Question about using a magnesium float vs a steel one for hard troweling

I've been finishing concrete for about 4 years now and always used a magnesium float. Last week on a job in Austin I was struggling with a slab that was setting up faster than normal. The old timer I was working with handed me his steel float and told me to switch. I thought he was crazy since I figured steel was just for the very end. Man I was wrong. The steel float actually closed up the surface way better on that fast setting mix and I got a smoother finish with less effort. Has anyone else found certain conditions where steel works better than magnesium?

2 comments

2 Comments

stone.evan28d ago

Steel floats grab better but they also trap air, I've seen it cause blistering.

the_seth28d ago

Yeah I read somewhere that steel floats actually burnish the surface more which helps when you're fighting a fast set, kinda makes sense once you try it.