Finishing new 3" Maple - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

plazaman · 02-26-2007, 10:05 PM

Just put down 3000 sq. ft of 3" maple unfinished.

Basically It needs to be sanded down, sealed, and poly.

Ive done, complete refinishing, new and unfinished, and screen sanding.

My local tool rental has the drum sander & edger, the buffer, and the orbital sander.

Could i use the buffer with a 36 pad to even the floor? Or even that oribtal ? Or my only option would be the drum?

Thanks

woodmagman · 02-26-2007, 11:54 PM

We use the Floor maintainer with nothing more aggressive then 80 grit screen and working up. Does a real good job.

justin savage · 02-27-2007, 06:20 PM

3000 feet with the buffer would take forever, rent the drum sander. justin

woodmagman · 02-27-2007, 06:48 PM

It never takes to long when your doing the best at what you do. A drum sander can be very tricky if it is being used by someone that is not trained to use it. The past experience with a buffer has given satisfactory results. If you are looking to learn how to sand a floor using a drum sander then go for it. 3000 feet of floor may be an expensive lesson.

plazaman · 02-27-2007, 09:20 PM

Ive used the drum many times, new and old.

Its 3000 sq total on 2 different jobs, different rooms.

Which machine is the maintainer? Is this a buffer?

Just thought it might be quicker with the buffer

woodmagman · 02-27-2007, 11:44 PM

Plazaman, The maintainer is a traditional style 17" floor buffer with a fish hook pad attachment and 1" thick buffing pad attached. Norton Abrasives makes screened sanding disks. We do a lot of new and re-do and I have never had an issue with time or finish. Keep someone moving with a vacum and you will be happy.

plazaman · 02-28-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodmagman

Plazaman, The maintainer is a traditional style 17" floor buffer with a fish hook pad attachment and 1" thick buffing pad attached. Norton Abrasives makes screened sanding disks. We do a lot of new and re-do and I have never had an issue with time or finish. Keep someone moving with a vacum and you will be happy.

Oh, sorry, i didnt know the name for the buffer was "maintainer" i use this all the time. So you are saying the 80 grit then to 100?

woodmagman · 02-28-2007, 09:41 PM

We rented for years, the drum then the plate sander (not happy with the results of the plate) and then the maintainer came to our attention through one of our suppliers. I had the guys try it, we bought one for the next job and never looked back. it is a versitile tool as it can really clean concrete floors before painting or staining. We will scub ceramic tile with it and then go back to hardwood.
Just make sure you use a buffing pad (it is a nylon matrix about 1" thick) between the unit and the sanding screen. You can use coarser grit depending on the trueness of the wood.

plazaman · 03-01-2007, 07:36 PM

Thanks for the information. Can you recommend a brand and buffer size? I’ve been looking to purchase one.

Rich

woodmagman · 03-01-2007, 08:42 PM

Plazaman...we have a 1500HD Clarke. It can be purchased with attachments to do most anything to floors. Very versitile and operates the same as a power trowel, lifting on the handle sends it one way and pushing down on it, the other. It can be a little "Lucile Ball" if you not sure what to expect, start away from walls until you get the hang of it.

plazaman · 04-01-2007, 08:56 AM

I am getting the Clarke Model CFP 170 for around 850, do you think i should get it? Or go with the FM line?