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Straightedges

Purpose: To strike off freshly placed concrete and make it as level as possible before finishing.

What's available: You can use a simple wood 2x4, or purchase hollow aluminum or magnesium straightedges. Metal straightedges are available in various lengths (from 6 to 24 feet) and cross sections. A recent innovation is an aluminum crowned straightedge (available from Slip Industries) that can be used to put slopes or swales in a slab to permit better drainage.

Buying tips:

• Wood straightedges should be straight and warp-free. Otherwise, they can leave undesirable ruts or crowns in the concrete surface.

• Magnesium and aluminum straightedges are lighter than wood and won't warp or bow. They also are easier to clean because concrete won't stick to them.

• Buy metal straightedges with capped ends to keep out wet concrete. Some tools have wooden or plastic plugs in the ends, but these can fall out and allow the concrete to enter. Tools with welded metal end caps are a better bet.

• For more comfortable grasping, look for straightedges with kerfed edges that won't dig into your hands during use. You can also find keyhole-shaped straightedges with flat bottoms and rounded tops for easier gripping.

• To help you gauge surface slope as you work, consider buying a straightedge with built-in or clamp-on bubble levels.

Average costs: The cost for a wood 2x4 will be nominaland you might be able to use a piece of lumber you already have on the job. A 2x4 magnesium straightedge goes for about $75 (6-foot length) to $300 (24-foot length).

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