What are margin, pointing, guaging, and notch trowels used for?
Tile, marble, and terrazzo tile setters; bricklayers; cement masons; drywall finishers; and many others practice a craft widely known as Trowel Trades because they all use trowels as part of their everyday routines. Trowels typically have a metal blade with a v-shaped back. If you plan on tiling your own bathroom, kitchen, hallway, etc; you'll want to familiarize yourself with the different types of trowels that you'll likely be adding to your growing arsenal of tools.
Finishing Trowel (aka Float Trowel) - A finishing trowel has a large, flat, rectangular blade with a handle. It's used to smooth a surface. Different widths and lengths are available to suit different types of jobs.
Gauging Trowel - Distinctive for having a rounded tip along with the v-shaped back. It's used for gauging, or mixing in specific proportions, typically when you desire to mix small amounts of a quick-setting thin set, mortar, or drywall compound.
Margin Trowel - has a rectangular front and v-shaped back. It's used to mix thin-set, scoop stuff, and spread materials such as thinsets in tight quarters.
Notch Trowel - Primarily used for spreading thinset and mortars. They come in square, u-notch, v-notch, slant-notch, of various tooth sizes for applying a consistent and measured amount of adhesive for different jobs.
Pointing Trowel - Distinctive for having a pointed tip. Used for spreading material in tight spots. Very similar, but smaller, version of a Brick Trowel
