1st bit of site work

[sWe]

...but found it really dissapointing to have the opportunity to watch these 'pro' tilers at work and learn nothing from them.

When I did my apprenticeship, I felt the same thing after a just a few weeks.
More than 90% of what I know about tiling and tiling related things, I've found out on my own, one way or the other. Alot of the things my "teacher" taught me, I've later discovered to be, if not ineffective and limited, then downright wrong.
I started thinking "is he trying to screw me over or something?", but I soon realized he really didn't know what he was doing, or what he was talking about.

The vast majority of tilers I've met, have been the "quantity over quality" type. To actually find a tiler in real life, who can show you tricks and give you useful tips and information, is a rare thing. It's the school of hard knocks for most. 'Twas for me atleast.

Practise, read up on things you're unsure about, test ideas in private, and take your time. It's the only good way to learn the trade properly if no one who can show you the way is around.

 

[Turkish]

nice job mate! That shaver socket worked out well with the cuts!

Turkish

 

[macten]

I'm the first to admit a fluke but that shaver socket was intentional goddamnit!!
I guess that's a prime example of why I take so long - not many people would bother to take the time to set out the wall for that nice cut and I'm sure only another tiler like yourself would notice and appreciate it.
Just wondering if I'm being too anal about detail or that I am just naturally a slow tiler.

Mick - keep them speedy tiler tips coming, love that thread!

 

[monty]

Excellent mate...

 

[Perry]

i am afraid most of those tips are bad ones you can still be fast and be even more anal than you lol: Pete

 

[Turkish]

I`m a slow worker too Macten. Plastered someones utility room recently and it was a room of 3m x 1.5m with a window and 2 doors. All four walls to do including going round some tricky pipework. Took me 1.5 days which i think is slow but at the end of the day i was happy with the end result but more importantly so was the customer who has now asked me to quote him for tiling his bathroom!

Turkish

 

[Saltire69]

nice 1 m8.

 

[LM Ceramics]

im doing a site at the moment in warrington which ive nealry finished since i started tiling ive worked on many sites for different housebuilders and i know rough work when i see it we never even spaced tiles on houses just butt jointed because we where told to and plus we were on 10m2 now im self employed i like working on private (domestics) when you work in domestic houses then you can unleash your potential and show how good a tiler you are when i work on private jobs i take a least 20-30 mins setting out centre evey wall depending on cuts centre the window cill again depending on cuts i like to leave a job think that looks the dog b*llocks and im happy with it and aswell the customer is after all i meant to provide a professional tiling service.

with the site job im on its alot to do with speed i was never a quick tiler and when i tried to be quick the end product wasnt up to my standard however now im on this site my speed has progressed and i can tile a 50 m2 bathroom it 3 days even with small 6x6 white tiles end of the day i have a time limit on each bathroom i always do a good job and the building firm are really pleased with the results and have offered me more work but i ll admit its a diiferent ball game on site work on site isnt all nessceraly rough but you tend to make it as easier as possible for you if you know what i mean