plastering tools list

Quick Answer: A complete plastering toolkit in 2026 requires approximately £300-£800 depending on quality level. Essential items include trowels (£15-£80 each), hawk (£12-£35), mixing drill (£80-£200), buckets, plastering float, sponge float, corner trowel, spot board, and safety equipment. Professional plasterers should invest in British-made tools from brands like Marshalltown, Refina, or Nela for durability on daily jobsites. Why Having the Right Plastering Tools Matters in 2026 Whether you’re a professional tradesperson building your first toolkit or a homeowner tackling a DIY project, having the correct plastering tools makes the difference between a smooth, professional finish and a frustrating, patchy mess. In 2026, the plastering industry continues to evolve with new materials and techniques, but the fundamental tools remain largely unchanged—with some modern improvements. The CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) still emphasises proper tool knowledge as foundational to any plastering qualification. This comprehensive guide covers every tool you’ll need, from absolute essentials to specialist equipment, with current UK pricing and where to buy them. Essential Hand Tools: The Core Plastering Kit These are the non-negotiable tools that every plasterer uses daily. Without these, you simply cannot plaster effectively. Plastering Trowels The plastering trowel is your primary tool—essentially an extension of your hand. You’ll need at least two sizes for different applications. Trowel Type Size Primary Use Price Range (2026) Finishing Trowel 14″ (355mm) Final skim coat, trowelling up £25-£80 Finishing Trowel 11″ (280mm) Smaller areas, corners, detail work £20-£65 Bucket Trowel 10″ (255mm) Mixing, scooping plaster from bucket £15-£35 Gauging Trowel 7-8″ (180-200mm) Patching, applying plaster to hawk £12-£30 Premium brands like Marshalltown, Refina, and Nela offer superior carbon steel blades that hold their flexibility longer. A quality finishing trowel from these manufacturers typically costs £50-£80 but will last years of daily use if properly maintained. For detailed reviews of the best trowels currently available, see our comprehensive plastering trowels guide. Pro Tip: Break in a new carbon steel trowel by cleaning it thoroughly after each use for the first month. This prevents rust forming in microscopic scratches and helps develop the smooth patina that makes plastering easier. Never leave a trowel standing in water—it ruins the tang connection between blade and handle. Plastering Hawk The hawk (also called a handboard) is the platform that holds your plaster while you work. It sits in your non-dominant hand and should feel balanced and comfortable. Standard size: 13″ x 13″ (330mm x 330mm) Material options: Lightweight aluminium (£12-£25) or heavy-duty plastic (£8-£15) Handle type: Fixed handle or screw-on detachable for easier cleaning Professional plasterers prefer aluminium hawks despite the higher cost because they’re more durable and easier to clean. The Marshalltown M/T24D is the industry standard at around £22-£28 from most builders’ merchants. For more detailed guidance on hawks and boards, read our complete hawks and boards comparison. Corner Trowels Internal corners are impossible to finish properly without a corner trowel. You’ll need at least one internal corner trowel (90-degree angle). Internal corner trowel: £15-£30 (stainless steel or carbon steel) External corner trowel: £18-£35 (if you work on external renders or corners) Flexible corner applicator: £8-£15 (useful for repairs and small patches) Plastering Floats Floats serve different purposes than trowels and are essential for texture and preparation work. Sponge float: £8-£18 — for dampening surfaces and achieving texture on render Polyurethane float: £10-£22 — for ruling off render and creating texture Devil float (nail float): £12-£25 — for keying base coats to receive finishing plaster Plastic smoothing float: £6-£12 — for smoothing plasterboard joints before skimming Mixing and Material Handling Equipment Proper mixing is critical for plaster performance. According to British Gypsum technical datasheets, incorrectly mixed plaster accounts for the majority of adhesion failures and cracking issues. Mixing Drill and Paddle Hand-mixing plaster is physically exhausting and produces inconsistent results. A proper mixing drill is essential. Feature Minimum Specification Recommended Specification Motor Power 1,200W 1,600W+ Speed Range 0-600 RPM 0-750 RPM variable Chuck Size M14 thread M14 or 13mm keyed Handle Type Side handle Twin side handles Price Range £80-£150 £150-£300 Top mixing drills in 2026: Eibenstock EHR 23/2.4 S — £280-£320 (professional choice, incredibly powerful) Collomix Xo 4 R — £220-£260 (excellent balance of power and weight) Makita UT1400 — £140-£180 (budget-friendly but reliable for light-medium use) DeWalt D21520 — £120-£160 (widely available, good for DIY and occasional use) For comprehensive mixing drill reviews and buying advice, see our dedicated mixing drills guide. You’ll also need a mixing paddle. The spiral paddle design (around £15-£35 depending on size) pulls material downward for lump-free mixing. Choose a 120-140mm diameter paddle for standard 25kg bags of plaster. Buckets and Mixing Containers Never underestimate the importance of quality buckets. Cheap buckets crack, leak, and make your life miserable on site. Heavy-duty mixing buckets: £6-£12 each (Gorilla Tub or similar) Flexi-tub: £8-£15 (flexible rubber, easier to clean, 40-75 litre capacity) Water bucket: £3-£8 (standard builder’s bucket for water) Professional plasterers keep at least three buckets on site: one for clean water, one for mixing, and one for washing tools. Colour-code them to avoid confusion. Spot Board A spot board is a flat surface for holding plaster near your work area. It keeps material at working height and prevents contamination. Size: Typically 600mm x 600mm or 900mm x 900mm Material: Marine plywood or plastic Stand: Adjustable tripod stand (£45-£80) or simple wooden legs DIY option: 18mm marine ply on adjustable trestles (under £30 total) Preparation and Surface Tools Proper preparation prevents poor performance—a plastering industry truism. These tools help you prepare surfaces correctly according to Building Regulations guidance. Cleaning and Prep Equipment Wire brush: £4-£10 — for removing loose material and keying surfaces Scraper: £5-£12 — for removing old wallpaper, loose paint, and debris Bolster chisel: £8-£18 — for removing damaged plaster sections Club hammer: £12-£25 — pairs with bolster for demolition work Dust sheets: £8-£20 each — cotton canvas or heavy-duty plastic Vacuum (wet/dry): £60-£150 — essential for dust control and cleanup Application and Spreading Tools Straight edge/darby: £15-£45 (1.2m to 2.4m aluminium) — for