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From Our Readers:
Subject:
Dishout & Hard Plating
Question: We are
in the twin cities area and had a new site finished floor
installed. It looks great but there are some areas where the
floor looks more grainy than other areas. The finisher calls
it dishout and wants to hardplate the floor. Can you explain
what these terms mean?
Reply: Dish out
occurs when more of the soft grain of the wood has been
removed. Hardplating is a method used to smooth the area
free of irregularities. A hard plate is attached to the
bottom of a floor buffer. The name is derived from the
condition of the plate which is very rigid and has no
padding. This procedure also helps remove chatter marks that
almost looks like a wave or rippling effect the drum sander
has caused on the floor. Other uses can be edger marks that
may be visible.
Subject:
Chatter Marks
Question: What
causes chatter marks when using a drum sander?
Reply: A number
of factors can cause this condition. A few leading causes
are basic maintenance that has been overlooked, drum paper
is not on the machine properly, drum sander is out of
balance, bad drum, wheels are worn out, and or bad or cheap
machine belts. Condition of the floor itself can have a
effect as well with high or low floor joists and loose
boards. Once the machine hits these areas and vibrating at
the same time, the effect can continue even if you're on a
flatter surface.
Subject:
Brazilian
Cherry Filler
Question: I'm
looking for a perfect match to fill cracks in my new
brazilian cherry floor. I've heard this stuff changes color
radically, but is there a filler that changes color too?
Reply: Some
professionals simply use the fine sanding dust from the
edger machine and mix with a resin or lacquer. Often the
disadvantage here is the mixing materials don't allow the
filler to change color like the actual floor. Other ideas
include sourcing a color putty that matches the color of the
floor once aged.
Subject: Types
Of Sand Grit Paper
Question: We have
a finisher here in Denver that insists he start sanding our
floors with 36 grit sand paper. I do wood working as a hobby
and I just can't get over the fact he would start with such
a course grit and the floor is fairly smooth. What gives?
Reply: I have
some experience finishing furniture and understand where
you're coming from. Chances are he may feel more comfortable
using a courser grit to start and properly flatten the
floor. You may not see what he sees. Providing the proper
intermediate grits are used up until the final sanding
passes his method may be what works best for him. Some
finishers are very proud of their techniques. What works for
one may sound strange to another, but the final result is
what is important.
Subject:
Trio Sanding
Machine
Question:
i'm a
flooring contractor is the Seattle area and looking for
information about the Lagler Trio sanding machine. A few
guys tell me it's worth the investment but at close to $
6,000 I'm gunshy.
Reply: Some
benefits of the Trio include a reduction in the use of the
flooring edger, considering how close the machine can get to
walls or baseboard. Other benefits include the ease of use
for inexperienced users. You will not get the drastic
effects a drum sander can cause, but it's not open to
skipping instructions for proper use. They are especially
useful with multi directional floors as well. A consensus
indicates dust control as another plus.
Subject:
Refinishing Prefinished Floors. Bevels
Question: I'm
curious about selecting prefinished floors for my home. I
realize I may not even be here when they will need
refinishing but what happens when the floor guy comes in and
sands a micro beveled floor? Do they re groove the bevels or
do they just sand over them?
Reply: It really
depends on the depth of the bevel in what would be done or
what you desire as a final look. For the much older deep
beveled floors like Bruce has manufactured in the past, the
bevel would just get smaller. You may not notice it unless
there are some very uneven spots in the floor. In other
words some bevels may look larger or smaller than others.
Some of the more
modern, smaller micro beveled floors would likely loose the
appearance because the bevel is so shallow. I haven't known
anyone asking to keep the look. It can be screened and
coated to keep the appearance but hand beveling would be
very costly in labor.
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until
the finishers leave. Dust can find it's
way anywhere; into kitchen cabinets,
heating and cooling system vents...everywhere
unless you protect everything
during the work. If costs are an issue,
insist to the refinisher that he tape
off rooms, cover drapes, and call in
that cleaning crew once the work is done.
Poor dust control may also have an
effect on the final appearance, not to
mention everyday health.
