Newish (2years) Tiler - How Do You Guys Do It??

[McLovin]

Hi Guys & Girls

Iv been tiling for just over two years now. Needed a career change after years of unfulfilling jobs so decided to bit the bullet and go self employed. Started by doing a 6 week course then following a tiller round (chief tea maker) and started with small jobs. Im over two years in now and have not looked back. Still being new I stick to bathrooms (not wet rooms) and floors.

Anyway I have got to the stage where I am not able to ask other Tilers how they do things so opinions from you fine people please.

1: Window reveal - How do you guys keep the cuts clean around the window reveal. I use a rubi cuter but this leaves rough edges on tiles. Wet cutter (best finish IMO) is not an option for most jobs. I use sand paper to smooth off the edges and an electric sander some times but I am never completely happy. Is there another way. The long tiles on top of the window look the worst. I like to butt the trim right up to the tiles. I am after a finish to match the look of a non cut edge of a tile (within reason).

2: Battens - For example if I am starting with a full tile from the bath and run the tiles around the wall I batten it off. Question is how do you guys then work down. I am currently removing the batten when dry and laying the next row and battening it off again. This time consuming and a pain with solid walls. I end up holing the batten in place with silicone and wooden wedges. Is there an easier way?
I normally work in properties with terrible walls so If i need to pack it out trying to hold the batten in place becomes harder.

Cheers for the gems of wisdom in advance

 

[Unused Account 1]

Hey im in kent ,need any help or advice ,just ask ,no probs

 

[McLovin]

Cheers buddy. I might just do that.

Out of interest how do you address the above.

 

[Unused Account 1]

The window reveal ,the cut edge ,put away drom the trim ,then silicone back edge

 

[White Room]

For cleaning up the edges I use these Diamond Hand Polishing Pads | ATS Diamond Tools

 

[Unused Account 1]

The battens what i do if you go full tile off the bath is ,put the tile in with spaces dry then batten up to it ,you understand

 

[McLovin]

For cleaning up the edges I use these Diamond Hand Polishing Pads | ATS Diamond Tools

Thanks Pal. What grit do you use? Do you find that they last a while. Sandpaper is not up to the task in my opinion.

 

[McLovin]

The battens what i do if you go full tile off the bath is ,put the tile in with spaces dry then batten up to it ,you understand

I see what you are saying. I do this too but was looking for other ideas of battening to the wall rather than the standard timber batten screwed in.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[White Room]

I use a 400 200 100 and 50 which tends to cover most circumstances....

 

[Flintstone]

Not sure what you mean around the window, cut with rubi or wet cutter are fine upto the trim or window?

 

[White Room]

The battens what i do if you go full tile off the bath is ,put the tile in with spaces dry then batten up to it ,you understand

I use these which suits me Kwik Split Measuring Guides, Set Squares & Levelling Device

 

[Unused Account 1]

Are they sturdy

 

[McLovin]

Not sure what you mean around the window, cut with rubi or wet cutter are fine upto the trim or window?

Hey

For example today I was cutting a 60cm ceramic tile around the top of the window with my dry rubi cutter. Once snapped it leaves a jagged edge which is not even. Once trim is butted up to it and a different colour grout to the tile goes in its noticeable. I sand with sand paper and an electric sander some times. I am looking for other options really. My wet cutter weighs a ton so its not practical to use one most jobs.

 

[Unused Account 1]

Why not put the good edge to the trim when you can

 

[McLovin]

I use these which suits me Kwik Split Measuring Guides, Set Squares & Levelling Device

I am looking at the same thing now. Might pick some up tomorrow. Its the best option I can find.

 

[White Room]

Are they sturdy

Yes mate but some times I have to use a wedge at the back of the stand if the floor is not level, I use an ali screed rule for longer walls.

 

[Unused Account 1]

I just use battens still

 

[White Room]

I am looking at the same thing now. Might pick some up tomorrow. Its the best option I can find.

The only place I know where to get them is from the link I put on.

 

[Unused Account 1]

I tiled outside a house once ,someone already put the batten on the wall ,a piece of 4 x 2 quite funny

 

[White Room]

I tiled outside a house once ,someone already put the batten on the wall ,a piece of 4 x 2 quite funny

What was you putting on flagstones

 

[Unused Account 1]

Stone 40mm like a house from israel ,it was nice

 

[Flintstone]

I think you might need a new wheel on the Rubi, either that or the tiles are cheap ceramics which chip on the edge no Matter what you do.

 

[McLovin]

I think you might need a new wheel on the Rubi, either that or the tiles are cheap ceramics which chip on the edge no Matter what you do.

I replaced the wheel buddy thinking it was that. They are cheap ceramics unfortunately.

 

[Unused Account 1]

Cheap ceramics ,very chippy on edges as ceramic so thin ,

 

[Flintstone]

I think that's probably the problem.