Raimondi Tile Leveling System

[Shooter999]

Hi All,

As I'm going to be embarking on my 1st ever tiling job (23 sqm) , I thought I'd better get a tile leveling system (My wife would kill me if I botch the job).

It seems that Raimondi is very well rated.

I've seen the following kit:

Kit RLS: Raimondi Levelling System - https://www.ferramentaweb.com/en/tile-leveling-systems/9-kit-rls-raimondi-levelling-system.html

In the kit I've linked to above, there are a set of pliers, however they say they are floor pliers.

Does this mean I also need to buy a set of wall pliers?

Pliers for wall covering Raimondi - https://www.ferramentaweb.com/en/tile-leveling-systems/18-pliers-for-wall-covering-raimondi.html

The description for the above says they can be used for wall and floor.


If I also need to buy the wall pliers (which can be used on the floor), then I may as well buy the items separately, i.e. Wall pliers and 500 clips / 250 wedges package.

Clips 1,5 mm Tile Leveling Spacers RLS 3/12 mm - https://www.ferramentaweb.com/en/tile-leveling-systems/13-clips-1-5-mm-tile-leveling-spacers-rls-312-mm.html


Thanks in advance.

 

[Simons70]

Never use pliers

 

[Shooter999]

@Simons70 Thanks for the prompt reply. Can you elaborate (bearing in mind I've never done any tiling before)?

Thanks

 

[Simons70]

The clips and wedges is big enough and you can use your hand for secure,I think with pliers just lose time.

 

[Old Mod]

Ed is quite correct, you don't NEED pliers, however, from a diy point of view, I'd suggest you use them. Get the floor pliers, they're easier to use on walls than the wall pliers are on the floor.
The idea is that they hold the clip in place while the wedge is inserted.
The biggest failing is that when the wedges are inserted, if you're not paying attention, you will move the tiles and open the joints too much. The pliers make it easier to insert the wedges without moving the tile, still watch for it tho.
It will throw everything out if the joints open up and you don't notice.
Levelling systems are NOT a fool proof way of installing tiles.
You must still do 99% of the work, all the clip and wedge do is hold it in place while the adhesive sets.
You must ensure you have a full bed behind your tiles, it will be easy to have voids using clips if you're not paying attention.

 

[J Sid]

Never use pliers

strong hands

 

[Simons70]

Ed is quite correct, you don't NEED pliers, however, from a diy point of view, I'd suggest you use them. Get the floor pliers, they're easier to use on walls than the wall pliers are on the floor.
The idea is that they hold the clip in place while the wedge is inserted.
The biggest failing is that when the wedges are inserted, if you're not paying attention, you will move the tiles and open the joints too much. The pliers make it easier to insert the wedges without moving the tile, still watch for it tho.
It will throw everything out if the joints open up and you don't notice.
Levelling systems are NOT a fool proof way of installing tiles.
You must still do 99% of the work, all the clip and wedge do is hold it in place while the adhesive sets.
You must ensure you have a full bed behind your tiles, it will be easy to have voids using clips if you're not paying attention.

I have 2 or 3 pliers,received free when I buy more then 3 boxes but never try to use,maybe I can give a chance now.

 

[J Sid]

Hi All,

As I'm going to be embarking on my 1st ever tiling job (23 sqm) , I thought I'd better get a tile leveling system (My wife would kill me if I botch the job).

It seems that Raimondi is very well rated.

I've seen the following kit:

Kit RLS: Raimondi Levelling System - https://www.ferramentaweb.com/en/tile-leveling-systems/9-kit-rls-raimondi-levelling-system.html

In the kit I've linked to above, there are a set of pliers, however they say they are floor pliers.

Does this mean I also need to buy a set of wall pliers?

Pliers for wall covering Raimondi - https://www.ferramentaweb.com/en/tile-leveling-systems/18-pliers-for-wall-covering-raimondi.html

The description for the above says they can be used for wall and floor.


If I also need to buy the wall pliers (which can be used on the floor), then I may as well buy the items separately, i.e. Wall pliers and 500 clips / 250 wedges package.

Clips 1,5 mm Tile Leveling Spacers RLS 3/12 mm - https://www.ferramentaweb.com/en/tile-leveling-systems/13-clips-1-5-mm-tile-leveling-spacers-rls-312-mm.html


Thanks in advance.

check the delivery cost for a small order, maybe cheaper to buy in UK with a order that size

 

[Shooter999]

@3_fall Thanks for the detailed reply, and tips on what to look out for.

I'll go for the kit (which includes the floor pliers) and also purchase an additional 500 clips.

 

[Shooter999]

@Simons70 Are you interested in selling a set of the floor pliers?

@JulianSidney Can you point me in the direction of a UK company?

 

[Simons70]

strong hands

Honestly I broke some and every-time when is happen I start swearing(is uncontrolled)

 

[Simons70]

Best price I find in UK is here RLS leveling system & Tile Spacers - http://www.kwiksplit.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_copy_of_Raimondi_Tile_Spacers_and_Levelling_System.html

Not,not sell,I want try to see if is better or not

 

[NZ_Tiler]

I use the pliers. The benefit is that you can set the tension just right. If you exert to much pressure the clips will break, meaning pulling the tile off and inserting another clip or just not using 1 in that place...
Not enough pressure may leave lippage.

 

[Shooter999]

@NZ_Tiler Thanks for the reply.

That was going to be one of my next questions, how do you use the pliers and the wedges (we're going to have 10mm tiles). I've had a look and there doesnt seem to be any information.

Thanks

 

[Dumbo]

@NZ_Tiler Thanks for the reply.

That was going to be one of my next questions, how do you use the pliers and the wedges (we're going to have 10mm tiles). I've had a look and there doesnt seem to be any information.

Thanks

Go you tube there will be some videos . Polmaster are very big on using them . They might use a slightly different clip but same principal

 

[Old Mod]

The clip goes underneath two tiles.
To set tension you can take two loose tiles place them on floor and insert wedge through the protruding clip opening.
The rubber covered front feet are placed on the far side of the clip as you look at it and the metal foot pushes the wedge through the clip from behind.
Squeeze pliers until wedge is held firmly by the clip against the tiles. Squeeze too hard and the clip will break away from the base, which is what they're designed to do.
There is a thumbscrew on the pliers, set this to a point where no matter how hard you squeeze it prevents the pliers from snapping the clip.
It'll probably take a couple of attempts to get it right, hence practising on loose tiles first.

 

[Shooter999]

@3_fall Once again, thanks for the helpful reply. At least now I've got a basic idea on what to do!

Cheers.

 

[GoneGuy]

I use the RLS system and find it very good to use, I usually hold the tile in place with one hand and use other hand to operate the pliers to prevent the tile from moving,

 

[Shooter999]

@Adey1980 thanks for the tip.

 

[aytiling]

OK I gotta step in here (Red Wine night) I've tried these clips on a a few occasions now and have thrown the rest in the bin. From my perspective all they do is lift the uneven tile up, so creating a void.
Lets face it, its easier to lift up than push down with these clips, and if using a 5mm notched trowel you have to lift the tile in the bed to get the clip under, thus creating the void to start with.

 

[Old Mod]

OK I gotta step in here (Red Wine night) I've tried these clips on a a few occasions now and have thrown the rest in the bin. From my perspective all they do is lift the uneven tile up, so creating a void.
Lets face it, its easier to lift up than push down with these clips, and if using a 5mm notched trowel you have to lift the tile in the bed to get the clip under, thus creating the void to start with.

Well if you're using a 5mm trowel you're not gonna achieve a full bed anyway.
And if they're lifting tiles, the tile you've already laid, isn't laid correctly.
There is NO way, a clip is strong enough to lift a fully bedded tile. And I don't care what you say, it's just not happening.

 

[aytiling]

Well if you're using a 5mm trowel you're not gonna achieve a full bed anyway.
And if they're lifting tiles, the tile you've already laid, isn't laid correctly.
There is NO way, a clip is strong enough to lift a fully bedded tile. And I don't care what you say, it's just not happening.

Of course I have no idea what I'm talking about. I might as well train to do something else because in 45 years of doing this job I haven't learned the basics yet

 

[Old Mod]

Of course I have no idea what I'm talking about. I might as well train to do something else because in 45 years of doing this job I haven't learned the basics yet

Not quite what I suggested, but I'll apologise for sounding off on you.
I'm sorry.

 

[GoneGuy]

OK I gotta step in here (Red Wine night) I've tried these clips on a a few occasions now and have thrown the rest in the bin. From my perspective all they do is lift the uneven tile up, so creating a void.
Lets face it, its easier to lift up than push down with these clips, and if using a 5mm notched trowel you have to lift the tile in the bed to get the clip under, thus creating the void to start with.

I use them on floors, using 10mm - 12mm notched trowel minimum so there is a fairly sized bed of adhesive and back butter the tile as advised by rls, and I always check do voids and add extra adhesive where needed.

 

[Kyle Knowles]

OK I gotta step in here (Red Wine night) I've tried these clips on a a few occasions now and have thrown the rest in the bin. From my perspective all they do is lift the uneven tile up, so creating a void.
Lets face it, its easier to lift up than push down with these clips, and if using a 5mm notched trowel you have to lift the tile in the bed to get the clip under, thus creating the void to start with.

Who in the rite mind uses a 5mm trowel with a tile big enough to need a leveling system anyway? ????

 

[WetSaw]

Lets face it, its easier to lift up than push down with these clips, and if using a 5mm notched trowel you have to lift the tile in the bed to get the clip under, thus creating the void to start with.

As others with far more experience than me have said, if the tile is bedded correctly a plastic clip (that is designed to break) is unlikely to lift a tile. Were you using the type with the curved base? Clearly they need more room to initially insert under the tile and aren't as good,IMHO, as the flat base type.

 

[Dumbo]

5mm trowel on floor not sure about that .
Min I've used on floor on any tile tile over 300 square is 10 mm

 

[AT&S]

Raimondi or other levelling clips will leave you with hollow badly fixed tiles as likely as not if not done correctly.

My honest opinion is that they are a tool for professionals not a tool that lets DIY'ers (irrespective of competence) become tilers.

As for a 5mm trowel. no way.

I only used a tiger tooth trowel with these, created a (45deg L shape) folded notch of adhesive and this is applied to tile and surface. As such should the tile lift slightly the adhesive can still provide full coverage.

http://www.trimlinegroup.com/media/...9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/3/1356.png

Hard to describe this with pictures but put your fists together knuckle to knuckle as if they are adhesive touching from tile and say floor, you pull your fists apart 5mm and you have a 5mm gap. Do the same but extend your fingers (your knuckles and finger nails on opposing hands are touching, pull your knuckles 5mm apart and most of your fingers are still touching. Thats the best analogy I can think off.

RLS are not a magic wand, and do not solve uneven substrate issues.

Oh, and should you use it, the yellow pliers are on ebay for about £4 and are just as good as the raimondi ones.

Best of luck.

 

[PaulSmith]

Oh, and should you use it, the yellow pliers are on ebay for about £4 and are just as good as the raimondi ones.

Best of luck.

Have you an item number?
cheers

 

[Simons70]

Of course I have no idea what I'm talking about. I might as well train to do something else because in 45 years of doing this job I haven't learned the basics yet

IMO is better to do something else.With 5 mm trowel you can't even try to use clips,you need at lest 3 mm full bed adhesive for.If you try to use clips on metro tiles or 200x200 biscuit tiles I really doubt about yours 45 years on this job.I have just 32 or 33 years on tools and I still ask and learn...