Hardwood Floors April/May 2019

By Bob Goldstein

I took apart each piece to show Jack how it works and why it was eating up sandpaper and in turn, his machine. We spoke about the importance of continuing maintenance and how it is very important. A er taking it apart, we gave him a list of parts and where he could get them, making sure he was comfortable with everything. As we were preparing to leave, he askedme to put the machine back together because he had a oor to sand the next morning! I did as I was asked. He was able to get all the new parts soon, and with a li le help, got the machine working as it should again. Part of the NWFA’s education program is machine maintenance and repair along with personal safety while using sanding equipment. It is well worth the cost of a ending any of the sand and nish schools just for this important part. Working with sanding machines since the late 1960s has taught me that sometimes the only thing wrong with the machine is the operator behind the handle.

of his van. By this time, we had built some rapport; Jack knewwe were there to help. e machine was a high-quality sander of Europeanmanufacture, one with which I am very familiar. A er ge ing Jack’s permission, I took the machine apart to see why the sandpaper was ge ing shoddier every time. I knew before I started what to look for as I have been using and working on sanding machines for a while now. First, the machine was covered with dust, and not just surface dust – hard, caked-on dust and dirt. e wheels were thick with resin and ller, and chunks were missing. e upper roller had portions of rubber missing, as did the drum. e guide roller bearings were frozen and worn out. Usually you see one beginning to seize and show signs of wear, but typically not all three are completely frozen. e rest of the machine needed some TLC, but there was nothing terminal.

For simplicity, I am going to refer to this gentleman as Jack. We arrived the next day in the late a ernoon, and Jack was ready for us with samples of sanding belts featuring ragged torn edges and wear on one side. I started to ask a few questions to help determine what the issue could be. “Any problems with edger discs? What about screens or bu er paper?" Jack’s reply was, “Nothing lasts as long as it used to,” but indicated that there were no problems as with the belts. (Keep in mind that he insisted these issues were ge ing worse over time as the days and weeks went by.) We have had no systemic issues across the country with our products and quality control is paramount throughout the manufacturing process. Next, I asked to look at Jack’s big machine. Our mission is always to try and solve problems, not to be accusatory or make anyone uncomfortable. An educated customer is a be er customer. He was happy to get the machine out of the back

The most serious problems can be avoided by following some simple rules.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

75