Tools for Pebbledashing

Hi Guys,


I intend to pebbledash my house and was wondering if anyone knows where i can buy or hire a particular tool which actually applies/throws the pebbles on, as most people in hire shops have said to use a paddle or a shovel to throw the pebbles on.

Any help or links appreciated.

ifsa

you use a type of trowel with sides on it, i call it a bucket trowel but dont know if thats the right name, and throw the pebbles on. there is similar type of rendering called tyrolean and a machine is used for this to fire the render on to give you a stippled effect but its no good for firing pebbles, put a drop board along where your working to catch the pebbles that dont stick.

Very similiar to a bucket trowell J.B. ...square, but curved with no sides to it, easy to scoop the pebbles on... unfortunately not easy to apply.
Dashing is a three man job on a house of full elevations. One man constantly mixing, two men spreading with one man continually dropping back to dash, everything needs to be ready and instantly at hand, you can not be continually jumping down from the scaffold for another bag or two of pebbles. The consistency of the mix has to be spot on the background spot on the method of operation spot on to avoid piecings (seeing the joints) and the dasher has to be good to get an even uniformed finish. All in all its a major job for an experienced gang.

Ur mix also needs to include lime along with the sand and cement.If ur not absolutly certain and confident about how and wot to do, dont do it.Odds on u will regret not getting a professional.

Have to agree, very difficult to do, the mortar have to be correct moisture and the stones have to be washed and clean everytime. When putting stones onto wall, it has to be the certain angle upward. I think you may need a swear box as well!

Thanks to everyone for helping me out, seems like i'll be arranging a treo to help with the dashing.

ifsa

Nick13,
You have just responded to a 4 year old (ish) post!!!! and you're "NOT" allowed to advertise on here for free (read the rules). Why buy and convert a "coal shovel" to use for pebbledashing/harling, when you can buy a ready made HARLING TROWEL!!! I think the main point of your post was the link to the firms web site!!!

Roughcaster.

Didn't know that you could get a degree in pebbledashing?? and an honours one to-boot.
I trust that you have one Roughcaster else I'll never take your advice again

The best dashing scoops are tailor made from coal shovels. Harling trowels are very ameturish. No you can't get a degree in pebble-dashing, mine is in construction.

harling/roughcasting trowel used for the application of small stones to walls View media item 9994
coal shovel used for errrm lifting coal or harling by nick 13 View media item 9993
just kidding nick its not wot you got its what you do with it.

Well said! My family have been dashing for three generations. The coal shovel technique has been passed down to me by gentlemen tradesmen who made-do with the resources at the time. I have taken this knowledge and combined it with academic knowledge of materials, to produce an absolute science. I have considered teaching classes in this subject at college, but I am very selfish and don't want my competitors to know my secrets. I believe that pebble-dashing is the is an art form. Very few plasterers can dash, even though they all claim they can.

quite a statement nick, share your secrets make us all better people!

Nick,
I am not meaning to get nasty here, but i can't let you get away with your waffle.. It doesn't matter how long your family have been dashing, or what academic knowledge of materials etc you have. I have looked at the "types of finishes" section on your website, and would say the quality, (going by the pics) is no better or no worse than you would find anywhere up and down the country.

As a matter of fact, the finish on the gable end in the penultimate picture (lime stone) has a definite visible line/join right across the gable wall. It starts on the left, about a ft below the first bracket on the downpipe, and arcs it's way across the wall to the bottom left of the top window in the gable end.

From the other side of the window, it continues across the wall. The beginning of it is also visible in the final pic. You don't even have to zoom in to see it. As a plasterer Nick,, i was doing roughcasting before your arse was the size of a shirt button,,, most if not all of the real "plasterers" that i know or knew, could roughcast/dash.

They can also do different types of plastering, screed floors, (sand and cement or granolithic,), granolithic work in general, render, tyrolean, tiling, etc etc. Don't ever asume that because you, as a person/firm that specialises in "one area" of this trade, knows it all, nobody does,,,,, other pebbledashing websites out there say they are the best too, it's obvious. Whether you believe pebble-dashing is an art form or not, and even with your degree,, many a plasterer or builder, (a lot of them can dash too), would give you a good run for your money.

And finally,, there are more plasterers out there that can roughcast extremely well,, than there are roughcasters that can plaster.


Roughcaster.

Hi roughplasterer

There are no visible faults in any of my jobs. Visible fault do occur occasionally and I always correct all of my mistakes - I am a perfectionist. I think you are seeing things or it is a photo glitch. I never said that I am the best pebble-dasher, I just said that I am a professional and I have pride in my work. My qualifications seem to bother you, I assume you have none. By the way, what are your qualifications? The reason I ask is because I know plasterers who have been plastering for 40yrs and still do it wrong. I like the word penultimate... did you learn that at collage?

By the way, your comments do sound very nasty.

Put your photo up on here and let other people see it. It is not a glitch, i have looked at it many times,,, it is a distinctive line across the gable end. I couldn't care less about your qualifications in any way, iv'e been a fully qualified hands on plasterer for more than 40yrs, who can spell "college" correctly.

Roughcaster.