setting out question.

[NorthSeaTiger]

was reading an old thread and in it a lot of tilers said that instead of using battens they cut the first row of tiles in and tile up the way. How do you set out if your doing this? Been thinking about it and have a general idea of my own but am keen for some answers from the pro's.

Thanks in advance.

[mattle40]

Basically you would set out in the exact same way as you would for battens but just draw your datum line instead and cut to the floor, or at least that's how I do it. Hope iv helped

[mattle40]

And if u have a laser, this is by far the most efficient way

[doug boardley]

laser is the way

[NorthSeaTiger]

ok so just so I get this right. usually when doing a full bathroom you draw your datum line around the room making sure it lines up then put a full row of tiles around the room and batten. then tile up the way. then tile the bottom half. (this is the way I was taught but I'm open to different ways haha).

I didn't really understand the explanations sorry. I understand how a laser works I just don't understand how to set out starting from the cuts at the bottom.

sorry, newb here haha

[mattle40]

Set out to avoid slithers (small cuts) then set your datum line to run at the top of your lowest course of tiles.

[mattle40]

If there's a large window or a focal point if you like, I would centralise to that or if not, centralise for even cuts to floor and ceiling and adjust as necessary to avoid slithers

[NorthSeaTiger]

i get it now thanks.,

[mattle40]

No worries. Kinda hard to put into words but we got there in the end, merry tiling

[Phil Hobson]

ok so just so I get this right. usually when doing a full bathroom you draw your datum line around the room making sure it lines up then put a full row of tiles around the room and batten. then tile up the way. then tile the bottom half. (this is the way I was taught but I'm open to different ways haha).

I didn't really understand the explanations sorry. I understand how a laser works I just don't understand how to set out starting from the cuts at the bottom.

sorry, newb here haha

Hi mate as you say everyone has their own ways, but I have never tiled the top half first. I work from the bottom up.

Using a staff I determine where my cuts will go, once I am happy with the set out, I use my laser to stike a datum line at head height from a kneeling position, so now I have a level line approx 1 meter from the floor. This datum is going to be a tile joint.

Next step, again using my staff I mark from the floor the nearest full tile below my datum every 300mm or so, if the floor is out of level or undulates when I join these marks up it gives me the shape of my bottom cuts.

Now I have two lines, so by offering the top edge of my tile to the level datum. I can then mark the bottom of the tile to my lower line, this gives me the exact shape of the cut. It saves all the bending double trying to mark from the floor. This way I can start from the bottom cut without using batons.

I could do with putting a clip on youtube, it would make more sense than trying to explain in print.

Hope this helps.

[mattle40]

Good tip, saves on the neck ache I bet lol

[NorthSeaTiger]

thanks phil thats perfect... cheers...

[timeless john]

Laser - whatever happened to the water level and try using them both on a ship!

Would love to see the video of Mr Hobson on You tube.

Merry Xmas All.

[Phil Hobson]

Merry Christmas John, I tried both laser level and water level on the QE2, neither worked. had to rely on staff from set point on ship set in dry dock. I will try to put my method on youtube, I will need the help of one of my sons. As I am pretty bad at this stuff.

[timeless john]

Merry Xmas Phil.
Just so we keep this thread on topic - stay vertical.

[Phil Hobson]

I am trying TJ, but it is Christmas Eve.

[Bri]

A laser level is my next purchase, but until then, a stringline will always keep my work perfect! Merry Christmas and lots of love to all x

[doug boardley]

good thing about a laser is that you don't have to worry about concealing your datum with adhesive.

[cam_low]

I love my laser ! Couldnt work without it !