Mick's Speedy Tiling Tips

[MICK the Tiler]

Just going through a few threads and have noticed there are alot of novice and first time tilers posting on this forum and all seem to be concerned about how long things can take. This is true tiling can be tedious and slow at times and you need the patience of a saint on some projects.

So I thought I might share some tips and tricks with the new folk on how to do some things more efficently. The pros should know most of them by now so this post is aimed at the "GREEN AS GRASS" new tilers. So on to the trick of the week.

THIS WEEKS TRICK

DOING MULTIPLE STRAIGHT CUTS

At some point you are going to have to do alot of straight cuts be it on a floor or on walls this method works on both except walls where you'll have to mark each tile, but for this example we'll look at floor tiles.

So you've just laid the main body of your floor and you just have the cuts to do most new too tiling will grab the tap measure and begin on one side of the tile then the other and transfer these marks to the tile and the cut and fit. But for this tip you can put the tape back in the toolbox and just grab 4 or 5 tiles and lay them out upside down where they are to go, pushing them hard up against the wall then place a mark allowing for a space and wall clearance sighting down over the tile where it overlapps the last full tile go to the number 5 tile and do the same then using a straight edge draw a line connecting the 2 marks. Number the tiles 1-5 and cut on cutter then test fit continue on down the wall until you have cut all the tiles then flip them back and glue them in. It will take some practice and a little time to get it right but once mastered can save alot of valuable time.

Ths method can also be adobted for wall corner cuts as well as wall to floor cuts you simply turn the tile so the back is facng out push good edge into corner or onto floor and mark leaving grout line and clearance do a series and then cut on the tile cutter no measuring required.

Hope you enjoy reading this weeks tips and tricks. Try it on your next project You'll soon be amazed at how quick it can be.



NEXT WEEK !!!!!

Corner cut-outs using the tile cutter

[Dave]

cheers mick.. i will sticky this thread to make it more noticeable ....

[MICK the Tiler]

This weeks Speedy Tiler Tip.


Corner cut-outs with the Tile Cutter.


This particular teqnique for doing cut outs is especially good when working with larger format tiles around windows and doors, as well as cutting around kitchen cuppboards and external corners on floors. It helps reduce time taken cutting with the angle grinder or wet cutter and also reduces chipping when doing a series of longer cuts, it is quite easy to do and can be mastered in a very short period of time. It will increase your productivity and improve the final finish of your work. So enough of the CHIT CHAT and onto the trick.

1. Mark the position of the cut- out on the tile (Refer to Attachments)

2. using the angle grinder cut the shortest side of the cut-out

3. place the tile on your tile cutter and score from the edge of the tile til you meet the grinder cut, then using the breaker bar snap tile as you would on a full straight cut.

4. clean up any waste left in the corner with your nips or angle grinder, Then check for fit.


NEXT WEEK Tips for using the Angle Grinder.

[trebor]

thanks for these Mick, keep em comin please

[Neil TileTastic]

hi mick howz it goin m8?

was wondering if you could tell me the best way to cut the corner tiles in the pic below if you no what i mean?

( the way i would cut the angle corner tiles for a conservatory would be with a template but it takes to long ya no, is there a better way to do it m8?

p.s i also hav an angle finder tool but the job iam at now the angle finder isnt big enough if ya no what i mean m8 lol

[Sir Ramic]

This aint big enough ???
http://www.tradetiler.com/acatalog/rubi-diag-inst.jpg

[strongboes]

Which corner tiles are you on about mate?

[Neil TileTastic]

iam doing a conservatory and the 2 walls at bothsides are running in a angle and i was wondering what way would be the best to make the tiles to do these cutz, at the min i just lay all my tiles then use a paper template the same size as the tile to get the shape of the angle then i cut the template and place it on the tile and then cut the tile, but there must be a better way to do it as it takes a bit of a while doin it this way,

many thanx neil

[Sir Ramic]

Follow the link i posted above Neil. Thats what you need.

[Neil TileTastic]

many thanx sir ramic it was putting my head away i knew there had to be a gadet like that 1 lol, is there a site to order 1 of them m8? iam in n.ireland but ive never seen them here like.

many thanx again for the replies lads.

keep er tiling

[MICK the Tiler]

Hi Neil,

I too really like the jig tool posted by Sir ramic very handy to have in the tool kit.

Although I don't use one. I use a piece of 20mmx20mm pine moulding with one end cut at a 45 deg angle and place this against the wall acting as the tile edge, then mark with a pencil the other end allowing for a tile spacer, flip it over and mark the other side (Only if angle is greater or in some way differs from 45deg) then place the stick onto tile lining the pencil mark up with the edge of the tile and mark the 45deg cut end the place on cutter and score and snap, should fit sweet.

There are plenty of other ways to scribe tile angles but i find this method quick and inexpensive although I might just get me on of those jigs

I'll try and post a pic of what i'm waffling about as it will be alot easier to visualize.

Glad you are enjoying the posts.

Cheers Mick

[Sir Ramic]

Originally Posted by Neil TileTastic

many thanx sir ramic it was putting my head away i knew there had to be a gadet like that 1 lol, is there a site to order 1 of them m8? iam in n.ireland but ive never seen them here like.

many thanx again for the replies lads.

keep er tiling

Try this, scroll to bottom of the page and you will see 2 items, one is cheaper than the other.
http://www.tradetiler.com/acatalog/t...e_marking.html