Is a belt sander better than an orbital sander?
In a nutshell, belt sanders are on the powerful side, able to strip down a piece of wood in a short amount of time. Orbital sanders, on the other hand, are finishing sanders that are used to get wood ultra-smooth.
Can you sand a floor with an orbital sander?
The orbital sanding system can only be used to sand soft wood floors which are in need of a light refreshing. Most floor sanding companies use orbital floor sanding machines for fine sanding. After finishing with 100 grit belts, they use the orbital floor sander with 120, 150 and 180 grit sandpaper.
Can you use a belt sander to sand a floor?
Belt sanders have a loop of rotating sandpaper that gives quick results. A belt sander for finishing a wood floor should be a hand-held one so you can move the tool around on the surface of the floor. Belt sanders will do a good job of leveling out the floor and preparing it for a finer sand.
What type of sander is best for sanding floors?
The drum sander is the real workhorse of hardwood floor sanding. It is a massive piece of equipment, too heavy for most people to lift—two people are required to carry it.
When should I use an orbital sander?
Random orbital sanders are ideal for quick sanding needs. You can use them to smooth surfaces such as rough metal, wood or plastic. They can be used to remove paint or rust. These sanders are best used on flat surfaces and should be held with even pressure across the face of the pad.
What is the advantage of an orbital sander?
Advantages. The best feature of the orbital sander is its square shape, which allows it to get in corners and up against edges. You can also use regular sandpaper cut to fit rather than purpose-made random-orbit sanding disks. Orbital sanders aren’t overly aggressive, so it’s hard to remove too much material.
How long does it take to sand a floor with a floor sander?
If you’re using both the electric sander and the edger in 140 square-foot floor space, it will take you roughly 5 hours to do three sanding passes. Another thing you must take into account is how old your house is. If yours is 50 years old or more, you’ll need extra time to complete it.
Will a orbital sander leaving swirl marks?
A random orbital sander can leave swirl marks due to poor quality sandpaper, improper technique, or an inability to clear the dust from the surface.
Is an orbital sander worth it?
Is an Orbital Sander Good for Wood? Yes, orbital sanders can effectively sand wood. However, you should keep in mind that regular orbital sanders can leave circular marks on wood surfaces. If appearance matters to your project, you might choose a random orbital sander instead.
Can you sand hardwood floors with random orbital sander?
Random orbital sanders are the best choice for do-it-yourself hardwood floor refinishing. They take longer to remove old finishes than drum sanders, but they do not require a lot of experience to use and are less likely to damage your wood floor.