Guess it depends if you are using kit for everyday use or just odd jobbing - you say your first set of gear so its not clear.
I would say marshalltown regardless if youre full time spread or eager enthusiast like me.. either way stainless steel trowels n hawks are easy to clean and wont rust, i have normal bucket and gauging trowels and they look like crap in no time if theyre not cleaned and dried asap.. which aint always easy if youre busy doing other stuff... plastering for instance.
This is what i bought myself as my first set of gear to get started for work at home
Marshalltown SS 14" Durasoft Permashape Trowel
Marshalltown SS 13.5x13.5" Hawk
1300watt mixer
Any old gauging and bucket trowel - but wanna replace for Stainless
500watt Halogen Lamp - id get a bigger better light if i was doing this more often but it suits for a ceiling or wall at a time
2 Gorrila Tubs, a normal bucket, and a tall mixing bucket
Spot stand - for bigger jobs where you have the space to put it, for now i go straight from gorilla tub to hawk
Faithfull aviation snips for beads n s**t
Faithfull Feather Edge - 72"
2" brush for brushing in me corners - i use a febreeze bottle or likewise for spraying when wet trowelling
Marshalltown Plasterboard Rasp & Padsaw
Marsalltown Corner Trowel - i try to avoid wet to wet walls but have it if needed or feeling adventurous/over confident
)
Board Props - 2.3m
Thats about it, that was pretty much all i needed to start doing stuff on my house, but you will find your own way like everyone else. Like i said, if youre planning on doing plastering as your main job you will probably want a lot of other stuff. Also if you were going to be a spread full time you probably wouldnt be needing to ask, cos you would already know whats needed. Good luck.
