sander belts should last between 250 and 300 square feet each and edger discs should be changed every 20 linear feet.
What do you put on newly sanded floorboards?
You can use a clear or tinted varnish to seal sanded floorboards. Put on three coats to get a really hard-wearing finish and make sure your brush is completely clean before you start.
Are my floorboards suitable for sanding?
If your floorboards are ‘just’ dirty or have a thin coat of paint on them, starting to sand with 24 grit sandpaper should be sufficient. If your floorboards are really uneven or painted in a thick coat of paint, you will probably be best starting to sand your floors with 16 grit paper.
Can you walk on sanded floors?
Drying time after the floors are refinished: After you’ve refinished your hardwood floors, you need to wait before walking on them and/or moving (or returning furniture). At a minimum, you should wait at least 24 hrs before walking on the floors; for hours 24-48, it’s best to wear socks only (no shoes, no bare feet).
How long before you can put furniture on refinished hardwood floors?
Wait 48 to 72 hours after the hardwood has been refinished/ finished before “PLACING” furniture back in its place. Keep a steady temperature and humidity within your home. Dramatic swings in temperature will cause hardwood to shrink or to cup. Sweep/dust and mop often.
Can hardwood floors be sanded and refinished?
Flooring experts estimate that hardwood floors can be sanded for refinishing up to 10 times, depending on the thoroughness of the sanding and the level of wear and tear on the floor. Situations differ, but you may not be able to refinish your hardwood floor more than 10 times.
