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Heard a guy say steel trowels are outdated for smooth finishes, said floats do it better now

Was at a supply shop in Denver last week and overheard a contractor arguing that power floats and plastic blades give a flatter surface than steel trowels ever could. He claimed steel leaves too many ridges even with good technique. Anyone here switched away from steel or think that guy was just talking out his hat?
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brookebailey
Oh man, "talking out his hat" is putting it mildly... I swear some guys just like to hear themselves talk. Steel trowels have been the standard for smooth finishes since my grandpa was in the trade, and they didn't get that way because they're junk. If you're getting ridges with steel, that's a you problem, not a tool problem. Bet that guy probably blames his hammer when he misses a nail too.
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faith_torres83
I get what you're saying about steel being the standard, but I don't think it's fair to blame the guy completely. Some of those new carbide trowels actually work pretty well in weird weather or with sticky mud. Not saying steel is junk, just that different tools work for different folks sometimes.
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