Hi,
I have a 10′ by 3′ section of an old maple-floored bowling lane that I’d like to use as a countertop in our cabin. It is in pretty good shape, but the surface is a bit dinged and dirty. I plan on sanding it, and am wondering whether to use an orbital or belt sander (or something else?) and what kind of finish to use. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sherry
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Replies
Sherry - do yourself a favor and find a cabinet shop with a drum sander. My local planing mill sands my table tops for $6 - and they come out very smooth. If you value your time at all, you'll come in way ahead, and with better results. They may even plane it a 1/16th or so first to get ahead of the dings.
If you elect to DIY, belt sand to start, being careful to not make grooves--keep the sander moving--then follow up with random orbital, and move s-l-o-w-l-y. On hard maple this will take a very long time, make lots of dust, and use lots of paper.
This sounds like a cool project! Post some pictures...
Edit: Maybe a floor sander if your brave?
Edited 8/17/2005 10:27 pm ET by Brian
It depends on how finished you want it to be from where it is now. No cab shop will sand it down on a widebelt sander (even wiyh you paying out the wazoo for belts) so..
Ammonia wash wiyh scotchbrite greens and oil , oil oil..mineral that is, mineral oil.
there are hidden fastners in alley slabs, do not machine it, ceptin for the edge details.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
One THING at a time , Yup.
Sherry - one final note: a lot of folks like to finish tops that will have food on them "non toxic" - there are specialized products out there, but plain old paraffin works well, although needs to be renewed from time to time. Simply sit the wax in a warm window (or your car in summer) and then rub it in warm.
Oh - and if you are near western MD, my cab shop will take care of you - hard maple, allthread and all.
I've done this making a top for a bar. Used the belt sander first - starting with about 60 grit belts and working down to 100 or 150. Then finished with the random orbit sander.
Finished it with many (10-15) coats of a water based polyurethane. Sounds like a lot, but, put on thin that stuff dries real quick. Wanted to make sure it was well coated so the alcohol didn't eat it up.
Might be better product to use, but, this turned out real nice.
Think I need to take a road trip and see how that bartop is holding up.
Best of luck,
Shoe