Discovering Your Hardwood Floor, Part 3
flamable and should be handled with care. While in a pile or as a dusting on the floor, it is hard to start on fire, but when it is floating in the air, an open flame or spark of static electricity can set off an explosion. Don't smoke while sanding, keep sanding dust from building up too thick and if the air becomes too dusty, stop sanding and let the dust settle before continuing.
Using the Drum Sander: Always change the sandpaper on the drum sander with the power cord unplugged. Starting with the coarse paper, attach it as instructed by the clerk at the rental center. Then position the sander so it will sand in the direction of the grain of your floor. Before you start up the sander, tilt it back so that the sandpaper is up off the floor. Start the sander and let the motor get up to sanding speed. Gently lower the sander to the floor. As the sander begins to pull you forward, hold it back so you move at a slow, steady pace.
As you get to the other end of the floor, tilt the sander back. Pull the sander back to your starting point, making sure the cord is out of your way so you don't trip or run it over. Having a helper to keep the cord out of your way is a plus. Once you are back where you started, gently lower the sander and go back over the strip you just sanded.
Continue in this manner, overlapping passes about about two or three inches. Repeat the steps with the medium and then the fine sandpaper. The closest you will get to the wall will be about six inches and you'll finish that with the edger. Remember to tilt the sander up when starting, gently lower and raise the sander from the floor and keep it tilted back until it comes to a stop when shutting off. Otherwise you will get gouges in your floor. Keep the sander moving while it is in contact with the floor or you will sand grooves into your floor.
Using The Edger: The edger is used much like the sander. Start with the course sandpaper and install it as shown by the rental clerk. Hold the edger firmly with both hands before starting. Move it in a semi-circular motion and keep it moving, letting the weight of the sander do
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