Top plastering tools every Pro needs

1. Trowels and Hawks

Trowels and hawks are among the most fundamental plastering tools every plasterer needs. The humble plasterers trowel is the most basic tool of the trade to apply plaster to surfaces. Stainless steel trowels are the most common and typically come in two sizes for professional use: 290mm and 355mm.

Hawks are a great time saving tool used to hold compound so that you can quickly and easily get compound on to the trowel and then on to the surface you are plastering without the need to carry the whole bucket. These are especially useful for when you need to work from a scaffold or a workstation and feature hollow handles so they can be mounted easily.

2. Automatic tools - boxes

Once you move on to larger jobs where you really need to punch out the metres it is time to start looking at automatic tools, specifically flat boxes.

Flat and high-top boxes allow you to significantly speed up compound application and as they are typically attached to a pole you won’t need scaffolds, ladders or plastering stilts. Boxes come in various sizes ranging from 6 inch (150mm) to 12 inch (300mm). Popular brands include Level5 Tools, ranging from a 7 inch to a 14 inch, as well as Columbia and Tapepro. Each with their own benefits, manufacturers warranties and price points to suit your individual preferences.

3. Skimming blades

Skimming Knives are ideal for applying compound or smoothing out large areas. Skimming blades can also be used to smooth out already plastered surfaces. They can also cut down on your sanding time.

They come in a variety of sizes, from 7 inch all the way up to 48 inches. Blades are replaceable and are sold individually or can be purchased in a kit in a range of sizes.

4. Taping machines

Taping machines are used for taping and finishing flat and angle joints in plasterboard. These machines come in three types: the entry-level plastic taping machine, the mudbox and the bazooka. The entry-level machines and mudboxes are used for smaller residential and commercial jobs while the bazooka is used for higher end contractors on very large jobs.

The entry-level machines will often require you to use a scaffold and you will get 6 to 12 months use out of them, consequently they come at a lower price point. Mudboxes are more durable and with proper maintenance can last up to 10 years. Both machines are simple to master after a short period of time.

Bazookas are far more mechanically complex and require a lot more maintenance. They also take a bit more learning time to master correctly. But once mastered they cut time on the job significantly. A bazooka has the added bonuses of applying tape and compound at the same time, as well as cutting the tape once taping the joint is completed.

5. Internal corner finishing kits

Internal corner finishing kits are another time saver for finishing inside corners to complement taping machines and automatic tools. These kits will save you time and give you a great finish.

The Commando Set from Columbia Tools is a great introduction to Semi-Auto tools for the part-time finisher, or someone who is looking to make the leap to Automatic tools but doesn’t want to jump right in yet. This set will save you time and give you a great finish.

For the ultimate in internal finishing tools, the Can-am brand offers the better (if not the best) internal kits on the market. The CanAm Aussie Professional Kit has been put together specifically for the Aussie market and comes with a lightweight Inside Corner Roller and Extendable Handle which allows you to embed the tape much deeper, making it a breeze.

6. Sanders

Once you’ve completed your plastering job, lightly sanding may become necessary to remove spots and bumps particularly on the joins. It will also help to remove any visible imperfections that may become apparent after painting. Depending on the size of your job you may be using a hand sander, pole sander for ceilings or higher wall, or for larger jobs an electric power sander.

Once thing to consider when sanding with a power sander is that they can leave very fine swirl lines. Mirka offers a range of electric orbital sanders that that not only rotate the sanding pad but also oscillate at the same point, which saves time when having to apply spot fixes. It provides efficient and flawless sanding results for plasterboard walls and ceilings whilst extracting dust as it is generated.

Pole sanders obviously provide a more affordable option. The Sander Electric Giraffe INTEX offers a lightweight, perfectly balanced design that significantly reduces the effects of fatigue and repetitive strain injury (RSI) particularly during ceiling operations.

Finally, cleaning after sanding is an imperative but can be time consuming. Using a vacuum dust extractor while sanding will ensure minimal clean-up post sanding and eliminates the need to wear a mask.