⚠️NEW TROWEL! PROBLEMS

[@imaginitivity7853]

The problem any DIYer has is not realising that as well as a lack of skill, they can run into problems caused by the equipment, but not recognise it as such. Your videos help so much in avoiding that. It's hard enough to get the mud on the wall and develop a smoothing technique, but if you don't realise your trowel is causing you problems you'd think you just couldn't plaster

[@martypick5176]

Mate, I can not lie. I was hoping you would have a total nightmare lol as I know how hard it is, but you made it look too easy. This just shows how good you actually are, and your experience showed big time fantastic job

[@sg5224]

Go Masie - good energy. Great to see. Seems a great girl. Proud dad.

[@hankchinaski4075]

I just thought I was a terrible plasterer now I know it was just the new trowel hehe. Great vid thanks mate.

[@jatpack3]

I've been doing for 25 years. When I was taught I was given a trowel from my boss that he had used first. He told me a good plasterer has several broken in trowels. When I train someone now who works for me I have a trowel ready for him.

[@leeyo5494]

@@jatpack3 are there any budget trowels that are good as a finish trowel?, thanks

[@jatpack3]

@leeyo5494 I like Marshalltown 14 inch by 5 . They have ones called "perma shape" that have a slight curve to them. All new trowels have dull edges though. The spread the best when broken in after a few months. When broken in the edges are sharp enough to cut paper

[@TheCod3r]

It seems you have a great bond with your daughter(s) Kirk. It's nice to see a dad who actually acts like a dad. Keep it up buddy

[@jivsy81]

Doing a great job kirk, the videos you're putting up helping people are ace. We'll in mate.

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers Rich

[@simonpeyton-n3h]

watched loads of plasterers channels yours is by far the best and most relatable,feels like im watching myself as every movement u do is so familiar from how u coat outside to skimming i do exact the same movements pressure and speed,ive always said we will never be millionares cos nobody wants to watch us work but the way u explain things that some folk think are boring i still find it intersting even though i know it all and do it every day,your enthusiasm makes me want to go to work lol

[@rich8037]

Two minutes into the job and the top three foot of that wall already looks pretty much good enough to sign off. I've got some practising to do! (DIY plasterer here, really only doing it because on principle I reckon I ought to at least have a go at anything legal in my home.)

[@swannnny]

I'm literally doing the exact same now moving into a new home, I've done 5 walls so far and they are OK tbf, there is some misses and I've made a mess of the outer corners but I have time to rectify that, I was struggling with the mixes going off and getting the plaster on the wall fast enough. How did you do, what did you struggle with? Hope it went as good as it could have for you, I know from personal experience how hard it is to plaster when you've never done it before

[@BobbyR-lu4bq]

Hey it looks good you just help me bump it up a notch plaster is a lot easier than stucco I know it will make it faster for me thanks God bless you for sharing that

[@mrpete1972]

You make it look so easy, I've had a go when I had a plasterer at my house, I couldn't even get it off the mortar board without it being on the floor 😂 I'm sending this video to my plasterer as the clean up and no plaster in the back of the sockets really add to the finished job. Just hope I don't offend him 😂😂😂

[@bromkin]

Perfect demonstration of a new trowel and the problems it can cause, especially pulling out the plaster

[@waynenixon729]

Wow, your work area is lovely and clean. Such a neat job... Lines / edges are great!

[@ThePattypizzle]

Whenever I get a new trowel I just hook that little triangle sanding piece to my oscillating multitool with some 120 grit sandpaper and sand the corners and edges and surface. In a matter of seconds the corners arent pointy and sharp, theyre more round and safe to the touch. Dont know about everybody but it works for me when I dont have time to break the trowel in.

[@billkingham8943]

Hi Kirk. I’m pretty new to your channel I only subscribed about 1 month ago. I can see your an old tradesman and not one of the new tradesmen just out of college. You explain things very well and I’m sure lots of people will learn very much from watching you. I am a building inspector for my local authority and I see many trades works and yours is up there with the best I see. Keep up the good work and training the newbies the proper way to do a job. 👍👍✊✊😎

[@kevgreathead1886]

Got one myself & I love it. Where's our Keiran at like? Also good yer kids helping out, loving the chanel Kirk, top job 👍🏻

[@djhago3123]

I generally use it on sand and cement to wear it in.. sometimes I give it a rub of a sharpening stone to wear it in especially a stainless steel one

[@kumchavalcha]

love how you take all the extra steps mate! No sanding needed after your work! A true master of his craft! Cheers! It's a pleasure watching you work - the old school is the best;)

[@1982deaks]

Great video, good for beginners to show that they aren’t necessarily doing it wrong it could be due just to using new tools and to persevere

[@Ian-ub4cn]

Well done Masie, hope you got paid! I tried for years to get my son and daughters to come on board but they wouldn't entertain it! thanks for a great channel.

[@brickbybric]

Most of the plasterers in Ireland use them on sand and cement for a period of time before they skim with them

[@glenwarren4351]

Same in the us

[@jimmybaldwin737]

Same in England aswell. I did a lot of damp proofing over the years. So used sand and cement day in and day out. I don’t know why people don’t use sand cement. I would prefer to use that

[@plipertyplap4899]

​@@jimmybaldwin737it's nice to skim onto

[@Chelskie-darts]

I was told to give your trowel to a bricklayer for a period of time before I started using it for plastering , having 3 trowels in pipeline at all times (your main trowel , your back up and then your spare)

[@CalumJones-k9g]

Yr rightThe best way to brake a trowel in is on the rendering sand and cement

[@frankieball3794]

Great job mate. Love marshalltown trowels, but also have a big soft spot for the tyzack trowels. My finishing trowel is marshalltown 👌

[@GaryMoore-nw3gn]

I’m just starting to learn, diy level, appreciate your skills for sure, my efforts are far from perfect but they’re a huge improvement over what was there. Thanks for the tips, great work too 👍🏼

[@V4victory2025]

I always used a sharpening stone on new trowels but rounded the toes off slightly and use the heel for square corners. To make live sockets safe I just covered them with small freezer bags or the like, only takes seconds to cover sockets with the bag keeps it safe and clean.

[@paulbarton9222]

I was given a Marshall Town Gold from a shop that was closing down it takes some breaking in especially when I don’t plaster every day 👍thank you

[@jimmybaldwin737]

Nice to see you using board finish. That’s all I use. I love it

[@TheCreatorSupreme15]

Thanks

[@Onthetrowel]

Thank you very much mate

[@neilross9867]

Here's a nice little comedy moment for everyone reading the comments. I've just watched this entire video and had the intention of putting in to try and win this trowel. The chances are slim but as good odds as anyone else right? A couple of minutes from the end he says it'll be available to bid on in March 2023 😅😅. Typical me, always late to the party 🤣🤣. As always though Kirk, great video mate. Always informative, always patient, always you. Any apprentice lucky enough to get on with you would turn out an absolute master craftsman I'm sure.

[@barrybigdog3406]

Ive been off the tools for about 3 years now, but your videos really make me miss the trowel 😂

[@nwg8847]

when i was first starting out by labouring the old boy who taught me said to buy my no1 and use it for render and screeding for as long as i can to get the edge perfect i just use different grit of wet and dry now on a sheet of ply hasn't let me down 👍🏼

[@Onthetrowel]

Good stuff

[@showmeez]

I'm learning and improving as I go, been using that trowel for a while now (diyer, occasional jobs like a room here or a wall there but about to do a whole house we're renovating) and have to say I'm very attached to that bit of kit for throwing on. Tempted to try a speedskim for flattening though. Just wanted to say thanks for the content, picked up a few tips from you. Helpful stuff.

[@bee8583]

I’m still new in the trade myself, and still learning, though I can plaster (the skimming side of it) from start to finish confidently, I was advised by an experienced spread to stay away form the speedskim and master the trowel first. As flattening inbetween coats with the trowel is a very important aspect of training yourself to keep the angle of the trowel consistent. If you start using the speed skim instead it will take you soo much longer to master the trowel if that makes sense. It also helps with conditioning your muscles.

[@darrenburns16]

I love when tradesman bring their young ones to work... Teaching them a bit of life. Amazing stuff.

[@NottsOnline]

such a great channel and teacher.

[@x09mm]

Stainless all the way for me, I had a carbon steel trowel years ago, had it like a razor blade, one of the rivets popped and it went out of shape, stainless takes longer to wear in properly but they’re great for finishing, you can get pressure behind them without have to worry about popping rivet. I like the speed skim blades for flattening off, the plastic spatulas some use for finishing, I don’t like, doesn’t keep the wall flat.

[@durexjim]

very brave using new trowel straight out the box .Job well done thx for sharing

[@jonelliott4985]

Yeah it's good to get the kids involved in the work I used to take my lil lad with me to show him teach him the plastering and bricklayin my daughter I used to teach her all the maths stuff cos I had originally wanted to have them set up in business when they older an that

[@stuartwood776]

Iv started using carbon as stainless is very hard and will take ages to wear in better off with a permashape gold . Carbon has bit more flex than stainless took a month my carbon to be good enough for skim but love it now . Keep up the good work

[@DavidSherlock-z5n]

I can remember years ago before these power mixers I used to use a wooden stick to mix my skim also mixing carlite browning in a tin bath

[@damstv8717]

great trowels marshalltown i allways buy the pre worn in trowels

[@lmilne4859]

Lovely work. Kirk great demo.

[@mikedevlin5888]

What a beautiful relationship.

[@acestu]

Top Job again Kirk !

[@NevilleHayfield]

Haha. I always hit a curb if i need Asap. Other than that i obviously use floating or Sand and Cement to brake it in. Or floor screeds ✌️🙏

[@northernpatriotmanchester675]

we used to tap the handle stem with a lat hammer made the corners bend up slightly

[@whostolethejam]

I have that trowel, it has worn in lovely had it for 10 years

[@CH000L]

Nice detailed vid. I’ve only ever used stainless marshalltown trowels but I’ve recently bought and am currently wearing in an Ox 18inch stainless from screwfix, mainly just to see if it can hold its own compared to the marshalltowns. About 4 weeks in to wearing it in now and it’s just about starting to become less offensive. Was also only £33 compared to the £75-£80 for the marshalltown equivalent. Will be interesting to see how long it lasts and if I’m ever able to get it finishing as crisp as my marshalltown! Keep up the good work, love from a fellow born-on-the-trowel plasterer 👍🏻

[@paulbarton9222]

Also what a great girl you’ve got there good steady camera work 10/10 🎉

[@andrewmcintosh5914]

I have a 14" Marshalltown carbon cement trowel that I used to use as a "skimmer", as it's as straight as a die. I generally use an MT permashape now but breaking in another MT carbon finishing trowel. I always run over the edges of a new trowel with my carborundum stone. I love using my 18" MT carbon but it's always an issue for my elbow now 😢

[@andrewmcintosh5914]

Wooden handles on both MT and Tyzak are my preference as well as they are slightly thicker

[@garywinterbottom]

It's like a snooker player and his cue It's an extension of their arm.😊

[@markmcgrath4853]

good work again KIRK !

[@Benzknees]

It seems all plasterers advise sanding down the edge of new trowels. So why do manufacturers not supply them ready sanded?

[@chillax141]

Amazingly helpful video, much appreciated.

[@lewigas290]

Thoroughly enjoyed that! Great vid and very well explained. Thanks for posting 👍

[@mejustanormalguy4742]

Braver man than me .I only bought a new trowel when I knew I had a few weeks of float and set or a screeding job.😂😂

[@gedlaw109]

I got a Marshall town gold brilliant worked well from the box

[@patrickwatters7555]

In the good old days we used two trowels one broken in for finishing. One breaking in on render, sand and cement.

[@mrwright5699]

Kirk have you ever had a Mt trowel misshapen? I have one here thats like a ~ if you look along the edge of it. I could get a decent finish with it but bought a new one and was better from out the box.

[@Michael-nv5rp]

love watching plasterers work,i would let the first coat pick up more ,your a good spread mate.

[@seadonkey7159]

He is. Good hand skills. Reminds me of me.

[@PeterOgden-h1k]

Love watching yo plaster kirk your an artist

[@Onthetrowel]

Thankyou mate

[@kevinhancock4064]

Thanks 4 the link ....BTW yes I own a tyzak it was on offer and I don't use them much . But the other issue I get is getting things flat I get good smoothness now but fiatjess needs work lol

[@neilphelps8618]

Another great video and professional job, thank you. Just hope I got the lucky ticket 🤞🏼

[@kevinlawes591]

Just a note I thought you would bring up mate plaster/dirty water on that oak fireplace will stain it black! A nightmare to remove! 👍

[@andybarbour3620]

Is it possible to take a file to the edge to sharpen it up?

[@MePowlo]

Appreciate the expert guidance - thanks man :)

[@loganlouie9822]

Let it go off a bit on that first coat before a flatten in playing with it to much is always a c@star # 😂 ive learnt so many lessons over 17 years and still I’m learning.

[@mickydola6472]

Now then Kirk been a while mate hope ye well been chocka mate back on board watching and catching bck up with ye vids av a good1 muck 😉👍

[@stevennoon4722]

That's why om not getting the finish o use to get because the trowel isn't broken on properly at college and there trowels what other people have used would that make a big difference using trowels what other people have used kirk 🤔 just a question

[@IainHC1]

Although you took the hard edges off the trowel by rubbing them away on a kerb on the road.... You wore the edges in the wrong direction... You rubbed very fine grooves in to your trowel edge at 90 degrees to how you would apply your plaster.... This is why your trowel dragged your plaster. You should have rubbed the trowel edges along the kerb in the same direction as you would to apply plaster..... By doing this... The fine grooves in your trowel will be in the same direction as your trowel stroke, reducing that drag and speeding up the trowel's wearing in time. Always move in the same direction as you apply plaster.

[@Onthetrowel]

Your spot on mate thank you

[@IainHC1]

@@Onthetrowel Only too glad to help 🙂 Keep up the cracking work m8 🙂

[@jimh4072]

I never knew that would make a difference, thanks. 👍

[@bloggs692413]

nice job spread

[@brianharis2211]

Nice job brother

[@E69apeTheMatrix420]

I prefer the Ox trowel handle; Its rubber all the way round the corner so You dont rub the metal / start of the grip with your index finger all day and rub muck in the gap.. I find that annoying. Also the handle is short and and fat on the Marshaltown. I crunch my knuckles when I start down low and pull up a wall. Dont say Im holding it wrong because thats how I feel best in that situation my knuckles are catching the rivet section. The Ox handle seems a little longer so I can grip it with all fingers properly and not as fat so I dont catch my knuckles. I have both. The Marshaltown has a far superior blade and comes more curved out the box ( always get the permashape gold version! pre worn and better quality steel.) I You think the standard version is nice then its nothing on the legit permashape!) The Ox has a superior handle and is nicer to hold! I use both depending.

[@joejoey316]

Brilliant stuff kirk!!

[@RichardDowd]

Brilliand video Kirk - you can never hgave too much knowledge! Wondering, can you take down the blade edge with a whetstone?

[@alanc9832]

Love the channel kirk, from Ireland keep it up mate,, proper plasterer

[@JPPlastering93]

Another great video mate, love watching your content 👏🏻 did you use stop beads on the angles?

[@archiethere85]

What size is this trowel? Thanks for the videos mate love watching them. Hope you had a great Christmas

[@stephencorner1418]

Use Marshall pre-form use for render then float,then will be ready to use as finish

[@nigewoolf1524]

Thought u could buy pre rounded ?

[@Swiftspell]

I've been a Plasterer of all types for 30 years, we haven't used hawks in 25 years. They simply slow down production. 6 inch Broad knife and a 20 x 5 trowels the only way to go for spreading

[@leeandsarahsworld8091]

Just had our ceiling done in the bedroom the guys done a brilliant job considering they under quoted it as it was quoted by photos to begin with so we paid them the extra even tho they didn’t want any extra 😂

[@kadzo1000]

Why is it that you've always got tuns of sockets to go round 🤣 Great camera work too 👍🏻 (you don't see many 14 year old's labouring for there dad 👍🏻)

[@deanstones6773]

Looks amazing mate

[@MarcusT86]

Absolutely AMAZING video again Kirk! And what’s more, is this a new camera? It was like I was stood in the room watching, it was that clear! Some of those close-ups were so unbelievably helpful!! Top praise to Maisie the camera girl for her amazing work there! God, if you could do a full length tutorial again in future with this camera and these close ups, touch tests, I believe I could finally plaster my house myself 🤣

[@alantippett7602]

Hello Maisie! Kirk, I'm looking to buy another Marshaltown, already have a permashape and a 16×4. What are the main differences between a permashape and an Xlite, apart from more expensive and a different coloured metal?

[@TheSkunkyMonk]

What I don't get is why you'd ever replace your gear specially if you got decent kit to start with unless some scrote broke into your van? Or do trowels get worn out?

[@markmcgrath4853]

when your fitting new plasterboard do you have to put scrim tape to existing ceilings and existing walls ? thankyou

[@jonesconrad1]

I prime the board with a little bit of gear before putting a big blob on.

[@ricktusgrin906]

I spent months breaking in a Tyzack, Marshaltown, changed the game.

[@shaunhobson5658]

Can you do a video on timings i.e when to walk away and when to apply second coat etc as i believe this is a big deal, thanks

[@missfawkes9214]

I run a flap wheel up and down mine or use it for rendering jobs before I use it for plastering..

[@adamcunningham2511]

The black banded trowels are not pre worn . Thats why the gold banded permashape sells better. They all need wearing overtime though dont they ? In my opinion

[@unclebuckgb]

Inspiring to watch cheers

[@Mckolas_whistling_front_teeth]

Love you vids top quality, just wanted to offer a small suggestion which may save you time, when I work out of a bucket I use a Harling trowel as a scoop so it's much quicker to load your hawk. All the best.

[@jb-78]

I found out the hard way as an apprentice working behind a live socket😂 It threw me accross the room into a book shelf that collapsed on me, trowel had a 2 penny peice hole on the toe end of it😮

[@RustyD.I.Y]

Is it just better (for an amateur) to buy a pre-worn trowel?

[@NS_RC]

Use a orbital sander and work it up to a 1000grit. Unreal finish

[@darrenrea6541]

What’s your thoughts on sponging the wall after first coat to flatten

[@pete21pete21]

I'm a retired spread and my arms are hurting just watching you ,

[@philshortland6135]

Top job 👌🏻

[@Mazzeha]

Quick question, on the second coat, did you reuse the plaster that was in the bucket from the first coat? Going to go break my trowel in a bit on the curb ^^

[@Onthetrowel]

Yes I just wet it up an re mixed it but be warned,it seats faster when you do this

[@jimmydickson8854]

At what stage do you get rid of your old trowels