Edgers are unique in the hardwood flooring industry because of how much maintenance they require. Between the amount of use, high RPMs, and dust the edger’s performance becomes hindered quicker than other tools of the trade.

Some of the problems that arise with edgers need professional maintenance done on them. However, there are some common problems that arise that can be fixed at the job site.

Read on to find out how you can fix some common edger problems yourself.

First you’ll want to keep some tools on hand to fix these problems. A tap-and-die set, electric volt meter, and graphite powder should be sufficient for these three common problems.

ON/OFF SWITCH

One of the most common problems that edgers have is to do with the on/off switch. Because the on/off switch is used so frequently it can fail over time.

When you notice your on/off switch is failing to perform correctly, here is a test to perform that can determine if your switch is operating correctly.

• Unplug the edger.
• Hook up a voltage meter to the front and back of the switch.
• Set the voltage meter dial to continuity mode.
• Toggle the edger on/off switch back and forth.
• There should be an audible beep or movement of an analog pin when the edger switch is in the on position.
• There will be no reading of any sort when the edger is in the off position.
• If the voltage meter does not give an audible cue when the edger is in the on position, that could mean the switch needs to be replaced.
• You can also use the voltage meter to check the power cord to see if a problem exists with the cord.

PAPER RETAINING BOLT

When paper is changed during the middle of the job, dust can sometimes work its way down the threaded jack shaft. Over time the dust will become compressed. This leads to paper that is improperly attached to the edger.

The solution to this problem is farily simple. Use a tap-and-die set to drill out the packed dust/debris at the bottom of the shaft. The proper size tap-and-die set will keep the internal threads clean.

In order to prevent this problem, do not flip the edger completely upside down. Instead, leave the edger on its side to change the paper.

EDGER PAD

In order to avoid “hopping” or excessive vibration the best bet is to dress, or seat the sanding pad to the edger. This will help remove any high spots from the rubber and remove excessive vibration.

First make sure casters are set for the proper pitch and are in the proper position. After doing so you can run the rubber sanding disc over sandpaper. This will dress the pad to the machine by eliminating any high spots on the rubber.

Once you believe the machine is dressed properly, do a test cut on the floor. Then you can lock in the casters. Locking in the casters before a test cut could lead to an improper cut angle that will gouge the floor.

CASTERS

When the casters on an edger become covered in dust and debris they can prevent the edger from gliding smoothly across a floor.

Many mechanics will lean towards using WD-40 to clean the bearings on the casters. However, the residue of WD-40 acts like a magnet for more dust.

A better product to use would be fine graphite powder.

If you ever find casters seem to move up and down on their own it could indicated that the stem bearings in the caster are shot. In this situation it’s best to replace the stem bearings.

If you have any additional questions or concerns feel free to contact us at the Philly Floor store by calling (800) 737-1786 or emailing info@phillyfloor.com.