Basic Toolbox

[jaydebruyne]

I was wondering if you could recommend a basic toolbox for a beginner tiler? Brands, models etc.

Everything I'd need to get a wall tiled, but without going mad. (Is that even possible )

Apologies in advance if this type of post is already exhausted. I'm on my phone and it's quite hard to navigate or search the forum.

 

[peterwhayward]

Hi, is it a one of job you are doing or is it something you intend to do lots of?. If its a one of then giving more detail ie size of tiles, type of tiles, where is the wall kitchen/bathroom. if its going to be something you are going to do regularly then no point buying cheap tools, start off with good tools and get into good habits.

 

[Deleted member 1779]

Above is a great starter set of holesaws because

a) It contains the right holesaws to cover standard UK pipe sizes
b) It has the core drills for all your fixtures and fittings (2x6mm and 2x8mm)

Cost wise it Works out at £7.15 a drill with seven drills in the kit. (£42+VAT) £49.99 total

ALTERNATIVES:

If you progress and want to go mad then at the top end of the range for £199 is the box set

The small kit contains everything that the large one does (same drills) but the kit is concentrated on the most common sizes. Both are good value for money but the small set is obviously "less" money.

Hope that sorts out your tile drilling solution for your project.

 

[Qwerty]

Try this.....

http://www.tilersforums.com/28-tiling-tools/186-tiling-tools-starter-kit.html.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Hi, is it a one of job you are doing or is it something you intend to do lots of?. If its a one of then giving more detail ie size of tiles, type of tiles, where is the wall kitchen/bathroom. if its going to be something you are going to do regularly then no point buying cheap tools, start off with good tools and get into good habits.

I be doing my first bit of tiling on my next job but it's something I'd like to do regularly as I aim to do bathroom fitting as part of my plumbing repertoire. Not sure yet of the tiles my friend will be getting so I'm a bit in the dark.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Try this.....

http://www.tilersforums.com/28-tiling-tools/186-tiling-tools-starter-kit.html.

Wow, that's a BIG list of tools! I have no idea what some of them are (washboy). Will get on to Google! haha Thanks for the list Plan Tec.

 

[jaydebruyne]

So here's my bare minimum list:

Manual tile cutter (Rubi Star 40-N)
Tile saw
Range of hole saws (Do they have to be specific to porcelain?)
Trowels - 6mm square notched, round notched & bucket (will build on it as I go)
Tile file & edge sander
Grout sponge & spreader
Tile nippers
Batons / screws (I was looking at the Suretile Tiletracker, any views?)
Bucket
Range of spacers - I've heard the suretile uniplugs are good. Any feedback on these?

I have other tools already, e.g. drill, hammer, good range of plumbing tools etc

 

[mike1979]

Get your 2mm wall spacers from nicobond in my opinion the best by far come in a nice reusable plastic box I pay around 20 quid for 5000 don't bother with floor spacers learn to train and use your eye I hate using floor spacers and make sure u buy a radio very important piece of kit

 

[jaydebruyne]

Get your 2mm wall spacers from nicobond in my opinion the best by far come in a nice reusable plastic box I pay around 20 quid for 5000 don't bother with floor spacers learn to train and use your eye I hate using floor spacers and make sure u buy a radio very important piece of kit

Haha I've seen the radio floating around regarding essential kit for the toolbox - I'll be sure to make sure I get one Cheers Mike

 

[peteablard]

Get your 2mm wall spacers from nicobond in my opinion the best by far come in a nice reusable plastic box I pay around 20 quid for 5000 don't bother with floor spacers learn to train and use your eye I hate using floor spacers and make sure u buy a radio very important piece of kit

IMO it would be a bad idea to start laying by eye straight away, get everything else right first

 

[jaydebruyne]

IMO it would be a bad idea to start laying by eye straight away, get everything else right first

Agreed. I've no plan to do anything by eye. Measure and measure again. Spacers. Spacers. Spacers. Measure again. haha

 

[White Room]

Get your 2mm wall spacers from nicobond in my opinion the best by far come in a nice reusable plastic box I pay around 20 quid for 5000 don't bother with floor spacers learn to train and use your eye I hate using floor spacers and make sure u buy a radio very important piece of kit

Over what size floor???

 

[mike1979]

I learnt to tile floors with a chalk line once you start using floors spacers your buggered

 

[jaydebruyne]

I learnt to tile floors with a chalk line once you start using floors spacers your buggered

What's wrong with floor spacers?

 

[mike1979]

I suppose nothing as long as you use them on edge and don't poke them in between the joints as I did a floor once with a bloke who used spacers and the tiles weren't quite all the same size and he went out of square terribly and I didn't go out at all I just the joints a fraction more and the bloke that taught me drummed it into me to do it by eye ive thinking on it I suppose it's not a bad idea to start with but when you get the feel for it try tiling without

 

[jaydebruyne]

Is there a particular supplier for tools you can recommend? I've used screwfix for all of my plumbing and electrician tools. I just wondered how they faired with tiling tools regarding price.

 

[mike1979]

Is there a particular supplier for tools you can recommend? I've used screwfix for all of my plumbing and electrician tools. I just wondered how they faired with tiling tools regarding price.

tradetiler.com

 

[Stef]

I would always recommend using spacers whether it be floors or walls,
You are always going to have variations in sizes whether it be floor or wall tiles it's how you deal with this variation as a tiler that will set you aside from run of the mill Tilers.
Invest in a 10mm square notch trowel & some small red wedges that Dave @ trade tiler sells.

 

[jaydebruyne]

You are always going to have variations in sizes whether it be floor or wall tiles it's how you deal with this variation as a tiler that will set you aside from run of the mill Tilers.

How do you deal with variations in tile size?

 

[Stef]

How do you deal with variations in tile size?

You just have to juggle them about a bit.
I use tile wedges that go from 0-5mm or a bit of card ripped from the box & put them in beside the spacer.
I normally start in the centre of a wall or floor & work them out from either side of centre line.
I wouldn't tile without spacers as it only takes 1 tile to move & it could turn into a nightmare, at least with spacers it locks the tile into the next one (in theory)

 

[TJ Smiler]

How do you deal with variations in tile size?

You will find more often than not that tile size will vary from tile to tile (Length and width) this could be quiet big 3mm to very slight half a mm but when you are working with such small lines there is very little area for mistakes. I always use spacers mixed with the wedges, if you just put spacers in and keep to that you will find that you will come off your line (not in all cases but certainly in loads) and your job will be buggered so keep an eye on your lines and use the wedges accordingly.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Above is a great starter set of holesaws because

a) It contains the right holesaws to cover standard UK pipe sizes
b) It has the core drills for all your fixtures and fittings (2x6mm and 2x8mm)

Cost wise it Works out at £7.15 a drill with seven drills in the kit. (£42+VAT) £49.99 total

ALTERNATIVES:

If you progress and want to go mad then at the top end of the range for £199 is the box set

The small kit contains everything that the large one does (same drills) but the kit is concentrated on the most common sizes. Both are good value for money but the small set is obviously "less" money.

Hope that sorts out your tile drilling solution for your project.

Is there a forum member discount for the starter kit

 

[Deleted member 1779]

Good question yes there is!

Use code FREESHIP on checkout

 

[jaydebruyne]

Good question yes there is!

Use code FREESHIP on checkout

Man, I don't know wether to get the starter kit or the essential kit ... Decisions decisions!!!

 

[Deleted member 1779]

That is certainly the dilema for a number of installers!

Do you go for

6mm 6mm 8mm 8mm 16mm 30mm 40mm + Guide Plate (£49.99)

or

6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 18mm 25mm 35mm 45mm + Guide Plate + Water cooling sponge + Core Ejector [J-Hook] (£79.99)

Which to choose?