Large sanding job
- Thread starter suds
- Start date
Suds,suds said:
If by "...belt sander...", you mean a standard woodworkers belt sander, then yes they are available. I have a Makita 9903. When combined with a Festool or other good quality vac (like a Fein), then the dust collection is excellent - almost perfect.
I posted a review of the 9903 on Brice Burrell's website: http://burrellcustomcarpentry.com/subpage36.html. Overall, it's an excellent sander that works well. As I described (with pics) in the review, a Fein hose adapter (part number in the review) mates perfectly to a D27 hose on one end and a the Makita on the other. With my CT22 set on high, virtually no sawdust is left behind. The review also describes how to clamp the 9903 to an MFT for a usable, work site horizontal belt sander.
That said...
I'm not sure if a belt sander would be the tool of choice for this task. My concern would be the gouging that would probably occur unless you used a sanding frame: http://www.acetoolonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MAK-1930707&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=Makita1930707SANDINGSHOE9903&utm_content=Makita1930707SANDINGSHOE9903&utm_campaign=googlebase&site=google_base .
It turns out that I have a cedar deck is about 750 square feet with multiple angles, nooks and crannies. And one of my tasks this summer or next is to strip and finish the deck also. After thinking it through, I decided that a rental pad sander would be better for sanding most of the deck. Then, I'd use my RO150 for the smaller areas and my LS130 with a contour pad for the rounded portions between the boards (my deck has wide cracks). For the corners and very small areas, either a DX93 or the new RO90 with delta pad should work well.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dan.
I've just sanded 30m2 of internal Oak flooring.
I used my Rotex 150 - starting with 40 Brilliant on agressive - moving to 80 Granat agressive then rotary
Finishing off and cutting into the corners with 80 Brilliant on a RTS400.
I tried 180 brilliant - but that was too polished - slippery [eek].
It was about 3 mornings work - earplugs essential for the Rotex.
Not sure how much quicker a belt sander would be - but it all felt controllable and I was pleased with the time and the quality of the finish...
I used my Rotex 150 - starting with 40 Brilliant on agressive - moving to 80 Granat agressive then rotary
Finishing off and cutting into the corners with 80 Brilliant on a RTS400.
I tried 180 brilliant - but that was too polished - slippery [eek].
It was about 3 mornings work - earplugs essential for the Rotex.
Not sure how much quicker a belt sander would be - but it all felt controllable and I was pleased with the time and the quality of the finish...
Suds,suds said:
I've used my belt sander primarily for rough sanding edges where and orbital might tend to round over the edge. I don't have a frame, but if I was using the sander for flattening a panel, I'd get one.
You're probably better with a belt sander than I am so you may want to give it a try. That said, I still think a rental 10" pad sander + Rotex would be the fastest, easiest way to go.
YMMV.
Regards,
Dan.
HowardH
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- Jan 23, 2007
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- 1,572
I would use caution using the big rotary pad sanders. If you don't have experience with them, they can get out of control very easily. I know, I had it happen to me. You have to develop a feel for the machine and I went through a lot of sanding disks before I got the hang of it. It flew all over the place. I hadn't had a workout like that in a long time just trying to hang on to it.
IF it's anything like the large rotary floor polishers, I had experience many many decades ago running one of those as a partime janitor at Wash State Univ.
The veteran janitors all stood around for my first go at running the darn thing and got a good chuckle at the cocky teenager trying to muscle it from one side of the hallway to the other. Finally, one of them stepped in and literally ran it with one finger by lifting and lowering the edges. My first five minutes were pure torture.
The veteran janitors all stood around for my first go at running the darn thing and got a good chuckle at the cocky teenager trying to muscle it from one side of the hallway to the other. Finally, one of them stepped in and literally ran it with one finger by lifting and lowering the edges. My first five minutes were pure torture.
Howard,HowardH said:
I wasn't thinking of the big rotary pad sanders. I was thinking of something like one of one of these orbital guys: http://www.hardwood-floor-sanders.com/orbitalsanders.asp.
Regards,
Dan.
I think Dan is right on target.
One trick, start out with your finish grit until you get the hang of it. Once you feel confident, then switch to your courser grit. It's a lot harder to do significant damage with 120 vs 36.
Use a soft interface pad, and that will help deal with the cups and crowns.
One trick, start out with your finish grit until you get the hang of it. Once you feel confident, then switch to your courser grit. It's a lot harder to do significant damage with 120 vs 36.
Use a soft interface pad, and that will help deal with the cups and crowns.
Kevin Stricker
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2009
- Messages
- 481
The orbital pad sanders are the way to go. Unless you have a bunch of experience I would recommend you stay away from a drum or belt sander on cedar. It is really difficult to run it quickly enough to keep it from gouging. I don't see that a frame would help either as you don't have an even surface, every time you went across cracks you will change the level of the sanding. I have also sanded decks with big 6" RO sanders and I can tell you it is a PIA.
I did a couple 1200+ sqft decks a few summers ago, one on my knees for a full day and numb hands for 2 weeks ( 6" RO). The other I did 90% of in just a few hours almost effortlessly. While I am sure a RO150 would do a better job than the Rigid I was running, the pad sander was well worth the rental cost to keep me off my knees for a day.
I did a couple 1200+ sqft decks a few summers ago, one on my knees for a full day and numb hands for 2 weeks ( 6" RO). The other I did 90% of in just a few hours almost effortlessly. While I am sure a RO150 would do a better job than the Rigid I was running, the pad sander was well worth the rental cost to keep me off my knees for a day.
