Hand floor sanding advice

[Coles]

Hi,

I am contemplating sanding a pine floor by hand using any orbital sander as it is less aggressive.

But I am worried about the dust they generate. When I did a floor using a bona belt sander it wasn't too bad at all.

Can anyone recommend an orbital sander for the job.

Thanks

 

[mardinor]

If you have the budget, Festool Rotex RO150 plus a CTL MIDI Cleantec vacuum.
Otherwise Metabo SXE 450 Turbotec plus Henry hoover or Screwfix equivalent cheapie.
Vacuum is essential. Don't do it without.

Also hugely recommend Impacto Mat 5050. It will save your knees.

 

[Coles]

If you have the budget, Festool Rotex RO150 plus a CTL MIDI Cleantec vacuum.
Otherwise Metabo SXE 450 Turbotec plus Henry hoover or Screwfix equivalent cheapie.
Vacuum is essential. Don't do it without.

Also hugely recommend Impacto Mat 5050. It will save your knees.

Thank you. The Metabo is definitely in my price range and I just read the excellent reviews on it. But I was reading that the Henry solution isn't that robust. I gather you have not had an issue. Perhaps it's more of an issue on walls with fine dust.

 

[a twig]

Use the HEPA bags with a Henry rather than the paper ones if you are worried about fine dust.

I have a selection of Henrys that have survived all sorts of abuse - from sanding through to clearing drains and blocked chimneys - they are pretty robust. The oldest one I have is around 9 years old and I will confess that I did have to spend £4 on a replacement power switch a couple of years ago

 

[fernicarry]

the Henry solution isn't that robust

Mine is indestructible so far as I can tell and he's had everything thrown at him. I even use him as a handy step if nothing else is to hand. The narrow pipe for the dusting brush just happens to fit my Bosch orbital perfectly.

I do also have a proper Bosch extractor. The hose on that has a rubber bung on it that push fits into all my bosch tools from smallest to largest meaning no faffing around with tape or adapters. You can also plug the tool into it so it starts and stops with the tool. When the filter is clean it sucks so hard the sander can hold itself upside down on the ceiling!

 

[noj]

Put a cyclone type extractor between the vacuum and sander and problem solved...

Something like this, lots of other options out there

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DUST-COMMANDER-S30-30-Liter-Steel/dp/B0185Z5C7C/ref=asc_df_B0185Z5C7C?mcid=f8c367e5b2c035b3ba30ff02b50423f2&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697319487992&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9067028149136656243&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9044978&hvtargid=pla-421793613589&psc=1&gad_source=1

 

[boxajw]

I was just about to post the same question! I do have a couple of additional questions if that's ok.

Does the Metabo need any special connector to attach to a Henry (or equivalent). It doesn't look like it does but thought I should check.

And, what sanding discs would people recommend?

 

[a twig]

Connectors are available but gaffa / duct tape also works

 

[Coles]

I was just about to post the same question! I do have a couple of additional questions if that's ok.

Does the Metabo need any special connector to attach to a Henry (or equivalent). It doesn't look like it does but thought I should check.

And, what sanding discs would people recommend?

I saw that Toby Newell said he uses the Makita BO6030 (alongside some very expensive brands). The Makita is in the same price bracket as the Metabo but easier to get hold of. Has anyone used the Makita?

 

[lizziecupcakes]

Can anyone recommend an orbital sander for the job.

I am saving up for the festool mentioned above and their dust extractor. I think they are better quality and work faster. I worked out the cost and it’s cheaper for me to buy them to hand sand 3 bedrooms, living room, dining room, hallway and landing than to rent out the equipment (not festool though) and do it in a rush while i am working fulltime.

If you buy the festool hand sander, most dust extractor brands should fit it though.

 

[Stevers]

I saw that Toby Newell said he uses the Makita BO6030 (alongside some very expensive brands). The Makita is in the same price bracket as the Metabo but easier to get hold of. Has anyone used the Makita?

Metabo used to be excellent quality, but I understand are more of a badge engineering exercise now. Not that specific tool, but everything that I have had from Makita has given excellent service - that's a couple of angle grinders, a straight cutting jigsaw and a tough little SDS drill.

 

[housegolem]

Makita BO6030 - i've had this for a few years, used it for d.i.y/cars etc. Solid and well made.

As this seems to be the current sanding thread, i was wondering what if anything people use to stop sanding pads clogging? other than dust extraction?

At work we use tallow, hardblock polish, or soap to stop aluminium sticking - so is there anything similar for wood ?

 

[Lacan07]

I think Toby once tried what was the Makita equivalent of Festool Rotex 150 and the sanding pad disintegrated pretty quickly so he wasn't impressed. It used to be about half the price of the Festool if memory serves. I'm not sure it was the model mentioned above.

If you've got a whole house to sand you really are better off getting the Festool, anything else in the hand sander realm will pretty much kill you by the time you've finished. If you got one room or a landing to do then its probably worth fighting your way with something inferior.

The issue with hiring a commercial drum sander and / or edger is they're difficult to control and can easily scratch or gouge the floor (swirl marks), especially on soft pine. This isn't so much of an issue if you're planning on just clear varnishing afterwards as it won't necessarily show up so much but if staining it will show. The main advantage of using a hand sander like the Rotex is you can avoid these swirl marks, and of course you're not time constricted and can use the tool for all manner of other DIY jobs (even polishing your car).

The professionals don't use these old drum sanders so much now, they all use the modern commercial belt sanders by Bona and Lager, etc, but they're very expensive and you won't find anyone hiring these to peasants like us.

 

[Eric56]

I am very much an amateur. I have been sanding with a DeWalt orbital sander and an attachement to a Henry vacuum cleaner. Am halfway through redecorating my house. Have sanded the walls. Have achieved good results. Vac attachment is a game changer. The Festool looks like the pro kit! Amazing.

 

[lizziecupcakes]

If you've got a whole house to sand you really are better off getting the Festool, anything else in the hand sander realm will pretty much kill you by the time you've finished.

yup, agree. I went to view a festool myself and can vouch for this. Also on festool youtube they show you comparisons between how fast they work compared to other models. A dewalt was like 1 min to sand a surface, and the festool was about 40 seconds on the same surface. That really adds up.

Whole house = festool

Negative = festool sanders are quite dear compared to other brands.

The demo guy at the store did tell me that most other dust extractor brands will fit thr festool 150 though. The brand I considered was Feine (about half the price of festool dust extractor). Apparently they all work the same; same filter. Main difference is festool have easier access to the filter.

Btw The filter you should regularly clean/brush out.

Personally, i will buy the festool dust extractor though because I trust it. Thanks @Lacan07 for telling me anout this brand last year!

I gotta keep saving up for it though. I’m forgoing a few treats these couple of months to afford it!

Alos I didn’t know you can polish your car with it too

 

[lizziecupcakes]

i was wondering what if anything people use to stop sanding pads clogging? other than dust extraction?

Can you stop every seconds and brush it off gently? I’m not sure if that would help?

Also if you have paper stuck to your floorboards, don’t sand that off. Scrape it off instead first and make it part of your preparation before sanding. I have paper stuff to my fining room floorboards still

 

[housegolem]

I suppose i meant wooden surfaces rather than clean wood - Yes brushing does help, but certain paints, old varnishes always seem to form up and the only way i've found is the manually pick them off.

Like you say stripping helps, but there's always some left over.