Hardwood Floors April May 2018

cha er, wave, and damage to the wood during sanding. When transporting the machine, li it over wet ller, stones, and rough areas. A er each grit or cut, clean the wheels since grit can build up and cause the machine to cut unevenly. Keep the weight of the machine o the wheels during storage and transportation. is prevents at spots and prolongs the life of the wheels. 8. e best way to check drive belts is hands-on: if the belt feels rough, cupped, worn, or grooved, it probably needs to be replaced. e most common problemwith belts is le ing the belts “take a set” or take the shape of the pulleys. During use, the belts become hot. If they are not loosened during a long shutdown (overnight or lunch), they can take a set. is causes vibration and cha er. Tighten the belts before each use and always loosen the belts overnight or any long-term idle period. Always use a manufacturer recommended belt. 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 machine can slip and vibrate. Do a visual check with the machine running for belt shake or vibration. Tighten or loosen the belt until it runs true. Check with your service center for correct belt tension. Read the owner’s manual. is is possibly the most important element in preventive maintenance. A poorly maintained machine can be costly. 9. Dust bags should be turned inside out, shaken vigorously, blown out, or vacuumed frequently, and machine-washed (if recommended by the manufacturer) in cold water, to prevent pore blockage and loss of dust control. Empty a dust bag when it is one-third full; never leave a dust bag una ended with dust in it. Sanding dust can ignite and cause injury or damage. Countersink all nails before sanding the oor – hi ing a nail or staple while sanding can cause a spark, igniting a dust re in the bag. Also, dust bags will eventually wear out and should be replaced periodically. Properly maintaining your sanding equipment ensures that you are protecting your investments, and that your machines run at peak performance on every job, resulting in increased e ciency, pro tability, and customer satisfaction. Brett Miller is VP of Education & Certification at the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis. He can be reached at brett.miller@nwfa.org.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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