Here's how to streamline a job that requires a lot of hand-sawing. First cut a block of scrap wood to accommodate about a third of a sheet of sandpaper. Then recycle a supermarket plastic foam tray and cut a piece the size of the block. Glue these together and wrap the sandpaper around them. You'll get a smoother surface and your sandpaper will last longer.

In the sunroom, Howard Brickman is at work sanding the floors. Starting with a drum sander, he begins by sanding the floor at a 20-degree angle to get the surface flat and smooth. Next, he runs the sander with the grain to maintain an even finish. Brickman stresses the importance of using the proper sequence with the abrasives. For this particular floor he will use 2 different grits, although it is not unusual to use 3 or more. After finishing with the drum sander, Howard uses an edger/spinner to get in close to walls. The key to using the edger is to practice smooth, elliptical motions to keep the surface even.

A portable belt sander will go just about anywhere an extension cord can reach. For best results, secure your work in place. Use both hands. Start the machine off the surface of your work. At full speed, touch down with the rear of the belt first. Always sand with the grain and don't apply pressure. Let the machine do the work.

Howard Brickman has begun sanding the old growth Eastern white pine floor in the bedroom. Like the sunroom, the fine quality of the millwork from Carlisle requires only about 2 passes. The next step is the finish. Brickman is using Tung Oil from Carlisle. This will take about 4 coats to complete. Next Bob and Brickman head back to the sunroom, where they are finishing up. Before he can apply the finish, Brickman smoothes the edges of the room with a hand scraper and palm sander. Next, he runs a floor polisher over the surface and then vacuums. Brickman is using Carlisle Tung Oil here as well. He begins by applying the oil to the corners with a hand sponge then uses a roller on the rest of the floor.

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