| There is nothing that sets off a room quite so much | | | | varnishing or some other finish, it pays to employ |
| as a beautifully sanded and finished wooden floor, but | | | | correct technique to ensure a perfectly even finish. |
| the elbow grease required to get that effect | | | | The golden rule of sanding with a floor sanding |
| manually makes it an onerous task. However, modern | | | | machine is to let the equipment do the work and not |
| floor sanders are widely available to hire for the day | | | | apply too much pressure. For stand-up sanders, |
| and can make short work of even the largest rooms. | | | | simply push the machine in straight lines. With a |
| But what is the best sander for the job and how do | | | | handheld sander, move in circular motions and apply a |
| you get most out of the sander for a perfect finish? | | | | firm but even pressure. |
| The best sander for the job? | | | | Safety precautions |
| Floor sanders come in a range of sizes, with | | | | Floor sanders can be surprisingly powerful, so |
| corresponding price tags to match. You need to | | | | proceed with caution and keep the machine under |
| weigh up the scope of the job in hand and decide | | | | control being sure to wear a solid pair of shoes. |
| whether a more expensive, commercial sander is | | | | Ideally you should wear eye protection, a face mask |
| required, or whether you can manage the task with | | | | to minimise inhalation of sawdust, and ear defenders |
| a handheld disc sander. | | | | if using a very loud belt sander. Choose a floor |
| What is the ideal technique? | | | | sander with built-in vacuum disposal to minimise |
| Perfect technique often equals perfect results, so if | | | | sawdust and clean up as you go along. |
| you are sanding a floor as a preparation for | | | | |