Comments on: Learning to Plaster by Plastering and Struggling with Drywall http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:55:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dave http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-54234 Dave Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:55:10 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-54234 To 2zanzibar: I had these walls in my house and i too am a amateur at plastering. What you need to do is remove all the woven wood pieces (lattes i think they are called?) and just nail some plasterboard onto the frame that is left. Then use plasterboard tape (checkered tape, dont know what they call it) over the gaps where the plasterboard pieces join together and then skim :) To 2zanzibar: I had these walls in my house and i too am a amateur at plastering.

What you need to do is remove all the woven wood pieces (lattes i think they are called?) and just nail some plasterboard onto the frame that is left. Then use plasterboard tape (checkered tape, dont know what they call it) over the gaps where the plasterboard pieces join together and then skim :)

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]]> By: owen http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-54106 owen Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:45:13 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-54106 when skimming a big room by your self and its to big is it a good idea to do half of it then put zigzags on it to hide the join or less hide the join if you come back the next day to skim the rest of it plz leave advice thanks owen when skimming a big room by your self and its to big is it a good idea to do half of it then put zigzags on it to hide the join or less hide the join if you come back the next day to skim the rest of it plz leave advice thanks owen

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]]> By: Neil Mac http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-46520 Neil Mac Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:59:54 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-46520 There are many comments about leaving lines in the plaster. One solution that I have used successfully is to use a longer trowel (about 18 inches or 450mm) that has the long edges slightly curved at the ends (much like the old 'metal Jack plane' blade shape). Only put enough plasster on the trowel to spread about 2/3rds or 3/4ths of the length. This has the effect of 'feathering' the edge of the plaster as it is applied. It also means that there are less noticable hollows in the finished surface and any 'ridges' can be flattened because the corners of the trowel won't dig in to the surrounding surface. Mind you, I'm an Aussie D-I-Y freak and am just about to START rendering all the internal walls of an 2000 sq. ft. full brick construction (four bedromm, two bathroom) house. I've actually done the base coat for a room that is 12 ft x 21 ft x 8 ft walls, so I have many square yards (metres) ahead of me. To get the finish coat on the walls straigh, I am using two lengths of 1" (25mm) RHS to which I have welded a piece on 3mm angle iron at each end so that I can position the angles into the corners of the room (using suitable heavy conrete blocks to hold them in place) and a string line lightly stretched between them. Anyone want to migrate to 'sunny down-under'? I'm 73 so I hope to finish the job before I fall off my perch. There are many comments about leaving lines in the plaster. One solution that I have used successfully is to use a longer trowel (about 18 inches or 450mm) that has the long edges slightly curved at the ends (much like the old ‘metal Jack plane’ blade shape).

Only put enough plasster on the trowel to spread about 2/3rds or 3/4ths of the length. This has the effect of ‘feathering’ the edge of the plaster as it is applied.

It also means that there are less noticable hollows in the finished surface and any ‘ridges’ can be flattened because the corners of the trowel won’t dig in to the surrounding surface.

Mind you, I’m an Aussie D-I-Y freak and am just about to START rendering all the internal walls of an 2000 sq. ft. full brick construction (four bedromm, two bathroom) house. I’ve actually done the base coat for a room that is 12 ft x 21 ft x 8 ft walls, so I have many square yards (metres) ahead of me.

To get the finish coat on the walls straigh, I am using two lengths of 1″ (25mm) RHS to which I have welded a piece on 3mm angle iron at each end so that I can position the angles into the corners of the room (using suitable heavy conrete blocks to hold them in place) and a string line lightly stretched between them.

Anyone want to migrate to ’sunny down-under’? I’m 73 so I hope to finish the job before I fall off my perch.

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]]> By: Big Des http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-44857 Big Des Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:40:10 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-44857 I'm sorry, but plastering is neither difficult nor is it an "art form". It's simple chemicle reactions and practise. With a mentor, you should be able to learn it in a week, tops. People like to think it is some mysterious art form and try to scaremonger others into not having a go. I was a plasterer for 9 years, and I've had enough. It's boring, monotonous and there is just no ambition in it. I'm now at uni, haha skint, but at least im doing something I enjoy, forensic science. good luck all. I’m sorry, but plastering is neither difficult nor is it an “art form”. It’s simple chemicle reactions and practise. With a mentor, you should be able to learn it in a week, tops. People like to think it is some mysterious art form and try to scaremonger others into not having a go. I was a plasterer for 9 years, and I’ve had enough. It’s boring, monotonous and there is just no ambition in it. I’m now at uni, haha skint, but at least im doing something I enjoy, forensic science. good luck all.

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]]> By: fil http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-44636 fil Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:21:28 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-44636 Hi guys facinating thread Wonder if anyone could drop me some advise I have a 1930's house, the existing plaster in places has blown and comes of in sheets as I found when trying to replace skirting after laying a lovely solid wood floor!!!!! There is a plasterboard covering what was the former dining room doorway and the surronding area has brickwork with more of the old sand cemet crap covering it, which is resembling Weetabix all sand and no substance. Reading much of the excellent advice Im thinking that it will need a sand cement mix for the exposed brick work , having been PVA'd and then that will be up to the level of the board? Will I need then , 2 coats of skim ? on both surfaces? Im not confident to do this but just want to get a handle on it when I get a plasterer in? Also as there is a strong likelyhood that the rest of the house has a similar "cereal" finish :) can this kind of 1930's reneder/ plaster be "Patch repaired" having been prepped properly? or is it a case of the whole wall needing to come off and be plastered? Sob sob!! And finally How does a Plasterer calculate a job? Is it Time / Size of job or a combo of both and whats the going rate please ? Any advice gratefully recieved Cheers Fil Hi guys facinating thread
Wonder if anyone could drop me some advise
I have a 1930’s house, the existing plaster in places has blown and comes of in sheets as I found when trying to replace skirting after laying a lovely solid wood floor!!!!!
There is a plasterboard covering what was the former dining room doorway and the surronding area has brickwork with more of the old sand cemet crap covering it, which is resembling Weetabix all sand and no substance.

Reading much of the excellent advice Im thinking that it will need a sand cement mix for the exposed brick work , having been PVA’d and then that will be up to the level of the board?
Will I need then , 2 coats of skim ? on both surfaces?
Im not confident to do this but just want to get a handle on it when I get a plasterer in?
Also as there is a strong likelyhood that the rest of the house has a similar “cereal” finish :) can this kind of 1930’s reneder/ plaster be “Patch repaired” having been prepped properly? or is it a case of the whole wall needing to come off and be plastered? Sob sob!!
And finally
How does a Plasterer calculate a job? Is it Time / Size of job or a combo of both and whats the going rate please ?
Any advice gratefully recieved
Cheers
Fil

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]]> By: andrewrenshaw http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-43253 andrewrenshaw Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:59:54 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-43253 to make plaster go off slowe over old plaster to make plaster go off slowe over old plaster

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]]> By: Lenny Paster http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-39966 Lenny Paster Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:45:13 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-39966 I have to disagree with King's comments about 5 day courses, i went to a course in Huddersfield called "learn to plaster" and in a 4 day period i learned to board up my own bay and then spent the rest of the time practicing skimming. We covered lots of the problems that are being discussed and by the end i must admit (modesty aside) that i was quite good. To be fair they never pretended that i would finish the course as a qualified plasterer but i certainly now feel confident to tackle a medium sized room and get a good finish I have to disagree with King’s comments about 5 day courses, i went to a course in Huddersfield called “learn to plaster” and in a 4 day period i learned to board up my own bay and then spent the rest of the time practicing skimming. We covered lots of the problems that are being discussed and by the end i must admit (modesty aside) that i was quite good. To be fair they never pretended that i would finish the course as a qualified plasterer but i certainly now feel confident to tackle a medium sized room and get a good finish

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]]> By: king nottingham ; ) http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-32915 king nottingham ; ) Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:15:11 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-32915 Oh yeah..................Those 5 day coarses are utter rubbish and the biggest con going, It took me and my boys (lads on the coarse) just under a year to be able to skim perfectly : ) Oh yeah………………Those 5 day coarses are utter rubbish and the biggest con going, It took me and my boys (lads on the coarse) just under a year to be able to skim perfectly : )

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]]> By: king nottingham ; ) http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-32914 king nottingham ; ) Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:13:47 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-32914 Great post and good on you for trying......Most people wouldn't lol!!!! I finished my NVQ or actually its now called a diploma! ive been training for three years now and have quite an extensive knowlege of all things Plaster related........Ive even learnt the Historic way, that involves adding horse hair to a mix!!!............I think the Golden Rules of plastering are as follows - 1) RELAX - working enviroment always should have a radio and kettle! helps you to stop rushing, as it feels your there for the duration and your not beein rushed! 2)RHYTHM - Set a comfortable pace and stick to it. You end up like a mega plastering robot ( lol ) you will not get distracted either! 3)NEVER PANICK - people tend to rush, worry and panic about plastering. remember, Whats the worse that can happen? take it off and start again - no problem. hope this may help some random person somewhere in the big beautifull world! Jack, 24 from Nottingham, UK Great post and good on you for trying……Most people wouldn’t lol!!!! I finished my NVQ or actually its now called a diploma! ive been training for three years now and have quite an extensive knowlege of all things Plaster related……..Ive even learnt the Historic way, that involves adding horse hair to a mix!!!…………I think the Golden Rules of plastering are as follows -

1) RELAX – working enviroment always should have a radio and kettle! helps you to stop rushing, as it feels your there for the duration and your not beein rushed!

2)RHYTHM – Set a comfortable pace and stick to it. You end up like a mega plastering robot ( lol ) you will not get distracted either!

3)NEVER PANICK – people tend to rush, worry and panic about plastering. remember, Whats the worse that can happen? take it off and start again – no problem.

hope this may help some random person somewhere in the big beautifull world!

Jack, 24 from Nottingham, UK

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]]> By: andy http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-31241 andy Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:40:27 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-31241 does any one no where there is job vacancies for tackers. does any one no where there is job vacancies for tackers.

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]]> By: Andy http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-30865 Andy Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:13:48 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-30865 I am a diyer as jg puts it. I have been doing diy for 25 years now. My work is said to be great. In fact good enough for all people I have worked for. This has included plastering and skimming. With practice it is possible to become better than many so called tradesmen that charge a fortune. We are not all made of money and you don't always get a high class job when paid for. If you do it yourself and it works out fine then brill if not you only have yourself to blame. Lets face it you could have many goes at it to get perfection for the price of a Good tradesman. So I say goodluck to the DIY crowd and may the plaster be with you. I am a diyer as jg puts it. I have been doing diy for 25 years now. My work is said to be great. In fact good enough for all people I have worked for.
This has included plastering and skimming. With practice it is possible to become better than many so called tradesmen that charge a fortune. We are not all made of money and you don’t always get a high class job when paid for. If you do it yourself and it works out fine then brill if not you only have yourself to blame. Lets face it you could have many goes at it to get perfection for the price of a Good tradesman. So I say goodluck to the DIY crowd and may the plaster be with you.

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]]> By: jg http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/comment-page-2/#comment-26293 jg Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:54:00 +0000 http://www.oneworldcoffee.com/2006/04/08/learning-to-plaster-by-plastering/#comment-26293 seems funny to me why anyone would want to struggle with a diy project . you wouldnt want to build a car if you needed one you would buy it . please leave trade jobs to trades men. this is part of the reason this countrys building trade is in decline because everyone and his dog thinks they can when they cant . and this site just goes to prove my point seems funny to me why anyone would want to struggle with a diy project . you wouldnt want to build a car if you needed one you would buy it . please leave trade jobs to trades men. this is part of the reason this countrys building trade is in decline because everyone and his dog thinks they can when they cant . and this site just goes to prove my point

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