sanding underlayment.

[strip buster]

over here, for a bad floor that needs what we call hard board or masonite- after stapled or stuck to the sub floor,what do you use to sand the floor b4 you install vinyl (or anything for that matter).....i was always using sand paper.......a long time ago, an installer that i teamed up with on a large vinyl hardboard job shown me the better than sandpaper method.
my sanding machine called a polyvac has detachable plates so i have 3 plates,1 sandpaper 2 harsh diamond blades (rapid grinding) 3 smooth diamonds(more segments) for a smoother finish........
The installer took one of my diamond plates (the haresh one) and started sanding the floor with it instead of sandpaper......what a treat, quick and smooth.flawless.
so what is used over there and have you tried this method b4?

[BrianM]

Nothing to speak of but concrete out this way. Trailers or temporary classrooms will have plywood. I haven't done any in quite a few years. We would just buzz the patched joints with 100 Grit paper if it needs it.

[kwfloors]

I use an edger for the joint leveling, then patch, and a 1/2 sheet hand sander to make it smooth.

[rusty baker]

Masonite hasn't been approved flooring for vinyl for years, at least in the states.

[Barry Carlton]

rusty baker said Masonite hasn't been approved flooring for vinyl for years, at least in the states.

Neither has Particle Board but look at it's widespread use. Luan too for that matter.

Anyway, most of my work is residential and the idea of underlayment is too minimize the prep so the joints are the only thing sanded, then if needed, they are filled and then resanded. I say if needed because most underlayment manufacturers say to lightly butt the joints, lightly sand, and fill only if there is a gap more than 1/32 inch.

[Daris Mulkin]

1/32 of an inch is finer than frog hair. I don't think the sheets will butt that tight. I always filled and sanded no mater what. But when I started it was recommended to put a dime between the sheets, always went by that. Oh that was in the day we used masonite.

Daris

[rusty baker]

And when you went on a job where a carpenter had installed it, it was always wrong side up.

[strip buster]

all we use here is masonite,so all the staple holes need to be sanded-'ground'-

[kwfloors]

The fuzzy side is supposed to be up so the staples seat in it. I have been on several jobs where they put the smooth side up and nails sticking up.

[rusty baker]

And adhesive won't hardly stick to the smooth side.