The Important Plastering Tools

Bucket, Paddle and Bucket Trowel

• The plaster is mixed with water by hand, or with an electric paddle or mixer drill in a 5 gallon bucket. Plaster must be smooth, elastic and soft -- but not sloppy. The plasterer mixes small quantities at a time because plaster dries out quickly and becomes unworkable. A bucket trowel is a small spade which is then used to scoop the plaster out of the bucket and onto the hawk.

Plasterer's Hawk

• A plasterer's hawk is a flat rectangular piece of metal with a handle in the center. It is used to transfer plaster from the bucket to the work area.The plasterer scoops plaster out of the bucket with the trowel and drops it onto the hawk. He then carries as much plaster as he can fit on the hawk to the work area and slaps it onto the wall or ceiling.

Plastering Float

• A float is a rectangular piece of stainless steel or wood with a handle in the center of one side. The operator holds the float by the handle and spreads the plaster evenly onto the wall and smooths it. The float is probably the most important plasterer's tool. Without a float, the plaster cannot be spread. Specialized floats are used to create textured surfaces.

Scarifier

• The scarifier is a comb-like steel tool which is dragged through the first layer of plaster before it is dry. This action creates grooves in the plaster. These grooves help the next layer to stick to the undercoat of plaster. This tool is not usually used for drywall mudding, but may be necessary for masonry and pool plastering.