Sanding 5/16'' red oak top-nail hardwood flooring


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Old 11-19-17, 06:43 PM
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Sanding 5/16'' red oak top-nail hardwood flooring

I have 1-1/2 x 5/16 top-nailed hardwood flooring throughout my house and in a bedroom I'm working on. I replaced some strips that were damaged in a small fire.

Now i'm ready to sand but I want to be sure what machine to get. Would I need a drum sander for this, or a random orbital? The area is about 160 sq ft.

I also wanted to keep the rental time of the the machine to a minimum. So I need to sand in-between the poly coats if I use a water or oil-based poly?

From what I understand so far, I need to: Sand initially to get old poly off with 30-40 grit.>Use a patching compound for any cracks/gaps, etc.>Sand with 60 grit>Sand with 100 grit>Apply sanding sealer>Sand again>apply poly coats (I'm aiming for 3).

Vacuuming the floor in between sanding and then mineral spirits with cloth prior to applying the sanding sealer.

Also, what sanding sealer and poly would you recommend?
 
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Old 11-20-17, 02:52 AM
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A drum sander is quicker than a buffer or orbital sander but not near as diy friendly. Misuse of a drum sander can ruin a floor, easy to sand dips in the wood if you don't keep it moving. You'll also need an edger. Since your flooring is face nailed you'll need to make sure all the nails are set deep enough so you don't sand into them and rip the paper. Always sand between coats although after the initial sanding you don't have to sand as hard/deep.

You'll find the better polys at your local hardwood flooring center. I prefer both the look and durability of oil base. Not all sanding sealers and polys are compatible, on floors I generally use poly for all 3 coats.
 
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Old 11-20-17, 12:23 PM
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Thanks.

The flooring I patched is slightly taller than the existing floor - likely cause the latter had been refinished at one time or maybe the newer wood is slightly taller. Will the random orbital take the excess height off of the patched flooring to level it all out?

Regarding the edges: I have a palm sander and orbital palm sander. Those should work for the edges?

Regarding sanding: do you mean you sand in between each poly coat?
 
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Old 11-20-17, 12:32 PM
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Regarding sanding: do you mean you sand in between each poly coat?
Yes. A light scuff sanding between coats ensures good adhesion of the layers.
 
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Old 11-20-17, 01:27 PM
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How much thickness difference is there between the old boards and the new? How much new wood? An orbital sander will remove excess wood but it will be a little slow.
 
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Old 11-20-17, 06:07 PM
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Maybe a 32nd-64th of an inch in difference between new and old.

Could I use a hand-held orbital to sand the poly coats? I was hoping I would only need to rent the large orbital sander for a day and be able to do the initial sanding. Sanding of the compound applied to the floor and sanding the sanding sealer, all in one day.
 
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Old 11-21-17, 02:31 AM
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A small orbital sander works fine for sanding between coats of poly although slower and harder on your back/knees.
 
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Old 11-21-17, 10:07 PM
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Do you think the large orbital will be able to sand down the added height of the new wood? As I mentioned, it may be a difference of a 32nd-64th of an inch.
 
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Old 11-22-17, 02:40 AM
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Yes, but it won't be quick.
 
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Old 11-22-17, 12:19 PM
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What about using a plainer to take a little off so the orbital can do the rest?
 
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Old 11-22-17, 12:23 PM
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That could help but be careful, if you remove too much .........
 
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Old 11-22-17, 02:20 PM
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Right. I was thinking of removing just enough that there is still a slight height to it to make the sander do the leveling/blending with the rest of the floor
 
 

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