Marble & stone restoration course - Page 3 - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

TilingLogistics · 10-03-2008

I agree with that post and thank you for clarifying.

I stated from the beginning there are thousands of different natural stone out there. Yes you are correct you will get your fingers burnt through lack of experience as I am sure you have as well as me. However, given that the person has a basic understanding of stone and its formation together with a good knowledge of sealers and their individual uses the basic principles of the subject could be taught.

After such a course whether or not the prospective delegate could go out there and work is another matter. However, this is true of all courses. Experience is what counts.

All this aside even putting aside the finance for a course of this nature. There is still the issue of equipment purchase which as you know yourself is very expensive.

Kev

**wetdec** · 10-03-2008

Think we have worn this out now, anyone considering this line will find more than enough help through this thread to decide for themselves the good and the bad.

Nice to be involved in a useful thread such as this Cheers

Branty · 10-03-2008

Any chance of seeing some of your Kev?

**Dan** · 10-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TilingLogistics

Hi,

I started looking into these courses and virtually drew a complete blank in this Country. There are a few companies that run them in London but none seem to cover the whole spectrum.

I trained in Italy where I did several courses and then went on further training in Florida. I completed an advanced course earlier this year covering Granite and dark marbles in Philadelphia. There are no qualifications obtainable in this Country(which are recognised). I am currently trying to negotiate with TTA to try and establish some sort of government recognised course or qualification.

There was a certain school who looked at running a three day course but this IMO is a waste of time. I believe such a course should be at least two weeks in duration.

I will post more when i am able to.

Kev

It wouldn't be TTA you need to go to for a recognised qualification would it? Surely it's ConstructionSkills? Or am I wrong?

TilingLogistics · 11-03-2008

Dan,

I don't know mate. Trying to get information out of anyone is difficult to say the least because no one is really interested.

I am not particularly bothered about a qualification. I have mine from italy and the USA. But as Wetdec says you just can't let anyone loose on a floor with a machine fitted with Diamonds if they don't know what they are doing. Because the floor will be unforgiving and you don't get a second chance. This will get big in the UK and then it will be too late.

Kev

Branty · 12-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TilingLogistics

Dan,

I don't know mate. Trying to get information out of anyone is difficult to say the least because no one is really interested.

I am not particularly bothered about a qualification. I have mine from italy and the USA. But as Wetdec says you just can't let anyone loose on a floor with a machine fitted with Diamonds if they don't know what they are doing. Because the floor will be unforgiving and you don't get a second chance. This will get big in the UK and then it will be too late.

Kev

What will get big?
Surely the commercial side, where all the money is, is already catered for. Someone must be honing those floors.

TilingLogistics · 12-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ditradave

What will get big?
Surely the commercial side, where all the money is, is already catered for. Someone must be honing those floors.

Dave,

The market is no where near catered for. Stone is on the increase! Look at Excel alone this week the "The Stone Show".

But, as I stated before its not like doing a tiling or plumbing course and off you go. There is a lot more to it and as well as paying for the course you have to buy the equipment.

Kev

**wetdec** · 12-03-2008

I think you need to look at the big picture her :

At the moment the majority of stone floors are domestic and travertine so will fall into the DIY / Get a man in catagory, small hand poss floor machine. This area requires knowledge of stones and chemicals you use on them.

Stone is on the up no question but predominantly its travertine that is on the up tho the Jura's are starting to appear at reasonable prices. These stones are not going to need big cleans for at lease 4 years.

Commercial work, foyers, clubs, precincts are big lays split into 2 catagories. 1. Those that slapped trav down to look posh in clubs and foyers tho there is a precinct I know of. These will need floor machine cleaning about now I would think as time goes. Remember all these trav floors this far are honed and you cant go taking surfaces off

2.Those that have nice quality stone floors like a jura or a marble or a granite. These floors if just dirty will take a cleaning with a floor machine like the others but also these can be honed and repolished. These floors are generally down for the long haul and wear so the surface may be removed. Its at this point that the honing, training spending of money gets serious.

Given that as I have said previously stone is still in its infancy and the serious stones are to come it would at this time be an idea to work your way into this line slowly. Gain experience with stone, look at the market, do you want to hone or just strip, do you have the balls to play with a foyer floor.

Branty · 12-03-2008

I'd have the balls. It's the knowledge and experiance that I'd need, surely you're not suggesting I do a course, by a big machine then balls in hand, get started!!
----

Quote:

Originally Posted by TilingLogistics

Dave,

The market is no where near catered for. Stone is on the increase! Look at Excel alone this week the "The Stone Show".

Kev

Did you go?

TilingLogistics · 12-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ditradave

I'd have the balls. It's the knowledge and experiance that I'd need, surely you're not suggesting I do a course, by a big machine then balls in hand, get started!!
----

Did you go?

I couldn't mate! Yesterday was the only day I could really go but it was a £156 on Virgin from Brum and i was told I would probably have to stand both ways.
I really wanted to go to the big stone show in Madrid that was only £98 return! Can u believe it!!! However that meant me staying overnight and I had a job on today which I've been putting off for months because it was only 6 hours max and got a long job on tomorrow so something had to give. I will probably go to the next big one in Amsterdam 6-9th May

Kev

**wetdec** · 12-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TilingLogistics

I couldn't mate! Yesterday was the only day I could really go but it was a £156 on Virgin from Brum and i was told I would probably have to stand both ways.
I really wanted to go to the big stone show in Madrid that was only £98 return! Can u believe it!!! However that meant me staying overnight and I had a job on today which I've been putting off for months because it was only 6 hours max and got a long job on tomorrow so something had to give. I will probably go to the next big one in Amsterdam 6-9th May

Kev

You wana go to coverings forget these markets in europe

..

TilingLogistics · 12-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetdec

You wana go to coverings forget these markets in europe

..

I am only interested in Specific products. I know the exhibitors will be at Amsterdam. I found Coverings was a long way to go for a show it takes 2 days to get there and back and 2 days at least to do it and a couple of days rest. Added to all that I have a large job the last week of April. But maybe again in a couple years.

Kev