There are multiple kinds of floor sanders available for hire, so picking the right one for your needs will be your first step. While there are multiple sander options available, the most common are drum sanders and orbital sanders.
The majority of floor sanders you'll find in hire companies are simple design, consisting of the body of the sander attached to handles that sit around waist height. Some models will also include a vacuum attachment and bag to reduce dust and make cleaning up easier.
This is especially important if you're sanding down larger areas as excessive dust will cause issues if you aren't frequently stopping to clean it up. The vacuum attachment reduces the amount of dust extending your work time, letting you speed up the entire process.
The type of floor sander you choose to hire will depend on the type of wood or flooring you are working with. As different timbers have unique and different properties, you should be careful that you are getting the right floor sander for your needs. Of course, you might need multiple different sanders for your project, and some hire companies may be able to work out deals or packages if you are hiring multiple machines for a job.
To make switching between timber types easier, most hire companies will also provide a range of sanding sheets for you to choose from. Switching between different sanding sheets will allow you to use a single machine for multiple flooring types. And, if you're not sure they'll be more than happy to help guide you through changing the sanding sheets for the machine you've chosen to hire.
Floor sander hire is available for a variety of different hire lengths. It will generally depend on the company for exactly what options they offer. Some companies will offer hire from as short as 4 hours, while some have hire options for as long as a week or more.
As with most hire machinery, your needs and budget will most likely determine your hire length, so consult with your chosen company to determine how long you can hire your floor sander for.
And don't forget to ask them about necessary protective equipment. Due to the nature of the work, most floor sander hires will come with the recommendation of wearing eye protection, face masks and ear muffs. In some cases additional protection like gloves and steel-cap boots might be necessary as well.