I have recently had a request for a site finished handscraped floor. We have never done this, so I am looking for some tips prior to sending out a bid for it. All of our guys are really good with a scraper, so I am sure we can handle it, but I know it will be very time consuming.

What I am wondering is; should we sand prior to scraping? Should we buff after the scraping? How much should we be scraping off etc. Any help or advise will be appreciated.

Remember Dave's video? I am pretty certain he does do sanding at all. Thats the beauty of it isin't it?

http://www.youtube.com/celebrategreen#p ... yrwufZLfIE

Thanks for the reply and video link. I have been reading info about handscraping all over online and it seems that most guys will handscrape each board prior to installing them.

I forgot the NOT in my first sentenence. "I am pretty certain he does NOT do sanding at all

Ya thats what I thought you were saying. I think on an existing floor no sanding is done. But on a new floor, I have been told that most people will scrape each board prior to install and then lightly sand each of them with a palm sander. I have also seen that some guys say they will not sand, and just buff after install. I guess it comes don to what exact look the client wants. I plan to make several samples to be sure the client and I are on the same page. Thanks again for your help

If the floor isnt beveled like most unfinished you will have to deal with the edges somehow. Ive seen people scrape it all on a bench and just hit the edges with a orbital so they dontr stick up proud of the floor. Id say the biggest thing is what kind of wood. scraping hickory would suck but something like walnut i could see being way easier.

Thanks for the reply. Thats what I was thinking, avoid any really hard woods.

Where did you get your scrapers?

Couple of thoughts...

1. If at all possible do the edge detailing on a bench. Palm sander or orbital will do the trick. If you can get two guys on the project setup a 4x8 sheet of ply on saw horses. Go through and break the bands on 5-6 nests of flooring and set it out on a pallet loose. If you have a forklift, put it on a pallet waist high by one end of the table perpendicular to it. First guy grabs piece off the loose pallet and edge details one end and the side facing them then he slides it across the plywood to the guy on the other side who details the other end and the side facing him. You can move pretty quickly through a stack like this.

2. Heavier the scraper the better. In OKC guys are still scraping every other unfinished job so the contractors have all gotten quite inventive on the scrapers. Think lots of lead weights.

3. Wet wiping can help if you have a harder species.

4. Screen using a white pad underneath so it will follow the contours of your work.

5. Try not to have a guilty conscience since you just got someone to pay you more for a floor that you shortened the lifespan of by 30 years.