Sanding seams

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J

JCobb

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2021
Messages
51
Location
Vancouver Island
This is for the sheet or plank vinyl guys and gals. What does everyone use for sanding your underpayment seams prior to installation of vinyl plank or sheet vinyl? Usually we sand the seams as needed then patch as needed and light sand to finish. I work by myself and hauling out the heavy equipment is getting a little tedious. Ok don’t laugh, but I was looking at battery operated drywall pole sanders. Something that can be used in a stand up position and doesn’t weigh a hundred pounds like my rotary stand up sander. Looks like it has good dust collection as well
 

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We used to use and edger or a belt sander when I did a little residential work. I haven't done residential vinyl in more than a decade. When I do the commercial stuff over ply we don't sand on top of the new ply at all. It's all flashed out with Ardex FF.
 
JCobb said:
This is for the sheet or plank vinyl guys and gals. What does everyone use for sanding your underpayment seams prior to installation of vinyl plank or sheet vinyl? Usually we sand the seams as needed then patch as needed and light sand to finish. I work by myself and hauling out the heavy equipment is getting a little tedious. Ok don’t laugh, but I was looking at battery operated drywall pole sanders. Something that can be used in a stand up position and doesn’t weigh a hundred pounds like my rotary stand up sander. Looks like it has good dust collection as well
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You sand it, then flash, then sand it again?

You‘re my hero!

I‘ve always used a belt sander but that wall sander looks like it’s at least worth a try. Probably take longer than a belt sander but at least you’re off your knees for a while! 🥳

I’d bring some extra batteries too…
 
JPfloor said:
You sand it, then flash, then sand it again?

You‘re my hero!

I‘ve always used a belt sander but that wall sander looks like it’s at least worth a try. Probably take longer than a belt sander but at least you’re off your knees for a while! 🥳

I’d bring some extra batteries too…
Click to expand...
Yes, we sand before patching. Usually if someone else does the subfloor😉. Belt sander hooked up to shop vac is my go to, but just trying to take it easier on my back and knees. Nice to know the belt sander is universal.
 
Find a used edger sander and 16 grit disks. They are like a 2 1/2 HP Tasmanian Devil. They eat nails, staples and screw heads like it nobody's business. You'll never regret buying one of these monsters. Belt Sanders are a good 10x slower and if you hit a staple or nail the bed cand get toasted.
Edgers quickly eat the head off the nail with zero damage to the disk.
....trick is finding one for a decent price.
 
The Super 7 I use, my brother bought for $150 😱 in the early or mid 80s....... It might not have been "Super" back then....... no warning labels back then because people weren't stupid. 🫣
 
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I've also never sanded a seam in my life. Also never had a job look bad for not sanding a seam.
Feather finish works just fine for hiding any irregularities between the sheets.
 
For sanding 1/4” seams a palm sander is about all you can get away with using without burning into the plies. I always liked to sand them lightly then patch them then sand them again. It seemed like that process used less patch, cus you sanded down any high spots first, which then also dries quicker so then you can sand it quicker.

I would be interested to see if one of them drywall sanders works. Seems like it would and working standing up has got to save the body some wear and tear.

Now for regular subfloor seams I’m like the other guys and use a Super 7 hooked up to my shop vac. I’ll make a quick run around the floor with my ball peen hammer and sink any problem nail heads ahead of time cus that saves on ripping sanding discs.

Prior to me getting my Super 7 I’ve used a belt sander, planer and my buffer. They all got the job done one way or another but the Super 7 is hands down the winner.
 
C.J. said:
For sanding 1/4” seams a palm sander is about all you can get away with using without burning into the plies. I always liked to sand them lightly then patch them then sand them again. It seemed like that process used less patch, cus you sanded down any high spots first, which then also dries quicker so then you can sand it quicker.

I would be interested to see if one of them drywall sanders works. Seems like it would and working standing up has got to save the body some wear and tear.

Now for regular subfloor seams I’m like the other guys and use a Super 7 hooked up to my shop vac. I’ll make a quick run around the floor with my ball peen hammer and sink any problem nail heads ahead of time cus that saves on ripping sanding discs.

Prior to me getting my Super 7 I’ve used a belt sander, planer and my buffer. They all got the job done one way or another but the Super 7 is hands down the winner.
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Makes sense to use the $2500 Clarke edger (just Googled for price new) if it's already on your truck with the sanding disks. I recall using the edger as an apprentice in the '70s doing residential vinyl/lino but since then I never saw anyone break that tool out. Exclusively commercial vinyl/carpet guys generally don't do hardwood refinishing so have no need of that tool. I was looking to find something cheap, used in working condition with everything intact but never came across something under $500 that looked in hafways decent shape. It's absolutely going to save patch and drying time if you take the hump and curls off the seams.
 
Incognito said:
Makes sense to use the $2500 Clarke edger (just Googled for price new) if it's already on your truck with the sanding disks. I recall using the edger as an apprentice in the '70s doing residential vinyl/lino but since then I never saw anyone break that tool out. Exclusively commercial vinyl/carpet guys generally don't do hardwood refinishing so have no need of that tool. I was looking to find something cheap, used in working condition with everything intact but never came across something under $500 that looked in hafways decent shape. It's absolutely going to save patch and drying time if you take the hump and curls off the seams.
Click to expand...

I have an edger in the warehouse you might be interested in. It's an oldie but I never use it. Couldn't even tell you the brand.
I'll get some pics when I get some time.
 
Incognito said:
Makes sense to use the $2500 Clarke edger (just Googled for price new) if it's already on your truck with the sanding disks. I recall using the edger as an apprentice in the '70s doing residential vinyl/lino but since then I never saw anyone break that tool out. Exclusively commercial vinyl/carpet guys generally don't do hardwood refinishing so have no need of that tool. I was looking to find something cheap, used in working condition with everything intact but never came across something under $500 that looked in hafways decent shape. It's absolutely going to save patch and drying time if you take the hump and curls off the seams.
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If Tom wants to sell you one at a decent price, I'd go for it. You can get reinforced disks in 16 grit and burn heads off nails and even take minor trowel ridges off a concrete slab. Dust collection is an issue and you need to tap the dust off your shop vac filter often, but it beats the hell out of a woosie belt sander.
I have 20 feet of hose for my 16 gallon shop vac. You need a decent length of hose so the vac doesn't keep slapping your ass.
 
highup said:
I have 20 feet of hose for my 16 gallon shop vac. You need a decent length of hose so the vac doesn't keep slapping your ass.
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Ditto on a long hose. I’ve also got a 20’ hose I ordered from Amazon and another 10’ hose I’ll hook on to that when I really want some workin space like when I got my vac hooked up to my buffer. Gives you room to room while you’re working.

Other than that the 20’ hose pisses me off until the next time I’m glad I have a 20’ hose.
 
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Tile Tom said:
I have an edger in the warehouse you might be interested in. It's an oldie but I never use it. Couldn't even tell you the brand.
I'll get some pics when I get some time.
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Thanks for the offer but I'm essentially done with physical flooring work........99%.

Woulda definitely been interested before I blew out my knee and retired from the union. Whatever second career I decide on it will not involve operating an edger-------not really my choice.
 

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