Must-Have Concrete Tools for Beginners - Get Started Right!

Dustin Firch, the King of Concrete explains the necessary tools for the homeowner, or for
the new hire. Concrete day at the Spec House: • Dominate The Concrete ...
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[@williammrdeza9445]

Thanks, Scott. I have loved watching Dustin and his crew work on your jobs and have doubly loved hearing him in person explain the tools of his craft.

[@Hoaxer51]

As a lifelong mason, this guy has good advice, I personally like wood handles on my float and trowels because they’ll break in and feel better but that’s what I started on back in the early 70’s. Those small trowels are great when you’re doing floors, I’d carry an 8X3 or a 8X2 in my back pocket when I was doing the walls on a big job and I swear you can get some grout up on year old floor with a little water and an 8x2 inch trowel. Lol As some people have commented, it’s a rewarding job, it pays well, and it’s really hard on your body. Good luck if you get into it and I would recommend getting into a union for the health insurance and pension that they offer and if you make a lifelong job of it you will be set in your retirement.

[@nigelwylie01]

10:26 the take-away quote of the video. I’m so glad I am subscribed to this channel. Thank you, you are like my ‘KZbin Dad’.

[@hugozavala33]

Great 👍🏼 We still need to touch some about wooden floats , Fresnos bull floats , groovers ,funny trowel and he knows how to explain best great video

[@dougvazquez6571]

Dustin is a top dog in my way of thinking. When the concrete is flowing down the chute, you need people like Dustin for a quality concrete placement.

[@campbellbuilt]

I very seldom hear the correct word “placement” being used. That is the correct building terminology as opposed to using the word pour. Good job.

[@nicks3037]

​@@campbellbuiltWhy is that if you don't mind answering?

[@campbellbuilt]

@@nicks3037 Nick if you go to any building trade school they will teach you to say placement rather that pour. I switched occupations 23 years from doing collision repair to being a builder/remodeler. I went to college to learn construction early in my career which for the most part was a waste of time except for the business law. I took every law class I could those are a absolute necessity but I digress. The professors and exams always required the word placement rather than pour. I do believe my general contractors license examination used placement as well but I had my license before going back to college so it’s been a couple moons. Funny thing is after getting out of school I used the word placement around concrete guys the did flat work, and they gave me the (deer in the headlight look) like what are you talking about. So conclusion is just use pour.

[@equalandthesame9110]

Basically we "place" concrete, we don't "pour" concrete. The difference between those two words referenced the "correct" "water/cement ratio". When on the job site regardless of size or amount of concrete being used, when it's hard to move or spread concrete, the least expensive way to make this work easier is to add water to the mix which increases the water/cement ratio. This intern decreases the ultimate strength of the concrete. I'm a concrete contractor and worker and as almost every professional trades person over the years, we all add extra water to the mixes. Normal usually this additional water is and has been pre calculated into final usage of inplace tolerances and specifications. Water is a needed component of concrete which when mixed with cement causes the chemical reaction of hydration, the cement becomes a paste or glue that is fluid and binds the cement to the sand and stone in concrete and while fluid forms into the given shape of the soon to be final hard cured concrete structure. Thus with a low water/cement ratio one would most likely take a little bit of concrete and place it to the desired location; with a high water/cement ratio one can more quickly move more concrete to the desired location. The correct terminology is we should be "placing" concrete, but over the years "pouring" concrete has gained wide spread acceptance. For those who want to demand or even expect their concrete be "placed" expect to pay$$$$ much more in either placement accessibility, equipment, admixtures, labor, time and even those achey bones muscles joints or all of the above. Love me forming placing or pouring and finishing concrete, it's a wonderful life, and science!

[@campbellbuilt]

@@nicks3037 equalandthesame gave a detailed explanation but I should have explained it. Concrete is a mixture of Portland, cement, sand, aggregate, and water. Now there may be a few additional additives, depending on where you are in the country but those are the four main properties of concrete. When Concrete is in the drum of the delivery truck it is constantly being mixed so when it comes down the chute it should have a consistent mixture of those four components. In crude description the more you move concrete after it leaves the chute the aggregate will settle to the ground and your concrete‘s strength is greatly diminished. So what engineers are concerned about is you placing the concrete in one corner of the slab and using a come along to pull that concrete over to another corner and leaving aggregate behind. Just like equalandthesame said you do this by adding water to allow the concrete to be moved easier and that’s how the aggregate gets left behind or falls to the bottom easier.

[@nestorsalvador9236]

These tools will make you eeeaaaaassssyyy money 💰💰

[@GRUBB-MUDD]

Dustin is a beast but he cant keep up w me on a jobsite. Im jk. He is a best... Great solid advice great video EC

[@GRUBB-MUDD]

Going live tonight 8pm. TOP 10NCONCRETE CHANNELS ON KZbin! Love to see u in the chat nate

[@cooders71]

In sure this is common knowledge with the concrete community, but I find it fascinating how many tools there are, to get the job done and done right, so it lasts. The amount of trial and error that has went into this profession, to get it to this point, well, it's impressive.

[@Boysinda]

Yes!!!!! I have been waiting for this for a year !!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@stumather8445]

Brilliant video!!

[@garychaiken808]

Great job guys. Thank you 😊

[@shiitbyrd9869]

Great job as always.

[@johnpoole8321]

Thanks guys ! Love learning things like this.

[@jollyroger6258]

A great primer. Thanks.

[@tc9148]

So helpful and informative. More tool videos please. Thank you.

[@Z-Bart]

Super helpful. I need to pour a 2-step entry to my shop.

[@gtbkts]

Thank you guys for all the amazing videos and epic content!

[@thomasgeorge815]

Thank you sirs for sharing your experience. Keep up the great work yall.

[@stephengreen2898]

Wow… What a great video! Thanks

[@choimdachoim9491]

Great, free, useful education. Thanks bodayus.

[@2tana22]

Great advice!

[@jonblakemore6454]

I thought this was going to be a video for newbies. I'm not a full time concrete guy, but I've finished plenty. I learned more about the "why" of finishing in the first 5 minutes than I have watching many other videos.

[@Deano.1978]

Great stuff Scott and Dustin, the D/5 (20%) depth of the joiner is spot on for residential work. On highways we tend to sawcut instead of tool contraction joints and go deeper (25% or 33%). The mixes are higher strength and often sawing doesn't happen until many hours after the pour (to avoid spalling the joint with the blade) so we go a bit deeper to guarantee a crack at the joint.

[@kirkyorg7654]

great advice

[@RcFlyer49]

This was perfectly succinct and so, so informative. Thank you for interviewing an expert.

[@michaelfoley1080]

Great stuff lads. Thoroughly enjoyable and informative content. Thank you.

[@PhotonFlightTeam]

did concrete slabs, sidewalks, stairs, curb and gutter....23 years ago. that was enough for me, not that young any more. But dang, Dustin, you make me wanna join your crew! We talked, and I saw your work at the Spec House. Perfect

[@jonathankipps9061]

Basic toolsets for the homeowner and the 'new guy' would be fun too, for the other trades. Electrician apprentice -- Stripper, wire cutter, screwdrivers, etc, etc. How do you stock a toolbag on the job for roughing in a house, for installing the fixtures in a house, or for doing diagnostic and repair work? Same for plumbing, carpentry, roofing, and other trades. What should you have in your toolbag, belt, or bucket that first day you walk onto the job?

[@beachtimehawaiibth7222]

Thank you to the shop for allowing you to give us all the information there….Dustin, thanks for the insight, and please keep the concrete jobs, building, and great shows coming our way! Idea….go out and shadow Dustin on some of his jobs! He is a wealth of information! They would make awesome videos!

[@theartofconcrete]

I love the extra details about the pressure. Great video. Another very important tip is never to use a steel trowel on exterior freeze thaw slabs. Steel on freeze thaw will destroy the concrete. Only mag floats can be used on freeze thaw slabs. Keep up the great work 👍

[@wompbozer3939]

Why do you think that is? Nobody has been able to give me a decent explanation as to why this happens.

[@kev5782]

@@wompbozer3939 Steel troweling seals over the surface trapping water and can also compromise the air entrainment near the surface of the slab

[@craig221]

Cool vid

[@stephenjohnston8247]

Can't really explain how l feel every time l watch your chanel other than to say l love it ,l have been a carpenter for 40 years and wish your chanel had been around for that time I'm sure l would have been a better tradesman and man and please keep up the good work

[@74stevedc]

Interesting how people in different areas do things. If Im hand finishing I still use a finish 16x4 because I change angle so much at the end there's lots of pressure on 16" on edge. I do have the small trowels but use those around pipes or foundation walls were a 16" mag won't fit.

[@ScrewdriverTUNING]

My guy.!! Great video 🦾🧬☀️

[@ska1659]

Greetings from Poland.

[@mondavou9408]

I have always wanted to learn how to do concrete! I think its the greatest building resource (if you want to argue, I'm not up for it, you should find a Roman). Cool to know a place like this exists.

[@EngineersHomestead]

My engineering buddy from college works at Marshalltown in Iowa!

[@brandonboyd1]

About how much $ would that starter professional set cost?

[@rickscott2568]

His shirt is very appropriate for the trades

[@billlynch8397]

Can you do a show that includes the different radius sizes of your pointers and edges please 🙏 thanks for the show ❤

[@billlynch8397]

I mean jointers

[@benisrood]

​@@billlynch8397 You can edit your original comment, Billy 👍

[@billlynch8397]

@benisrood not sure how to yet lol. Damn spell check any how

[@isaacalvarado123]

I'm a finisher and I started laughing when Scott said it's not fun when the burn trowel comes out and Dustin replied with when it's not supposed too. I normally take it out when it's a garage floor but when i take it out for something like a driveway, you know we're losing.

[@CrimeVid]

That’s all for fancy concrete ! a shovel,a big piece of straight 6x2” and whatever big steel float you’ve got, is all the kit we had mostly, and a big stiff broom is not a bad idea, we acquired other stuff later.

[@charlesviner1565]

Good morning everyone ☕🍩

[@montymartin4493]

Good morning. I hope you have a great day 😊

[@charlesviner1565]

@@montymartin4493 👍have a great day

[@Hoaxer51]

Good morning from Ohio!

[@jtaylor6662]

You are my virtual Grandpa. Like it or not. Thank you for your content.

[@EFD620G]

Got a job in high school working for a concrete contractor. I was never so glad to go back to school in the fall. When asked, I told my Dad what I learned. "There are easier ways to make a living."

[@mikem5231]

Show us a sample slab! When to use the tools!

[@rubenvarela4077]

In Texas the guys homemade the hooks for trowl or floats

[@cameronwolf3021]

2 questions from a homeowner When it comes to the size of a pad, at what point are joints should joints be added? 15 20 30 sqft? How big of a pad is just too big for a homeowner to do and do well.

[@imout671]

So whats the difference between using keyway and a jointer???. Ive never been in the business but i always use keyway to create cracks on buildings. I've put up

[@montymartin4493]

Good morning. I hope everyone has a great day

[@mikev.1034]

👍👍

[@tonyn3123]

I have been around heavy concrete construction all my career as well as professional concrete crews. I also have finished all the relatively small concrete projects around my home all my life. I have learned several things. Concrete is heavy. Also, if you want a surface that you define is necessary, hire the professionals who 1. have the equipment to handle the material 2. they have the crew that does this work every day with skills to get what is specified for a surface and 3. remember, concrete is heavy. Thanks.

[@charlesmiller7861]

When I was young, we would work out of town, pour 100/200 yards of concrete, then go drinking and partying all night, most of us are still friends, and we wonder how we used to do it.

[@nickmagma7745]

What´s up with the workbench? Hqve you started working on it yet?

[@essentialcraftsman]

Finishing the gate, then starting the workbench

[@thomream1888]

I really like the Concrete Guy wearing a chiropractor t-shirt! You KNOW he's the real deal now. But that goes for most any job on a construction site. Hard-working men doing hard work. Good show Scott - covered the job in detail but didn't lose us noobs. Dustin does a good job explaining stuff. Thanks Gents.

[@SandBoxJohn]

I find Dustin's t shirt to be quite amusing.

[@maddierosemusic]

Can the 'laydown' trowel be called a Fresno? Also, what about those knee platforms I see the guys crawling around on?

[@MisunderstoodWierdo]

No. A Fresno is much larger and you use a pole to control it. There’s knee boards which you have to pick up and move as you finish or sliders which are basically huge metal knee pads you slide around the slab on.

[@NSResponder]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: concrete is magic.

[@johnschiltz6440]

Fitting that Dustin is wearing a chiropractic shirt. Concrete is hard work.

[@pforbom1844]

Why is magnesium used for concrete tools?

[@nineoneten]

If Justin is working on my house I hope he brings his own lunch ! Good chap, proper pro's are very impressive.

[@outfitr9703]

When I was a new hire the only tool I was allowed to touch was a mud rake. My advise for a homeowner who wants a quality job, do not attempt to do it yourself unless you're talking about a very small job. Trust me it takes years and many many yards of concrete to produce a quality job, and there's a lot of difference between a quality job and everything else.

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

Note to self: Never pick a fight with a concrete guy!

[@PimpDaddyDisco]

I just started with a general contractor who does it all. I've done framing and vinyl siding. I watch these videos so I don't look like a complete idiot when we're doing shtt I've never done

[@FarmerDrew]

Just act natural

[@Hoaxer51]

Everyone has a first time and learns from it and they learn from the more experienced guys out there. Just remember when someone wants you to break in a new guy and you don’t want to be troubled with it that someone took their time and taught you.

[@macshop69]

That is a PACKED lip if ive ever seen one

[@Cubic5]

And in my country I can buy only one size and shape of trowel.

[@jeffprice8739]

This guy deadlifts

[@diverdave4056]

My oh my … you have now become the new Bob Vila .🙄

[@arlingtonhynes]

My first set of abstract tools was more of a milestone.

[@TheMVCoho]

Made sure if you are investing its for tools MADE IN THE USA.

[@FarmerDrew]

Arthritis is a serious medical condition but thankfully it's the most accepted condition to get 100% disability benefits

[@jeffprice8739]

Yay disability

[@Binjh76]

You must not be from Louisiana. 😂

[@spitalul2bad]

Are the audio channels reversed?

[@rubzlovespancakes]

Yeah noticed the same thing.

[@brandonboyd1]

I think it was recorded in left/ right stereo

[@rubzlovespancakes]

Dustin was visually on the left but audio came from the right. Didn't distract too much though. These things happen.

[@MisunderstoodWierdo]

You should never use a pool trowel to finish a flat slab. Even if you’re new you need to use a square end trowel and learn how to not leave marks.

[@Sicktrickintuner]

Yep, concrete is a challenge and every job is the same yet different. Until you get the experience and the eye, it can throw you for a loop. Like excess water from the pump truck in a building slab on top of plastic…. What a mess. No air flow, high humidity turned into problems

[@Hoaxer51]

Yep, all the water comes to the top, just have to wait it out.

[@Sicktrickintuner]

@@Hoaxer51 not when it was like 10 gallons+ what a mess right at the start

[@Hoaxer51]

@@Sicktrickintuner,I’ve gotten a broom out and swept water off the top of concrete before but man, that’s a mess too!

[@samfeldman1508]

For as durable as concrete is, it sure needs to be babied when pouring.

[@michaeldalton8374]

It’s good to know, but I don’t ever want to need it.

[@mikegrizzle6864]

Careful if you remember the concrete furniture, take care. Your wrist and your back could be an old man like me hurt and all the time.

[@benisrood]

For a channel that promotes craftsmanship, apply some to your camera and audio work, that's also a craft, okay? To whomever did the audio: you got the Left and Right channels swapped around. All you had to do was listen to this back for a few seconds, good grief. This is fixed in two seconds flat in your editor. To the cameraman: Try turning auto-exposure off and actually looking at what you are shooting. Plus, it really, really doesn't take that much effort or 💰 to put a little LED light on top of your camera to make it easier for people to see what you are filming. When you see lights above and BEHIND your subject, and you're not lighting a drama, but showing off a product, that's not good. If you can't manage that, then at least, for goodness sake, try to boost the knee/toe of the image a little in the computer. It even happens at around 4:00 when you put the "DEPTH = THICKNESS OF SLAB" title on, see how that makes it easier to see into the shadows? Don't judge exposure/brightness of an image based on a monitor with the brightness turned all the way up, that gives you a totally misleading view, you need to look at the histogram of the image luminance distribution. Always, when looking at image luminance for stills or video, you gotta keep the brightness and contrast of your display turned down low, and use the histogram(s).

[@rabelingoodstanding2628]

you think you know until the guys that really know start talking. thanks for the info.

[@stronkde]

Pro Tip: never take advice from someone wearing a Chiropractor T Shirt

[@bhami]

No biggie, but I think you have the left and right audio channels reversed. I'm hearing Scott in my left ear instead of right ear.

[@codyw5799]

$100’s in hand tools $1000’s in material and labor Just to run a $12 broom over the top…😂

[@456evans]

???video about nutrition and fitness for a long career. See a lot of guys broken down and overweight. What do you do or have you done to take care of yourself? Alcohol use in the trades is a big thing where do you land on that ?

[@micksmith2929]

I only drink whiskey 🥃 when I pour concrete

[@gagarinchief]

sound is awful. mono. What is the garbage equipment do you use?

[@tomp538]

Best concrete advice; hire a professional... don't ask me how I know.

[@weshunter1540]

It doesn't help if the cameraman doesn't show the tools.

[@AnnaCentauri]

No Pool Burner? Rookies. Poured Concrete on 3 continents. shotcrete, pilings, bridges, skateparks. Every Conky-tonk man should have a burner. And a bully

[@adamr1637]

Trade names aren't uniform everywhere--what tools are you referring to?

[@AnnaCentauri]

A finishing burn trowel rounded edge for pools. 8" . And a bull pole float 36" . And a pole closing trowel rounded edge 12"@@adamr1637

[@MisunderstoodWierdo]

@@adamr1637a burner is a thin trowel you can put more pressure on to “burn in” the slab. Thats universal. A pool burner would be like a 3x14 pool trowel or something like that.