Tools for the job?

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G15OST

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Hi. I'm about to start helping an old family friend out with some work he has on. He's been in the plastering game for 50 years and will be retiring soon but has asked me to give him a hand in exchange for some wisdom. I'm not looking to do a "quick course" or become an employed plaster etc I just do a lot of my own building work on my houses and to be able to, at least, have a good understanding and basic skills of plastering would be a god send as once my guy has retired is like to be able to do some of the smaller jobs myself.

Anyway, who cares, all I really want some advice on is tools. I have created a little shopping list for myself which is as follows:

Marshalltown 14" Permashape Trowel
Marshalltown 13" Hawk
Forge Internal / External Corner Tool
4" or 6" Splash Brush.

I already have measures, snips, knives etc so just really need advice on the best quality tools to use. Although I don't want to spend an absolute fortune I don't want to waste money on cheap tools and they must be fit for purpose. Can anybody recommend these tools or have any advice on alternatives or if there's anything I've missed out that would be great.

Any advice welcome. Any sh*t welcome so long as you can take it back.

Cheers.
 
If you're just starting I think you should go with a 13" trowel with a 14" handboard. I prefer my handboard at least as big as the trowel I put on with.

A 4 or 5 inch brush will be big enough. You probably wont use an external angle trowel, just buy one if you come across a job where beads can't be used.

Just go with marshalltown for all of that stuff.
 
Cheers. I have one of the cheap sparky 230v paddle mixers which will tide me over for now. I do have transformers so when that one packs up ill buy a 110v one. So you recommend any good margin trowels?
 
Scewfix do a nice splash brush for about £7 Harris Premier Emulsion Brush 4" | Screwfix.com
Stanley Titan fixed blade knife (with holster), hate retractables as no good when they get clogged up (have two, one for clean boarding and another for when d&d boarding)
I'd have a look at different trowel sizes, you might not get on with the larger ones (I don't).
 
Never thought of a fixed blade knife. Ill get one. I'm a big fan if Stanley tools. What would you consider as a large trowel size??
 
Rhys said:
Scewfix do a nice splash brush for about £7 Harris Premier Emulsion Brush 4" | Screwfix.com
Stanley Titan fixed blade knife (with holster), hate retractables as no good when they get clogged up (have two, one for clean boarding and another for when d&d boarding)
I'd have a look at different trowel sizes, you might not get on with the larger ones (I don't).
Click to expand...

You have two knifes.................you flash *******...........must be charging too much
 
I've got three actually, also got a cheapie retractable one that a rep gave us :)

Now that's flash :RpS_thumbsup:
 
Rhys said:
I've got three actually, also got a cheapie retractable one that a rep gave us :)

Now that's flash :RpS_thumbsup:
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you smug barsteward:-0 feckin tooled up you eh! I've probably got bout 4 knifes..... But can only ever find one:RpS_laugh:
 
I have to tie them to clarkys arms with string cos he keeps losing them....just wish he was a sharp as a knife..............:glare:
 
barryed said:
Why not just ask your mate?
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Good question... I'm a firm believer in getting numerous opinions before committing. What's right for one isn't always best practise hence the post. At some point someone predicted that today would be the end of the world... One mans opinion...bet there's a few people sat at home now with tin foil on their heads kicking themselves for not asking what other people thought first!!!
 
I buy every knife on the shelf when I run out, the feckers always get lost same as small tools, one day ill get round to painting them bright orange so they hopefully won't get lost.
 
For the trowel, try and get a "pre worn" mt one, my plastering teacher said these are a lot better but really you still need to round the corners a little extra. I thought these were a bit of a gimmick but the difference between a cheapo trowel and a MT is massive and gives novices like us a help.

I would also get some margin trowels and maybe a midget trowel.

I started without one but as soon as you find and awkward area you'll be cursing you didn't spend that bit extra on them.
 
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Pipe trowel from B&Q, great for getting in awkward places and for narrower sections where a normal trowel won't fit and is too wide for margin trowels.
 
Wtf do u want margin trowels for I've been plastering 17 years and don't recall ever using a margin trowel and no I don't just leave those bits.
 
G15OST said:
Good question... I'm a firm believer in getting numerous opinions before committing. What's right for one isn't always best practise hence the post. At some point someone predicted that today would be the end of the world... One mans opinion...bet there's a few people sat at home now with tin foil on their heads kicking themselves for not asking what other people thought first!!!
Click to expand...
Your never make a plasterer ,you way to clever !! ,only joking with you ,best of luck and hope it goes well for you
 
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