Need a source for floorsander discs...

[RedTartan]

I am starting to refinish my floors of my old 1825 Colonial. I bought a floor sander that uses 12" sanding discs. Home Depot doesn't carry them and all the online sources I can find want $10 for one disc!!!!

Does anyone know where I can get sand paper discs for my floorsander for LESS than $10 a disc?

Thanks much,

RedTartan

[tamsam]

Most all floor sanding people use a belt type sander and the disk type for edging. When I was a young boy I helped an uncle who finished floors. Only place here used a disk sander was steps and the edges as he said it was almost impossible to sand and keep it flat using a disk sander. Some one plz correct me if I am wrong. The belt type he used took a very wide paper which came in big rolls. Good luck. Sam

[RedTartan]

Originally Posted by tamsam

Most all floor sanding people use a belt type sander and the disk type for edging. When I was a young boy I helped an uncle who finished floors. Only place here used a disk sander was steps and the edges as he said it was almost impossible to sand and keep it flat using a disk sander. Some one plz correct me if I am wrong. The belt type he used took a very wide paper which came in big rolls. Good luck. Sam

This is what I own:

http://www.oreck.com/floor-cleaners/orbiter700.cfm

It uses round sanding disks with a 12" diameter. The sanders you're thinking of have a much smaller diameter sanding surface.

RedTartan

[CindyLou62]

http://www.mo2ls.com/Merchant2/merch...FQQRswodq0kr7Q

Searched "sanding disk" on dogpile.com & these folks have 20 disks for less than $50.

You'd have to go with the 13inch though.

IMHO the Oreck (BTW, luv their stuff!) doesn't look like it has the weight to do the job. I have done 3 houses over 2000 sq. ft. & always rented a belt drive floor sander. Even some of those are too light to do the job. Got to find one that nearly takes 2 men to lift.

Also would worry about the orbital pattern of the sander on the floor grain.

It is also cheaper to buy a regular belt sander & belts than to rent an edger.

Good luck with a backbreaking job!

[tamsam]

The ones my uncle used was a belt and the paper came on rolls and you put it on a drum. They were big and bulky but did the job. Sam
PS He did this all his life for a living.

[nc_mtn]

Red....

Please don't take this offensive but.. You are going to wish you never decided to do this project with this "sander"

I have a buffer that is 16" and has a much larger motor... I use it for FINISH sanding... after I use my larger 250 lb belt sander I will put this buffer on and then do a fine sanding. They do make rough grits for it but the speed and weight will not give you a good "cut" on the floor to get thru the finish. It can be done, don't get me wrong. But then again, grab a 40 grit peice of paper and start hand sanding will work also, the differance is time... You would be better off getting someone with a real floor sanding machine in there. Older floors from that era probably has some finish like Wax or Lacquer.. both are difficult to work with. You will burn up a 40 grit paper in about 25-50 sq ft with a disc sander..
If you do go about it yourself, don't skip grits on sandpaper, It may take something like a 16 or 26 grit, but go in order or you will end up with sandpaper "scratches" that will show in your finish coats.
26, 40, 60, 80, perhaps 100 but with the disc you may not need it...

Spend the extra and get a REAL (professional) grade of floor finish. Minwax is crap IMO and so is most others I have tried and seen from the big box stores...

I do wish you luck... let me know if I can help....

Klingspor makes a 13" disc www.woodworkingshop.com

Your machine will work great on buffing between coats of finish, get one fine grit screen or a "maroon" pad for this...

[RedTartan]

Thanks for the concern everybody, but the sander is working great. It doesn't seem slow or back-breaking to me... Maybe you all should have tried an Oreck. LOL. I'm not having any trouble at all with swirling or anything. It's actually proving to be much easier than I anticipated. I've taken my large, wide hallway down to fresh wood in about 3 hours. I need to hit a couple of spots again with a rougher grit because a few boards "crowned" but that's it.

I found a place for disks for 20 for $50 and they're on their way.

How long does it take the big machines to sand a floor?

RedTartan

[nc_mtn]

Sorry Red, Been busy....

I did 300 sq ft today, It was new wood (so no finish). I got 2 coats of finish down and still didnt have 8 hours. That included setup and packing the stuff back into the truck....

A hallway would only take me a couple of min. Again, this is my profession, I've spent lots of $ on the tools to do my job...

Good luck....

also, I don't believe that machine has a vac dust port, so be careful, WEAR A MASK and DON'T ALLOW ANY FLAMES NEAR IT