Mixing, Tool and Equipment

1. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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PowerPoint
presentationMixing, tools and equipment
Unit 124: Applying floating coats to wall

2. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
© 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Assessment criteria
1.2 state different types of mixes
1.3 identify different types of tools and equipment for
applying floating coats to wall
2.2 select equipment, tools and materials for applying
floating coats
2.3 select mixes for floating coats
2.7 follow current environmental and current health and
safety regulations

3. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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Preparation
First impressions count!
Good preparation can assist in making sure your
clients are happy.
Rules to remember:
• work area should be protected
• sheets in place to protect surroundings from plaster
• frames, etc taped up.

4. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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• Make sure that all beads
are fixed if they are
needed
• Floating beads should be
fixed using dabs of the
correct material
Preparation

5. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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Preparation
• Surface backgrounds should be checked for
straightness
• All walls should be treated correctly to control
suction if needed
• Using correct methods: PVA/water/spatter dash
applications

6. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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Preparation
It is good practice to set up a
mixing area.
This should:
• be near a source of clean
water
• be near a power supply (if
needed and reduced to
110v)
• have good ventilation.

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Preparation
Have you got enough plaster for the job?
The area should have been measured and
the correct quantity of plaster ordered.

8. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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Mixing
• All mixing buckets/baths should be
clean
• Mixing equipment should be clean
• Any contamination can reduce
setting times
Care should be taken when gauging
materials to ensure consistency of
each individual mix throughout the
working period

9. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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Mixing
When working in sand/cement mixes, it is important to
remember that each following coat reduces in strength.
Example 3:1 / 4:1 / 5:1
Never apply material strong on to weak with each coat
The mix proportion for internal plastering in sand/cement is
generally 3:1 / 4:1 / 5:1 with an added waterproofer. The
addition of lime in mixes allows the buildings to move a little.

10. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
© 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Mixing
• The mix proportion for internal plastering in
sand/cement/lime was originally 6:1:1
• The mix proportion for internal plastering in
sand/cement/lime is generally 6:1:1 or 6:1:1/2
• Due to the weaker backgrounds around these days, it is
now common for plasterers to use a mix of 9:2:1

11. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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Tools and equipment
In order to be able to obtain the best result for this coat it is
essential that the plasterer has the correct tools:
• trowel
• hawk/hand board
• gauging trowel
• bucket towel
• water brush
• devil float
• flat float
• spirit level

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Tools and equipment
• straight edges
• darby
• feather edge rule
• mixing bath
• rake
• shovel
• buckets
• spot board and stand.

13. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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Trowel
Most plasterers will have more than one plastering
trowel used for application of materials.
When floating, the trowel used will be subjected to more
demanding use than the skimming trowel.

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Trowel
The floating trowel can catch nails in the wall, be used
to knock off snots and is generally a ‘workhorse’
You usually get nicks in it and is often not suitable for
skimming

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Hand board/hawk
• The hand board or
hawk is used to
transport the material
from the spot board to
the wall
• With practice, the
amount you load on to
the hawk can be
increased

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Spot board and stand
• The material is
transferred from
the mixing bath to
the spot board and
stand
• Spot board and
stands are used for
ease of use and to
reduce the risk of
back injury from
constant bending

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Devil float/flat float
• Can use wooden or plastic
float
• A devil float has small, thin
nails protruding to give a
key

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Straight edge
• Usually feather edge
• The tapered edge is
better for ruling from the
angles.
• Variety of sizes

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Darby
• A small straight edge
with two handles on it
• Used to rule in plaster
prior to devilling
• Can be used for internal
and external work

20. Level 1 Diploma in Plastering
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Any questions?