Hand floats are tools used by craftsmen to smooth out building materials like plaster and cement. They come in various sizes and can be made of metal, wood, or hard plastic. Timing is crucial when using hand floats on concrete or plaster. Trowels are not hand floats and are used for a precise finish.
Hand floats are specialized tools used by craftsmen and workers who work with building materials such as plaster and cement for masonry. After the material is initially applied with a trowel, the workers will then allow the mix to harden enough to sit firm except on the top surface. At that point, they use hand floats to smooth out the application as much as possible in order to give a sleek, professional look. The name “float” comes from the way the tool glides over the surface of the texture being smoothed, almost as if it were floating in air.
Hand floats are constructed in various sizes up to 20 inches (5 meters) long and can be found made from metal, wood, and hard plastic. It is debatable which size or length is most appropriate and largely depends on the actual task being performed; some crafters will use one particular hand float for each project while others will rotate several depending on the overall size of the work area. There are also floats, which are most commonly made from magnesium and have handles that extend their overall reach from 4 to 10 feet (1.2 to 3.1 meters). Trowels are not hand floats: a hand float is designed to quickly remove roughness over a large area, while a trowel is used for a precise finish that meets professional standards.
When using hand floats on a concrete slab, overall timing is of the essence. If you use a trowel on the surface too early, the surface is likely to shift and warp, but if it transpires too long and you allow the surface to harden, then a hand-held concrete trowel will become all but useless. The key is for users to start smoothing the concrete while it is still wet on the surface, but without too much overall give, and if time is up, more water can be added to the surface once. Many professionals will work in pairs when it comes to finishing with hand trowels, especially on larger projects.
When using hand floats on plaster and drywall, the process is very similar. After the mixture has been applied to the drywall, a hand trowel is used to quickly smooth the plaster before it has a chance to harden. Because plaster hardens much quicker than concrete and can often be more difficult to work with, a hand trowel is often used right after to make the overall look seamless.
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