Had to choose between a bull float and a power trowel for a big slab

Last year on a 4,500 square foot warehouse floor in Spokane, I had to decide whether to stick with my trusty bull float or rent a power trowel. I went with the power trowel because the timeline was tight, and honestly it did a cleaner job in half the time. But I still felt like I lost some control over the finish, especially around the edges where I had to hand trowel anyway. Has anyone else found that power trowels don't handle the tricky spots as good as the old method?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessica33111d ago

The "lost some control over the finish" part hit home for me. I did a 3,000 square foot shop floor last fall and switched back to my bull float for the last pass because the power trowel just couldn't blend the edges smooth enough. Ended up being about the same total time when I factored in all the handwork.

sanchez.julia11d ago

@jessica331 you're right though, a bull float gives you way more feel for the edges than a power trowel ever will.

anthony_jackson3111d ago

The 'lost some control over the finish' part" - yeah, that's pretty much it. @jessica331 nailed it, power trowels are fast but they just don't have the touch around the edges. I'd rather take the time with a bull float and get it right than do a bunch of handwork after.