Safely Sand a Stricken Surface
Whilst discussing my investigations into the science of wooden floor sanding with a neighbour, he commented to me that he wouldn’t be too keen on using a floor sander because he wasn’t an “expert” when it came to using professional power tools. I told him that once you got used to using a floor sander, it is actually was quite easy to get a good sanded finish. But his comments made think, what actually are the safety aspects we should all observe when hiring or using a floor sander? I feel another floor sander article coming on ……
The commonest floor sander used by the average DIY person is a drum sander, most hire shops, including specialist floor sander hire shops, will keep 8-inch drum floor sanders in their hire fleet. At first glance, these are innocent looking bits of kit, but when dressed in a floor sanding sheet and made ready to start sanding, you will soon discover that they can be a powerful beast. Drum floor sanders are the best machines to renovate a particular bad wooden floor, but remember whilst they are roundly sanding your floor, they are also removing a layer of wood from the surface.
So what do you need to safely operate an 8” drum floor sander? Well, firstly, your floor sander hire shop will have all the necessary personal protective equipment (often just abbreviated to PPE) for you to wear. This will include; a dust mask, goggles and ear protection. You should wear some properly fitting overalls, steel toe-capped boots would be a good idea and gloves will guard your hands against any excessive vibration.
Get the hire desk person to fit the first sanding sheet for you and watch carefully how it is secured to the sander drum – you don’t want a floor sanding sheet flying across your room the moment you switch on the floor sander! The floor sander will be heavy, don’t attempt to heave it into your car by yourself, the friendly hire person will help you if you ask. (nicely)
Read any safety notes given to you by the floor sander hire company remember to have a non-combustible container standing outside ready for you to put the dust residue from the floor sander dust bag. Electric fires should be disconnected and absolutely, definitely NO SMOKING! It may be wise, as the good neighbour you aspire to be, to check that the noise generated from your sanding will not disturb babies, night workers or any highly sensitive ears!
I think it is wise to avoid using an electric extension lead if possible for two reasons; 1. The drum floor sander has a high power motor and if your extension cable has a lower rating than the lead on the floor sander, your cable may burn out. 2. Trailing leads can be a hazard and whilst you are in full floor sanding mode, you just may sand right over it! Finally, make sure all combustible material in kept to a minimum as a sanded nail head will most likely create a spark.
Once you have started you will soon get the feel on how to use the drum floor sander, just pulling gently against the rotation of the drum, making you feel just like a professional floor sander person! So what are you waiting for? Get on the phone to your local floor sanding hire shop and starting safely renovating your wooden floors, the effort will be worth it.
And as always, the floor sander hire company will always be willing and able to offer you advice on how to use the floor sanding machines and give you sound safety advice. If in doubt – ASK!