I've noticed the same thing about magnesium floats wearing down faster. I started out with magnesium because everyone praised how light they were, but after a few projects, I got tired of replacing them. Switched to aluminum and haven't looked back... yeah, they're heavier, but pacing myself and taking breaks does help. Plus, aluminum's durability saves money in the long run—important when you're on a budget like me.
"yeah, they're heavier, but pacing myself and taking breaks does help."
I've had similar experiences—magnesium floats are great for occasional use, but the durability of aluminum is hard to beat. If weight becomes an issue, try adjusting your grip or stance slightly... small tweaks can make a pretty big difference over a long day.
Yeah, aluminum definitely holds up better over time. I've found magnesium floats fine for quick touch-ups, but if you're tackling a larger slab or a whole foundation, aluminum just feels more reliable. Grip adjustments help, but honestly, switching tools occasionally makes a bigger difference for me. I'll use magnesium for initial smoothing since it's lighter and easier on the wrists, then switch to aluminum for finishing passes when durability matters more. Also, gloves with decent padding can help reduce fatigue—small thing, but noticeable after a few hours.
- Aluminum's definitely tougher, no argument there, but honestly I've never noticed magnesium being that much easier on the wrists. Maybe it's just me?
- Gloves with padding are a lifesaver though—wish I'd figured that out sooner.
- One thing I'd add: cleaning your floats regularly makes a huge difference. Concrete buildup can make even aluminum feel clunky after a while... learned that the hard way.
Totally agree on the gloves—my hands thanked me big time once I finally got a decent pair. About magnesium floats though, I actually did notice a difference. Maybe it's because I'm newer to this and my wrists aren't used to the strain yet, but magnesium felt noticeably lighter and smoother for me. And yeah, learned about cleaning floats the hard way too... scraping dried concrete off tools isn't exactly my idea of a relaxing weekend afternoon, haha.
