Plasterers Trowel advice

[NickB_99]

Hi all

I'm currently looking to buy my first plasterers trowel, which I would like to buy right and last for years.

On the plasterers course I had a go at, we used an 11 x 5 inch trowel, which had worn edges (prob from lots of student use!). It seemed ok for use with bonding & finishing.
We were recommended that Marshalltown was a good brand to go for. I've had a quick look on the Net and Marshalltown seems to come in 11 x 4.5 inches or 13 x 5. I'm guessing stainless steel, pre-worn, perhaps with a permasoft handle for comfort seemed a possibly good choice. Though not sure if the gold option was necessary...

Any advice on brands and size recommendation appreciated.

 

[roughcaster]

I think either of the sizes you mentioned 11.5 inches or 13.5 inches would be ok. Until you get competent, maybe the smaller one would be better, but it's your choice. I use a Tyzack, 13.5, but I also have a Ragni 11.5. I had a Tyzack 11.5 inch, 216 pattern, which lasted for years, it was like a razor blade, and clean as a whistle... All of these are stainless steel, which is advisable with todays plasters. Everyone will have their own particular favourite brand.

Roughcaster.

 

[roy c]

It's all a matter of choice and what suits you. I have used tyzack and Marshalltown for 20 years.. I started of with a 11" tyzack and then a 14" marshaltown. I now have a 14" tyzack and have changed the handle to one that suits me (From A 16" tiling trowel) and use that for skimming and my 14" marshaltown for rendering, and must add that all the trowels I have are Stainless. I can't see the point in using one that is not.. But all my apprentices I have trained , I make sure that they start off with 11" marshaltowns (stainless) and when they are competant I see how they get on with a larger trowel and let them step up if they are comfortable with it.. So if your a beginner start small (Stainless ) and when you get confident either stay with it or step up.You will know when it is tiime....
Good Luck....

 

[brist]

Marshalltown 13x5 is what i use

 

[noseall]

Marshaltown, stainless, permashape, durasoft.

lovely.

 

[NickB_99]

Will give the 11" marshalltown a try and see how I go.
Thanks for the help.

 

[makitaman]

Pre worn as has been said are a bit of a god send. On any new trowel (stainless) try to round over the sharp corners with a file and then sharpen the blade slightly. It makes all the difference.............

 

[Troll5]

I like marshaltown trowels, but only use the mild steel ones, cos of the way they bend and sound when you have a good scrape lol. Oh and ive also noticed over the years that they rust like buggery therefore nobody wants to steal them.(A good run on sand and c normally sorts that out though) bigger the better in my opinion, but each to thier own.

 

[NickB_99]

Thanks guys.
Though I found that all the 11" stainless steel Marshalltowns were not available pre-worn in. Oddly enough pre-worn only seemed to start with the 13" upwards.
So will have to do myself and will bear the advice in mind.