Bought a cheap magnesium float years ago and it's still my favorite tool

I was skeptical when a guy at a supply house in Columbus told me to grab this $12 float over the $40 one. But after smoothing out 500 yards of steps with it last week, I've never had a finish look that clean. Anybody else find a cheap tool that just works better than the expensive stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

lindaowens1mo ago

Cheap tools get a bad rap but sometimes the company just nailed the design before they figured out how to charge more for it. That magnesium float probably has a slightly different edge radius or handle angle that matches your hand better than the premium ones. I've got a $6 nylon trowel that leaves a finish like glass because the blade flexes just right, while my expensive stainless one leaves drag marks. Sometimes you just get lucky with the cheap stuff.

miles721mo ago

And now I'm sitting here with a $9 magnesium float that works better than the $45 one I bought last year. The expensive one sits in the toolbox collecting dust while the cheap one is my go-to. Makes me wonder how many "premium" tools are just riding on their brand name while some random factory in Taiwan accidentally nailed the design.