How to make a concrete trowel with your own hands - step-by-step plan, types and application

Using this tool, by smoothing the surface of fresh concrete mortar, you can obtain an even and smooth base.

In general, leveling the concrete surface is carried out in several stages.

Immediately after laying the mortar, its surface is smoothed along the beacons using building rules.

And after some time, finishing leveling is performed using a mop-stroker. The tool is mainly used for pouring slabs and floor screeds.

In today's article we will tell you how to make a mop-stroker for concrete with your own hands. This is not very difficult - and you can use scraps of metal, which are a dime a dozen at any construction site.

You may also be interested in learning how to make a strip foundation using permanent formwork.

How to make a concrete trowel with your own hands?

When constructing flat concrete structures (concrete floors, blind areas and other concrete-cement platforms), it is impossible to achieve a perfectly flat surface without straightening and smoothing operations.

• Concrete trowel
• Types of tools
• Tool Features
• How to make a tool yourself from scrap materials?

The tool for smoothing concrete is the so-called “smoothing iron”, which you can make yourself.

Concrete smoothing tools

After pouring the concrete screed into the wooden structure, leveling it and compacting it, tools are used to clean the surface. At the same time as cleaning, excess moisture is removed, all irregularities are removed, and air is released from the bubbles.

Pros and cons of manual smoothers

The advantages of manual smoothers include their availability for independent production from scrap materials, low price, and ease of performing independent actions.

The disadvantages are that a hand-made trowel is used only in small areas. The device has poor maneuverability, limited freedom of movement and low speed of work.

When choosing ironing devices, it is necessary to take into account the size of the areas to be processed, the speed required to complete the intended amount of work and, of course, the cost. For small spaces, you can make a smoothing tool yourself. To quickly work on large areas, it is better to rent a trowel.

Features of telescopic options

Telescopic options include devices with the ability to adjust the length of the handle, equipped with rotating mechanisms. Thanks to them, the handle can rotate in different directions. There are models that include a high-frequency vibration motor.

Difficulty of choice

Now rules made of aluminum are sold in almost any hardware store. Its purchase is unlikely to cause a big blow to the family budget, since the prices for the rules are quite low. But the problem of choice always remains relevant.

Tips for beginners

For beginners, it is better to use the 1-1.5 meter rule . A longer one will be difficult for a beginner to work with. The 2-3 meter rule requires two people to operate. Therefore, to renovate your home, it is better to purchase short rules that are easy and convenient to work with.

To align vertical and horizontal surfaces with beacons, it is better to use the rule with a level . The advantage of such a tool is that during work you do not have to constantly juggle the level and the rule, checking the evenness of the surface and the correct installation of the beacons.

Pros and cons of manual concrete trowels

Pros:

• Easy to level the surface for finishing.
• Cheap when using a homemade tool.
• Ability to perform work alone.
• The reality and ease of DIY.

A concrete trowel quite simply levels the surface
. Cons:

• Limited space (exception: ironing irons with a telescopic handle).
• Little maneuverability. Even a hinged joint does not provide absolute freedom of movement.
• Low speed of work.
• Errors may occur due to lack of skills.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a rule, you should pay attention to the presence of stiffeners. One of the ribs should be on the outside. Usually it looks like a semicircular groove on the outside of the tool. The remaining ribs can be located on the inner surface of the guide. The more stiffeners a rule has, the longer it will last . Such a tool will not bend or break if accidentally dropped. In addition, the rule must have additional attachments (plugs) along the edges of the guide. These nozzles will protect the internal profile of the tool from the ingress of mortars during operation.

Concrete trowels general information and application

A product made of wood must be well sanded to avoid errors during the work process.

Design features and operating principle

The tool, used for working in small areas, looks like a trowel for a mason or a trowel for plastering work, to which a handle is welded by electric welding.

A product made of wood, as well as a metal device, copes with its functions perfectly. The smooth working plane has rounded edges, allowing it to move smoothly across the surface. The device is moved in zigzags to improve the distribution of the solution.

The use of manual slatted trowels for laying concrete

Manual rack and pinion devices are often used in small areas, are made of light aluminum alloys, and are equipped with a cable gearbox that changes the angle of inclination of the working plate with rounded edges. The change in the angle of inclination depends on the mobility of the freshly poured solution, the maximum value is 60 degrees.

Channel trowel for correcting the surface of fresh concrete

The channel device is mainly used for simple corrections and leveling of concrete pavement with the angle of the installed handle up to a maximum of 30 degrees. The optimal width of the adjustable working area is 3 meters.

The complete set is complemented by a toothed nozzle, which forms expansion joints that separate the surface of the laid mortar, which allows you to simultaneously level and create expansion joints. Thus, the tool reduces the cost of the work performed and its labor intensity.

The device is made of aluminum alloys or stainless steel; the mirror working plate has increased resistance to corrosive processes and chemical reagents.

Scraper

The scraper type of tool is designed to collect and remove escaping liquid. It eliminates tubercles well and controls the horizontal level of the plane. Rotating the handle increases or decreases the angle of the blade to facilitate the alignment process. The length of the handle reaches 6 meters, the maximum width of the working area is also 6 meters.

Serrated

The tool has a number of undeniable advantages:

• light weight, since the blade is made of aluminum alloy;
• wide range of blades;
• used over large areas;
• strength and durability of the structure.

To perform the work efficiently, you should prevent the device from immersing itself in the concrete mixture by constantly holding it on the surface, sliding along it.

Design and operating principle

The design of the ironer is simple. A handle that controls the device is attached to the blade, made of a narrow aluminum profile with a length of 1 meter. This is a kind of mop for concrete with a handle length of up to 12 meters. The hinges that secure the handle to the work surface ensure mobility and maneuverability of the structure.

For channel instruments, aluminum alloys or special stainless steel are used. The blade must be polished to a mirror finish, have channels, and not be subject to corrosion. The length of the handle extends from 1 to 3 meters, and the width of the cover corresponds to the same dimensions. Some models come equipped with a toothed nozzle designed for forming deformation seams.

The scraper device is convenient to use over large areas. Its coverage width reaches 6 meters. The length of the handle also corresponds to them. The lightness of the design, consisting of an aluminum alloy, and the presence of a telescopic handle facilitates the processing of large areas.

The purpose of the scraping tool is to level out frozen tuberosities, seal cracks, cavities, and chips. The design is equipped with a wide selection of working surfaces. The special structure of the device allows you to easily change the angle of inclination of the scraper.

Designed for small areas, manual rack devices have a working surface rounded at the edges and a handle with a rigid fastening. The device is equipped with a mirrored aluminum alloy base. The kit includes a converting device called a gearbox. With its help it is possible to change the angle of the blade.

Note! All smoothing devices are equipped with telescopic adjustable handles, which determine the length of the product. It can reach up to 12 meters.

Models made of plastic and wood cost less than their metal counterparts. They are also good at removing any defects from concrete surfaces. The length of the blade reaches 155 centimeters. The set includes several adjustable handles.

The low price of plastic and wooden trowels is due to their disposable use. They often fail during grouting work. Their purpose is small areas of premises. Larger areas are best sanded using grinders.

Machines whose purpose is to grout surfaces are classified as special technical equipment; they are used by professional builders. Their working surface resembles a fan with blades and a disk. Grouting machines are used for troweling large areas after vibrating rammers.

For objects with a small area, it is more convenient to use one rotor device. They have good maneuverability, small dimensions, and ease of movement. A transmission gearbox with variable speed contributes to high-quality roughing and finishing.

For large areas, double-rotor trowels are used. They are distinguished from single-rotor ones by the possibility of installing 2 guides. This equipment is controlled by a person sitting next to the control panel. The mechanism is equipped with rotation speed control.

Additional Information! Professional trowels have a high speed of cleaning the treated areas. But buying such expensive equipment for one-time use is not practical. Renting a car is much cheaper than purchasing it.

Application area

In addition to plastering work, the rule is used for:

• laying tiles. When performing this work, it is necessary to carefully observe the verticality and horizontality of the surface;
• applying elastic soft putties. The rule for plaster
  in this case is to use a large spatula;
• ceiling devices. It is with the help of this tool that you can get a perfectly flat ceiling surface;
• screed devices. The rule is a very convenient tool for leveling the mortar on the floor surface.

For standard concrete work, the rule must be stronger and more rigid than its plastering version

Device for applying plaster to the wall

Together with this device, you can save a lot of effort, time and money on plastering. The design is designed in such a way that it allows you to work with liquid cement, expanding the possibilities for finishing the preparation of walls.

Device for quickly applying plaster mortar to the wall

The device is connected to an air compressor, allowing you to pump a large amount of solution without physical effort. The supply is provided through a rod on which the lever for starting the solution is located. The two-handed design is small in size and light in weight, making it very convenient and practical to use. Uniform spraying of the solution is ensured thanks to nozzles.

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Making at home from wood

If you don’t have the money to buy a device, but you urgently need a smoothing tool, it’s quite possible to make it yourself. Of course, it will not be possible to create a powerful device, but it is quite possible to make a simple and convenient ironing iron to perform a one-time task.

Working cloth

To create a profile for a construction tool, you need an edged board with a smooth surface. The length of the lumber should be from one to two meters: the parameter will depend on the size of the area that needs to be concreted. Thickness – no more than 30 mm, otherwise the smoother will turn out heavy, and its handle will sag. Further:

• Sand a piece of wood flat on both sides well. Round off the bevels of the end edge of the material;
• Check the work surface for smoothness using sand or dry soil. If, after running over the granular substance, there are still irregularities on the board, sand the future profile again;
• to maintain smoothness on the working blade, treat with a solution of rosin or tar;
• the working surface can be made of duralumin. The alloy of aluminum and copper is lightweight, ductile and has a long service life, so a tool made from this material is very light and easy to use.

Pen

The holder for the mortar leveling tool is made of timber. A design with a very long holder will turn out to be bulky and inconvenient, it will not be easy to work with it, so the handle should not exceed 5.5 m. To operate the smoother during construction work in small areas, you can use holders from a shovel, rake or fork. When working with standard timber, the edges need to be rounded with a planing tool and sanded. Further:

• Attach the prepared holder to the work surface at an angle of 60 degrees. For fixation, use two wooden braces screwed with screws. Self-tapping screws should not protrude onto the surface of the profile so as not to disturb the smoothness of the product;
• for a working sole of more than one and a half meters, two handles must be attached. Such a structure will be easier to manage, but it will no longer be possible to cope with smoothing the concrete alone;
• An option for high-quality fixation is a structural unit in which the elements are connected to each other using a hinge. In this case, the maneuverability of the tool increases several times. The holder must be secured to the hinge at an angle so that it does not dangle, but freely changes the angle between the main edge and the plane.

Types by material of manufacture

A construction trowel for leveling surfaces and applying mortar can be made from various materials.

Plastic

A plastic trowel is great for applying liquid wallpaper to wall surfaces. You can also easily create a smooth or finely textured surface using a smoothing iron with a plastic cloth.

Metal

In the production process of a metal trowel, stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium can be used. A steel trowel, like titanium or aluminum, is used for applying plaster and leveling walls.

Wooden

Wooden hand tools are useful if you are working with small areas. Most often, a wooden tool is used to smooth out the concrete mixture. This type of device is not very popular, since its use is limited. Wooden irons are disposable.

In addition to the above materials from which the ironing board can be made, there is another material - plexiglass. Today, a plexiglass trowel is often used in the process of applying liquid wallpaper. Since plexiglass has a transparent structure, you can view and control the thickness of the layer of applied material through it.

Concrete mop

This special tool has become high-tech, having a wide range of modifications. The use of trowels, even those made by hand, improves the quality and productivity of work on moving concrete bases.

Rules

This hand tool ensures the initial distribution of the solution over the surface filled with concrete mixture.

Conclusion

Smoothers and rules for moving concrete ensure the formation of perfectly smooth and even surfaces, which is an important step in preparing concrete solutions for use.

Industrial and homemade tools, with proper preparation and selection, will make such work as effective as possible.

Asphalt laying technology

Simply spreading a hot resinous mixture on the ground will not work. The area for asphalting should be prepared in advance. It is necessary to carefully consider where the paths will be located. It should be borne in mind that it is undesirable to plan them next to a vegetable garden or flower bed: the asphalt surface evaporates substances harmful to health. Crops will accumulate these fumes.

The asphalt is laid on a flat, compacted surface. Without the right foundation, you won’t be able to build a path.

Designing a site to be covered with asphalt

Considering the odors that asphalt emits, I recommend making an asphalt covering at the entrance to the house for a car. Similar paths can be laid between the buildings on the site: from the mansion to the summer kitchen, change house, garage, bathhouse, toilet, etc.

Before excavation work begins, markings are made and the thickness of the crushed stone that will serve as the base of the path is determined. For pedestrian paths, a layer of asphalt of 7 cm is suitable. The road for a car needs to be made more solid, at least 15 cm thick. The crushed stone base for such a road should have a height of about 40 cm.

Excavation work: soil removal, leveling and compaction

Then you need to level the surface of the pit and compact it thoroughly. For this, it is preferable to use a special tool - a vibrating plate. Good technique when creating asphalt pavement is the key to its durability.

Preparing the base for laying the coating

It is recommended to use stones and crushed stone as a cushion for home asphalt. The bottom layer is made of large stones and compacted well. Then more crushed stone is poured in, which should also be pressed into the ground. Broken bricks can be used instead of crushed stone. Gravel is poured over this base, its surface is leveled and compacted.

The compacted layer is thoroughly watered so that it holds its shape. After preparing the base, you need to lay the curbs. Instead, it is quite acceptable to lay decorative stones on the sides of the path. This will help the coating retain its shape longer.

Laying asphalt

Hot asphalt prepared using the technology described above is evenly distributed over the base using a shovel. Using a vibrating foot moistened with water, compact it. Then they roll it out with a hand roller. This installation method is suitable for small garden paths. It is difficult to pave a wide road access to the site without the help of special equipment.

Ironing device

When the master moves the plate away from himself, the far edge rises, and when moving in the opposite direction, the rear edge rises. The angle of inclination is changed by installing a gearbox at the point where the handle is attached to the smoothing plate.

Kawabanga! How to make a concrete mixer with your own hands; visual instructions and drawings

A self-made trowel is similar in design to a wide mop for washing the floor. The device consists of a plate and a long handle attached to it. To make a smoothing iron you will need the following:

• Board or timber 20-30 cm wide and up to 2 m long;
• Beam 50x50;
• Bars for making spacers 25x25 and 1-1.5 m long;
• Plane;
• Wood saw or electric jigsaw;
• Sandpaper;
• Self-tapping screws;
• Screwdriver;
• Impregnation, drying oil or paint.

How to make a tool yourself from scrap materials?

To assemble the tool you will need the following materials and tools:

• Wooden beam with a section of 100x100 mm, preferably 130-130 mm (the wider, the better up to a width of 400 mm), 700-1000 mm long for the working element;
• Wooden beam with a cross section of 50x50 mm or 40x40 mm, 4-6 meters long for the handle (one or two pieces);
• Wooden beam 25x25 or 35x35 1-1.5 meters long for reinforcing struts;
• Wood screws;
• Water-repellent impregnation;
• Medium grit sandpaper;
• Plane;
• Screwdriver;
• Wood saw.

The unplaned timber for the working element and handle is processed with a plane and then sanded with sandpaper. In this case, the corners of the handle and the working element are “filled” with chamfers of approximately 10x10 mm and, if possible, also rounded with sandpaper.

Making your own ironing iron

A device for smoothing concrete made of wood can be built at home. Prepare the following for work:

• board and block of soft wood;
• medium-grit sandpaper;
• self-tapping screws;
• jigsaw;
• tool for turning wood;
• screwdriver;
• water-repellent impregnation.

To create a smoothing canvas, take an edged board less than 3 cm thick and about 30 cm wide and carefully sand it until smooth. If the tool is being prepared for regular use, the board is coated with a hydrophobic compound, which seriously extends the service life of the product. The board is cut depending on the size of the area being treated (1-2 meters). The bevels of the end edge of the board are rounded.

Creating a Handle

Telescopic handles are sold in finished form in hardware stores. If desired, you can also make them yourself from timber or slats. The length of the handle should not be more than 5.5 m, otherwise it will be very difficult to work. In addition, a ready-made handle from a rake or fork is suitable as a holder.

The prepared block is attached to the canvas using two wooden braces or a triangular spacer with self-tapping screws at an angle of 60 degrees. The length of the screws should be such that they do not extend beyond the working surface.

If the ironer is more than 1.5 m in length, two handles are made, but you will have to work with the product together with an assistant. If necessary, the handle is mounted on a hinged unit, and the resulting tool will be maneuverable.

Tools for working with solution

APPLYING MORTAR
The tool most often used for brick work is the mason's trowel. With its help, mortar is applied and leveled to the bricks, and excess mortar is cut off from the seams. In addition, a trowel (handle or blade) is used to knock down the brick, leveling the row when laying, or to chop the brick in half.

SEAMING

After laying the brick, but before the mortar hardens, it is necessary to treat the seams using jointing or another method (see p. 38). By jointing, the voids in the seams are filled and excess mortar is removed (see pp. 46-47). Try not to stain the front side of the finished brick structure with the mortar. The jointer can also be used instead of a mason's trowel if the latter seems too heavy and inconvenient to you.

CUT AND CUTTING BRICK

If you only need to cut a few bricks for the projects in this book, we recommend using hand tools to make the process easier. The easiest way to cut brick is with a chisel with a hand guard and a short-handled sledgehammer (see pages 32-33). Various tools are used to cut bricks and rubble (see pp. 32-33). You can use a grinder, a brick guillotine (it's convenient to cut brick at right angles, but the results are not as good as using a stone saw), a circular saw with an abrasive disk for cutting stone, or a circular saw with a stone blade. If your project requires cutting hundreds of bricks, consider renting a diamond-bladed masonry saw (which can also handle angled brick cuts).

CUTTING BLOCKS, STONE SLABS, STONES AND TILES

Concrete blocks and paving slabs can be cut in the same way as brick, as described above. Concrete or stone tiles, thick concrete or clay slabs can be cut using a heavy-duty circular or masonry saw (depending on size). However, for safety reasons, we recommend that you first use a small grinder with a stone cutting disc to mark the cutting line, and then cut

ATTENTION

Grinders and other hand-held circular saws are dangerous to use, so it is necessary to use protective equipment during work (see p. 34). Follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you have never used this tool, it is advisable to consult a specialist or ask a tool rental center employee to show you how to work with it correctly. block with a chisel and a sledgehammer with a short handle (see pp. 34-35). Most thin tiles can be cut with a regular hand tile cutter. Wear safety glasses and gloves when cutting by hand. If you use power tools for cutting, wear gloves, safety glasses and hearing protection, a respirator, and safety boots.

Types of tools

In general, a concrete trowel is a machined meter-long strip of aluminum alloy metal to which one or two long handles are attached.

Structurally, the tool resembles a large mop for cleaning surfaces. There are two types of smoothers: classic and scraper. Classic trowels are used to smooth a still plastic surface, which allows you to effectively level the surface.

Scraper trowels are used to level the already setting material and at the same time effectively remove excess water.

Assembling a homemade device

The smoothing mop can be used in two variations.

The first option is a smoothing iron. We install the central handle and use the device to roughly level the concrete surface.

The second option is a tamper with a trowel.

Cut a piece of rubber and insert it into the groove of the U-shaped metal strip. We screw the bar itself to the base of the ironer.

After this, we install and fasten two handles.

In this case, two main operations are performed at once - the concrete is compacted and the surface is smoothed. It turns out very high quality.

You can watch the video below for details on how to make a mop-smoker for concrete with your own hands. This idea belongs to the author of the YouTube channel go tv.

Source

How to make a pen

The handle of the smoother is made of timber. It is not advisable to make a handle longer than 6 meters, since the structure will be too heavy and it will be very difficult to work with it.

To work in small areas, use a ready-made shovel handle or a wooden mop. If regular timber is used, the edges are rounded with a plane and sanded with sandpaper.

The prepared handle is attached to the smoothing plate at an angle of 60 degrees with two spacers. The screws are screwed in so that their ends do not protrude onto the surface of the plate and do not disturb its smoothness.

It is advisable to attach 2 handles to a working plate of more than 1.5 meters: the structure will be much more convenient to operate, but you will have to involve an assistant in the process of smoothing the screed.

A good mounting option is a hinged unit: in this case, the maneuverability of the device increases. The handle is attached to the hinge at an angle so that it does not dangle, but only freely changes the angle of inclination of the working surface.

Making a working surface

You can use a smooth edged board 1-2 meters long, depending on the size of the room being concreted. The thickness of the board should be up to 30 mm, otherwise the tool will turn out to be heavy and the handle will sag.

The board is carefully sanded with sandpaper. The ribs are “filled” with 10x10 mm chamfers and rounded with sandpaper. You can check the smoothness of the surface experimentally. The tool is passed over an even layer of sand or other bulk material, and if grooves remain on it, additional grinding is necessary.

How to use the ironing iron?

After work, ridges may be present as a rule. The trowel is used for more perfect smoothing of the “living” concrete mixture. Made from aluminum alloy, lightweight and durable. Working with a trowel allows you to achieve high quality of work performed, fill depressions, eliminate bulges, expel cement “milk” (a mixture of cement, sand and water), and control differences in plane level. It is unacceptable to immerse the tool in concrete. For renovations in a small room, a hand-made ironing iron is undoubtedly suitable. Mechanical devices are ideal for adjusting the levelness of large areas. It is much easier to work with such devices. Upon completion of work, the equipment is cleaned.

Types and types of irons

• Manual.
• Mechanical:

• with electric drive;
• with petrol drive.

Using a channel-type tool, minor unevenness in the solution that has not yet hardened is corrected.

• Duct. Serve for minor correction of uncured concrete mortar. They have anti-corrosion properties and a smooth mirror surface. They are used in small areas, their smoothing angle coordination is up to 300 degrees.
• Scraper. They will eliminate defects on an already hardening surface, remove cement laitance and water. The smoothing angle is adjustable up to 60 degrees. Trowels smooth out freshly laid screeds over large areas.

Builders note that an extremely smooth concrete surface can only be achieved with the mandatory use of a trowel. It is a mistaken opinion that after working with a vibrating paver, a smoother is not needed.

How to do it yourself?

For small volumes and for individual construction, it is advisable to use a trowel made by yourself. The handle and working part are made of soft wood, the timber is coated with moisture-resistant impregnation. The profile of the smoother is fixed by a long handle using wooden triangular spacers, resembling a mop in appearance. The length of the handle ranges from 3 to 6 meters. The working surface of mops is a metal plate reaching a width of one meter. The design of the working surface has rounded edges, which makes it possible to change the angle of the guide smoothly. A mechanical mop is suitable for use when working with large areas. This tool comes with special blades.

Pouring horizontal surfaces with concrete mixtures is a labor-intensive process, the result of which is assessed by the strength and smoothness of the top layer.

The initial leveling of the solution is done as a rule, after which ridges remain. A smoothing iron helps to obtain a smooth surface. This device is included in the tool kit of professional builders.

For one-time work, it is not advisable to purchase an industrial-made smoother, since the tool can be made independently from scrap materials.

The main thing about the rule: what is it and why?

The rule is a narrow, even ruler with no flaws. The use of the tool allows you to complete the work of forming a rough but even concrete plane without construction errors. The scope of application extends to working with plaster, concrete, laying tiles, installing ceilings, screeds.

Varieties

There are two types:

• metal;
• wooden.

To level the concrete surface, it is recommended to use a trowel made of metal.

Externally, these types of instruments are absolutely identical. For practicality, it is better to use metal ones. This is due to the fact that wood tends to absorb moisture, and this leads to deformation of the surface of the guide, and the evenness of the shape is lost. Aluminum rules are more common in manufacturing. This metal is lightweight, does not rust, and has a long service life. Minor repair work involving concrete can be easily handled with a simple plastering rule.

Correct choice

The technical requirements for the plane before starting finishing work are quite high. The verticality and horizontality of the surface is determined by the bubble building level built into the slats. When choosing, you should pay attention to its availability. To protect the internal profile from the penetration of external pollutants, special tips (plugs) are used. Stiffening ribs provide protection against potholes in the event of a fall. Their presence directly affects the operational period. It is necessary to have an external semicircular groove and internal ribs on the surface of the guide. The homemade rule for concrete works effectively if it is made short and not heavy.

For beginners in this type of work, a shorter ruler is recommended. The importance of length: the longer the surface of the product, the more difficult it is for them to work one at a time.

How to use?

The tool moves in translational movements from one side to the other, reaching a rough, flat concrete surface. Free movement along pre-placed beacons can be achieved on all types of surfaces: vertical, horizontal, inclined. It is also possible to work without beacons, but without experience it will be more difficult. When performing work, attentiveness and accuracy are required.