Sanding Wooden Floorboards Help, advice, information, answers and tips on all types of flooring from laminate and carpet to timber and vinyl

[Beanz76]

Hi, I have just bought my first house and would like to sand and varnish the floorboards in the bedroom as they look pretty good.

However, I've been reading that its a difficult job and am now a bit worried that it'll look awful, I am unable to afford to pay someone else to do it so wondered if anyone had any tips they could give me so I can make sure I do the best I can. i.e. where is best place to hire sander/edger (I am in Ipswich area) and what is the best varnish to use, I was looking at the Ronseal Hard Diamond clear varnish, is this any good?

Any advice would be appreciated, many thanks.

[Steve the gas]

It is not a particularly difficult job but it is messy and time consuming.
Step1) make sure no nails are proud of the floor
2) make sure all boards are secure
3) hire good belt sander + floor sander(any good hire shop eg HSS Hire and have dust masks, very dusty job)
4) Sand until boards = babys bum!
5)remove all residual dust = hoover + damp cloths
6)varnish or hard wax to your choice in several coats
7)collapse in a heap and have a beer!