The new American Sanders (formerly Clarke) HydraSand is a multi-head sanding disc which provides an excellent way to extract the maximum performance from your buffer and get longer runs between abrasive changes. This saves you considerable time, money, and effort on each and every job.
This drive plate mounts directly to most 16” floor sanding buffers, and it is typically about 15% more productive than other multihead sanding discs.
The six pads on this drive plate combine to provide a superior sanding experience. The HydraSand provides you with aggressive, fast stock removal, and offers superior leveling ability compared to using a buffer without a drive plate.
The included backer pads provide a smoother sanding experience, but they may be removed to increase aggressiveness if you have a job that requires it. Click here to purchase the American Sanders HydraSand.
An included isolator/dampener provides superior user handling and reduces machine and operator motions from being transferred to the floor. This helps to prevent gouging on uneven floor surfaces. So while you can be sure that the HydraSand provides an aggressive cut, you don’t have to worry excessively about creating wave or chatter when using it.
Its steel construction (including steel-encased bearings) ensures that this is a sturdy unit. It’s built to be tough, reliable, and long-lasting.
One of the most convenient features of the HydraSand is the ability to quickly and easily remove it from your buffer without the use of a wrench.
The drive plate includes large air slots to ensure excellent dust collection, which is an important part of any quality sanding job. The dust pickup abilities of this drive plate are especially powerful when paired with a quality dust control buffer like the American Sanders Epoch, which you can get with the HydraSand already installed here.
Hello,does the free shipping on items over $500.00 apply to international shipped items
Hi Richard,
Sorry, it does not.
Will this work with an Oreck commercial orbital floor buffer?
Hi Vaughn,
We are not sure whether the clutch is the same. The Clarke Hydrasand uses an RC-28 clutch. Maybe you could check with the Oreck Company to see if their buffer is the same clutch style?
Hi, can you tell me how this compares to the Bona MultiDisc?
I’m looking to purchase the Epoch + HydraSand but not sure if it will create a scratch pattern.
From what I see, the discs on the HydraSand do not spin independently like the Bona MultiDisc do, which I think helps the Bona MultiDisc with not producing a noticeable scratch pattern. How would the HydraSand not create a swirl and/or a scratch mark/pattern then if the disc heads are stationary?
In some situations, I would be using the HydraSand to remove old finish and flatten floor when I cannot use my belt sander, so I would be using it with lower grits, like 36, so would that leave a scratch pattern that would be hard to get out? Otherwise, I plan to use it in most cases after my initial sand with the belt sander and edger, so usually starting from 60 and working to 80 or 100 grit depending on species to blend edger/belt scratch patterns, flatten floor, etc.
Or would you have a better routine to using the Epoch + hydrasand after the initial sanding with the belt sander and edger?
Thanks,
Hi Luigi, thanks for your questions.
The HydraSand discs do spin independently. You could use the HydraSand with a 36grd paper but more than likely need to keep the grit sequence tight meaning 40-50 etc. Most mechanics will get he floor flat with the Larger Walk behind belt / drum sander then proceed with the HydraSand.
Hey Caran,
Thanks for the quick reply, it’s much appreciated.
That’s great news that the HydraSand discs do spin independently.
I’d like to get into a little bit more detail, so if you don’t mind, I have a few additional question if you can help me out;
How would you reduce the chance of dishout on soft grain when using the HydraSand? Is it recommended to use the red pads or not? Or in what situations would I use the red pads or not?
If I were to add the HydraSand into my everyday sanding sequence, where would it best fit in, in your opinion?
Would it be better to add it in after the first cut at 36 grit, and no longer use the belt sander, or use it after the second cut at 60 grit, or after my third or final cut with both the belt sander and edger?
Also, is it recommended to start the HydraSand at the same grit I left off at with the belt sander/edger?
I think I am leaning towards using It after my second cut with the belt sander and edger, since it would be after I have wood filled the floor, and the second cut would have taken the filler off. So If I’m starting the HydraSand after my second cut which most likely would be at 60 grit on the belt sander and edger, can I go directly to 80 grit with the HydraSand or should I do a pass at 60 grit again and then jump to 80 grit on the HydraSand for fine sanding?
Or is it recommended to just use the HydraSand for fine sanding at 80 or 100 grit after my final cut on the belt sander and edger?
If I’m in a situation where I cannot use the belt sander at all, a tight sequence like you mentioned starting at 36 grit and working up to fine sanding would probably work fine.
Lastly, would there still be a need to screen the floor at 100/120 grit when water popping and staining even after using the HydraSand at 80 grit on Oak for example?
Sorry for the bombardment of questions,
Luigi G
Hydra Sand vs Bona Multidisc – which is better??
Hi Chris,
It really depends on your specific needs and what type of machine you would be using.