Kraft Tool Asphalt Coating Broom/Squeegee, 18 in

What this tool is, and why I reached for it

On asphalt sealing days, I want two things: an easy way to cut clean edges and a fast way to move product across the field. The 18-inch asphalt broom/squeegee is one head that does both. One side carries 2-inch brown Palmyra bristles for brushing sealer into edges, seams, and low spots; the other side is a squeegee edge for spreading and evening out the coat. The head is wood-framed, made in the United States, and accepts a 3/4" 5-pitch threaded handle. It’s a simple, sturdy piece of kit with a very specific job—and it does that job well.

Setup and handle compatibility

A quick heads-up: the head ships on its own. No handle in the box. You’ll need a compatible threaded handle with a 3/4" 5-pitch thread. That’s a common construction thread, but not every big-box “universal” broom handle matches, so check the spec before you buy or plan on grabbing an adapter. I ran mine on a 60-inch hardwood handle for better leverage, then swapped to fiberglass when working over rougher aggregate.

Mounting is straightforward; the socket threads are clean and cut true, and the head cinches down without wobble. If you’ll be flipping frequently between brush and squeegee sides, tighten firmly and consider a handle with a comfortable grip—you’ll appreciate that when your gloves get tacky.

On-surface performance

This combo head shines in the places a plain squeegee struggles. Here’s how it breaks down in real use:

• Edges and irregularities: The Palmyra bristles are stiff enough to scrub sealer into porous asphalt and the edges along pavers, curbs, and garage thresholds. They conform better than a straight rubber edge, especially over aggregate that’s heaved or spalled. I found the bristles excellent for feathering sealer along lawns without flinging droplets into the grass.

• Field spreading: Flip to the squeegee side and you can pull a consistent film across the main run. At 18 inches, it’s nimble around obstacles and transitions, though not as fast as a 24–36 inch parking-lot squeegee. If you’re sealing a residential driveway, the width feels “right”—wide enough to be efficient without fighting the crown or puddling in dips.

• Material control: With thinner asphalt-emulsion sealers, the squeegee edge lays down a uniform coat in one pass. With thicker blends or cooler temperatures, I prefer a brush-first, squeegee-second approach: scrub the material into the surface with the bristles, then pull it smooth. The combination is the reason to choose this tool—it reduces back-and-forth and keeps the whole process flowing.

One nuance worth noting: the squeegee edge, being part of a wood-framed combo head, doesn’t have the ultra-stiff, blade-like push of a dedicated heavy squeegee. If you’re moving heavy, sand-filled mixes or working big lots, a heavier, wider dedicated squeegee still wins for bulk distribution. But for typical driveways and walkways, the combo head offers better control and fewer tools to juggle.

Ergonomics and control

With a 60-inch handle, the head balances well, and the flip between sides is quick. The wood frame has enough mass to keep the squeegee tracking straight without requiring a death grip. On sloped drives, the squeegee edge resists chatter reasonably well. Palmyra bristles do have a bit of “snap,” so use a light touch around splatter-prone edges and let the bristles do the work.

Working pace ends up being dictated by cure time rather than tool limitations. I found my rhythm as a two-pass system: brush in along edges and any spider cracking, then flip and pull the main field in 18–24-inch swaths. You can maintain a wet edge easily at this width, which helps avoid lap marks.

Build quality

The wood frame is solid and cut square. The bristle set is dense enough to move product without leaving thin stripes, and the bristles themselves are the right stiffness for asphalt coatings—firm but not abrasive. Palmyra is a natural fiber, so expect it to swell a touch when wet; it tightens back up when dry. I didn’t see significant shedding during first use, which is a common problem with bargain heads.

The socket is properly centered and securely fastened. I wasn’t able to twist it loose even when pushing heavy material. The overall feel is that of a practical, shop-grade tool rather than a disposable accessory.

Cleaning and maintenance

Cleaning determines whether this is a one-season purchase or a multi-season tool. A few pointers from my workflow:

• If you’re using water-based asphalt emulsions, rinse immediately after the last pass. A garden hose and a stiff nylon brush clean the squeegee edge quickly. The Palmyra bristles need a more thorough rinse—work water through from the base out until the rinse runs clear.

• For oil-based or solvent-borne coatings, clean the squeegee edge with mineral spirits on a rag, then use a small tray of solvent to work through the bristles. Do this outdoors, wear gloves, and follow local disposal rules.

• Don’t soak the wood frame. A quick rinse and a wipe-down is fine; prolonged soaking will swell the wood and loosen fasteners over time.

• Storage: hang the tool so the bristles aren’t bearing weight. Palmyra bristles hold their shape better if they dry vertically.

If you don’t clean promptly, the bristles will gum up and harden. At that point, consider it a single-use head. Cleaned right away, mine has held up through multiple sealing jobs without noticeable loss of bristle stiffness.

Where it fits in the kit

• Best for: residential driveways, small lots, walkways, and anywhere you need to both cut in and spread with one tool. It’s especially effective on older asphalt where the surface is more open and benefits from brushing.

• Could be better: large parking lots and heavy aggregate where a 24–36 inch dedicated squeegee or a T-bar applicator moves material faster and straighter. If your mix is thick and sand-laden, the squeegee edge on this head won’t push as aggressively as a heavy-duty squeegee.

• Handle ecosystems: if your crew already runs 3/4" 5-pitch threaded handles, this drops right in. If not, plan for adapters or new handles.

Practical tips for better results

• Pre-wet the surface lightly on hot days to reduce drag with water-based sealers (avoid standing water).

• Load the brush side first along edges and joints, then flip to the squeegee and pull away from clean surfaces to avoid splatter.

• Keep a damp rag handy to wipe the squeegee edge periodically; build-up creates ridges.

• Work in overlapping passes about half the tool’s width to avoid thin spots.

• Have your cleaning setup ready before you start so you can break down the tool as soon as you’re done.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Combination brush/squeegee saves time and tool swaps
- Palmyra bristles excel at edges, dips, and porous surfaces
- Manageable 18-inch width for residential work
- Solid wood frame and secure 3/4" 5-pitch socket
- Made in the United States

Cons:
- Handle not included; thread compatibility can trip you up
- Bristle cleanup is time-sensitive and can be tedious
- Not as fast or forceful as wider, dedicated squeegees for big jobs

The bottom line

I recommend this 18-inch broom/squeegee for anyone tackling driveway sealing who wants one head to both cut in and spread. The brush/squeegee combination is genuinely useful on real-world asphalt—edges, dips, and patchwork surfaces are handled better than with a squeegee alone, and the 18-inch width strikes a good balance between control and coverage. Build quality is solid, and with prompt cleanup, it’s a reusable tool rather than a disposable one.

Just go in knowing you’ll need to supply a 3/4" 5-pitch handle and that cleaning the bristles requires a few extra minutes at the end of the job. If your priorities are speed on large expanses or pushing very heavy mixes, a wider, dedicated squeegee will be faster. For residential work and mixed conditions, though, this combo head earns its place in the kit.