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hiring a floorboard sanding machine

On 13 Jul 2009 at 11:53am Sam Spam wrote:

do any of you fine folk in Forumland know where I can hire a floorboard sanding machine and are there any tips to sealing the gaps up?...ta

On 13 Jul 2009 at 12:02pm Danny wrote:

Two schools of thought here ... to seal up the gaps use paper mache and then sand with a sander hired from Speedy or HSS, wash it down with water then seal with deck varnish ... or leave the gaps to allow free flowing air ... if you do sela don't seal it right up, leave some gaps so the boards can breath .. depends on the type of your house really, if it's really breezy can get a bit chilly in winter ... some seal with silicone but if you do dont do it til you've sanded as it will muck up the sanding belt .. in any case it's a right old messy job, good fun tho ... you'll also need the edging sander for wait for it, the edges ...

On 13 Jul 2009 at 12:11pm huw wrote:

I did my own floorboards a few years back, a bloody nightmare it was. You've got to punch all the nails in, miss them and you keep having to replace the sandpaper. Gave me chronic backache and covered everything in dust.
Next time round I used a couple of blokes who drink in my pub. Think their company is called Floored. They did a fantastic job, sanded and re-sanded everything three times, replaced dodgy boards and varnished it. Wonderful job.
If you're interested I can send you their number.

On 13 Jul 2009 at 12:27pm Avidfan wrote:

Southdown used to hire them but I think they only do big machinary now. They may get one in from another branch if you ask. Don't forget to get the edging sander and all the belts and discs that you'll need. Go to Covers at Cooksbridge and ask if you can have a rumage in their 'rippings' bin. These are slivers of timber they slice off when preparing in the machine shop. These rippings are excellent for filling the long gaps between boards. Simply select a ripping that will fit tightly into a gap, then coat both edges with some pva glue and tap in and leave proud. When glue has set use a sharp chisel to slice the remainder off, but still leave this slightly proud. When you run the sander over you'll get a nice even joint. I use 'Diamond Glaze' as a coating for sanded floors. It's low odour, dries quickly and water based. It leaves a semi sheen (not too glossy or flat) when dry and wears very well. Available from Brewers in Uckfield.
The job will be time consuming, very dusty (mask essential), and using the big sander is hard work. Very rewarding when done though. Get someone in to do it if you can afford it. Good luck if you DIY. Hope this helps.

On 13 Jul 2009 at 12:49pm DIYer wrote:

Aren't folk helpful!
Also there is a Brewers in Haywards Heath.

On 13 Jul 2009 at 1:23pm Fence sitter wrote:

Carpets or floorboards. Comfort vs looks. The great debate....

On 13 Jul 2009 at 3:40pm Sam Spam wrote:

thanks for those tips - last winter we had the central heating redone in our Victorian/Edwardian house and all the sealed floorboards were opened up with the result that last winter was freezing!...need to block it all up before next year or buy huge slippers

On 14 Jul 2009 at 11:31am Hotman wrote:

You're right Fence sitter, I think the fashion will be changing (if it hasn't already) as a way of selling carpets.

On 14 Jul 2009 at 6:00pm Sam Spam wrote:

bare flood-boards are a necessity where we live!......just on the edge of Mr Floodplain!...
Just a thought - do you have the number of anybody who does this profesionally (huw mentioned Floored) - the messiness of the operation is starting to worry me!

On 15 Jul 2009 at 9:31am JOHNP wrote:

I think I rented one from Hewden when I did ours a while ago. I think HSS do them as well.
I was actually surprised at how little mess was made by the floor sander - it was doing the edges with my orbital and belt sanders that caused most of the mess!