As you begin sanding remember never to turn the sander on while the sandpaper and drum are touching the floor.
What grade of sandpaper for hardwood floors.
The lower the grade the rougher the sandpaper.
More facts on sandpaper types.
Be sure the paper is properly installed and be prepared to change it regularly.
Initial efforts in hardwood floor sanding.
Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch.
For example 60 grit sandpaper is the roughest sandpaper typically used on wood.
Protect yourself from the dust by wearing a dust mask and safety goggles.
In most of my projects i have always started with a rough grade 50 grit followed by a medium one 120 then a fine 240 grit one or more for the finishing.
The heat will melt the old finish and this clogs the sandpaper.
Use a coarse grade in the beginning unless the floor is in very good condition.
It can be made from the grains of a natural mineral called garnet or from synthetic ones like aluminum oxide alumina zirconia or silicone.
This is usually the final grit for maple birch or other particularly hard woods and for any floor that you would like to stain.
This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors.
A higher number means a finer softer sandpaper grit.
A lower number means coarser and more abrasive.
Sandpaper grit designations might be the opposite from what you think.
Decide on the grade of sandpaper that you are going to need.
Use it for extremely rough surfaces when wood has dips gouges.