How to Maintain Your Wood Floor Sanding Equipment

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Q . My sanding equipment hasn't been performing as well as it used to, and it's showing in the floors when they're done. What should I do to maintain my equipment?

A .  If it's not broke, don't fix it. This is a great statement if we are talking about a design or a tool. We need to ask ourselves, however, if this includes preventive maintenance on machinery. Looking at this statement through the eyes of a service center, it is poor at best. Routine maintenance saves time, money and unnecessary frustration. Also, remember that failure to perform routine maintenance may void the equipment warranty.

The most expensive pieces of equipment are the big machine (sander) and edger. Ask the manufacturer for a detailed routine maintenance program. Keep in mind that all repairs should be done by an authorized service center. Repairs performed by an unauthorized center will void your warranty.

Knowing the equipment and recommended service intervals will help keep your equipment running for years to come. Let's focus on seven areas: carbon brushes, dust bags, bearings, lubrication, sanding chambers, wheels and belts.

Carbon Brushes:

Carbon brushes should be replaced after every 500 hours of use. The brushes are the pathways for electric current. Once the brushes are worn, the electric current will find the path of least resistance, causing a short-circuit. Also check the brush spring — it keeps the pressure on the brushes, preventing arching and premature wear of the armature. The big machines that have carbon brushes have a wear indicator. Inspect the motor brushes once a month and change all the motor brushes at the same time.

Brushes must slide freely in the brushholder. Dust accumulated around the brushblock must be cleaned out frequently. This prevents the brushes from sticking in an open position and keeps the motor from overheating.

Dust Bag:

Periodically, the dust bag should be turned inside out, shaken vigorously, and machine-washed in cold water to prevent pore blockage and loss of dust control. Empty the dust bag when half full; never leave a dust bag unattended with sanding dust in it. Sanding dust can ignite and cause injury or damage. Also remember to countersink all nails before sanding the floor — hitting a nail while sanding can cause a spark, igniting a dust fire in the bag.

Bearings:

With edgers, have the armature and pad driver bearings inspected after every 1,500 hours to ensure reliable service. Have the bearing replaced seasonally. Belt sanders need to be inspected according to the following schedule: Guide rollers every 650 hours; idler pulleys every 1,500 hours; dust fan shafts every 2,500 hours; arbor shafts every 5,000 hours; and motor shafts every 5,000 hours. Periodically check the guide rollers for wear. Drum sanders call for the following schedule: idler pulleys every 1,500 hours; fan shafts every 2,500 hours; arbor shafts every 5,000 hours; and motor shafts every 5,000 hours. Always keep an ear tuned to the sound of the unit. Any new or different sound is a sign of a bad bearing or wear in the bearing.

Lubrication:

The units come fully lubricated. Have the unit lubrication changed every year and inspected every six months. Remember that over-lubrication is as bad as under-lubrication. Ask your service center for the correct amount and the type of lubricants to use.

Sanding Chamber:

Clean the sanding chamber once a week. This prevents accumulation of debris. Large accumulations can interfere with the performance of the duct control, the upper roller and contact wheel (drum). Keeping the dust chamber free from debris also keeps the fan balanced, preventing vibrations that can cause chatter and imperfections in the floor.

Wheels:

Always inspect the wheels before you start any job. Debris on the wheels (grit, finish and stones, for example) dirties the floor and also causes chatter, wave and damage to the wood during sanding. When moving the machine, lift it over stones and rough areas. After each grit or cut, clean the wheels, since grit can build up and cause the unit to cut unevenly. Keep the weight of the unit off the wheels during storage and transportation. This prevents flat spots and prolongs the life of the wheels.

Belts:

The best way to check belts is hands-on: If the belt feels rough, cupped, worn or grooved, it is bad. The most common problem with belts is letting the belts "take a set"— take the shape of the pulleys. During use, the belts become hot. If they are not loosened during a long shut-down (overnight or lunch), they can "take the set." This causes vibration and chatter. Tighten the belts before each use and always loosen the belts overnight or for any long-term idle period. Always use a high-speed belt per the manufacturer's recommendations. Most belts from a hardware store are for general use only, not high-speed. Belt tension is important. If it is too tight, the belt life will be short. If it is too loose, the unit can slip and vibrate. Check with your service center for correct belt tension.

Always read the operator's manual. This is possibly the most important element in preventive maintenance. Keep in mind that the equipment is only as good as the people using them. A poorly maintained unit can be a money pit.

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