Trowel types and purpose

One of the most important tools for any plastering project is the trowel. The kind of trowel you select can have a big impact on the result, whether you’re working on fine details or applying a smooth finish.

There are different kinds of trowels, and each is intended for a particular use. Knowing why they are there aids in the process of choosing the best tool for the job, improving efficiency and yielding superior outcomes.

Choosing the ideal trowel for your plastering needs will be made easier with the help of this article, which will walk you through the various types of trowels available and explain their specific uses.

Trowel Type	Purpose
Pointing Trowel	Used for small precision work like filling gaps and pointing brickwork.
Finishing Trowel	Ideal for smoothing and finishing plaster or concrete surfaces.
Margin Trowel	Perfect for spreading or smoothing mortar in tight spaces.
Bucket Trowel	Designed for scooping or applying mortar from a bucket.
Notched Trowel	Used to spread adhesive evenly with ridges, often for tiling.

Purpose of the trowel

The bonding solution must be applied carefully and sparingly when laying brick or stone.

When tiling with tiles or stones, glue is applied in the same manner. It was for this reason that the trowel was created.

This is a basic hand tool that is typically made to resemble a tiny spatula with a variety of handle shapes.

The product’s weight and size, which vary from 60 to 180 mm, depend on its intended use.

The solution is gathered in doses and applied to the area of a small element, such as brick or ceramic tile, using a trowel.

The trowel can also be used as a mallet by blowing on the handle to realign the stone or tile.

Plastering is the second application area.

Although there is a large work surface, the plaster solution is also applied in small amounts.

After applying layers of plaster of varying thicknesses, the plaster is leveled. The trowel’s curved handle and flat spatula shape make the task considerably simpler and produce a visibly superior outcome.

Different types of trowels are chosen depending on the task at hand, such as bricklaying, plastering, or cutting seams.

Device and characteristics

Despite its simplicity, the tool’s effectiveness is not diminished.

The components of the trowel are as follows:

• working platform – a flat part of a triangular, oval or other shape. With its help, viscous material is collected and leveled;
• handle – short, since when working with such a tool, force is not transmitted. Usually wooden, but there are also rubberized and metal. There is a removable handle, so when the spatula wears out, it is replaced. Experienced craftsmen prefer a replacement, since it is not easy to find a grippy tool "to hand";
• • neck – an element connecting the handle and the trowel. The shape of the bend is extremely important. The correct bend shifts the center of gravity of the hand, so that when carrying heavy solutions, the hand gets tired less;
• butt – a metal attachment at the end of the handle. During bricklaying or tiling, the butt is used to adjust the position. The master taps the stone with the butt so that the latter sits more tightly in the solution. The nozzle is made of metal, since other materials cannot withstand repeated impact loads.

Material

High carbon steel is most frequently used to make the blade. Stainless steel is frequently utilized, particularly in plastering projects.

To ensure that the solution transfers evenly and does not stick to the platform’s surface, the product’s material is carefully ground.

Steel tools are preferred by plasterers and masons because they are more dependable when handling thick mortars.

Additionally, there is a plastic trowel for applying tile adhesive or wallpaper, such as a model with teeth. It weighs significantly less, and because of this, the hand gets less fatigued. Most of the handle’s construction is wood. The hand is kept from slipping by the slightly rough surface, which is more practical when handling plaster solutions.

Furthermore, wood retains heat, keeping the handle warm to the touch even in cold weather.

While the plastic handle is likewise practical, skilled artisans believe it lacks durability. Metal handles are uncommon because they make the trowel heavier.

Rubberization is applied to steel handles to make them more comfortable to hold.

Sizes, shapes and weight

Their purpose is determined by the parameters of the product. Popular models’ sizes are regulated by GOST.

• Thus, according to standards, the full length of a mason"s trowel is 310 mm, and the length of the platform is 200 mm. The width of the blade – in the wide part, reaches 150 mm.
• A trowel for stove work is longer due to the handle – 327 mm, with the same length of the blade – 200 mm. The width of the platform is smaller – 125 mm.
• A tiler"s or plasterer"s trowel reaches 310 mm in length, but the length of the blade is smaller – 174 mm. The width of the platform is 120 mm with a teardrop-shaped product.
• Plasterers" trowels are distinguished by a larger blade width – 150 and 140 mm, with its length of 190 and 175 mm. Product length – 327 and 312 mm.
• The trowel for finishing – throwing and leveling decorative plaster has a small blade width – 120 mm and a large length – 180 mm, with a tool length of 320 mm. In fact, it is difficult to describe the variety of shapes and types of trowels. Moreover, with a change in the shape of the spatula, the location of the handle and its configuration can also change.

The platform is created:

• rectangular – a classic version of the product for grouting. In this case, the platform is not put on the handle, but the handle is fixed to the center of the platform in order to evenly distribute the force when rubbing the plaster;
• trapezoidal – finishing trowels are most often made in this shape. The proportions of the trapezoid are determined by the nature of the work;
• triangular – with rounded edges. Standard type of trowel for various purposes;
• teardrop-shaped – a good configuration for working with tiles. Tiles are hard, but fragile and the sharp edges of the plastering trowel are dangerous for them;
• oval – it is convenient to use a trowel to throw mortar from a container, due to the lack of sharp corners;
• in the form of a narrow strip – this specific tool is used for rustication.

Each trowel weight is chosen specifically "to suit your hand." The product weighs between 300 and 400 g on average.

Types of trowels and their purpose

The trowel can be used for a wide range of tasks because of its diverse shapes and sizes. But its purpose is considered in order to select the best model.

Concrete trowel

Their spatula is triangular and measures between 120 and 180 mm.

Used when laying bricks and stones to mix, dose, and apply cement mortars.

Utilized for mixing as well. Masons use this model to apply mortar to difficult-to-reach places.

Mason"s trowel

Similar to the spatula, it is triangular but firmly rounded.

Applying and combining mortars with varying densities is easier with this option. More even distribution of the material is achieved by eliminating sharp corners. Additionally, the tool’s dimensions—120–180 mm—remain the same.

Tiler"s trowel

In this instance, the platform is shaped like a narrow drop.

This is because much less glue or mortar is needed when laying tiles, but it must be applied with greater precision.

Model for finishing works

This short, narrow tool is used to level and throw cement and gypsum mortars.

Plastering trowel

It has a broad, sharp-edged spatula in the shape of a teardrop.

This is a multipurpose tool for blending and scrubbing different viscosity mortars.

Grouting trowel

This model features a spatula shaped like a rectangle, and the neck is frequently fixed in the middle of the platform rather than on the edge.

Due to its large working surface, this model is more often used for leveling than for throwing mortar.

The product is produced in a number of subtypes, made of steel, plastic, and plexiglass, and in various sizes for use with heavy and light plaster.

The mirror polishing of the working platform is the feature that unites all the options.

The trowel’s smoothness is crucial for producing the desired effect when leveling plaster, particularly Venetian.

Trowel with teeth

This trowel model is different from the previous one in that it has teeth that are between 4 and 10 mm long.

It is employed to even out the glue application and smooth the plaster layer that has been applied.

Grouting trowel

It features a narrow strip-shaped spatula that is rounded on one side and sharpened on the other.

The blunt end of the blade is used to grout vertical seams, while the blade is used to grout horizontal ones.

Trowel for internal corners

This model is designed to be used for processing internal corners and is shaped like an angular spatula.

Trowel for external corners

An analogous model, likewise fashioned like an angular spatula, with an outward bend, meant for handling corners on the outside.

Other trowel models exist that have comparable shapes but slight modifications, such as trapezoidal, triangular, etc.

A trowel is a basic yet crucial plastering tool. Various types are made for different purposes, such as applying, smoothing, or finishing surfaces. Comprehending the diverse trowel varieties and their functions facilitates the attainment of a polished, long-lasting surface in plastering endeavors, encompassing walls, ceilings, or ornamental components.

What you need to know about the trowel

To ensure a mistake-free purchase, take into account the following factors when purchasing a trowel:

• purpose: the type of trowel is determined solely by this factor. Convenience really matters more.

Physical prowess, height, or more accurately, the master’s hand length and palm grip, influence the decision nearly as much as the goal. Thus, some people prefer the traditional teardrop-shaped version with a sharp end for plastering, while others find a concrete trowel to be more practical.

• Tool weight: If the trowel is excessively heavy, the worker will tire out much more quickly while using it for extended periods of time. The model is chosen based on the employee’s level of physical strength;

• The material’s weight is also significant. Because cement mortars are heavy, you will need a steel tool in this situation. A plastic spatula works well for finishing with gypsum plaster.

• Neck bend and handle tilt: This type of tool evenly distributes the weight while handling the material, reducing hand fatigue. But the only way to find out how convenient it is to work with such a handle tilt is to try and fail. In severe circumstances, adjusting the tilt angle can somewhat alter the neck’s bend;

• Material: The spatula’s polished metal allows the solution to slide on it with ease. Such processing produces distinct outcomes. Thus, the solution literally flies off a polished stainless steel platform, and it takes some getting used to.

A black iron product holds better and sticks to the plaster more firmly. But black metal is prone to corrosion, so extra care should be taken with the tool.

When plastering walls, selecting the appropriate trowel is crucial to getting a smooth, even finish. Every kind of trowel has a distinct function, from plaster application to surface finishing and smoothing.

Gaining an understanding of the various types of trowels and their purposes will help you plaster more effectively and produce a finish that looks professional. The quality of your work can be greatly affected by the trowel you choose, regardless of whether you’re working with large surfaces or tight corners.

You can guarantee a smoother application and a better outcome by choosing the right trowel for each step of the plastering process. Long-term benefits can be obtained by making an investment in high-quality tools and learning how to use them properly.

Video on the topic

Master class RIGID WIRE for brooches. Types, application, basics of embroidery of beaded brooches.

domestic resor trowel

Master class/Textile workshop/Types of pins and their application in handicrafts

HAND-MADE mason"s trowel or 496 grams of TAGANROG quality for 500 rubles

An excellent trowel for working with a bucket under the rod, for stove-makers and other small jobs.Meet Ragni 7"

Review of Bricklaying Tools for 480 euros.Marshalltowm Trowels.Review of bricklayer"s tools.