I don't believe you'll have problems pre-scraping.

You might scrape 10 - 15 boards or so then stop and shrink wrap a bundle for storage. just use the 6" shrinkwrapper you can find at Lowe's or Depot or the UPS store and wrap about every 1-1/2 to 2 ft. down the bundle.

Store it properly up on some dunnage and cover it up with decent tarps until you're ready to deliver to the site. When you store it make sure bundles are stacked in a way that will not cause sagging. And you may want to put a tarp over the concrete and stack on top of it.

Since I grew up in Texas I feel obligated to let you know (for your wifes sake) That bugs may find that stored floor of yours a pretty cozy place to hang out. You could bring a few guests to the new place if ya know what I mean Some may even want to snack on it or leave a few younguns behind to hatch out later in your cozy new digs so you can feed and raise 'em ...

HAVE FUN!

Hopefully some of these original posters are still around this board...

I, too, am from the DFW area and I'm about to install my first floor. 3/4 solid oak over 5/8 ply over concrete...about 800-1000 feet. My wife and I have been caught by the "hand scraped" bug and want that look in our home. I've been expirmenting in my shop to duplicate this look and I'm struggling a bit. I created a 4' x 4' sample and have been scraping away (either to convinve myself to do this... or not to). Everyone I've spoken to tells me to use a 1" plade paint scraper.... that the pros around here are using that tool to get the cross grain scrape pattern. But the scraper is causing sharp lines from the square edges of the blade. I considered rounding the blades but wanted to get some more opinions before I tried this. You guys think that's what they're doing?

Based on the quality of construction around here, I'd say that there must be a fairly easy way to make this work...or the tradesmen/builders around here wouldn't do it. I can't begin my floor until I make sure I know what I'm doing from start to finish and this is really holding me up!!

Looking forward to your ideas.

Have you tried a hand planer, or a pull knife?

I have even heard of cut beer and coke bottles, being used.

I just tried this tonight and got pretty good results. I took the blade from an old bench plane and gave it a curved edge on the grinder. Taking another stab at my 4x4 test floor, I got great results with little effort!! I put about a 3" radius on the blade (very slight curve). Next time I'm going to try and get a slightly more curved edge so I can give the floor a slightly deeper groove. The plane is FAR EASIER than using the scraper I was using before!! If I can get the edge of the blade set right, I think this is the way I'll go.

I may have to treat myself to this new toy since I'll be saving so much on my DIY floor.

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=40_5#

I have two of those toys nd they do pretty good. I have recently been to a mill where the stuff is made. Since Ken carries their stuff I think he'd be ok with me telling you it's Sheoga. I met a guy who has worked with their scraping shop. They had a totaly hand made tool. Your 3" radius pull scraper isn't so far off. Thiers was made from heavy tool steel and on a handle that looked like a miniature version of a sickle handle.

We have created a "look" recently using the Festool planer and the curved head and blade.

By hand, the guys I met average 150ft. per day each. With our Festool we get about 450ft. day and pre sand the edges with a palmsander.

Good Luck!