ARTIBETTER Gauging Trowel for Concrete Finishing

Curated from 41 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: October 27, 2024

ARTIBETTER Gauging Trowel for Concrete Finishing

Brand: ARTIBETTER
Price: $9
Snoop Score:
4.3
Sentiment
5.0
Popularity
5.4
Technical
3.8

Snoop's Take

The Artibetter Gauging Trowel is a versatile tool designed for concrete finishing, capable of achieving smooth plastering on various surfaces. Users appreciate its sturdy blades that provide a better finish, with one user stating, "the blades are stiff which allows no bend like most knives nowadays." However, some users reported challenges with finish quality and durability, such as, "the plastic trowel is only good for the last flick over as knicks too easy," indicating mixed sentiments regarding its effectiveness. Overall, while the Artibetter Gauging Trowel is recommended for professionals and DIY enthusiasts looking for a versatile finishing tool, potential buyers should be aware of the mixed feedback regarding its durability and finish quality.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Trowels

Trowels will give you a better cleaner finish look when patching or building out bad butt joints; the blades are stiff which allows no bend like most knives nowadays.

Positive Feedback

Garbage finish. Completely unacceptable.

Negative Feedback
Product
4.3
ARTIBETTER Gauging Trowel for Concrete Finishing
Planting and Transplanting
8 / 10
Tough Soil Digging
8 / 10
Home Renovation
4 / 10
Multi-Purpose Outdoor Tasks
9 / 10
See how this compares to all Trowels

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Sturdy blades provide a better finish
Trowels will give you a better cleaner finish look when patching or building out bad butt joints; the blades are stiff which allows no bend like most knives nowadays.
Versatile tool for multiple applications
How soon do you take the form off the face of steps to be able to finish it with a trowel and avoid the honeycomb look?
Well to avoid the honeycomb look you need to consolidate the aggregates with a vibrator. If you need to finish the face, you usually wait until it takes force to make a thumbprint.
Helps achieve professional-looking finish
Came out ok i guess but also left with the issue where the bottom of the board sat so i really wanted to remove the board but was nervous of it sliding out.
Good for finishing work
But the flexi trowels are brilliant things! If you use it at the right time on the skim, a beginner could make it look good!
Trowels provide a cleaner finish for patching
I layered the joint compound on the butt joints and smoothed/feathered with the trowel and you can't tell where the joint is.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Poor finish quality on garage floor
Garbage finish. Completely unacceptable.
They did not achieve that effect, and left it in poor shape.
Looks like maybe it setup on them to fast? I'm mostly happy with the work, just disappointed in the finish.
Didnt finish.
Plastic trowel can knick easily
The plastic trowel is only good for the last flick over as knicks too easy.
Did not achieve a smooth finish
disagree
Difficulties and skills required for a proper finish
My boss taught me well and I’m good now but you can’t expect someone who only does stamp work to finish a smooth floor cleanly if they’ve never done it before
Not gonna lie, its pretty bad. And the repair to not tear out would have to be free of charge.
Trowel dragging across work surface
I keep some wet sand paper on hand. 150 for big nicks all the way up to 3000 for polishing.

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Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion on troweling techniques and texture for grip
Jointing Trowel For Creating Control Joints In Concrete

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Discussion on troweling techniques and tips
What is the best brand? Is a hitachi vibrator good enough? Best attachments to use? Is the thumb the best way to lay it on the face?
Smooth, well oiled boards are key too. Oil new wood once or twice while forming and right before the pour.
He laid it too early. You have to wait for the glue to tack up like 30min - 12 hours.
I learned the hard way about waiting when doing my glue down, figured that out after finishing one room and moving to the next.
Discussion on skills required for different concrete finishes
He’s not wrong, or right, totally different set of skills for each finish type.
Stamping is way more tedious and physically demanding, Otherwise you just jump on the power trowel not that its easy but doesnt require 3 guys.
Is a floating or glue down lvp a better option for residential high traffic with kids and pets?
everything you’re saying varies by glue type, slab porosity and material being laid.
Discussion on preferred trowel brands and types
I love the Duraflex golden stainless steel with the short mounting so the edges Flex.
I really like them.
Marshal town were hit and miss for me.
Most are 20+ years old.
Discussion on troweling techniques and timing
I use Nela, Medi Flex I think it was called.
Comparison of different trowel brands
I'm a big fan of the OX pro stainless range, I used to use Marshall Town but they're a bit costly
Discussion on using wet sandpaper for trowel maintenance
Thank you very much. I’ll definitely get some higher grit sand paper on my van, can’t do me any harm

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Debate on the challenges of troweling techniques
That is a physical challenge difficult to imagine

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