Floor Sander Owner's Manual

Orbital Floor Machines

Welcome to the world of orbital floor equipment. To ensure maximum utilization and to achieve the full life expectancy of your machine, please read carefully the information in this Owner's Manual, and follow recommended procedures at all times.

The Orbital Floor Machines are sometimes packaged in two cartons. One is the base assembly and one is the handle assembly. The bases and handles are fully assembled and need only to be attached to each other to make your machine fully operational.

Please use the following instructions:

1. Remove the nut and one washer from the large bolts on the handle brackets on the base. Insert the longer brackets of the handle. Replace the washers. Tighten the nuts.
2. Remove the nuts and one washer from the strut brackets (also on the base). Put the struts in place and secure with nuts and washers.
3. Slip the handle into the handle bracket on the base and insert the large bolts to hold the handle. Affix the nuts to the bolts, and tighten. The handle assembly is now firmly attached to the base assembly.
4. Insert the plug on the extension cord (built into the handle) into the receptacle extending from the motor housing.

1. Each weight has clamps that serve as handles. Align the clamps with weight guides attached to the base of the machine on both sides.
2. With the motor cutout on the weight pointed towards the motor, slip one of the weights onto these guides. For Model 185 machines only--slip one weight onto the base at a time.
3. Insert the hand tight weight clamps into the threaded hole in the base of the machine.
4. Repeat the procedure to add the weights to the base on the other side of the motor. Weights are now firmly attached to the base.
5. To remove the weights for transport, simply remove the hand-tight clamps and lift the weight off the base of the machine.

NOTE: FOR SAFETY PURPOSES, THE MACHINE SHOULD NOT BE PLUGGED IN UNTIL ASSEMBLY IS COMPLETE AND YOU ARE READY TO USE OR TEST THE MACHINE.

Operating Instructions

The Orbital Floor Machine is very versatile and can be used for multiple purposes. In most applications, proper use of the machine is simple. Most importantly, even in a sanding application, the risk of damage to a floor is quite minimal. Just follow the simple operating instructions and tips given below for the most efficient and effective use of your machine.

Sanding Applications

In all sanding applications a thick 1-inch white pad between the floor plate and the abrasive paper or screen MUST be used. A thin pad will diminish the effectiveness of the sanding action and damage the machine pad driver.

Helpful Hints For Sanding Wood Floors

To refinish a URETHANE floor:

1. Use #80 grit screen to start.
2. Use #100-120 grit screen to finish.

To refinish a BARE WOOD floor:

1. Use #36 sandpaper to start.
2. Use #50 sandpaper for 2^nd cut.
3. Use #100-120 grit screen to finish.

1. Place a piece of abrasive paper or screen (of the desired grit) on the floor near the area where you want to start.
2. Place a thick white polish pad over the paper or screen.
3. With the handle in the upright position and the cord unplugged, tilt the machine back onto its wheels and walk it over to the white pad.
4. Position the floor plate of the machine directly over the white pad and tilt the machine forward so that the full weight of the machine is on the white pad.
5. Make sure the power switch is in the [OFF] position. (O) is the [OFF] position. (I) is the [ON] position.
6. Connect the power cord to a grounded 3-prong wall outlet.
7. Unlock or lock the position of the main handle by turning the small silver handle located on the front of the machine. Tilt the handle back to a comfortable working position. Handle may be locked or left floating.
8. Turn the machine on using the black switch on the front of the handle.

Guiding Machine during Operation

Once the machine is started, it should glide smoothly, without excessive pull or vibration, across the floor.  Guide the machine straight ahead at a rate that achieves the desired sanding action as the machine passes over the floor.

NOTE:  There is no need to move the machine back and forth or from side to side as with other types of floor machines. The plate is already oscillating in all directions, simply walk forward or backward.

Guide the machine in the most comfortable working direction.

Guide the machine along walls and into corners as necessary. Your machine easily does edges, sides, and corners.

NOTE: The rectangular floor plate allows you to do this much better than with other types of machines. The low profile of the machine even allows you to work under many kick plates, etc.

If you notice that the sanding action of the machine is diminished, turn the machine off. Unplug it from the wall outlet. Reverse or replace the sandpaper under the floor plate. Repeat the start procedure to resume sanding.

If the thick white polish pad providing the buffer between the floor plate and the abrasive paper or screen loses its resiliency--it becomes permanently compressed. This happens under normal conditions after working a moderate-size room. Turn the machine off. Unplug it from the wall outlet. Replace the thick white polish pad with a new pad. Repeat the start procedure to resume sanding.

Your orbital floor machine is capable of a variety of floor cleaning and polishing operations on hardwood or tile floors. To perform these types of operations, simply use the appropriate nylon pad under the floor plate of your machine. Apply the chemicals of your choice to the floor.

Selecting Appropriate Pads:

Mounting Pad and Starting Machine

1. Position the floor plate of the machine directly over the pad and tilt the machine forward so that the full weight of the machine is on the pad.
2. Apply cleaning or polishing chemicals sparingly to the floor in the area where you want to start.
3. Make sure the power switch is in the [OFF] position. (O) is the [OFF] position. (I) is the [ON] position.
4. Connect the power cord to a grounded 3-prong wall outlet.
5. Unlock or lock the position of the main handle by turning the small silver handle located on the front of the machine. Tilt the handle back to a comfortable working position. Handle may be locked or left floating.
6. Turn the machine on using the black switch on the front of the handle.

NOTE: The increased efficiency of the orbital motion in comparison to a rotary motion will allow you to complete the operation using significantly less chemicals and with no splashing.

Guiding Machine during Operation

1. Once the machine is started, it should glide smoothly, without excessive pull or vibration, and without excessive splashing of the cleaning/polishing chemicals across the floor.
2. Guide the machine straight ahead at a rate that achieves the desired cleaning/polishing action as the machine passes over the floor.

NOTE: There is no need to move the machine back and forth or from side to side as with other types of floor machines. The plate is already oscillating in all directions. This simply makes the job more tiring.

3. Guide the machine in the most comfortable working direction through the area where you have applied chemicals. Guide the machine along walls and into corners as necessary.

NOTE: The rectangular floor plate allows you to do this more efficiently than other types of machines. The low profile of the machine even allows you to work under many kick plates, etc.

4. The nylon pad absorbs most of the chemicals applied to the floor, as well as whatever dirt is removed in the cleaning operation. If this does not occur, then too much chemical has been applied. Try working the excess chemicals over a larger floor area and apply a smaller amount of chemicals when starting the next floor area.
5. When the cleaning or polishing effectiveness of the machine is noticeably diminished, turn the machine off. Unplug it from the wall outlet. Examine the nylon pad. The nylon pad may be turned to the other side and reused. It may be washed and reused (nylon pads are washable). Replace as necessary. Repeat the start procedure to resume cleaning/polishing.

NOTE: The weave of the nylon pad under certain conditions may cause the machine to pull to one side. To correct this condition, remove the pad and shake well to dislodge any foreign objects that may have been picked up in the cleaning operation. Resume operation.

1. Check for frayed or broken power cords. Immediately replace broken or frayed power cords, switches, etc.
2. Never defeat the grounding system on the machine by eliminating the third prong on the plug or by using an ungrounded receptacle.
3. Your orbital floor machine will draw a maximum of 10 amps. Be careful to use a relatively free circuit so that other devices on the same circuit do not cause an overload condition.
4. Replace the rubber padding on the base plate of your machine when it becomes badly worn. Padding with too little gripping action can cause abrasive paper and/or pads to be "slung" from under the machine during operation.
5. Always ensure that the machine is unplugged whenever servicing it in any way.
6. Always use a white nylon pad between the floor plate of the machine and the abrasive paper or screen during sanding operations.

Limited Warranty

Send mail to clark@orbitecsolutions.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: May 03, 2007