[Build] floor sanding test

[Bill Pollock]

I called Home Depot tool rental tonight just to check on the cost to 
rent a drum floor sander. Rental is $48/24 hour period but if you rent 
it for four days you get the next three days free -- so about $200/week. 
That's cheap.

I haven't factored in other costs to do this job but after taking 
another look at the floors tonight I'd say just go for it. If we start 
the job and get in over our heads we could always hire someone to finish 
it, but I think with enough people dedicated to it it should be totally 
doable.

The floor didn't seem to have many exposed nails but I only sampled it. 
Some boards should be nailed down to prevent squeaking and there are 
some areas that should probably be patched with new wood. I've never 
done that.

Basically, there doesn't seem to be much finish left on the floor at 
all, except for the area near the elevator that had paint on it. I'm 
guessing sanding wouldn't be that big a deal.

I'd vacuum real well (I have a powerful cannister vacuum in my building 
somewhere); maybe scrape out the dirt between boards (that could be 
pretty time-intensive); fill gaps; sand; seal.

The gap filling is my biggest concern. If the space between boards needs 
to be cleaned that's potentially a lot of work, but anyone should be 
able to do it.

Anyway, short story: My two cents is that we just do it. I don't think 
we need to pay someone to do it -- at least not now.

Bill

jim wrote:
>    i and perhaps some other people will meet at 
> 2169 mission this evening (wednesday, 20090812) 
> between 6 and 8 PM for electricity figuring out. 
>    i'd like to highlight that we have a good 
> looking bid from a floor finisher: $6900 + cost 
> of filler. i vote that we consider this over 
> doing the floor ourselves (which i'm guessing 
> might cost upward of $6K).