Sweep the floor then change to a 36 grit belt on the drum sander sand the main part of the floor then edge the perimeter at 36 grit and so on.
Floor edger vs belt sander.
Think twice before you rent a flat pad sander aka orbital or square buff sander.
Step by step instructions no worries you can do it.
Hardwood floor drum sander vs belt sander.
Hence most diy floor sanders call professionals for refinishing.
Drum and belt sanders for hardwood floor refinishing are two different tools.
It is much costlier than an orbital sander.
Get a drum sander that uses a continuous belt or sleeve not one that requires you to wrap a strip of abrasive around the drum.
Once again practice is important before you decide to use a belt sander on the deck floor.
Then your wife can continue with the orbital sanders if nec.
This sander is operated from a standing position.
They can also be used on the deck floor but they re hard to control when used this way.
The drum sander and the edger are always used alternately.
But the drum sander cannot get very close to the walls so to do the perimeter of the room you need to switch over to the edger a 7 diameter spinning abrasive disc that is operated from a kneeling or bent over.
It cannot be used on edges entryways hallways and in other narrow spaces.
For all intent and purposes you re likely to find belt sanders at the common rental places today.
On very large decks you may be tempted to use the big sanders.
A belt sander works wonders on the bulk of the room and its best used in conjunction with a floor edger sander which is better suited for the areas of the hardwood closer to the walls.
Truth be told most sanding projects cannot be completed with only one of these tools.
Steps on how to sand hardwood floors with a belt sander.
Orbital sander which should you get.
If you sand the center of your floor with 24 grit then you will immediately edge that room with 20 grit.
Since it can t sand in narrow gaps an edger sander must necessarily be purchased or rented further increasing the cost involved.
Ideally sand the floor up to 80g and round the edges with 80 then continue with the orbital sanders.
The main machine is the drum sander and it is used on the majority of the floor.
You will need a belt sander for aggressive and heavy duty sanding and shaping.
Belt sanders are best for the flat tops of railings.
That s tedious and often leads to chatter marks on the floor.
When you get time rent a drum sander put 36 on and clean it off.