Currently about 2/3 of the way through refinishing oak hardwood.

Process thus far: Drum sand 36g, edger 36g, drum 60g, edger 60g, drum 100g, edger 100g.

Everything looks quite nice except:

Problem: Around the edge of the room there is a distinction between where one sander ends and the other begins; it's relatively noticeable and I can't leave it unattended.

Questions: At this point do I go over the overlap with either a square buff or a random orbit/orbital sander to blend them together? Would I have to go over the entire room(s)? What grit will I start/finish with?

Nick:

The goal is creating a uniform sanding pattern before the finish application. I know nothing about using a square buff sander, as pros will use a buffer for the final sanding with a 100 grit wire mesh screen. Yes, go over all areas...be consistent while paying attention to edger marks. This video may help.

http://youtu.be/S3A6_i8kV3I?t=2m15s

Don't let "disc sanding" confuse you. That was a mistake.

the problem is that you have to drop down a grit on the edger to get the same scratch from the 100 you used on the drum. The edger rotates and burnishes the floor more than a belt/drum will, 100 on the belt should have 80 the edges but there is still hope! I would orbit the walls with 60g on with a orbital sander, this will do three things, blend the marriage line, remove edger digs and open up the edges so you dont get the dreaded halo around the perimeter when you stain. Then buff the entire floor with a 100 or 120 screen and you should be golden.

Thanks guys I really appreciate it...

one of the things I've been told also is that I could potentially overpolish the edges with an orbital so hand-sanding may be the route to take before using a buffer with the 100g screen to finish up the sanding stage?

Thanks for helping out Kevin. Nice to see you around