Setting Out Tiling around arcs and curves

[Dave Ramsden]

Im currently installing some terracotta and have some curved planters to run a border around.
Ive included a picture of the planters and some on how I have set one out. There is a smaller planter thats already tiled around.
Im still playing with the design, I just wondered if anyone had any advice of tips to speed the process up a bit??

[Phil Hobson]

That is how I would do it Dave, the wedge shaped pieces are called Voussoir, if you measure the Intrados ( inner circle) then measure the Extrados ( outer circle) divide inner and outer circles into equal measurements, eg. 10 Voussoir, 15 Voussoir, 20 Voussoir and so on.

This will determine the exact size of each Voussoir, just the same way you would set out an arch. You can use this method for a circle, semi-circle or anywhwere in between. Hope this makes sense, going back to my building college days, it does come in handy now and then.

[Dave Ramsden]

ooo you may have just saved me days of marking by eye, I have several of these things to cut round!

[Phil Hobson]

Hope that made sense Dave, you could maybe google voussoir, you might find some drawings that explain it in more detail.

Stonemasons probably use this more than us tilers, but I have used it a good few times myself, I am a mine of useless information

[Dave Ramsden]

I collar'd the stone mason who said most stone sets come pre-fab these days. He suggested carrying on as I was (doing it by eye and tweaking) but it was really beginning to test my patience!

Ive got it in my head now and will try it first thing in the morning, in the mean time Ill be checking google too!

[Rob Z]

Hi Dave, that all looks nice. If you are comfortable using trig and some basic algebra and geometry, there are some neat ways to figure out the arc lengths and radii for the curves. Then, with a flexible piece of metal that is cut to the length the required arc, you can spring the metal into position so that it will create the arc, which you can then trace on to the stones or tiles that need to be cut. I use these methods from time-to-time when fabricating wood trim that is curved.

[Stewart]

Hi Dave, that all looks nice. If you are comfortable using trig and some basic algebra and geometry, there are some neat ways to figure out the arc lengths and radii for the curves. Then, with a flexible piece of metal that is cut to the length the required arc, you can spring the metal into position so that it will create the arc, which you can then trace on to the stones or tiles that need to be cut. I use these methods from time-to-time when fabricating wood trim that is curved.

Trig, algebra and geometry........ And the call us "just tilers" the cheek of it....(;0)

[garythetiler]

lovely job there Dave, it looks first class

[Dave Ramsden]

Hi Dave, that all looks nice. If you are comfortable using trig and some basic algebra and geometry, there are some neat ways to figure out the arc lengths and radii for the curves. Then, with a flexible piece of metal that is cut to the length the required arc, you can spring the metal into position so that it will create the arc, which you can then trace on to the stones or tiles that need to be cut. I use these methods from time-to-time when fabricating wood trim that is curved.

Thanks Rob! Using a flexible metal gauge of some sort would also be a good way. Im going to try Phils method first and as there are quite a few of these to do I may try this too

[Dave Ramsden]

Cheers Gary!
Ill post pictures when its complete, hopefully Ill be allowed to enter into JOTM though the weather has ben costing me more days off than on!

[Dave Ramsden]

... also, follow updates on twitter - OriginalTiler

[jay]

This is an old way but .if its a true radius ,mark it out in a blank area (the radius) lay a couple of tiles on the radius line then position a string or use a strait edge one end positioned at the centre of the semi circle .(i norm do this with a chalk line) take line out to leading edge of tile that should give you the angle required to make the header coarse
hope you understand not easy to explain

[Phil Hobson]

I have also used Robs method, and it works well, there is no right or wrong formula, as long as you get the desired end result

[Stewart]

... also, follow updates on twitter - OriginalTiler

So that's you that just started following me on twitter..... Will give you a follow back. Hope you don't mind my dry sense of humour....

[jay]

This might explain it betterfig0748.jpg the bottom one

[Phil Hobson]

And Jays. Nice one Jay, we are a real set of clever beggars, are we not

[jay]

Was the way i was taught

[Phil Hobson]

Three centered arch

[Phil Hobson]

Was the way i was taught

You were taught well Jay, more to this tiling lark than meets the eye huh

[jay]

Yes Phil the brickys were taught at the same teck so we crossed over some of their ways too was interesting .not sure about these days mention a header coarse and you get a blank look

[Dave Ramsden]

Anything to get me through the days Stewart hehe

[Dave Ramsden]

Went back this morning, made on Voissois as a template and replicated it 9 times. Laid them all aout around the planter and they run in fine!!

Theres about 9 of these planters and they all measure the same so I marked up a load of tiles and ran them through the dewalt (two at a time, 20mm thick each). I had all the tiles perfectly sut inside 20 mins.

Massive thanks to all who helped on this one!!

[Dave Ramsden]

Equal Joints!!