DIY sanding a floor

The floor in our small conservatory is old wooden floorboards, sadly in need of sanding and re-varnishing.

A year or two ago I got a quote for someone to do it - I don't mind paying the rate for the job but what he quoted was very expensive indeed, so am thinking of doing the job myself.

In the past I have bought a hand held sander - but it wasn't very efficient at all. Am thinking about hiring a larger sander - has anyone any advice?

Re: DIY sanding a floor

Hello Sky are you going to be the one using it. If you are not very tall or strong the large sanders can be heavy and difficult to maneuver, the smaller lighter ones can be easier .If you are hiring one try it out if you can.

Re: DIY sanding a floor

I have sanded my timber floor with a 'random orbital sander' attached to a 100mm angle grinder. I will do the same again when it's time to reseal the floor.

Re: DIY sanding a floor

We hired a large sander a while back, think of an old fashioned lawn mower and that gives you an idea of the work involved.

The results were worth it though and a lot cheaper than getting someone in.

Re: DIY sanding a floor

Don't be too fussy..use the hand sander to give it a light sanding, then use a good quality polyurethane varnish and when the first coat is good and dry give it another light sanding then give it another coat of varnish.
That is much better, much easier and will give a good result and try to remember that is just the floor you are doing and not an expensive piece of furniture !

Re: DIY sanding a floor

Thank you all, some very useful tips there. Good point about the heaviness of the sander - also our conservatory is quite small so manoeuvring something the size of an old lawn mower in it might be a tall order!

I might go to a local hire company and see if they will let me have a try out with a sander.
Mr Ploppy, I googled a "random orbital sander" and am not sure how you would attach it to an angle grinder? Forgive my ignorance on the subject!

Re: DIY sanding a floor

It simply bolts on to the grinder as an attachment. But you can also buy a sander as a single unit.
I already had a 100mm angle grinder, so I bought the sander attachment and sanding disks and did the whole house at very low cost.
http://www.toolsparesonline.com/prod...al-sander.aspx

Re: DIY sanding a floor

What about painting the floorboards ?

I did this in my hall.

Re: DIY sanding a floor

That's an idea I hadn't considered - thanks.

Mr Ploppy - thx for the additional info.

Re: DIY sanding a floor

So what did you think of my suggestion Indigo....was it a non starter ?