What type of Trowel ?

[Red Devil]

Hi all

I am about to attempt some plastering for the first time, and I am wondering which tools to purchase. The plastering will involve patching up some lath & plaster on the walls and then skimming the entire wall.

I will also be attempting a ceiling (new plasterboard) if I am successful with the walls.

The big question is : Are expensive trowels like Marshaltown really worth the money, or am I just as well off buying from the bottom/middle of the range ? I presume that the big factor is the skill of the person using them.

I would be most grateful for any comments on the above

TIA

Con.

[nightjar]

IME the main advantage of buying high quality tools is that they last longer, so it may not be worth paying the extra over medium quality for something you are only going to use occasionally. However, I do avoid buying cheap tools, except for paint brushes, which I treat as disposable items.

For throwing the plaster on, you can use just about anything of the right size. For smoothing, I have a wooden float that my father made, when I was a lad, by nailing a block of wood onto the back of a piece of close-grain white wood. It works better than the plastic float that I bought a few years ago. Steel floats tend to draw the water to the surface, so avoid using them, except for a final smooth when you want a really good finish.

Colin Bignell

[Jerry Built]

1:1:6, you could also use Thistle Renovating undercoat.

Thistle Renovating Finish top coat.

Multi-finish or board finish.

I like Marshalltown Extra-Lite, often available at the market a lot less than at the BM. Consider the cost difference, it's not that much compared to the job - you get a good tool that won't give way so easily, and it may increase your confidence.

To an extent - if you watch a plasterer at work that will help you a lot.

J.B.

[nightjar]

...

I just find that discouraging. A professional I used did the whole inside of a 1,000 sq ft factory unit in about the time it takes me to do one wall of a room.

Colin Bignell

[Jerry Built]

I hope it wasn't a long thin unit!

If you watch the technique, 'cos that's the great majority of the thing, looking at their application and spreading actions, it will help. It helps a lot to have a spot board on something to assist pick-up, too, and you can save a great deal on clearup costs (time) by covering the floor! (not with plaster!).

[mike]

The middle of the range ones have lasted fine for the realatively small amount of plastering I've done. I started off with a wooden-handled one but found the ones with rubber grips are more comfortbale to use over extended periods (and if you're not particularly profficient, plastering is one of those jobs that can drag on).

Wickes and B&Q both do sets of rubber-grip trowels at decent prices.

HTH,

Mike

[Red Devil]

You mention the Marshalltown Extra-Lite trowel ? I have been looking on the Web for this, but can't find one described as 'Extra-Lite' What size is this one ? Is it stainless steel ?

You also mention Thistle Renovating undercoat. Is this better than bonding for appliying to the laths, as part of the patching process ?

Grateful for any suggestions

Con.