Been using a cheap magnesium float for years and just got a nicer one - night and day difference on my last driveway pour

I did a 30x40 residential driveway up in Traverse City last week and decided to finally upgrade from that beat up $15 float I'd been using since I started. Grabbed a Marshalltown premium at the supply house. First pass I honestly thought I was using a different tool. The finish came out way smoother with way less effort. I mean idk if it's just placebo or what but I felt like I could actually feel what the concrete was doing under it. Anyone else notice a big jump when you switched to nicer finishing tools?

2 comments

2 Comments

hugo2361mo ago

I used to be one of those guys who said "a float is a float" and figured it was all hype. But man, I grabbed a Marshalltown finishing trowel last summer after ruining a 40 yard slab with my old cheap one, and I gotta admit I was dead wrong. The balance and the way it flexes just right made a huge difference on my last pour, I actually felt the concrete setting up under it instead of fighting the tool the whole time. Still can't believe I waited that long to switch.

charles_chen931mo ago

You really think spending triple the money on a trowel makes that much difference? I've been using a $12 Amazon special for the last five years and my slabs come out fine, no complaints from customers. Honestly, I think a lot of it is in your head once you drop that kind of cash on a tool, you convince yourself it's better. But hey, if it makes you feel like a pro, more power to you.