Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Palm sander on wood floors?
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Palm sander on wood floors?
BrianK
02-13-06, 09:51 PM
I know a lot of tradesmen are rolling their eyes but....I have a small hallway (27 sq ft) with oak strips, and a few strips (4 to 5) were water damaged by a shower leak. I intend to replace the strips and then sand and refinish the hallway so everything matches. I have two questions. Can I use a nail gun or is it only proper to pre-drill and use finishing nails? Since it is a small area, could I use a palm sander -going through the coarse to fine grades of sandpaper? I appreciate anyone's advice, thanks.
George
02-14-06, 05:39 AM
For the sake of final appearance, I'd pre-drill, set the nails, and use a wood filler I could stain to match the rest of the floor. A nail gun will do the job, but you might run into the possibility of splitting the piece you're working on.
I assume you ask about the palm sander because that's what you have radily available and don't need to invest in anything else. It will work, of course, it will just take a little longer. For a small area like you describe, I see nothing wrong with your approach.
I assume you ask about the palm sander because that's what you have radily available and don't need to invest in anything else. It will work, of course, it will just take a little longer. For a small area like you describe, I see nothing wrong with your approach.
marksr
02-14-06, 06:54 AM
I used a 16 gauge nail gun on my 3/4" oak flooring and had no problems.
As George said a palm sander will work but it is the slowwest sander for the job.
As George said a palm sander will work but it is the slowwest sander for the job.
leewaytoo
02-15-06, 08:40 AM
another possibility,
would be to do your repairs first.
then use stripper on the floor, since it is only 3 by 9 feet.
after the stripper has set for the recommended time, move some
of the now coloured stripper onto the new wood. this will transfer
some of the colour to the raw wood.
just strip the floor in thirds and give it one final wash coat with
paint thinner.
yes it smells, yet you wont have as much dust as your sanding
should be considerably less and you wont have to worry about
sanding out your 60 grit swirls.
if you stripped it all off you could sand with 220 and be done with it.
then stain and finish.
use a fan to direct fumes towards open windows.
you will have fumes when you apply your finish anyway.
and you will need to have the windows open then as well.
would be to do your repairs first.
then use stripper on the floor, since it is only 3 by 9 feet.
after the stripper has set for the recommended time, move some
of the now coloured stripper onto the new wood. this will transfer
some of the colour to the raw wood.
just strip the floor in thirds and give it one final wash coat with
paint thinner.
yes it smells, yet you wont have as much dust as your sanding
should be considerably less and you wont have to worry about
sanding out your 60 grit swirls.
if you stripped it all off you could sand with 220 and be done with it.
then stain and finish.
use a fan to direct fumes towards open windows.
you will have fumes when you apply your finish anyway.
and you will need to have the windows open then as well.
BrianK
02-16-06, 10:25 PM
Thanks alot guys for your replies and advice. I will follow through with the gun and the sanding. I do have a belt sander but I am afraid that it might take too much off in some areas and I don't want dips in the wood. I would rather go the slow route with a palm sander and do a good job. Thanks again!