Plastering Tools
Trowels, floats, mixing paddles, spot boards, and notched trowels for skimming, rendering, and tile-bedding on a UK extension. What to buy, how to break them in, and how to use each one properly.
Grout Floats: How to Pick the Right Rubber, and Why Diagonal Beats Parallel Every Time
The UK guide to rubber grout floats. Soft vs hard rubber, epoxy vs cement grout, the 45-degree technique, sealing stone tiles first, and what to buy from £8-£31.
Mixing Paddles: How to Mix Plaster, Tile Adhesive, and Mortar Without Burning Out Your Drill
The UK guide to drill paddle mixers for plastering. Negative vs positive helix, M14 vs SDS vs hex shafts, drill power thresholds, technique, and what to buy at every price tier.
Notched Trowels: Notch Sizes, the Half-Bed Rule, and What BS 5385 Actually Demands
The UK guide to notched tile-adhesive trowels. Square vs V vs U profiles, notch sizing 3mm to 12mm, the half-notch rule, BS 5385 coverage, DITRA, and what to buy.
Plastering Trowels: How to Choose, Break In, and Skim With the Right Steel
The UK guide to plastering trowels. Carbon vs stainless, sizing, the five-pass sequence, pre-worn blades, breaking in, and what to buy from £5 to £72.
Sponge Float: The Beginner Plastering Tool That Buys You an Extra 20 Minutes
UK guide to sponge floats for plastering and rendering. Fine vs medium vs coarse grades, the 5-minute window after sponging, brand tiers from £8 to £35, and the cleaning rule nobody mentions.
Spot Boards: The Plasterer's Workbench, Why Floor-Level Will Wreck Your Back
The UK guide to plasterer's spot boards. Polypropylene vs ply vs aluminium, stand heights, the no-MDF rule, DIY Workmate setup, and prices £15 to £85.