What tips have saved you time or money?

[Time's Ran Out]

Come on John, have you ever tried a Sigma?

Yes I used one just last week to cut a tile - one go was enough. Couldn't see the marks and too much adjustments.
Give me my pin hammer and chisel any day.

 

[Billy Hunt]

Never come down the stairs empty handed , there's always summat to take down.

 

[widler]

I've learnt loads off here over the years, can't remember owt, but I'm sure I have

 

[macten]

Never come down the stairs empty handed , there's always summat to take down.

I was going to say that one!

Get 2 identical tape measures and keep one in the room your working in and one where you're cutting.

 

[SJPurdy]

Get 2 identical tape measures and keep one in the room your working in and one where you're cutting.

This is a good tip but beware some identical tape measures can read slightly different! The bent bits on the end can vary a bit. This drove me mad when it happened to me - my cuts didn't fit until I realised why.

 

[WetSaw]

An oak framer I know told me to always use the same tape to measure and cut. It's something I've always done since and it certainly sharpened up my accuracy.

 

[Kyle Knowles]

A metal rule is always more accurate

 

[WetSaw]

A metal rule is always more accurate

Indeed and an essential part of any tool box!

 

[macten]

This is a good tip but beware some identical tape measures can read slightly different! The bent bits on the end can vary a bit. This drove me mad when it happened to me - my cuts didn't fit until I realised why.

I recommend the ones from Tradetiler - very consistent. I must get through 6 or 7 a year and love the fact they're metric only!
The only problem with my tip is that I go to measure and still can't find a tape because they're both sat by my cutter outside!

 

[Andy Allen]

Never do work for an engineer !!!!
They think they know everything !!!!
And will drive you nuts !!!!
Seriously....if you see one coming towards you hold a sheet of graph paper..RUN !!

 

[Kyle Knowles]

Never do work for an engineer !!!!
They think they know everything !!!!
And will drive you nuts !!!!
Seriously....if you see one coming towards you hold a sheet of graph paper..RUN !!

I worked for a aircraft engineer he went over everything with a magnifying glass at ome point he pulled me over 1mm discrepancy over a 10tf span I had to stop him and say Mr burgess this isn't a aircraft wing it's tiling and to be fair he did let me do what I do after that

 

[MTiler]

vinegar for epoxy?? what is the use of that mate? i guess some chemical reaction?

You put a cup of it in a bucket of water, then final wash down with plain water. A British mosaic installer based in Aus told me about it.

 

[MTiler]

when measuring cuts I use a metal rule covered in masking tape and use it as a marking stick. Much more accurate and quicker. I do the same with a wooden folding rule for larger cuts.
Just replace the masking tape when theres too many marks on it.

 

[Kyle Knowles]

when measuring cuts I use a metal rule covered in masking tape and use it as a marking stick. Much more accurate and quicker. I do the same with a wooden folding rule for larger cuts.
Just replace the masking tape when theres too many marks on it.

I've got a bunch of tape measure I've put so many marks on there useless now

 

[White Room]

I use a folding rule or two....