More Floor Sanding questions (drum sander this time)

[imported_Newguy]

if you read my other thread you seen we will be sanding our floor in a few weeks and I am looking for some answer's on what to do and what not to do :)

After preparing the floor (sinking nails etc) and talking to the local rental center we've come to the conclusion that theres more old finishes and uneveness to take off then a orbital floor sander can accomplish, So we've decided to go with the drum sander :o

1: How do I determine the species of floor we have, I suspect its pine (fir) but not sure exactly, there's two differing colors as far as I can tell one is a rusty yellowish color the other is white neither have much of a smell when cut, The floors are atleast 75-100 years old The entire house is tongue and groove, in some of the rooms the floor is 1 inch thick the rest is 3/4, most of the boards are 4 inches wide but a few rooms are 5 1/2

My worry is that because the wood is soft, that a heavy grit sand paper may rip though it, Should we start at 80 grit and take it down to 36 if 80 doesn't work right?

2: we plan to, I believe its called trowel fill the entire floors, Whats the best thing to mix with the sawdust to do this. I have seen that lacquer is useally choosen. But also read that one should not mix finishes what should we use? :)
we'll be using polyurethane for the final finish (we are not planning to stain the floor)

Now as I understand it trowel filling should be done before the finish sanding of 150 grit or should the final sand be higher?

Thanks for taking the time to read this excessive post lol I think I covered all my questions ... for now :twisted:

[Wgoodrich]

If you are new to floor sanding start as if all floor are soft !!

Use a fine grit and start sanding. Be sure to use a drum sander with a fine grit and sand WITH THE GRAIN OF THE WOOD.

Using the fine grit will give you time to learn how to use and move the sander without eating a dip in the flooring.

Chances are you have an old flooring that had native wood in your area made into flooring.

Often times this is a soft wood floor when that old.

Start with a fine sand paper and go easy until you get a feel of what you need. There is an art to sanding floors. If you can start in a room that does not matter so much, making your mistakes in that room then when you get the feel of it move to the more valuable floors.

If you are finishing with poly then use poly for your filler mix bonding.

Hope this helps

Wg

[imported_Newguy]

Thanks for the reply :D

Do you think 100 grit would be a good grit to start with? or 80?

I will assume its all soft and take it slowly I'll be sure to let everyone know how it turns out
:)

thanks again

[Wgoodrich]

I would start with your finer grit until you get used to what you are doing. Learning that you cut too much from the flooring is always too late. Make sure to keep evenly moving with your sander and do not over sand causing a dip in the flooring.

Good luck

Wg