How to use a plasterer’s hawk when plastering walls?

3rd March 2020

How to use a plasterer’s hawk when plastering walls
			Shop for Plaster Hawks
			Other equipment you will need:
			A mixing board, on which to mix the plaster.

			A plasterer’s trowel.

			Preparing your hawk for use


			Just smear a small amount of plaster or mortar onto your hawk with your trowel or pointing tool before you load it up with the full amount to start work.

			Step 1 – Scrape plaster onto hawk Position the hawk just below your plaster mixing board and scrape a manageable amount of plaster down onto it.

			Step 2 – Begin to load trowel Generally, the load on a hawk is used half at a time. To move the first half onto your trowel, begin by putting the trowel edge under the load of plaster while at the same time bringing the board upright.

			Step 3 – Transfer load onto trowel When the plaster load is resting vertically on your trowel (supported by the board behind)…

			Step 4 – Start to divide mix …keep the trowel itself flat and lean the board back, taking away roughly half of the plaster.

			Step 5 – Mix is divided This should leave you with two halves: one on the trowel; one on the board.

			Plastering awkward corners
			For awkward corners or edges where you have to twist yourself or bend down – and risk tipping the hawk – it is best to load it with just a small amount (medium trowel-load) of plaster, shaken sideways to flatten it out.

			A well-mixed plaster flattened out like this on a properly-keyed hawk will stick impressively to the board!