The Essential Plastering Tools List for Beginners
Plastering is a technique that requires time, patience, and a lot of practice to master—but before any newbie begins spreading their first coat, having the appropriate fundamental tools is the most critical step. The good news is that you don’t need a van loaded with specialised equipment to get started. With a simple, dependable beginner’s plastering kit, the entire process is a lot less frightening and much easier to understand.
Many first-time DIYers are worried about plastering, which is totally understandable. Uneven walls, tricky corners, and fast-setting plaster can make the task appear overwhelming. However, with the correct plastering equipment for beginners, you’ll have a better chance of getting smooth results, even on your first try.
This blog focuses on the essential tools required for internal skim coatings and modest patching works in the home, which are the most popular starting points for new plasterers. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive plastering tool list with simple names, realistic applications, and no superfluous additions. Whether you’re starting your first project or expanding your basic DIY toolset, here are the necessities you’ll need to get started with confidence.
Mixing and Preparation Tools
Shop Mixing Tools!
Getting plaster to the right consistency is the foundation of everything that follows. If the mix is too thick, your arms will burn and the finish will drag. Too thin and it will slump, crack and dry patchy. A good mix, on the other hand, makes you feel as if the wall almost wants to go smooth.
This is where your mixing and prep tools earn their keep.
1. Mixing paddle (whisk)
Your mixing paddle is the workhorse that turns powder and water into a creamy, lump-free mix. It fixes into the chuck of a heavy-duty drill and pulls plaster from the bottom of the bucket up through the water.
Look for a spiral or cage-style paddle that is long enough to reach near the bottom of a 14 litre bucket. A good paddle saves your shoulders, cuts mixing time, and gives you a more consistent result from one batch to the next.
2. Heavy-duty drill
Most ordinary DIY drills struggle with mixing plaster. They overheat, stall, or die completely. A corded mixing drill or a high-torque 18V model is far better suited to driving a whisk through a full bucket of multi-finish or bonding plaster.
Something in the class of an 1100W mixer drill (such as the Evolution Twister style mixers) gives you steady power, variable speed, and much less chance of burning out the motor halfway through your first room. Reliable mixing power is one of the best plastering tools for beginners you can invest in.
3. Plastering bucket (14 L)
Keep at least one clean bucket used only for plaster, ideally 14 to 25 litres. Old paint, dust, and dried bits of previous mixes will introduce grit and lumps straight into your new batch, which then scratch into your wall.
Choose a strong bucket with internal measuring marks if possible. That makes it easier to repeat the same water-to-powder ratio, which is crucial for consistent results and easier timing.
4. Plastering gauge
A plastering gauge is a simple but underrated beginner helper. It is essentially a way to measure your water and powder accurately so that each mix is the same as the last.
When you are new, you are still learning what “right” looks like, so being able to repeat the same ratio reduces guesswork. A reliable plastering gauge gives your mix a predictable setting time and texture, and that in turn makes every later tool for smoothing plaster much more effective.
5. Spot board or hawk board
A spot board is a flat board (often plywood or tough plastic) where you tip out a bucket of mixed plaster. Instead of constantly dipping into the bucket, you load your hawk or trowel from the spot board at a comfortable height.
This speeds you up and keeps your workflow smoother. Keep the board clean between mixes so dried scraps do not get recycled into your next coat.
6. Mixing bucket trowel
A mixing bucket trowel is a short, chunky tool designed to scrape down the sides of the bucket and shovel plaster onto your hawk or spot board.
It plays two key roles:
- Scraping every last bit of usable plaster from the bucket
- Cleaning out the bucket quickly before the next mix sets
Clean mixing tools are non-negotiable. Any old lumps you leave in the bucket will reappear as drags and ridges on the wall later.
Application and transfer tools
Once your mix is right, the next job is getting it from the bucket onto the wall and into the corners. This is where most of your effort goes, so choosing comfortable and well-balanced tools for plastering walls makes a huge difference to both your finish and your energy levels.
7. Plastering hawk
A plastering hawk is a flat, square platform with a central handle underneath. You load plaster onto it from the bucket or spot board, then scoot it across to your main plastering trowel.
For beginners, a lightweight aluminium or plastic hawk is ideal. Heavy hawks tire your wrist and make balance harder, especially when you are still getting used to the motion. Aim for a size that comfortably holds enough plaster for a few passes without being so large that you struggle to hold it level.
8. Plastering trowel (main application)
Your main plastering trowel is the core plasterers tool in your kit. This is what you use to pick up plaster from the hawk and lay it onto the wall in smooth, sweeping strokes.
For new plasterers, a trowel around 400mm x 125mm is a good starting size. It covers a decent area without feeling like you are swinging a scaffold plank. Look for:
- A flat, high-quality steel blade that will stay true
- A comfortable handle that fits your grip
- A little flex in the blade, but not too floppy
This is the tool that has the biggest effect on your results, so it is worth choosing carefully here. We will come back to the best plastering trowel for skimming in the buying section.
9. Internal corner tool
Inside corners can be a nightmare if you try to do everything with a standard trowel. An internal corner tool is shaped at ninety degrees so it fits perfectly into the angle where two walls meet.
After you have applied plaster on each wall, you run the internal corner tool along the join. It sharpens the corner, removes excess plaster, and leaves a neat, straight line that is far harder to achieve by eye alone.
10. External corner tool
External corners, such as chimney breasts, window returns, and door reveals, also need help to stay straight and crisp. An external corner tool wraps around the outside angle and shapes both faces at once.
Use it after you have roughly formed the angle with your main trowel. A couple of passes with the external tool will straighten the corner and compress the plaster, reducing the risk of chipping and hairline cracks as it dries.
11. Bucket trowel (scoop)
The bucket trowel is designed purely for scooping and transferring big dollops of plaster from the bucket to the hawk or spot board. It is not for smoothing the wall.
Its wide, tough design lets you move material quickly and cleanly so your main trowel can concentrate on laying on and levelling. This simple division of labour keeps your rhythm steady:
- Scoop from the bucket with the bucket trowel
- Load the hawk
- Apply with your main trowel
- Repeat
Once you have this little cycle flowing, internal and external corners stop feeling like chaos and start to feel like a sequence you can control.
Smoothing and finishing tools
The application stage gets plaster onto the wall. The smoothing and finishing stage turns it into something you actually want to look at. This is where your main plaster smoothing tool comes into play, along with a few key helpers.
Before we dive into the kit, it is helpful to understand the difference between plastering trowel and finishing trowel, as this confuses a lot of beginners.
- A plastering trowel is thicker and slightly more flexible, built for applying plaster and getting the wall reasonably flat.
- A finishing trowel (often called a skimming trowel) is flatter, finer, and designed to polish the plaster surface in the later stages, removing lines and blemishes.
Used together, they are the core of your plaster skimming tools.
12. Skimming trowel / finishing trowel
Your skimming trowel is your main tool for smoothing plaster during the later passes. After the plaster has picked up slightly, you begin to “trowel up” with this flatter, more precise blade.
You can use either:
- A traditional steel finishing trowel
- A modern composite or stainless trowel designed specifically as a skimming tool
Whichever you choose, make sure the blade is perfectly flat and free of nicks. Tiny imperfections will show up as lines in your finished wall. Many pros and beginners alike keep a dedicated finishing trowel that is never used for mixing or scraping.
13. Feather edge / straight edge
A 2 metre feather edge or straight edge is a long, light aluminium bar that you drag lightly over freshly applied plaster.
It serves two important jobs:
- Scrapes off high spots before they harden
- Shows up hollows that still need filling
Use it soon after you have laid on the first coat with your plastering trowel. Work in long, even passes, and you will be surprised how much flatter your walls become compared to trowel work alone.
14. Plastering rule (small, 600 mm)
A small plastering rule is essentially a mini straight edge. It is ideal for checking:
- Around window openings
- Along door frames
- Over boxed-in pipes or nibs
Anywhere the 2 metre feather edge is too big and clumsy, the smaller rule steps in. Together, these two tools for plastering walls help you keep everything straight, plumb, and visually pleasing.
15. Plastering float
The float is used shortly before the final polishing stage. Its job is to “rub up” the surface with a little water to bring fine particles, often called fat, to the surface.
This creamy top layer provides a more workable surface for the finishing trowel. Used correctly, the float helps close up pores and small imperfections so your later passes glide more smoothly.
16. Flexi trowel / plaster blade
Modern finishing often involves a plastering flexi trowel or separate plaster blade system. These are very popular as plaster skimming tools because they are gentle on the surface and more forgiving for beginners.
A flexi trowel has a very thin, flexible plastic or soft steel blade that rides lightly over the plaster. Instead of digging in, it tends to glide, which reduces trowel lines and makes it easier to achieve a glass-like finish. This kind of tool for smoothing plaster can feel almost like cheating compared to older, stiffer trowels.
17. Spray bottle
A simple spray bottle filled with clean water is one of the cheapest but best plastering tools you will own.
Rather than flooding the wall with a brush, you mist the surface lightly as you approach the final passes. This gives your finishing trowel or plaster blade just enough lubrication to glide without dragging. Take care not to overwet the plaster, or you can weaken the surface.
18. Step-by-step finishing sequence
To tie all this together, here is a simple sequence using the smoothing tools above:
Maintain a steady rhythm
Do not rush. Keep your pace steady, adjust your angle as necessary, and listen for the change in sound as the plaster tightens. The best finishing trowel in the world cannot fix panic, but a calm, consistent rhythm will give you a much more professional finish.
Check the wall with a straight edge
After laying on and levelling with your main trowel, use the feather edge to scrape off high spots and fill any hollows. Switch to the smaller plastering rule around openings.
Prepare the surface with the float
As the plaster firms up, lightly wet the wall using your spray bottle and rub in small circles with the float. You are not trying to reshape the wall here, just bring fine material to the surface.
Polish with a finishing trowel or flexi blade
Now take your skimming trowel or flexi blade and trowel up in long, overlapping strokes. Tilt the blade slightly so only the leading edge touches. Work from bottom to top, then cross-trowel diagonally to catch any lines.
Auxiliary tools and protection
Shop Plastering Tools!
The best plastering tools are wasted if everything around you is covered in splashes and your kit is clogged with dried plaster. Good preparation and protection save time, money, and stress.
19. Scraper / stiff blade
A stiff scraper or broad plasterers knife is essential for keeping your tools and boards spotless while you work. Use it to:
- Clean trowel faces between passes
- Scrape dried residue from the spot board
- Remove set plaster from bucket rims and handles
This simple tool prevents hard, gritty lumps from migrating into your fresh mix and scratching your otherwise smooth finish. Cleanliness is a big part of learning to work like a professional.
20. Step ladder
For ceilings and the top third of walls, a sturdy step ladder is non-negotiable. Choose one with slip-resistant feet and a platform height that lets you work comfortably without overstretching.
Good access is a safety issue and a quality issue. If you are straining to reach, you will rush, your trowel angle will suffer, and your finish will show it.
21. Dust sheets and masking tape
Before you even open a bag of plaster, protect your surroundings. Lay dust sheets over floors and furniture, and use masking tape to protect skirting, sockets, frames, and any woodwork you do not want to scrape dried plaster off later.
This makes it much easier to maintain a clean work area and cut your clean-up time dramatically. It is much faster to roll up a dusty sheet than to chip plaster off a hardwood floor.
22. Safety goggles and gloves
Plaster is alkaline and not kind to eyes or skin. Safety goggles protect you from splashes when mixing or when you are working overhead. Gloves help prevent skin irritation and make it more pleasant to wash your hands at the end of the day.
Good plasterers pay as much attention to personal protective equipment as they do to their shiny trowels. Looking after yourself is part of the job.
Tool and brand recommendations: what to buy
Once you understand the roles of each tool, the next question is what to actually purchase. Here are some simple guidelines to build a balanced beginner kit.
1. Prioritise quality in your main trowels
Your main plastering trowel and your finishing / skimming trowel are the heart of your kit. This is where it makes sense to spend a little more and look at the best plastering tools you can reasonably afford.
Respected brands such as Marshalltown, Faithfull, DeWalt and Milwaukee are popular in the trade for good reason. A quality trowel:
- Stays flatter for longer
- Feels more comfortable in the hand
- Gives a cleaner, more consistent finish
Something like a Marshalltown MPB pre-worn plasterers trowel or a Faithfull Prestige plastering trowel in the 400 x 125 mm range is an excellent starting point.
2. Consider a flexi-trowel or plaster blade for finishing
For many beginners, a flexi trowel or dedicated plaster blade system takes some of the pressure off those crucial final passes. A plastering flexi trowel is lighter, kinder to the plaster surface, and less likely to dig in if your angle is not perfect.
Combined with a traditional steel finishing trowel, it gives you options. You can flatten with the steel and polish with the flexi, experimenting until you find what feels most natural.
3. Do not overspend on ancillary tools
Buckets, scrapers, hawks, spot boards, and spray bottles are all vital, but they have a smaller impact on the final look than your trowels do. As long as they are strong, practical, and easy to clean, budget-friendly versions are usually absolutely fine.
Save your money for the tools that directly touch the wall during the critical stages of application and finishing.
4. What is the best plastering trowel for skimming?
For most beginners, a medium-sized firm steel trowel is a good all-round skimming trowel choice. It is large enough to cover ground, but not so big that it feels unwieldy. Pair this with a modern composite or flexi finishing blade, and you have a forgiving set-up that will grow with your skills.
Ultimately, the best plastering trowel for skimming is the one that stays flat, feels balanced in your hand, and gives you confidence to keep practising.
Plastering tools for beginners: quick FAQs
1. Do I need the most expensive trowel to start?
Not at all. You do not need top-of-the-range gear in every category. It does help to invest in a decent main plastering trowel and a good finishing trowel from a trusted brand, but your buckets, scrapers, and other support items can be more basic as long as they do the job.
2. What is the difference between a plastering trowel and a finishing (skimming) trowel?
A plastering trowel is built for applying plaster. It is slightly thicker and better at moving material around and levelling the coat. A finishing or skimming trowel is flatter and finer. It comes in later to polish the surface, remove lines, and leave that mirror-like finish. Both are important parts of a complete plastering tools list.
3. Can I use a regular drill for mixing?
You can, but it needs to be powerful and robust. Light-duty cordless drills often struggle with full buckets and can burn out. If in doubt, look for a corded mixer drill or a high-torque cordless model designed for paddle mixing so you can achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency reliably.
Conclusion
Learning to plaster is a journey, and nobody produces perfect walls on day one. What you can control from the very start is your kit. A thought-out plasterers tool kit, focused on essentials rather than gimmicks, gives you the best possible chance of success on those first few projects.
From accurate mixing with a paddle and plastering gauge, through controlled application with your hawk and main trowel, to polishing with your skimming trowel and flexi blade, every tool you have looked at here plays a specific role. Together, they form a practical, confidence-building set of tools for plastering walls and ceilings in your home.
Remember that even the best finishing trowel will not replace patience, cleanliness, and practice. Wipe your tools often, mix carefully, and work methodically. Your results will improve with every coat.
With your new plaster tools set and this clear plasterers tools list, you are ready to start practising the trade, building your confidence, and working towards smooth, polished walls you can be genuinely proud of.
Shop the full range!
Need some help with your order? Our new help centre has a wide range of helpful articles and guides!
If you have any additional queries, please do not hesitate to contact us below: