Even though hardwood is quite tough, it is usually no match to a good, well chosen sander. Heavy-duty hardwood floor sanders are generally commercial tools and are relatively much more expensive, pack more power and require some practice to operate safely; however, there are also some lightweight sanders that are not as expensive and are also easy to use.
Here is a list of some of the best hardwood floor sanders available in the market currently:
DEWALT D26451K Random Orbit Sander
This is a 3.0 amp motor driven machine that can deliver up to 12000 opm for those really smooth finishes. This speed is quite ideal for finishes in a whole variety of finishes that one may require.
Dewalt D26451K 5-Inch Corded 3 Amps Sander, with Cloth Dust Bag
The controlled finishing system (CFS) from DEWALT allows for controlled pad speed thereby minimizing instances of gouging when starting the process. This gives consistent finished surfaces.
The well thought out orbital dust sealed switch protects the mechanical and electronic tool parts over time by keeping both the debris and dust away from those important components of the equipment. The sander can also accept a 5 inch, 8 hole hook and loop piece of abrasive paper. This allows ease of switching the sanding disks back and forth.
It also has a durable dust bag and comes with a 3 year limited warranty, 1 year free service and lots of other offers that are location and time dependent.
Makita 9403 4 X 24 inch Belt Sander
This is indeed one of the quietest belt sander in its category. It emanates only 84 decibels at any given time. The belt being used is also quite fast for very efficient material removal operations as it measures 4 inches in width and can attain speeds of 1640 feet per minute. It also does sport an extended base that allows for flush sanding.
Makita 9403 4×24-inch 11 Amp Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag
It has a large front grip that is well positioned to allow for operator comfort. The cord is also well located on the upper end of the handle for ease of operation. The dust bag can also swivel at 360 degrees, thereby making the entire sanding operation much more convenient.
With a wattage of 1200 and voltage of 120, the powerful 11.0 amp motor is apt for high production tasks and is also double insulated. Changing the belts is made snappy by the easy lever controls that are attached to the sander. The machine is quite portable and weighs around 13.0 lbs and has some good balance, a very good soft start and can chew through any stock with a lot of ease.
Clarke Super 7R Floor Sander Edger
This is a 1.0 Horsepower machine that has a dust free motor that is fully enclosed. It also does pride itself in having a triple planetary gear system that is easy to use and energy efficient. The new model also has a much more ergonomically friendly handle that has a safety latch attached to it for maximum safety.
Clarke Floor Sander Edger Super 7R, #07125A with case
With a quick release cord wrap, the machine is both agile and safe to use. So as to ensure its stability while in use and when stored, the super 7R Edger is fitted with a relatively wide base. Weighing an average of 41 pounds, it is quite light in its category.
To ensure that you are not bogged down by the length of the power cable, it comes with a whopping 50 meter rubber covered power cable; offering you an opportunity to use a direct power connection wherever you are. It also has a very unique skirting and baffling system. With a relatively rugged steel frame and a set of non marking wheels, it is indeed one of the best sander for hardwood floors in the market. It comes with a warranty of 5 years.
Things to consider when shopping for a hardwood floor sander
When sanding, it is important that you sand with the wood grain and not across the grain as this may damage the floor. It is also important that you turn the sander on before placing it on the floor and constantly keep on checking on your sandpaper to avoid just going through the motions. It is also important to decide on whether to get an edge or a belt sander.
When using these sanders, it is important that one pays close attention to avoid spoiling your floor and suffering any injury.