Floor Sanding 101…..
For as long as I can remember, floor sanders have been asking “What is the proper grit sequence or sanding procedure for a particular type of wood flooring?” Many seem to feel that there is some secret knowledge known only to a select few or by being told, they will now know. As I have said before “The only secret is ‘There are no secrets’.”
Asking questions and reading the experience of others is a great source of information but should only be used as a guideline. We must all learn by doing. No matter how many times someone asks the same question, it will not be personal information until it is practiced and experienced. Whether the information comes free as here on ShopTalk or purchased in a book, it still must be done personally with attention paid to the end result to be personal experience.
Three examples of this come to mind; Grain popping, sanding schedules and sanding procedures. One of the nice features of our “new” format is the search function on ShopTalk. A few clicks and we can read a particular topic all night if we want. I understand it is easier just to ask. Most of the topics have been shared at some point but quite often it gets asked again hoping for a faster, easier answer. Much of what we do has no “hard and fast rules”. This is why we are professionals and have little patience for anyone who thinks they can ask and then just do it.
Grain popping.
Grain popping is a way of opening the grain of certain woods in certain applications to get differing results. What one is trying to accomplish will dictate how it is done. The two important points are the ones folks try to shortcut. Controlling the amount of water applied to the floor and the slow dry of that water. This is where the pros understand what and why.
Sanding sequence is not explained as 40-60-100.
The sanding sequence used on any particular job is whatever grit selection it will take to arrive at what YOU want for a final cut on your drum machine. Disk sanding, hard plating or screening is another sequence, if necessary, used for the particular wood or stain/finish process being used on that job.
Sanding procedure.
Sanding procedure is how you run your machines on a particular job dictated by the condition of the flooring. On most floors I personally try to always sand with the grain of the wood. I almost never sand at 90 degrees to the direction of the wood except on long narrow hallways. I will sand at 45 degrees or less to level a floor or on mosaic floors. Edging can be done in several different motions and directions depending upon the condition and type of floor and the type of edger being used.
In many cases, when we don’t know how to handle a particular situation or specification some folks will “throw the book” at it and do everything they can think of with the hope of getting the desired result. Experience is the best teacher and the way professionals learn.
What makes an expert?
Some think I am just being humorous when I say Test, Test, Test. I am quite serious. An expert, in my world, is someone who has the personal experience to know how to handle any flooring situation that comes along. Yes, we ask questions because no body knows everything and this is why our peers share on ShopTalk and other sites. Experts are not afraid to share techniques and procedures, this is how they teach those who want to learn. Those who want to learn apply the lessons and write down the results and refer to them when the situation arises again until it becomes regular practice.
So, the secret I have been sharing for years, I repeat….. Sample, Sample, Sample; Test, Test, Test; Practice, Practice, Practice.
Happy learning,
Bill
For as long as I can remember, floor sanders have been asking “What is the proper grit sequence or sanding procedure for a particular type of wood flooring?” Many seem to feel that there is some secret knowledge known only to a select few or by being told, they will now know. As I have said before “The only secret is ‘There are no secrets’.”
Asking questions and reading the experience of others is a great source of information but should only be used as a guideline. We must all learn by doing. No matter how many times someone asks the same question, it will not be personal information until it is practiced and experienced. Whether the information comes free as here on ShopTalk or purchased in a book, it still must be done personally with attention paid to the end result to be personal experience.
Three examples of this come to mind; Grain popping, sanding schedules and sanding procedures. One of the nice features of our “new” format is the search function on ShopTalk. A few clicks and we can read a particular topic all night if we want. I understand it is easier just to ask. Most of the topics have been shared at some point but quite often it gets asked again hoping for a faster, easier answer. Much of what we do has no “hard and fast rules”. This is why we are professionals and have little patience for anyone who thinks they can ask and then just do it.
Grain popping.
Grain popping is a way of opening the grain of certain woods in certain applications to get differing results. What one is trying to accomplish will dictate how it is done. The two important points are the ones folks try to shortcut. Controlling the amount of water applied to the floor and the slow dry of that water. This is where the pros understand what and why.
Sanding sequence is not explained as 40-60-100.
The sanding sequence used on any particular job is whatever grit selection it will take to arrive at what YOU want for a final cut on your drum machine. Disk sanding, hard plating or screening is another sequence, if necessary, used for the particular wood or stain/finish process being used on that job.
Sanding procedure.
Sanding procedure is how you run your machines on a particular job dictated by the condition of the flooring. On most floors I personally try to always sand with the grain of the wood. I almost never sand at 90 degrees to the direction of the wood except on long narrow hallways. I will sand at 45 degrees or less to level a floor or on mosaic floors. Edging can be done in several different motions and directions depending upon the condition and type of floor and the type of edger being used.
In many cases, when we don’t know how to handle a particular situation or specification some folks will “throw the book” at it and do everything they can think of with the hope of getting the desired result. Experience is the best teacher and the way professionals learn.
What makes an expert?
Some think I am just being humorous when I say Test, Test, Test. I am quite serious. An expert, in my world, is someone who has the personal experience to know how to handle any flooring situation that comes along. Yes, we ask questions because no body knows everything and this is why our peers share on ShopTalk and other sites. Experts are not afraid to share techniques and procedures, this is how they teach those who want to learn. Those who want to learn apply the lessons and write down the results and refer to them when the situation arises again until it becomes regular practice.
So, the secret I have been sharing for years, I repeat….. Sample, Sample, Sample; Test, Test, Test; Practice, Practice, Practice.
Happy learning,
Bill
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