Replies

1. 
   BillR_ | Apr 26, 2000 08:30pm | #1

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   Try scraping instead of sanding. It's the old way, captured in a painting by Gustave Caillebotte, and many preservationists only scrape floors and avoid any form of sanding. (Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest restoration--on the web). White pine scrapes beautifully. For more on scraping look up the Fine Woodworking archives, and look for scrapers in any of the woodworking catalogues.

   There's an art to it, especially getting a proper burnish on the scraper edge. If you hold the scraper in your hand it gets quite hot. But the end product is beautiful.

   Isn't white pine a tad soft for a floor? Gotta leave the high heels at the front door.

2. 
   Guest_ | Apr 26, 2000 09:04pm | #2

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   i like the big square orbitals for the soft floors... but watch your grit...try 100 first,, and don't jump down too fast...

   or try 100 in a closet and put a strong light on it to see if the next Grit is going to remove the cut from the 100 grit....

   the normal grits u wud use for oak will leave big swirls you will have a hard time getting out...

3. 
   John_Schwarzkopf | May 04, 2000 06:27am | #3

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   We are putting down reclaimed fir flooring. It is going to be in our main living areas and we are wondering what the best finish for this floor would be? We are trying to decide between a oil finish or a poly finish. We have boys and dogs both living in our home so our floor will get heavy use. We are not only looking at the look of the floor but also durability and maintenance including repair of scratches and wear.

4. 
   Guest_ | May 04, 2000 06:34am | #4

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   White pine floor??????.....rediculous....

   near the stream,

   aj

1. 
   Guest_ | May 04, 2000 01:58pm | #5

   *my, my, aj... we are obstreporous lately, eh!?is it the rain?the pine floor is not good for high wear situations..but if you don't mind a distressed look.. go for it.. cause it's going to look distressed no matter what finish you use...((.boys and dogs))

1. 
   Guest_ | May 04, 2000 02:59pm | #7

   *These boards are'nt 22 inches wide, are they? Just kidding. First question- Orbital sanders will give the finish with the least amount of scratches (inline) and the least amount of work, as Mike Smith stated, DO NOT go any more agressive than 100..possibly 150. You may save some time getting the first sanding done, but you' going to catch hell on the second, third, and fourth removing scratches.Second question- When finishing softwood of any type, I like to mix the finish thinner than normal for the first couple of coats, (dont sand in between first two coats) it lets the finish penetrate deeper for a harder surface. Use a finish with a high poly content but little or no parafins (parafins turn wood yellow) such as Gym floor finish or other type, them don the resperators, open the windows, and spray the rest.

5. 
   pat_gorham | May 04, 2000 02:59pm | #6

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   We have installed new eastern white pine floors and I am wondering which type of sander would be best, drum or orbital? I have heard drum gives the nicest finish, but is it to aggressive for pine?

   Any advice?
   pat