Materials and tools in plastering
Plaster, lime, templates and hand tools
Part of the stucco trade's charm is that you get far with few tools. It is less about expensive equipment and more about craftsmanship and understanding of material. Here we cover the most important materials and tools.
§Plaster and lime
Stucco is typically made in plaster or lime. Plaster is easy to work with, hardens quickly and gives sharp details, making it suitable for both drawing and casting. Lime-based materials are used, among other things, in older buildings where it is important that the new matches the original.
§The hand tool
The plasterer shapes with few hand tools. The typical ones are a measuring stick, a hammer, a square, a plastering board or a trowel to apply mass, and a scraper to remove excess mass and shape the surface.
| Tools | Used for |
|---|---|
| Measuring technique | To measure up and set out lines on ceiling and wall |
| Angle | To check that corners and lists are at right angles |
| Putty board / knife | To lay fresh material on the substrate |
| Scraper | Removing excess and shaping the surface |
| Hammer | Preparation and fastening of battens and base |
§Templates and moulds
Two tools are absolutely central to trade's two methods. Template is used for drawing: it is cut as profile's negative so it shapes mass as you lead it along the ledge. Mold is used for casting: it recreates a model so you can make same element multiple times
To make a good template
A template must be stiff and have a clean edge because any unevenness in the edge is transferred to the profile. Therefore you spend time filing and straightening the template before you start pulling.
§Keep the tool clean
Because plaster hardens quickly, cleaning during work is part of the craft. Residue of hardened mass on template or spoon causes streaks and unevenness in the next stroke. A clean tool is one of the hallmarks of a skilled stucco worker.
“The tool is simple. It is the hand behind it that determines the result.”