one trowel for all walls or do you have to deffer them?

[Mr T]

what would you recommend?

 

[cam_low]

Trowel size is dependant on what size tile you are fixing and also what the condition of the wall is. What is your background and experience?

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Different size trowels for every different scenario.
4,6,8,10,12 mm trowels etc, all depends on the size of the tiles, condition of walls/floor to be tiled....


TBH,
most of the answers can be found by using the search facility to see all the different threads

 

[Mr T]

not much experience tbh still learning just after some small jobs to do for now mate....

 

[Alan.P]

not much experience tbh still learning just after some small jobs to do for now mate....

So, with all due respect, you come here asking all sorts of questions about basic stuff, what are your plans, just to try and do a bit of tiling coz it's 'easy' ?

 

[Mr T]

lol not at all mate im here asking questions because that's what this sites here for... im doing voluntary work with an established pro tiler and he is even saying I need to get my own small jobs as ive managed to pick it up quickly and the reason im coming up with these questions is so if the situation arises I already have a rough idea of what is or needs to be done.

- - - Updated - - -

and also other people reading the threads may be helped by my questions.

 

[White Room]

Different surfaces and tiles so a selection as Martyn has said....and perhaps a 2-3mm for mosaic.

 

[Alan.P]

lol not at all mate im here asking questions because that's what this sites here for... im doing voluntary work with an established pro tiler and he is even saying I need to get my own small jobs as ive managed to pick it up quickly and the reason im coming up with these questions is so if the situation arises I already have a rough idea of what is or needs to be done.

- - - Updated - - -

and also other people reading the threads may be helped by my questions.

Thanks for answering

 

[Mr T]

@ whitebeam would you say a bigger tile would have more adhesive i.e a bigger knoch? ive got the idea that the more adhesive the more sliding? lol... no probs alan.p everyones gotta start somewhere aint they im only askin these questions cuz I wanna know every little bit about it before I go out on my own job just so I seem confident enough to the customer.

 

[Alan.P]

The worse the substrate smoothness the bigger the notch, and also the bigger the tile the more adhesive bed thickness to make sure it has contact.

 

[Martyn Leeds]

If you're working voluntary wth a Pro, does he not let you have a small wall, or window reveal, or maybe a 1-2mtr floor to do by yourself under his supervision? or has that stage been passed?

how about you ask him for the next small job he gets to be passed to you to manage - under his supervision, he can always check and advise you. But you'll be responisble from start to finish. If I had a lad thats what I'd do (that way I can still take the payment!!)

 

[Mr T]

martyn i couldn't agree more mate... thing is i don't think i have the speed he needs the job done at but at the same time i feel i need to get my hands on the trowel too i do all the grouting once tiles am set but i masterd that the first time i done it. the worst thing is im on the dhole and hes just turned around and told me the next 2 weeks theres no work so im not gonna be learning lol

 

[AMtek]

I would just pick up the trowels you need as you need them

6mm smaller wall tiles (not mosaic)
8mm larger wall tiles
10mm large format and natural stone on the wall
12mm most floor tiles

Those are generally the sizes i would use for those tiles on decent walls and floors but there are exeptions.

Other trowels you will need on 99% of jobs
Bucket trowel
Margin trowel
Gauging trowel

You will be much better off always buying stainless steel trowels as you will get more life out of them

Another thing that will massively extend the lifetime of any tool is to clean it spotlessly clean after every use

 

[Mr T]

I realised to buy stainless after I already brought my 6mm wall trowel mate lol thanks for the reply