Can you refinish a floor with a hand sander?

The palm sander

palm sander

A random orbital sander (also known as a palm sander) is a hand-held power tool which sands in a random-orbit action. That is, in constant irregular overlapping circles. This technology was first commercially utilized in 1968 by Rupes Tools.

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Random orbital sander - Wikipedia

is definitely the most common tool for sanding a wooden floor by hand. Palm sanders also oscillate, however, unlike orbital random sanders, the pad of the palm sander is fixed straight.

What kind of sander Do I need to refinish hardwood floors?

Random orbital sanders are the best choice for do-it-yourself hardwood floor refinishing. They take longer to remove old finishes than drum sanders, but they do not require a lot of experience to use and are less likely to damage your wood floor.

How long does it take to sand a floor with a hand sander?

It can take 1-5 days for a professional and 2-15 days for a DIY enthusiast, depending on the size and condition of the floor. For planning purposes, it would take 1-day per room for a professional and 2 days per room for a homeowner doing DIY.

How hard is it to sand your own floors?

Sanding wood floors is a time consuming but relatively easy procedure. Sanding wood floors & refinishing yourself will definitely save money, and even an inexperienced homeowner can likely do a better job than the lowest bidding handyperson who quotes on it.

Can I sand my floor with orbital sander?

The orbital sanding system can only be used to sand soft wood floors which are in need of a light refreshing. Most floor sanding companies use orbital floor sanding machines for fine sanding. After finishing with 100 grit belts, they use the orbital floor sander with 120, 150 and 180 grit sandpaper.

Quick Tip: Floor Sanding using an Orbital Sander.

What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?

Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.

Can you refinish floors yourself?

If you only have some minor scratches and dings or a dull finish, you might be able to simply buff and add a new coat of varnish. But, even if your floors need a complete makeover, refinishing hardwood is a very manageable and rewarding do-it-yourself job that can save a lot of money.

How many sanding sheets do you need to sand a floor?

8 sheets of 80 grit sandpaper. 5 sheets of 120 grit sandpaper. Optional: Woodstain (if you wish to colour your floor)

Should I strip or sand hardwood floors?

For example if you have a painted finish on your wooden floor then stripping will likely be more effective, however if you want to remove a basic polyurethane finish and you need to do so during the colder months of the year then sanding will be more appropriate.

How long do you have to stay off hardwood floors after refinishing?

How long do I have to wait to use my room after my floors are refinished? We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on.

What is the easiest floor sander to use?

I have found that Clarke-American random orbital sanders on are the easiest to use of the models available for rental at most home centers. (View example of a Clarke orbital floor sander on Amazon.

What kind of sander do you use for floors?

The drum sander is the real workhorse of hardwood floor sanding. It is a massive piece of equipment, too heavy for most people to lift—two people are required to carry it.

Can you sand and refinish floors in one day?

We bet you don't even know what a screen and re-coat is, but that's what we're here for, right? A screen and re-coat is a one-day process that doesn't give you a blank slate like a full sand and refinish, but it DOES give your hardwood floors a fantastic refresh.

Can wood floors be refinished without sanding?

Refinishing Prefinished and Laminated Hardwood Floors

Whether you have traditional hardwoods, prefinished wood, or laminated wood, restoring without sanding is a practical solution. Though you can sand your traditional hardwoods, it's difficult or even impossible to sand prefinished or laminated wood floors.

Can you sand floors with a drywall sander?

Drywall sanders, although commonly used to sand down plaster and taping, as well as preparing a wall for painting. This type of sander can be used to sand off anything, this is including wood. Therefore, you can use this specific sander to sand wooden floors.

Do I need a drum sander for floors?

“If your floor is in rough shape, cupped or damaged, or has a very heavy finish, a drum sander is what you need,” he adds. “An orbital won't relevel your floor.”

What grit sandpaper should I use for hardwood floors?

Start with 36-grit sandpaper for a floor that hasn't been sanded in a long time or that has a lot of heavy finish on it. Floors that have been painted may even require you to go tougher and use 24 or 16-grit paper. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper as well.

How long does it take to sand and refinish hardwood floors?

It typically takes between two and five days to refinish hardwood floors, depending on the type of polyurethane you use (oil or water-based), and the size and condition of your floors.

How do I make my hardwood floors look new without refinishing?