Good call on the magnesium floats—I noticed the same thing when I first switched over. They're definitely easier on the wrists, especially if you're working longer stretches. But honestly, after a few years, I find myself reaching for my trusty old wood float more often than not. Maybe it's just habit, but there's something about the feel and control I get from wood that magnesium doesn't quite match for me.
And yeah, cleaning dried concrete off tools is a pain I've known too well. One trick I've picked up is keeping a bucket of water nearby and giving the floats a quick rinse every now and then during the job. It doesn't completely eliminate cleanup afterward, but it sure beats chiseling off hardened concrete on a Sunday afternoon... learned that lesson the hard way too, haha.
Totally agree about the bucket trick—saved me from a few headaches already. I started with magnesium floats too, mostly because everyone recommended them for beginners. They're definitely lighter, but lately I've been experimenting with wood floats and honestly, I'm starting to see why people stick with them. There's just something about the texture and finish you get... feels more natural somehow. Still figuring out my preferences, but it's nice to hear I'm not alone in switching things up as I go.
"They're definitely lighter, but lately I've been experimenting with wood floats and honestly, I'm starting to see why people stick with them."
Yeah, I hear you on that. Magnesium floats are great when you're starting out, but wood floats just seem to give a nicer finish overall. Plus, they're usually cheaper, which is always a win in my book. I switched to wood after my first couple projects and haven't looked back... sometimes the old-school methods really do hold up better.
Totally agree about wood floats being underrated—there's just something about the way they glide and shape the concrete. Have you noticed any difference in handling different concrete mixes? I found wood floats easier with drier mixes, but curious what others think...
I've noticed something similar—wood floats do seem smoother with drier mixes. With wetter concrete, I find they sometimes drag a bit, making it trickier to get that clean finish. But maybe that's just my technique? I'm curious if anyone's experimented with float size or shape affecting handling. I've stuck mostly to standard rectangular ones, but maybe rounded edges or different sizes could change things up...
