Blades always make a difference. I couldn't tell you which us better, but if you plan on skimming ceilings later, the ergonomics of doing that really count.

The old time plasterer who taught me used a 4' piece if wood siding, but plaster gets burnished later.

 

I have TapeTech blades, they work well for me.

Tom

 

Yes we found significant difference between brands. We ended up with TapeTech. But we never had a 4' blade.

 

That's a lot of spackle consumption. Stairway may be the exception

 

If you go the 48” blade route, thin the mud and roll it on the wall with a 3/4” nap roller.

Tom

 

I like my Marshaltown blades. They fit my hands well.

I also roll mud on with the big blades.

They are a game changer. You can pull the mud very tight, very easily.

 

Do you guys find yourself using smaller blades like 24” or 32” more often? I didn’t really want to spring for a whole set right away, I figured it would be best to start bigger, have the reach if I needed it and buy more later if I wanted but maybe not.

 

48 is way too wide, your are working on a house not a spaceship. It does not have to be that flat. I have a 24 and a 30 I think, never use the 30.

A 48 would be hard to control especially with mud on it and trying to wipe it off

 

48 is way too wide, your are working on a house not a spaceship. It does not have to be that flat. I have a 24 and a 30 I think, never use the 30.

A 48 would be hard to control especially with mud on it and trying to wipe it off

I've not used bigger than 24" for that very reason.

 

I have a 32”, I’d Prefer the next size down. I haven’t used it much so i haven’t bothered buying the smaller one.

I originally bought it for short walls that have two outside corners close together. If they’re not flat the baseboard shows it bad.

 

I use the 18". Twenty four would be my max.

 

I've used from the 7 up to the 48, with and without the handle. They all have their place.

Tom

 

The small ones look like they can replace traditional knives due the comfort of grip.
Are you phasing out the regular knives?

 

I will admit I am awful with mud. Level 5 knives make me look good, the grip makes a huge difference. I have up the 14" and they are well worth the money.

 

That said, up here we are doing all skim coat plaster. Mud is only for touch ups and tie ins for the most part.

 

I keep water around to dip and wipe occasionally. With the skim blade I feel like I need to do it more often with a sponge.

 

I believe the correct term that the plasters use is a rod. They will make them out of anything that is straight and does the job. The food plasters us 12-16" finish trowel unless filling big holes.

 

My uncle used what he called a darby, he had up to a 42” darby.

Tom

 

I sub out all the drywall work but on my personal projects I've used a 48" magnesium darby quite a bit. It's not a substitute for a skimming knife or vice versa. Some of the younger drywallers have never seen a darby, LOL. It was used regularly by plasterers.

Marshalltown 48" Plain Magnesium Plaster Darby-Double Knob (MARS-14886)

Marshalltown 48" Plain Magnesium Plaster Darby-Double Knob

walltools.com

 

huh, I thought darby just referred to a wooden concrete float. So is that for more of a final polish or what?

 

Smoothing and initial burnish.

Tom

 

David, it’s a slight bit of a learning curve. It’s all in the wrist. The angle is no problem, you’ll pick that right up


Mike

 

I have the Marshatown 24 and 40 inch blades. The 24 is great for most things, the 40 is good for ceilings or skimming walls after being fibafuse sheets.

A 30ish one would be a good middle ground if I had three, but the two are all I really need. The 24 is used every job, the 40 not as much.

 

I got a vevor set ordered off Amazon think it’s a 10” 24” 32 or 36” nice little kit with a decent little taping knife. Fits in a nice case with an adjustable pole for ceilings and such. Price was right for being a GC but if I’m skimming on a daily I’d likely get higher quality. But if the skills are had it’s seldom needed. Dewalt ones are too expensive. I’d go level 5 if that were the case. But the vevor is cheap enough one could get it to test the waters of liking to skim; and if they don’t price wasn’t bad and could re sell to then upgrade if they do.

 

I have 3 brands and level5 seems to be the best.

 

I have 2 24 inch one for concrete, and one for compound and plaster, but I do like Marshalltown tools that’s what I use for first second and third coat!

 

Most plasterers use a blade called the speedskim for skim coats of plaster here nowadays. Much quicker than the old method, although some of the older tradesmen won't use them.
Come in lengths of 2ft, 3ft, 4ft and 6ft, plus a pole attachment for doing ceilings. Although plastering isn't my trade, I find it much easier to get a good finish with them.

 

Stiffer is better I have 3 brands cuz no one told me, level 5 is better then marshall town and tapetech. I have all three.

 

If you go the 48” blade route, thin the mud and roll it on the wall with a 3/4” nap roller.

Tom

If you go the 48” blade route, thin the mud and roll it on the wall with a 3/4” nap roller.

Tom

I've been sticking with the 1-1/4 roller. I'll have check that. What mud do you use?

 

Sheetrock General Purpose (green lid)

Tom

 

I had a wall that needed a bit of feathering to look good but I didn't have a knife big enough. I picked up a piece of 1 1/2" aluminum angle at Lowes and used that for my straight edge. It worked great and cleaned up easily.