Marshalltown

Marshalltown Concrete Finishing & Masonry Tools

MARSHALLTOWN manufactures professional concrete finishing and masonry tools for placing, levelling, floating, trowelling and detailing concrete. Contractor Cave’s selection includes concrete placers, screeds, roller tampers, bull floats, magnesium hand floats, finishing trowels, curb tools, handles, kneeler boards, reinforcement tools and masonry hand tools.

The correct concrete tool depends on both the stage of the pour and the required finish. Placers and screeds are used while the concrete is being distributed and struck off. Bull floats and hand floats level and prepare the surface, while finishing trowels, edgers, groovers and curb tools are used as the slab begins to set. Understanding that sequence helps concrete crews select the right tool without confusing products that perform very different jobs.

Marshalltown Tools for Placing and Levelling Concrete

Concrete placers help crews move freshly poured concrete into low areas and around forms without relying on a shovel for every adjustment. The long handle allows the operator to push or pull material while working from outside the pour.

A Marshalltown aluminum combo screed is used to strike off excess concrete and establish the initial slab elevation. After screeding, a bull float can be worked across the surface to reduce ridges, fill minor low spots and prepare the slab for later finishing stages.

For appropriate applications, a Marshalltown roller tamper can help level the surface and embed exposed aggregate. Roller tampers are also used to create a textured traction finish for certain agricultural and livestock concrete surfaces.

Marshalltown Bull Floats and Hand Floats

Bull floats and hand floats both work the concrete surface, but they are designed for different areas and stages of the job.

A Marshalltown bull float uses a wide blade and long handle to reach across a slab after screeding. It allows the finisher to level broad areas without stepping into the concrete. Bull floats are commonly used on driveways, garage floors, sidewalks, patios, foundations and commercial flatwork. MARSHALLTOWN identifies bull floating as an early finishing operation performed while the concrete remains wet.

A Marshalltown magnesium hand float provides closer control around slab edges, forms, penetrations and other areas that cannot be worked effectively with a bull float. Magnesium construction keeps the tool relatively light while allowing it to move smoothly across the concrete. Hand floats are used to reduce surface imperfections and prepare the slab for its specified final finish.

Marshalltown Finishing Trowels

A steel finishing trowel is used later than a bull float or magnesium float. As the concrete stiffens and surface moisture dissipates, the trowel is worked across the slab to smooth and close the surface.

Marshalltown finishing trowels are available in different blade sizes, shapes and handle configurations. A larger blade covers more surface with each pass, while a smaller trowel may provide better control around edges, walls and penetrations.

The Marshalltown PermaShape broken-in finishing trowel has a pre-shaped blade designed to provide a broken-in feel without requiring the same initial wear period as a conventional new trowel. The required tool and timing still depend on the concrete mixture, weather, slab conditions and specified finish.

Magnesium Float vs. Steel Finishing Trowel

A magnesium float and steel finishing trowel are not interchangeable.

The magnesium float is used earlier to level and prepare the concrete surface. It can help remove small imperfections and leave the surface ready for subsequent finishing.

The steel trowel is used later to smooth and close the surface after the concrete has begun to firm. A slab may be floated without receiving a hard-trowelled finish, particularly when the final specification calls for a broomed, textured or other non-smooth surface.

Marshalltown Edgers, Groovers and Curb Tools

Concrete finishing also requires tools for slab edges, control joints, curbs, steps and other details.

An edger creates a rounded transition along the perimeter of a slab. This removes the sharp corner left against the form and produces a more finished edge along sidewalks, patios, driveways and pads.

A groover forms a control or contraction joint in the concrete. The joint creates a planned weakened line intended to help manage where shrinkage cracking occurs. A groover does not create an expansion or isolation joint, which requires a physical separation or joint material.

A Marshalltown curb tool forms the specified profile and radius on curbs, steps and other shaped concrete work. Select the tool according to its blade dimensions, radius and whether it is designed for an inside or outside detail.

Handles, Knee Boards and Concrete Finishing Accessories

Long handles allow finishers to operate bull floats, concrete placers, tampers and other tools while standing outside the slab. Marshalltown offers round and octagonal handles, brackets, adapters and replacement components for different finishing-tool connections.

Confirm the handle diameter and connection type before ordering. Similar-looking concrete tools may require a threaded fitting, push-button connection, clevis bracket or separate adapter.

Marshalltown kneeler boards and knee boards provide support when finishers need to work from the surface of a slab that has set sufficiently to carry them. They are used for close hand finishing on larger areas where the centre of the slab cannot be reached comfortably from the forms.

Marshalltown Rebar and Reinforcement Tools

Marshalltown also produces hand tools for reinforcing work, including tie-wire twisters and rebar cutting and bending equipment.

A Marshalltown rebar tie-wire twister is used with loop ties to secure intersecting reinforcing bars or mesh. Manual rebar cutters and benders provide an on-site option for preparing reinforcing steel where powered equipment is unnecessary or unavailable.

Select reinforcement tools according to the actual bar diameter and required bend or cutting capacity.

Marshalltown Masonry Tools

In addition to concrete finishing equipment, Marshalltown manufactures professional tools for brick, block, stone and mortar work. Contractor Cave’s masonry selection includes tuck pointers, margin trowels, mason line, line blocks, joint rakers, brick tongs and masonry chisels.

Tuck pointers place and finish mortar in narrow joints. Joint rakers remove mortar to a controlled depth before repointing or finishing. Mason line and line blocks help maintain alignment across a course, while brick tongs allow multiple bricks to be carried together.

Choosing the Right Marshalltown Concrete Tool

Choose the tool according to the work being completed:

• Use a concrete placer to move fresh concrete within the forms.
• Use a screed to strike off the surface to the required elevation.
• Use a bull float across broad areas immediately after screeding.
• Use a hand float for closer surface preparation and work around edges.
• Use an edger to form the outside perimeter of the slab.
• Use a groover to form control joints.
• Use a finishing trowel later in the process when a smooth, closed surface is required.
• Use the appropriate curb or detail tool for steps, corners, gutters and formed profiles.

Tool size, blade material, handle length and connection style should also be considered. For bull floats, placers and tampers, confirm whether a handle or adapter is included or must be ordered separately.

Shop Marshalltown Tools at Contractor Cave

Contractor Cave carries Marshalltown concrete finishing tools, masonry tools, handles and accessories for professional finishers, concrete contractors, forming crews, masonry contractors and construction teams.

Our store is located in Woodstock, Ontario, minutes from Highway 401. Shop available Marshalltown products online or visit the store to compare tool sizes, blade styles, handle connections and accessories for your concrete or masonry application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Marshalltown tool is used after screeding concrete?

A bull float is commonly used immediately after screeding to level ridges and minor surface imperfections across the slab. Hand floating, edging and other finishing operations follow as the concrete begins to set.

What is the difference between a bull float and a hand float?

A bull float has a wide blade and long handle for working across larger slab areas. A hand float is smaller and provides closer control around edges, forms, penetrations and areas within the finisher’s reach.

What is the difference between a magnesium float and a finishing trowel?

A magnesium float is used earlier to level and prepare the concrete surface. A steel finishing trowel is used later to smooth and close the surface when the specified finish requires it.

What is the difference between a concrete edger and a groover?

An edger rounds and finishes the perimeter of a slab. A groover forms a control joint within the slab to help manage shrinkage cracking.

What does “broken-in” mean on a concrete float or trowel?

A broken-in tool is pre-shaped to provide the feel and working profile of a tool that has already received some use. For example, Marshalltown’s broken-in magnesium floats have pre-worn edges intended to reduce the chance of gouging wet concrete during initial use.

Does Marshalltown make masonry tools?

Yes. Marshalltown manufactures tools for bricklaying, block work and mortar finishing, including trowels, tuck pointers, jointing tools, mason line, brick tongs and masonry chisels.