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Tools & Materials

Using a Rotary Floor Machine

Creating and maintaining a decorative concrete floor requires a rotary floor machine.

By Shellie Rigsby Issue 178

Shellie Rigsby, who designs and installs concrete floors in Dallas, Texas, says a light touch and gentle motions are all it takes to use this machine correctly. In this video from the Fine Homebuilding archives, Shellie explains the brushes used and the proper way to control this daunting tool. For more info, read her article, Decorative Concrete Floors.

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  1. DrumNUT | Apr 26, 2018 09:58pm | #1

    That was the best how-to I've ever seen.

  2. wannabepro | Apr 28, 2018 10:55am | #2

    Great video...pls do a vid on what attachment to use relative to a deteriorated surface with a discussion on the limitations of this type VS more aggressive methods...you have a LOT of material to cover!...I am waiting in anticipation!! thks for your good work here.

  3. MaxToby | Apr 28, 2018 06:45pm | #3

    The key to easy use is to tuck the handle into your belt line, right of center for a right handed. Then with practice you can make the machine move left right just by ever so lightly pointing your hip left or right while holding the handle tight to your body. Your body becomes the fulcrum and now you can walk sideways moving in left to right passes. After you strip, wax, buff 16 classrooms with 4 coats of wax and buffing in two directions on each wax coat for a while you too can make the machine dance with just one hand holding it to your hip. This video was good but didn’t cover technique very well.

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