Concrete Float Types Explained

Dustin is a master of finishing concrete. Not sure what float type to buy? He'll
help you decide! Common questions and answers about concrete here:
• Concrete Questions
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[@michaeldougfir9807]

My favorite is the Root beer Float.

[@euphgolf]

What I've learned from years of watching the EC is, be ready...for a hearty backslap if you are within arms reach.

[@slynn5138]

A lot of people don’t realize what a specialty finishing concrete is. For instance, on the majority of my job sites (which are larger commercial) I specifically have a crew that will finish the concrete. They don’t pour concrete. they don’t rod concrete, they don’t shovel concrete, etc. They are strictly there for finishing and providing a beautiful finish. Now, a lot of people would call this being a Primadonna, but these guys have earned their keep. They have proven time and time again that they have a unique skill-set.

[@dsulli7383]

I’ve never heard of having a separate crew for pouring and finishing. Seems crazy. Hire guys that can do it all. How do you pay two crew for half a days work instead of 1 crew for a full days work? Seems like u would have some very unhappy workers.

[@ADBBuild]

@@dsulli7383 You pay both crews for the job. You need X done? Pay them for X, not the hours that it took. Someone with less skill will take longer than someone with more skill. Does that mean you should pay the more skilled person less because he did it in less time?

[@dsulli7383]

My brother in law manages one of the biggest and best commercial concrete companies in Northern California. They have done project such as the golden 1 center. The Oroville dam spillway. Amazon, Home Depot etc. he has 1 crew that does it all. And they are amazing. They all work together like a finely tuned machine. It’s called skill and skill creates efficiency. Have you watched the concrete videos on this channel? There is no different crew coming in to finish. That would be ridiculous and brings too many factors into the equation. No concrete company has separate crews for different parts of the job. That works for construction definitely not for concrete. As soon as the concrete is poured the clock starts ticking. Why would you risk waiting for a separate crew to show up on time. That’s insane.

[@MisunderstoodWierdo]

@@dsulli7383that’s literally how it works on commercial and industrial sites. Laborers rake and place, finishers finish.

[@self2self9]

This is so dumb… I don’t believe you

[@R2Mike]

Man....more of these videos. I love break downs of tradesmans tools. Alot of info always skipped over! Great job

[@AJFixie]

Dustin mentioned timing. How about a video on when in the curing process you would use the different tools.

[@volksnick]

This.

[@dillathekilla3110]

@essential craftsman

[@indisputablefacts8507]

My Dad was a big DIY'er and he could do it all from foundation to roof vents. I learned a lot from him, including not DIYing concrete bigger than an HVAC pad. You just never can get enough practice at it to get good results and, with rare exception, you can't go back and re-do it.

[@bradcavanagh3092]

An old bloke once told me that paving is just as hard work as laying concrete, but at least you can take a break.

[@patrickfoley535]

It would be awesome to see a video on ordering mix design for different applications and how they differ based off the types of finishes (stamped, exposed, broomed).

[@jeffputnam8554]

Always fun to listen to a pro

[@Hoaxer51]

This guy has good advice about concrete finishing tools. I find that if you want to move concrete around you should use a wood tool, such as straight edging the concrete or pushing or pulling concrete into corners, around pipe, up slopes or whatever. Wood floats pull sand and cement up, getting the rocks down and making concrete easier to finish in later steps. Once you have the concrete down and flat (or whatever shape you’re going for) you switch to magnesium tools like a mag bull float or hand float and that helps seal the surface and gets it ready for the next steps. When I started finishing concrete, (in the early 1970’s) we always used a wood bull float and then switched to a mag bull float to seal it really good, somewhere along the line everyone quit using the wood bull float, saving a step was probably the reason but it seems like the stones are too close to the top that way. I always liked a Goldblatt mag float with a wood handle, I always thought they were a really good deal because you could use one all day, everyday and they’d last a little over a year before they’d get really thin and you’d break the front off it, then pick another one out to start breaking in. I would take the handle off my broken float and put it on a new float if I could get it off without breaking the handle, one of the reasons I liked wood handles was that you could break it in so they edges were all smooth. Thanks for showing us all these different tools and explaining their uses. That’s a well equipped store, they have a lot more there than most places offer.

[@lheigert]

I love this channel and look forward to each video

[@frankcurley]

Always enjoy people speaking about their craft. I'd love to see some of your videos examine in detail trim and finish carpentry. All of those from cabinets, to floors to doors and trim. Lots of interest in this corner.

[@williammrdeza9445]

Love it. Dustin is definitely a master of his craft. I absolutely enjoy the discussion between the two of you. Decades of practical experience talking here!

[@quazorgemash]

I didn't think I'd get much from this video but Dustin is too good on camera

[@garychaiken808]

Great job guys. Thank you 😊

[@Frankreddy62]

Thank you Dustin and Scott. This is exactly what i wanted to know about and commented on the last concrete tool video.

[@billmccabe9601]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@gtbkts]

Thanks for the awesome content and great videos!!

[@tommyklein4050]

Hey I really enjoyed your last video. I’m trying to get an electrician apprenticeship here on Long Island NY. I’ve been in the field and on job sites as a helper. A lot of mechanics treat and speak to helpers horribly. You gave great advice in that last video can you make another one specifically for helpers/ subordinates on a job site? I would like to hear your opinion.

[@kulina571]

Thanks Dustin for us for sharing very generoulsy his expirience :)

[@Jim-gx6um]

Hi from England thanks for your vids always watch ,I've been trowelling up for over 40 years with a felt float and flooring trowel as u know it's all about catching it right

[@dannybradley9346]

Excellent. I want to find out more about floats and trowels with handles.

[@miquerto]

Thank you for this series. We pour/place concrete, but not regularly and mostly for footings so it isn't finished. This is all information that is new to me, and when we do have to finish some, I'll be better armed to do it properly and I thank y'all for it.

[@mattpkp]

You won't get a nice finish without someone teaching you in person how to do it. It is a skill that can't be gained from watching.

[@miquerto]

Thanks. There is a lot of nuance and reading whats in front of you that only comes with experience.

[@thetommantom]

If you do a wet pour on a curb with a sharp mag float it can bleed and have a weak edge but if you use a drier heavier mix it will bleed less there will be aggregate instead of cement

[@johnrosier1686]

Dustin looks like he can handle his share of concrete work. Thanks for this video.

[@davidquirk8097]

Thanks Dustin.

[@dandeman94]

Thanks for the info! Can you all cover what the process or explanation of “sealing it up” with certain floats and trowels vs keeping it open with wood or other material tools?

[@diverdave4056]

my oh my .... I spent 35 years on a few hundred construction sites and saw many different crews finishing concrete on residential and commercial sites . I never saw them using more than a few of these tools to finish concrete . His store has a lot of different tools to choose from !

[@charlesviner1565]

another great video 👍

[@johnchervanka2394]

great information thank you.

[@frankenz66]

Fixing to pour a carport pad 24X30' Planning to rent the two mag floats on the swivel long handles. Like you showed at the end. Three feet wide though. Want something buy it, need something rent it. Your opening image of pouring around pre-existing concrete fits mine. I will be painting adhesive on.

[@NElj-yq9qi]

I've always liked redwood floats for fresh concrete. They cut and keep everything nice and flat. Magnesium floats tend to roll the concrete when it's still fresh. Magnesium work best for bringing up the cream before hitting your concrete with your steel finish trowel.

[@tristanconnolly5675]

Nice.

[@giovannifiorentino8947]

Dustin!

[@jCrItCh5]

Bootiful...

[@josephrobi6806]

Now I know thanks so much in the construction 😅

[@orienyeckley269]

Love the channel…another great concrete channel is Mike Day concrete.

[@johnkaspar462]

I’ve dabbled in masonry. I’ve helped my mason buddy. I’m aware of the trade but don’t have much interest in it but for some reason I like this video

[@aragustin]

:D thanjk you for your awesome videos which one was the mag float he picked overall? 5:42

[@markdickinson-pd4ip]

Thank you.👍🏻😁✌🏻🇨🇦

[@dhidhat]

I would love to see an online concrete class. I don’t see any of the things you’re talking about done around here (Thailand). I would definitely pay for it.

[@thetommantom]

Concrete aggregate overlaps in a crystal structure so when they say wood float brings the sand up it could wick some moisture and can have a certain surface tension to it but a used metal one will have concrete powder on it that does the same thing unless real wet but pushed the peaks down pushes more smaller particles upward thru the #57 stones and then the top can even have slag that gets power trowelled and or marble finish then seal it I like a standard no admixture but they like to use old quality used concrete sand in some cases good but others I like a fine clean sand and high cement rough sand finish buy the slick sealed precast probably better for elements

[@Bryce825]

Worked concrete with my uncle on one job. Hardest thing in my entire life. Even though it was for a box culvert it still was a pain floating the base of the box, walking on the rebar to pour and vibrate the concrete into the forms Edit: wish I had these concrete videos for that job instead of fumbling around on the site 😅

[@keithprine8981]

And like with every skill, you only get better by being willing to learn and doing the work.

[@Deano.1978]

Might be worth talking about compaction and how it affects finishing (e.g. bleed water)

[@tacklebox6239]

Thanks for not having Nate talking on this episode. We truly appreciate it.

[@maxchartier]

Same

[@thetommantom]

Also have at leat 2 so you can work a new one and have a worn precise one for when it matters just keep rotating

[@nannesoar]

Dang that place reminds me of a skateboard shop, pretty dang nice.

[@thetommantom]

I like you can pull a 20ft apron and twist the handle to push or pull and it puts it on an angle ive seen people brush a road on a rope and pull it back and forth lol

[@1AlexanderCole]

I wish all the knowledge I’ve built up over so many industries I could condense into a younger smarter body. I can’t imagine all the things I’d have been able to make to my specifications.

[@rickmcphee4206]

So the material worn off a float goes into the concrete.

[@fmtnic]

I've never heard the term "makarta" I've always called those "resin" floats or "phenolic" floats . It's interesting how regional concrete finishing is.

[@btj1844]

Micarta is more durable, many knife handles are made from it. Be safe.

[@fmtnic]

OK, Thanks. I guess Micarta is the brand name for the phenolic resin material. I had never heard that term before.

[@garrett6371]

This is just the wrong part of my life. My back hurts, and I don't give a single darn about finishing concrete. lol. I'm thankful there are other people who can keep up the good work, and I'm so glad I don't need any concrete work done right now.

[@goodtobehandy]

Are steel floats still used? It looked like there were some behind you but they weren't mentioned.

[@drcornelius8275]

yes, but only recommended for interior non-air entrained surfaces

[@Hoaxer51]

This seems to be a series about concrete finishing tools and steel trowels are probably further down the line, so coming soon.

[@psidvicious]

Definitely still used. Mags don’t replace steel. Steel trowels are used after mags, during the finishing process, for a slick (burned-out) finish. Wherever the troweling machines can’t get to, has to be done by hand with your steel trowel (around pipes, penetrations, etc.).

[@MisunderstoodWierdo]

Trowels and floats are two completely different tools with completely different uses

[@goodtobehandy]

@@MisunderstoodWierdo your right said float , should have asked if steel tools where being used at all.

[@embracethesuck1041]

He is the Ollivander of concrete floats.

[@chornii_boumer7324]

What about the steel floats? The ones on the left of the magnesium

[@franciscoceja3510]

Those are steel trowels not floats, they are used after you float the concrete

[@chornii_boumer7324]

Ah okay. Thank you Francisco

[@thetommantom]

I like that square wood one for a flower box curb next to a front porch or to gently push just enough to the edge of a wall so it clean and precise

[@jim2mckenna220]

That guy is a block of concrete!

[@dannybradley9346]

Sorry, I meant poles, for feaching across medium-size slabs instead of using power trowels or knee boards.

[@ChrisLoganToronto]

I don't think you'd want to arm-wrestle Dustin for your lunch

[@fredio54]

You didn't cover stainless steel floats. But I thimk I inferred why, zero grip on the rocks, low churn, low impact on the surface. Which also explains magnesium, it's soft. Not JUST light.

[@michaeldodson4410]

You didnt mention aluminum floats both hand and bull.. they react different ti concrete than magnesium floats. Wood floats keep the surface oopen longer and allow for more hydrolysis. When i started out you allways started with wood then mag. Now days mist people just start with mag .

[@HeyImSnappy]

Doing my first concrete job and I think it’s safe to say… I strongly dislike it

[@HalfManThirdBiscuit]

Hairline wrist fracture in first three seconds...

[@aberba]

I've never seen concrete guys in my country use tools like these. Way to go. The finish here doesn't look good either

[@GRUBB-MUDD]

*EVERYONE KNOWS I LOVE DARBYS" BTW I prefer a traditional "GOLD BLAT" not the new ones.... wooden handle of course.. but i will use a marshall town red handle. ALLUMINUM FLOATS R TRASH BTW

[@MisunderstoodWierdo]

I watched your video about concrete tools and you come off as a fly by night dummy who doesn’t know much tbh.

[@Walter-dq2uf]

Stocks are pretty unstable at the moment, but if you do the right math, you should be just fine. Bloomberg and other finance media have been recording cases of folks gaining over 250k just in a matter of weeks/ couple months, so I think there are alot of wealth transfer in this downtime if you know where to look.

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[@SmokeFx10]

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[@BlitoEmactao]

It's truly heart- warming reading a lot of testimonials on Everette Gary. Her personality, ethics, principles and prowess as a Financial Adviser has gained her fame and recognition around the globe.

[@Pelkey71]

I also needed her info too I'II write her thanks.

[@rickmcphee4206]

It’s really not that technical. Get it flat, seal it up, and finish. Lots of different tools for doing so.

[@GRUBB-MUDD]

OH SNAP IM 1ST, let's run this

[@jamesbizs]

Yeah. You’re first. The first loser. Not only a loser for doing this stupid trend, but also a loser for literally not being first

[@TBird89]

The word rodding … came from using a bar or long object on vertical placed concrete in block work or formwork and someone would be “rodding” the concrete down and remove air. To use this word and method to describe pulling the concrete to the set levels is not the appropriate word you Americans use. You actually screed the placed concrete. Still baffled with the 2 man timber screed ( rodding) method. Holidayed last year in Texas and saw some of the worst finished concrete between Dallas and Abilene and LA.

[@michaelcarroll991]

Dang this is like the same video the third time in 2 weeks. Running out of anything interesting to talk about?

[@patarmentrout9388]

Tools of ignorance