Repair and construction is a topic that is close to every person. And repairing or restoring the floor is a task that many have also faced. Of course, you can hire a team of craftsmen who have the necessary set of tools, and they will quickly and efficiently bring the floors in an apartment or house into perfect condition. But if you want to do it yourself, it will be useful to learn what tools are needed for this and how to use them correctly. Also, this information will be of interest to those who want to start providing repair services and consider such a tool as a source of income.
Content
Grinding and polishing is an important stage of repair or construction work, which should not be underestimated. This is not only a way to give the floor an aesthetic appearance, but also a direct concern for people's health.
The main reasons for grinding:
As a rule, concrete floors have a weak top layer, which crumbles during the operation of the premises, turns into dust, enters the air and thus harms the human respiratory system. Sanding removes this layer, making the floor more durable and moisture resistant. It remains safe for much longer and retains an attractive appearance.
Hardwood floors look beautiful, but tend to fall into disrepair.Floor elements begin to crack, deform, creak and cause discomfort with an unpresentable appearance. Polishing gives parquet a second life, giving it its original beauty, eliminating creaks and surface irregularities.
In a large hardware store, the abundance of grinding units can dazzle your eyes, but in fact they can be easily divided into main types:
Belt-type machines are equipped with an abrasive belt glued in the form of an endless ring. Suitable for primary floor treatment, as they allow you to quickly process a large surface and remove the top layer of concrete or wood covering. The quality of grinding is not high enough, but for the first stage of work, rough processing, this is not important. Devices of this type have three main standards: 457 mm, 533 mm and 610 mm. The main disadvantages are the high noise level and frequent clogging of the dust removal system.
Tape files can be distinguished into a separate category. They are often used for grouting welds and grinding materials in hard-to-reach places. They weigh less than the rest, but it is extremely difficult to process a large surface with them.
If you need to process small parts, a delta-shaped device will come to the rescue, which is often called an iron due to the shape of the grinding surface. It is suitable for processing hard-to-reach places, blind corners, edges, profiles. It can also be used to clean up exposed adhesive. The main disadvantage of this type of machine is that consumables for them are not sold everywhere, and the price for them is higher than for sanding sheets for other types of devices.
To perform large volumes of work on materials of various types, a vibratory surface grinder is suitable. This type is versatile, making it the best option for professionals. When choosing, you need to pay attention to such an indicator as the size of the platform stroke. Due to its shape, it allows you to easily process internal corners. Among the shortcomings can be noted the high level of noise during operation.
To achieve the highest quality of surface grinding, eccentric-type machines are used, which are also called orbital. They act on the treated surface in two ways at once: rotational and eccentric movements of the sole. This path of movement of the abrasive provides flawless grinding and polishing. The disadvantage is the impossibility of processing recesses and internal corners.
Drum-type units are used for grinding and polishing wooden surfaces. They easily cope with the removal of the top layer and effectively remove the old paintwork from the floor.
The machines of the types discussed above are divided into two types: network and battery. Their pros and cons are obvious. Cordless devices allow you to use tools without being tied to an electrical outlet, but their resource is limited by the battery capacity, while network devices are not so mobile, but can work indefinitely without requiring recharging.
Also, grinders, like other tools for construction, are divided into household and professional. The first, as a rule, differ from the second in smaller dimensions, less power and speed, as well as an affordable price.
When choosing a unit, first of all, it is worth focusing on the conditions in which it will be used. If it is supposed to perform grinding work on weight or on outstretched arms, then the mass and dimensions of the device come to the fore. You should choose a light and mobile tool that will allow you to get less tired.
If only floor processing is planned, and the grinding area is supposed to be large, it is advisable to stop at a powerful version that moves with a handle or is equipped with a mount, like carts. Such devices will allow you to quickly perform surface treatment, but are not suitable for grinding internal corners and hard-to-reach places.
The surface that will be exposed to the grinder is also taken into account. There are universal units that can polish any material, and there are those that are suitable for concrete, wood or stone.
An important indicator is the quality of grinding. If only the work of the first stage, including rough grinding, is supposed to be performed, it is not necessary to purchase an expensive orbital device. But if you need to make a perfectly flat surface without chips and cracks, you can’t do without an eccentric machine.
When you decide on the type of unit, pay attention to its quality. Of course, for the most part, the quality of work will be determined already in the process of use, but even at the purchase stage, you can see how well the case is assembled, if there is any play at the points of attachment of moving parts. You can also evaluate the level of generated noise and the strength of vibration by turning on the device at idle.
Another nuance when choosing a machine is the availability of abrasive consumables and spare parts necessary for it, for example, soles, as well as their cost.
Pay attention to the safety of the device. It must be equipped with a reliable device for collecting dust and fine particles generated during operation.
Grinding machines are produced by many companies that produce tools for construction and repair. Of the Russian companies, one of the most popular is the Zubr company, which supplies powerful and high-quality equipment. Also, units of Ukrainian production of the Sapozhok brand are in demand, combining decent quality and affordable price. Popular brands are Bosch, Skil, Sparky, Makita, DeWALT, as well as Black & Decker, Interskol and Fiolent.
The devices below are selected based on customer ratings on the Yandex Market trading platform. Of the types discussed above, the most popular are selected - eccentric, surface grinders and trowels used for finishing floor polishing. Items are sorted by price, from lowest to highest. The description lists the main characteristics, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
Eccentric aggregates are essential for high quality grinding and are always in high demand.
The price for Yandex Market is 1901 rubles.
A hand-held universal tool, one of the most popular on the Yandex Market and has a large number of positive reviews.
Price - 2990 rubles.
Lightweight and comfortable universal machine with adjustable speed up to 13,000 rpm from a Russian manufacturer.
Price - 6999 rubles.
Small, reliable and powerful tool, equipped with the necessary adjustments. Sanding sheets are fastened with Velcro. Large warranty period - 3 years.
Price - 18900 rubles.
Lightweight and ergonomic tool that is suitable for both floor and ceiling sanding. Equipped with a four-meter cable. Abrasive sheets are fastened with Velcro.
Price - 22900 rubles.
The machine is quite light - 3.7 kg, equipped with a speed controller, a speed stabilization system and a power button lock.
The average price of the above popular models of orbital or eccentric grinders is 10,738 rubles.
Surface grinding units are versatile and relatively easy to use, which makes them popular among both amateurs and professionals.
The price for Yandex Market is 1341 rubles.
Small lightweight vibratory sander, great for small repairs. It is completed with sheets of 187 by 90 mm in size. The kit includes not only abrasive sheets, but also spare brushes.
Price - 2359 rubles.
A tool that combines an economical power consumption of 150 W with a high output of 23,000 c/min. The size of the abrasive sheet is 230 by 93 mm.
Price - 2999 rubles.
Vibration tool is one of the most popular on the Yandex Market. Sanding sheet size - 230 by 115 mm, fastened with clamps.
Price - 3316 rubles.
A powerful vibrating type tool from a well-known manufacturer, equipped with abrasive sheets measuring 280 x 115 mm.
Price - 4658 rubles.
Vibrating machine, complete with sheets measuring 228 x 93 mm, with a dust collector. The manufacturer provides one year warranty. According to customer reviews on Yandex Market, this machine is one of the most popular.
The average price of the popular models of surface grinders discussed above is 2935 rubles.
The price for Yandex Market is 41570 rubles.
Professional polishing machine equipped with a 5.5 hp gasoline engine that provides autonomy. The processing width in one stroke is 600 mm, the rotation speed is 120 rpm.
Price - 43660 rubles.
Manual machine with 2.2 kW electric motor. Works from a network 380B. It has four blades and one grinding disc. Suitable for professional work.
Price - 46546 rubles.
Manual power trowel with 6.5 HP petrol engine. The width of the surface processed in one pass is 600 mm. The weight of the machine is 65 kg.
Price - 58400 rubles.
Professional manual power trowel for grinding concrete and cement surfaces. The maximum speed is 160 rpm. Equipped with a gasoline engine. The controls are located on the handle, which has a convenient adjustment for the height of the operator.
Price - 63862 rubles.
Hand sander with 5.5 HP Honda GX160 petrol engine, processing 960 mm wide strip in one pass.
The average price of the popular models of floor trowels discussed above is 50,808 rubles.
In the age of digital technologies, construction tools, like any other things, can be bought not only in real stores, but also on the Internet. Payment is made online, and the purchase itself is delivered by transport companies or by mail.
But buying online, despite a number of advantages, in this case, has many disadvantages. The advantages include the convenience of the buying process itself. No need to waste time shopping, and besides, in online stores, the price of similar products is often lower than in real stores. The disadvantages include the inability to determine the convenience of the tool, its weight and build quality, since the photographs do not provide complete information and an idea about a particular device.
You can safely order those models that you have already seen and held in your hands in a real store, but even here there is a risk of damage to the goods during transportation or the risk of receiving another product instead of the one ordered due to an accidental mistake or deliberate deception on the part of the seller.
A grinder is a tool that has many subtleties and features in use, so mistakes are often made when choosing it.
To avoid mistakes and purchase exactly the unit that will be most suitable for specific purposes of use, you can resort to the help of professionals or independently study in detail all the characteristics of the purchased grinder. And then working with this tool will bring maximum positive emotions and allow you to quickly and efficiently perform all the necessary work.