Month: April 2018

When it comes to a specialist trade skill like plastering, it’s no secret that having the right tools can make a world of difference.

Not only do the best plastering tools save time on the job, they also deliver a better end result and can give your project that extra touch of quality. From trowels and snips to drills and saws, we’re going to run through what the team here at Gypsumtools believe to be the top 10 must-have plastering tools for any industry professional:

1. Finishing Trowel

In a similar way to the pointing trowel, the finishing trowel is another crucial tool in any plasterer’s kit. It utilises a wider, flatter blade to smooth out the plaster more effectively and provide that exceptionally smooth finish to all your surfaces. This is a tool you’ll be using a lot so it makes sense to invest in a high quality tool like the RST SS Finishing trowel.

2. Window Trowel

When you can’t use your other larger trowels around windows, most plasterers will reach for their window trowel. As its name suggests, this tool is specifically designed for use around windows thanks to its smaller blade face which gives you better manoeuvrability across the wall in tighter spaces. An important tool if you work on a lot of residential projects.

3. Inside and Outside Corner Trowels

Yet another crucial tool in the professional plasterer’s kit – the corner trowel. Instead of tackling the complexities of finishing your corners with a more traditional trowel, corner trowels allow you to smooth out your plaster with accuracy and simplicity. Save time on site by reaching for your inside and outside corner trowels instead of trying to get by with a traditional flat blade.

4. Mortar Stand

This is one you might consider obvious, but again it’s another simple accessory that can make life on site that little bit easier. A mortar stand is a small foldable table that you can use to hold your plastering material or grout, giving you that ease of access whilst working. Don’t overlook the simple tools as they can make a big difference!

5. Bucket Trowel

One of the key items in any plasterer’s arsenal is the trusty bucket trowel. This tool is commonly used to scoop plaster up out of your mixing bucket and onto your plastering hawk. Because of the weight involved when transferring the plaster, you’ll need a strong and robust bucket trowel as part of your kit. This really is a must-have tool.

6. Mixing Bucket

Similar to the mortar stand, a bucket will have multiple uses when working on a project. In most cases, you’ll want a decent size bucket – at least 15 litres should be sufficient depending on your specific requirements. Before you start any plastering job, you’ll need to keep your bucket clean and dry prior to mixing any plastering materials.

7. Hawk

If you don’t already have a plastering hawk, you’re not doing it right! The number one must-have tool for any professional plasterer, the hawk is a portable surface where you can hold your plaster material when on the move. It allows you to apply your plaster quickly and easily across both walls and ceilings. There are a wide range of plastering hawks available varying in sizes but you’ll want a clean surface with rounded edges just like this Nela option.

8. Snips

Having a reliable pair of snips is always important in modern plastering, primarily because you’ll likely need to trim and cut your beading. Make sure the snips you choose have the ability to cut both popular types of beading metal – cold steel and stainless steel. Also, having longer handles on your snips can give you better leverage and make the task of trimming up beading much easier. All plasterers should have a durable set of snips as part of their kit.

9. Plasterers Float

When you’ve added the final layer of plaster to your wall or ceiling, you’ll need to give it one final pass over with a plasterers float to give it that all-important smooth, high quality finish. This is another very important tool that should be carried by all plasterers as without it, you won’t be able to smooth down the top layer of plaster and you could see your surface end up uneven.

10. Scarifier

The final tool on our list is the scarifier – a large metal comb that allows you to scratch away at the render before applying your second coat. The scarifier is an important tool for any plasterer as it gives you the ability to comb lines directly into the render which will create a stronger bond when the next layer is applied. If you want a high quality finish on your walls and ceilings, we’d definitely recommend investing in one of these.

So there you have it! Add this list of plastering tools into your kit and you’ll be ready for any challenge the job can throw at you.

Looking for a great way to get all the tools you need in one place? Our range of apprentice plastering kits are perfect for budding plasterers looking for top quality tools!

Get in touch for more information on our full range of plastering and drylining tools.

If you’re looking for a new set of tools that perform brilliantly when it comes to dust-free sanding, then read on because we think you’re going to like this post!

We are of course talking about the Full Circle Radius 360 Air Sanding System – the tool that has revolutionised the way thousands of professionals sand and smooth their walls, ceilings, corners and details.

With over half a million units already sold, the Radius 360 Air has become the must-have tool on sites across the world and is continuing to grow in popularity. It’s the number one choice among drywalling professionals thanks to its perfect blend of dust-free drywall sanding and easy-to-use precision when it comes to dealing with detailed areas. One of the biggest reasons to use this sanding system over other products is its fantastic 98% dust-free operation. Dust is one of the biggest issues when drywalling for a number of reasons, most notably the health risks that can arise if it’s inhaled. The Radius 360 Air provides near-perfect dust removal whilst maintaining the fast and effortless movement that high quality professional sanding needs.

Having taken a big step forward from the original Full Circle Radius 360 design, this latest sanding system meets the needs for almost all commercial and industrial projects that demand effective dust extraction.

The swivel within the tool that attaches to the handle has been tweaked to lower the centre of gravity and redirect dust directly through the handle itself. This makes the system incredibly lightweight and simple to use compared to more standard drywall sanders that are heavy and awkward to handle. The lighter, more nimble design of this tool also means less pressure is needed on the sanding head to achieve the perfect finish, so it’s a system that will save you both time and effort.

This amazing Radius 360 Air Package also comes with two separate sanding solutions – the circular Radius 360 Air and the rectangular Flex Air. Having both these in your arsenal means you’ll be perfectly placed to tackle almost any sanding challenge while keeping the site free from dust and debris. Changing the sanding heads is easy too – simply twist the cam lock, swap the heads over and lock into place once again.

Like the majority of orbital power sanders available on the market, the Radius 360 Air comes with a round head to distribute pressure evenly across the surface and prevent the tool head from flipping.

As part of this set, you’ll also receive the Full Circle Flex Air which is perfect for inside corners and detailed areas thanks to its rectangular abrasive pad. This kind of tool was previously very challenging to use as there would often be a rigid hose attached to the base at a fixed position – this prevented fluid movement across the surface and would even cause the hose to kink if used incorrectly.

The hand swivel built into the Flex Air sanding system offers the full 360 degrees of movement without the threat of the hose kinking during use. This brilliant feature means you’ll be able to make light work of any surface at almost any angle and enjoy that perfectly smooth finish you’re looking for.

More traditional dustless sanders used to cover the attached handle with a rubber boot which made manipulating the sanding system clumsy and awkward. This is what sets the Radius 260 Air apart – its unique ball-and-socket mechanism gives you the complete range of motion that isn’t compromised by a rubber boot or protective cavity. Furthermore, the independent movement of the shroud from the tool base provides the ability to deliver almost perfect dust-free sanding and guarantees you’ll enjoy a fantastic scratch-free finish every time; regardless of whether you’re using the tool on walls, ceilings or corners.

So why should you consider the Full Circle Radius 360 Air Sanding System?

The variety of unique features built into this particular system sets it apart from the competition, and you’ll benefit from near flawless dust-free sanding time and time again. The complete and unrivalled range of motion these tools provide give them the edge on most competitor products – you won’t find these features in any other dustless sanding tool on the market today.

If you still need more convincing, take a look at the system in action here.