Hand Floats & Darbies

Concrete waits for no one. MARSHALLTOWN hand floats and darbies give you the control to level, embed aggregate and open the surface before troweling, without digging in, dragging or wearing out your wrists before the slab is done. Choose from magnesium, aluminum, wood and resin blades in a range of lengths and handle options, all built for professional finishers and serious DIYers.

Shop by Category

Magnesium Hand Floats: Lightweight, durable and the go-to choice for air-entrained concrete and everyday floating.

White Lightning™ Darbies & Hand Floats: Built for top-tier finish quality and long-lasting durability.

Darbies: Longer blades for leveling larger areas and removing high and low spots right after screeding.

Aluminum & Side Up Floats: A light, corrosion-resistant balance of weight and strength.

Wood & Resin Floats: Traditional wood for a classic feel, plus moisture-resistant resin for easy cleanup.

QLT Floats: Quality floats for jobsite-ready performance at an everyday price.

Replacement Parts & Handles: Keep your favorite floats in service with replacement handles and parts.

Choosing the Right Float Material

Magnesium

Weight: Light
Durability: High; resists wear
Best Use: Air-entrained concrete; general floating before troweling

Magnesium is light enough to use all day and durable enough to last season after season. It opens the surface without tearing air-entrained concrete, and its lighter weight means less fatigue and more knuckle clearance.

Aluminum

Weight: Light
Durability: High; corrosion resistant
Best Use: General finishing with a balance of weight and strength

Aluminum floats are a solid all-around choice when you want a light tool that stands up to moisture and jobsite wear.

Wood

Weight: Moderate; heavier when wet
Durability: Lower; can warp, split and absorb water
Best Use: Non-air-entrained concrete; early floating and rough texture

Wood is the traditional choice. Its natural grip on the surface brings up paste on non-air-entrained mixes.

Polymer/Resin

Weight: Light
Durability: High; moisture-resistant, won’t rot
Best Use: Specific applications; easy cleanup

Resin floats won’t swell or warp from moisture and clean up quickly at the end of the day.

Handle Options

Wood: Classic, natural feel at the lowest price
DuraSoft®: Soft, cushioned grip that reduces hand fatigue
DuraCork®: Cork-textured grip for a comfortable, secure hold
Structural Foam: Lightweight, durable handle at an everyday price
Round and large round styles: Fuller grip for finishers who prefer a handle that fills the palm

Why Choose MARSHALLTOWN?

When the concrete is setting, you don’t have time for a float that drags, digs in or leaves your hands aching. MARSHALLTOWN has been building finishing tools trusted by concrete pros for generations, and many of our hand floats are made in the USA with global materials. Find the blade material, length and handle that fit the way you work, and get professional results on every pour.