What sander to use

[Johnmcg4]

I was thinking of using the Clarke drum sander from HomeDepot rental. I want to use this to flatten the seams and high spots of an OSB subfloor prior to installing 1/2” engineered HW. Is this the best way to prep the floor with the drum sander. I’ve used a belt sander, but this seems to take forever and is not the best results. Any advise is appreciated .
Thanks John

 

[highup]

I use a clarke edger sander with 20 grit carbide paper. It's like a 2 1/2 hp Dremel tool. Eats like the Tasmanian Devil.

 

[highup]

The edger hits the high spots in the t&g and you can use it to buzz down a stray strand here and there when you spot them.
A drum sander is a lot heavier and awkward to handle in this situation...... and harder to use.

 

[Johnmcg4]

Hey Highup
Thanks for the reply. Have you used the edger on OSB?

 

[highup]

What flooring is going to be installed?

 

[Johnmcg4]

1/2” engineered random lengths at 7.5” wide.

 

[highup]

Hey Highup
Thanks for the reply. Have you used the edger on OSB?

It's the only thing I've used for that purpose...... for 30+ years.
Works very fast. You sort of walk down the seam stooped over as you sand. You move along at a pretty steady rate.

 

[Johnmcg4]

Thank you so much
Your replies have been quick and appreciated
Thanks John

 

[highup]

Once you get the seams down, use a good straightedge....maybe a 6 foot level to check the floor for other high spots and loose chips, but also for low places or dips. Check the instructions for your flooring to get the floor flat to their specifications. That's very important and often overlooked.

 

[highup]

I often use 20 grit paper made for angle grinders and designed for metal. It's the same size, but much stiffer, so it needs a little modification at the mounting holes area.
The larger the grit, such as 20 grit works best.
I'll show the angle grinder disk modification if you need it or cant find 20 grit where you rent the sander.

 

[Johnmcg4]

Awesome
Thanks

 

[highup]

Check back in as and let us know how it worked. You'd never try this with a belt sander again.

 

[highup]

Wear safety glasses and hearing protection.

 

[Johnmcg4]

I will
Thank you

 

[highup]

My brother bought the one I use and we don do wood floors. He bought about 30 years ago, partly for sanding floor underlayment ridges. With the right paper it can knock off ridges in concrete or filler. It's a fantastic tool. A local shop had two of these and wood flooring was being overtaken by carpet. They didn't need two, so my brother asked how much. The guy said $150. I think a new one today is just over $2000.