Marshalltown trowels and hand tools are for contractors and homeowners laying masonry, finishing drywall and setting tile. For drywall finishing, the slightly concave trowel blade helps you feather joint compound across seams and repairs, tapering the coat into the surrounding wall.
Marshalltown is a privately held American construction-tool manufacturer based in Marshalltown, Iowa. Jesse and Lester Williams started their machine and repair shop in 1890 and began making plastering trowels that year. Its tool range now serves brick and stone, concrete, drywall and plaster, tiling, painting and other trades.
Drywall trowels and finishing tools
The concave blade gives you a shape intended for feathering compound. Keep the coat’s edges thin as you work. Leaving a heavy ridge creates more sanding later.
Marshalltown’s high-carbon-steel and stainless-steel drywall blades are flexible, tempered, ground and polished. A longer blade spans more of the joint, but you’ve got to control pressure across it. Choose a length you can keep steady through the whole stroke.
Straight and curved handles come in DuraSoft or wood, with a Diamond Shank design intended to prevent twisting. Your grip should let you control the blade without cocking your wrist.
WAL-BOARD’s curved drywall trowel is another option for feathering and tapering joints, with a high-carbon-steel blade and soft-grip or plastic handles.
These Marshalltown drywall trowels carry the origin label “Made in the USA with Global Materials.” For other tools in the range, use the individual tool’s country-of-origin label.
A clean working edge matters. Dried compound caught on it can drag a groove through fresh mud. Clean the edge during the job, then wash and dry the blade afterward.
Masonry, concrete and tile work
Marshalltown’s QLT range includes tuck pointers for mortar-joint work. Match the blade to the joint so you can pack mortar into the opening and keep it off the surrounding brick face.
When working to a mason line, seat the line blocks at the ends of the course and pull the line taut at your intended course height. Keep the brick faces clear of the line so they don’t move your reference.
Concrete tools include bull floats, edgers, concrete spreader handles and masonry brushes.
BARWALT supplies tile spacers, leveling systems and cutters; on a manual score-and-snap cutter, support the tile flat, make a continuous score along your mark, align the breaker with the score and apply controlled pressure.
For paint preparation and wallcovering work, Marshalltown’s range also includes putty knives, scrapers and seam rollers.
Marshalltown’s tool warranty covers defective materials and workmanship and excludes normal wear, damage, misuse and abuse. Equipment has separate warranty terms.
Drywall trowel specifications
| Trowel | Blade material | Listed blade lengths |
|---|---|---|
| Marshalltown high-carbon-steel drywall trowel | High-carbon steel | 11, 12, 14 and 16 inches |
| Marshalltown stainless-steel drywall trowel | Stainless steel | 11, 12, 14 and 16 inches |
| WAL-BOARD curved drywall trowel | High-carbon steel | 11 inches |
Both Marshalltown drywall-trowel listings give a blade width of 4½ inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Marshalltown trowels made?
Marshalltown’s described drywall trowels are labeled “Made in the USA with Global Materials.” That means you shouldn’t read “USA” as a claim that every component is American-made. Check the origin label on the individual trowel, since that wording isn’t established for every trowel in the range.
What are Marshalltown trowels used for?
Marshalltown’s drywall trowels spread and feather joint compound across seams and repairs. Their slightly concave blades help taper the compound into the wall. Blade shape matters here: you’re trying to leave a gradual transition that won’t show through paint.
How do you use Marshalltown line blocks?
Position your Marshalltown line blocks at opposite ends of the course and secure the mason line at the height you’re laying to. Pull it taut so it doesn’t sag, and keep the brick faces just clear of it. Check your end points for level first, because a tight line between uneven ends still gives you an uneven course.
What kinds of tools does Marshalltown make?
Alongside trowels, Marshalltown’s range includes putty knives, scrapers, glass cutters, glazing tools and seam rollers. For surface preparation, match the working edge to the task: a nick that barely matters while scraping can leave a track when you spread filler.
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Our paint & finish specialists can help you find the right Marshalltown products for your project.