• Never smoke or have open flames present while sanding or applying finish.
• Empty sander dust bags frequently into container. Store container outside of job site to prevent possible fire hazard.
• Unplug sanding equipment when not in use or whenchanging paper.
• NEVER mix discarded stain or finish rags with waste sawdust, spontaneous combustion can occur.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Check fuse supply as machine may overload circuit.
• Remove furniture, rugs, curtains, pictures and any other conveniently removed items.
• Complete wall covering and painting projects prior to refinishing floors.
• Provide adequate ventilation during sanding and refinishing.
• If the room has a large doorway, cover it with a dropcloth orplastic covering. Stuff towels or rags under bottoms of exit or closet doors. Cover all air vents.
• NEVER stop the sander with the drum in contact with the floor.
• Wear clean, soft footwear to avoid dirt marks and scratching.

PREPARING THE FLOOR

• Remove quarter round molding or baseboard for a professional touch.
• Use a small wooden wedge between the wallboard and the pry bar to prevent damaging the wallboard.
• Repair or replace loose boards by gluing and nailing.
• Counter-sink all protruding nail heads with nail set.
• Vacuum or sweep the floor.

Recently installed or slightly worn

FIRST SANDING: (Medium Abrasive, 36-Grit) Install sandpaper per machine manufacturer’s instructions (snug, not too tight or loose).Position the drum sander along the wall in the direction of the wood grain, with approximately two-thirds of the length of the floor in front of you. Start machine and ease the drum to the floor. Walk slowly forward at an even pace. As you near the wall, gradually raise the drum off the floor. Start pulling the machine backwards as you ease the drum to the floor. Cover the same path previously sanded, raising the drum upon completion of this pass. The next cuts should be done in the same fashion, moving the machine approximately four inches into the unsanded floor area each time.After a few passes, you will notice your sander’s dust bag will start filling up. Stop sanding and empty the dust bag often.Upon completing the two-thirds portion of the room, turn the machine in the opposite direction and sand the remaining third in the exact same manner, allowing a two- or three-foot overlap of the first cuts. If you start to notice the sanding rate is dropping, your sanding sheet is probably clogged or worn out. Stop sanding and change your sheet. If you continue operating with a worn out or clogged sanding sheet, you will eventually burn or damage your floor!After you have completed this operation, use the edger machine to sand near walls and in areas where the drum sander won’t reach. Move the edger in a brisk left-to-right, semi-circular motion. (Use the same grit abrasive as used on drum sander.) Hand sand or scrape corners and areas inaccessible by machine. Vacuum the entire floor.Apply wood putty to any exposed cracks or holes in wood. Allow to dry before proceeding to the next sanding step.SECOND SANDING: (Fine Abrasive, 80-Grit) Upon completing both drum and edger operations with medium abrasive, repeat the same procedure with the fine abrasive, 80-Grit.

Generous amount of old finish to be removed, and/or uneven floor contours to be corrected

FIRST SANDING: (Coarse Abrasive, 20-Grit) Install sandpaper per machine manufacturer’s instructions (snug, not too tight or loose). Divide the room into thirds. Place the sander next to a wall facing the direction of the wood grain with two-thirds of the floor in front of you. Start the machine and slowly ease the drum to the floor while walking slowly at an even pace. As you near the wall, gradually raise the drum. Begin pulling the machine backwards as you ease the drum to the floor. Cover the same path previously sanded. Raise the drum upon completion of this pass. Sand the entire floor area in the same direction, overlapping approximately four inches on each new cut until you finish. Move the sander into position so that this operation can be repeated in the opposite direction for the remaining one-third of the room.If your floor is severely cupped or curled you may need to sand this first cut at a 45-degree angle to the direction of the wood grain (see above diagram). Otherwise, sanding should always be done with the direction of the wood grain.If you start to notice the sanding rate is dropping, your sanding sheet is probably clogged or worn out. Stop sanding and change the sheet. Failure to change a sheet at this time will eventually lead to burn marks and damage to the floor.After you have completed this operation, use the edger disc sander to sand near the walls and in areas the drum sander won’t reach. Move the edger in a brisk left-to-right, semi-circular motion. (Use the same grit abrasive as used on the drum sander.)

DO NOT attempt to remove 100% of the old finish during this operation. Residual amounts will be removed during subsequent sanding operations. Vacuum the entire floor.

SECOND SANDING: Continue sanding as indicated above, but with a medium abrasive, 36-Grit. Apply wood putty to exposed cracks and allow to dry.THIRD SANDING: Continue sanding as in previous steps, but with a fine abrasive, 80-Grit.

These final steps are necessary for best “Professional” appearance