Switched from a magnesium to a magnesium-aluminum float for a garage slab in Boise

The aluminum mix left a much tighter finish with way less sticking and drag. Anyone else notice a big difference when they switched float types?

4 comments

4 Comments

olivia67013d ago

That "regional thing" happens with everything...

phoenix_grant1mo ago

Wait, are you talking about a bull float or a hand float? Because a magnesium-aluminum mix is pretty common for a bull float, but I've never seen a hand float made from that. Magnesium hand floats are standard for a reason, they don't drag as much on wet concrete. An aluminum hand float would stick like crazy.

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wader711mo ago

You've never seen a magnesium-aluminum hand float? That's wild... they're all over the place here. Every supply house carries a few models, right next to the pure magnesium ones. Sure, the pure stuff glides a bit easier, but the mix is cheaper and still works fine for a lot of guys. Maybe it's a regional thing, but they're definitely out there.

davidw101mo ago

Actually seen a few aluminum hand floats at the big box stores, they just need a really light touch.