The tiling product award ceremony

[Sir Ramic]

If an award for the best, most useful, most improved, must have or time saving product within the tiling industry was being voted on....What would be your choice ?
I am thinking along the lines of maybe tools that have been updated into a better product or adhesives that are flexible or maybe UFH becoming more accessible. It could even be construction boards and tile backer boards

It can be tools, adhesives, grouts, silicones, clothes...anything that is tiling job related but has to be something that has made your life and the job you do easier .
Only one choice please and its not the same as "whats the best/worst tool" you have ever bought....

Thinking caps on and give your vote.

[Dave]

I think the single part flexible adhesive is the best ever product...i remember the days of no flexible adhesives or you needed an additive and i once said the person who can hydrate the 2 together to make a 1 part will be rich...lol...

So for me SPF...standard or rapid set..

[timeless john]

Any thing that is tiling job related!

Then it has to be the TILERS FORUM.

The fact that the customer is able to have the correct information before you go to estimate makes the job so much easier.

Timeless John.

[Sir Ramic]

Exactly the type of answer i was looking for. Great follow up too, telling us why you have chose this Dave

[Sir Ramic]

Yes Timeless John, a well worthy vote and i like the idea that the "customer" gets the correct info available to them.

[smurf21]

Gotta Be.........No More Ply.....

No lugging round 8'x4' sheets of 18mm ply wood and a gazzilian screws and two part flex.
its faster to fix ,its easier to fix ,its easier to lug about 4'x2', it doesn't rot, tiles will not lift if water gets to the boards as it doesnt blow like timber you only need tile using spf. and it does exactly wot it says on the tin. this product imo is by far the best thing to happen to tiling since gods dog was born...............And i still havent got shares...lol

[doug boardley]

I would say drill and mixing paddle, I remember the bad old days when most of my work was plastering, mixing plaster with a metal rod welded to a bike sprocket, as with the old Ardurit tile addy

[Sir Ramic]

I must admit Smurf21, i am a big fan of NMP. Good call.

[Sir Ramic]

I would say drill and mixing paddle, I remember the bad old days when most of my work was plastering, mixing plaster with a metal rod welded to a bike sprocket, as with the old Ardurit tile addy

No tilers tool kit should be without this Doug

[Sir Ramic]

Four replies so far from some of the most experienced tile fixers on this forum. Over 100 years experience between them yet each a different answer.....good stuff.

[Colour Republic]

One word - Wedges

[Sir Ramic]

One word - Wedges

It can be as simple as that

[Thespanishtiler]

Colour Republic beat me to it with wedges so my choice is

the wash boy

[Sir Ramic]

Colour Republic beat me to it with wedges so my choice is

the wash boy

You can both have the same, no problem there if thats your choice

[wayne]

i will also have to say no more ply. you dont realise how good it is until you have to use plywood

[CJ CERAMICS]

id have to go with the wash boy its made the grouting and cleaning up sooooo much quicker.

[d noulton]

for me it has to be tradetiler not a tool i know but a tool in its own right for every tiler

[Sir Ramic]

for me it has to be tradetiler not a tool i know but a tool in its own right for every tiler

You calling David a tool ? thats aint nice

[doug boardley]

You calling David a tool ? thats aint nice

pmsl, was thinking same myself

[hillhead]

A tile cutter has to my most important tool,imagine the fun(or lack of it) without one!!! and the choice of great ones now is unreal.

[garythetiler]

when i first went to germany i would have said hole boy or wash boy were the best tools around at that time these days i think it has to be the laser level

[dewaltdavey]

dewalt cordless grinder - must of saved me weeks of time on sites when theres no power and a million sockets to cut round

[Terry Cottar]

my vote is the fein machine one of the most versatile pieces of kit i have ever come across

tel

[whitebeam]

Same as Hillhead tile cutters,wet or dry,phenomenal range nowadays

[d noulton]

sorry was not calling dave a tool just a tool supplier

[Dave]

sorry was not calling dave a tool just a tool supplier

We know....

[poynton phil]

Not been around the tiling business long enough to see some of the changes mentioned, but its washboy and fein multi master for me, would not be without either. Not tried no more ply yet, but it sound pretty good , to me.

[biffa]

i gotta agree on the washboy. so much cleaner with a fuller joint

[milan11]

Trowel.

And as for washboy - I absolutely hate it.
With using the washboy, tiler loose his ,,contact or touch'' with the grout and tiles itself.
Beside, when grouting ceramic wall tiles, grout has to be slightly inside with nice perfect smooth finish.
That, you'll never achieve with washboy.
All my guys are banned from using it.

[biffa]

i only use a washboy on floors.