Restoring Wooden Floor with Traditional Methods

[linwood14]

Hi Guys

I've searched through the forums but can't find what I'm looking for, so will ask my question here.

I currently have a couple of rooms in the house that have had carpet laid down directly onto the floorboards. There is some kind of underlay, which appears to have been glued [?] to the floor, or it could just be stuck there from years of compression. I want to return the floor to its former glory (I detest carpet) but was wondering if there is an alternative to the modern drum sander ? I want to retain as much of the original 'ambiance' of the timber floor as I can rather than just sand it smooth. I have heard that some people avoid the sanding altogether. Any suggestions welcome.

[E. maculata]

G'day Linwood, I have hand sanded a hardwood floor, admittedlyit was a freshly laid one, and quite regularly read and get pix of hand scraped floors as well, so I guess that's 2 options as a starter for you.

[ian]

at the Sydney wood show, there was a floor sander consisting of what looked like 4 random orbital sanding pads which rotated within a dust shroud, someone should have it available for hire

alternatively you could use a belt and/or random orbital sander + 1/2 sheet sander for the edges. If you go this option, don't buy a cheapie ROS — I suggest you get a Metabo — AND DON'T FORGET to also get a dust extractor (and ear muffs) to go with it. also buy the abrasive by the box


ian

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I've seen floors sanded for prep using ordinary floor buffing machines... both the old 50's Hoover uprights with 3 circular 6"ish pads and a commercial buffer with a big 18"ish circular pad.

They don't use sandpaper, instead they use pads which are rather like a thick, coarse micromesh... (think of the green layer on the back of dishwashing scouring sponges.) and they do a great job of conforming to wear-patterns in the floor, while rounding over the square edges of any boards that've lifted slightly.

No good for flattening a floor, perfectly OK to get rid of the old finish and prep it for a new.

[Larry McCully]

you are in for a lot of hard work. Hope you have the time and patience. if not get your floor traditionally sanded. The other option that would suit you would be to remove all underlayments and then use a industrial polishing machine (polyvac) and depending on the condition of the floor start rotary sanding it with 80# screen grit then progress to finner grit 100# then 120# then 180#. you will need to use the intermediate grits to ensure that no sanding lines will be left from previous grits. with all this sanding the floor will not be flat but rather the sanding will follow the contours of the timber . It will give you a very natural look and feel. It will be fine in the end, but it is a lot of work.
make sure all all all all nails and even staples are beneath the surface at least 3-4 mm. Putty up the holes with timbermate between 2nd and 3rd cuts. Remove as many staples as possible , if their is any.Staples are used to hold down underlay sometimes.

[linwood14]

Maybe I should just try to like the carpet....it all sounds like a lot of work. I think the Hoover upright idea sounds most like what I was looking for. I suppose I'll need to check what condition the floor is in first before doing anything further.

Any other suggestions very welcome. You guys are AWESOME !

[Larry McCully]

Maybe I should just try to like the carpet....it all sounds like a lot of work. I think the Hoover upright idea sounds most like what I was looking for. I suppose I'll need to check what condition the floor is in first before doing anything further.

Any other suggestions very welcome. You guys are AWESOME !

thats what we are here for.... to assist