This is one of the essential tools used in plastering. You will need to get a very good Plastering Trowel before even thinking of starting out with plastering. Choosing the right Plastering Trowel, however, is where many people tend to falter.

The good news is, we’re going to show you how to select the best Plastering Trowel for the job you want to do.

Here are a few things you will need to consider:

What Size of Trowel Should I Use?

The size of the trowel you plan to use is of utmost importance, so when buying one, it is recommended that you pick a 14 inch (“) stainless steel plastering trowel. Most experienced plasterers would suggest that you go for a 12″ trowel because it allows for more control.

The problem with this advice is that it makes your work effort feel less productive. Small trowels usually have less space to hold the plaster, and as a result, you may find it difficult to apply it to the wall. The bottom line is that you will be better off starting plastering with a 14″ trowel. It might require some effort at first, but you’ll get the hang of it as you progress.

For optimum results, we recommend that you use stainless steel, 14″ x 5″ trowel from Marshalltown. These special trowels are well known in the market for their resourcefulness, and they’re an excellent option for beginners in plastering.

The Marshalltown trowels also guarantee sturdiness, comfort, and most importantly a sublime finish. The 5” width accommodates a much larger surface to get accustomed to the transition of applying the plaster.

The Marshalltown MPB145GSD Stainless Steel Plastering Trowel is a great place to start. It is a highly versatile trowel that can be utilised for all types of plastering and by just about anyone at different stages their plastering career. As a beginner, you’re going to enjoy using it.

By all means stay away from cheap, substandard trowels. As earlier pointed out, such poor quality trowels only breed disaster – they do not last, they rust easily and get corroded after use. Spare yourself a headache and go for a good, well-reviewed trowel – they may cost more, but they make your work much more comfortable and will last a long time if properly maintained.

This tool is typically used to scoop the plaster out of the bucket while applying the plaster. They are available in hundreds of shapes and sizes and can be easily sourced from your local retailer. Depending on which ones you plan to purchase, you should be budgeting around £5 – £10 for a piece. Unlike plastering trowels, bucket trowels do not require spending vast amounts on them for quality purposes since their appearance do not affect the outcome of your plastering.

This plastering tool is what is used to hold the plaster in place while you scoop from it with your trowel. They also come in varieties of shapes and sizes and are usually held in the palm of your hand.

You should go for whichever option suits you but here are two of the best that we recommend:

Foam/ Plastic Hawks

These foam/ plastic hawks are perfect for beginners due to their lightweight and ease of use. It can be physically draining to your arms when you are holding a full trowel weight of plaster for hours on the end of your arms, but with this plastic hawk, your muscles won’t ache, and you’ll be able to finish up your work in no time. The only downside of using this plastering tool is that due to its lightweight it is prone to cutting in half after a while.

Aluminum Hawks

Made of lightweight aluminium material, these hand boards are the favourite of many. They may cost more than the plastic hand boards but will last a lot longer. As earlier stated, you don’t need to spend a lot on hand boards, but if you’re looking for one that’ll last, then the aluminium hawks are your reliable option. We highly recommend the Marshalltown hawks due to their comfortable Durasoft handles.

Investing in a quality mixer is also very important if you want to start plastering. There is a wide range of mixers available that you can choose from but we’ll help you out with some of the main ones.

Here are the top picks that we recommend:

Refina MM30 Mega Mixer:

Nordstrand 1800 Heavy Duty Mixer:

Vitrex MIX1400L Plaster Power Mixer:

Baylola 1600W Plaster Paddle Mixer:

Silverstorm 264219 Plaster Mixer:

Another essential plastering tool you will need to have as a beginner in plastering is a water brush. It is an indispensable tool that is used to conclude the plastering process. It is usually applied to the final coat of the plaster to stop the plaster from pulling off, thus leaving a perfect finish.

The water brush can also be used to apply water to the plaster when you’re yet to finish, and the plaster is already drying up. It is undoubtedly an essential tool that can save both you and your plastered walls when you most need it.

Water brushes come in a variety of sizes and can be applied in many ways. You can get a 6″ water brush or a 4″ masonry brush from Travis Perkin. They are sometimes expensive but will last longer, make your walls sparkle and are way better than using cheap brushes which leave bristles in your plaster.

These are thick hand brushes that are used to clean your plastering tools and your buckets. There are various types of hand brushes available that you can use for cleaning your plastering tools, but we recommend that you go for a plastic brush. They’re small and thin enough to pass through the paddle of the mixers, which will guarantee a thorough cleaning.

Mixing buckets are containers used to hold the plaster in a while mixing. They are critical as well, and we recommend that you go for the big Gorilla tubs when shopping for your mixing buckets. They are versatile, sturdy and can last a long time if properly maintained.