Mosaic trowel - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Turkish · 23-04-2008

Hi, i need to get a trowel for mosaics as have a job coming up in May with mosaics. I like to buy RUBI and i`ve seen 2 trowels, one is 3mm one is 4.5mm. What in everyones opinion is the best all round one to get cos i can`t really warrant buying 2?

Cheers

Turkish

**Dan** · 23-04-2008

4.5 will help get over a bumpy surface - using a bit more adhesive.

3 will help you keep the adhesive down but can be almost useless on a bumpy wall.

**David - Tradetiler** · 23-04-2008

If the mosaics are thin you might get unwanted adhesive coming up through the joints with the 4.5 mm. Trouble with mosaics is when you try and clean the adhesive away the mosaics go all over the place.

Try to work as cleanly as you can with mosaics or you will get frustrated pretty quick

**grumpygrouter** · 23-04-2008

I've got one of each. They are not really that expensive and if you want to lay something like ditra, the 3mm is useful for that as well.

**sWe** · 23-04-2008

I prefer a 3mm square notch trowel for mosaics. 4-4,5mm can turn into a messy affair with most common mosaics if you're not careful.

If it's a wall, and it's is uneven or bumpy, I skim it with adhesive first, leveling it so to speak. If it's a floor, I use SLC if it's bumpy or what not. I then proceed with the 3mm trowel.

**whitebeam** · 23-04-2008

If the mosaic are thin I tend to put the addy on with the flat edge of the trowel, Most at 2mm tend's to stop adhesive squeezing thru the joints.

**Dave** · 23-04-2008

The walls want to be flat with mosaics anyway.... A bumpy wall will show more with mosaics, especially in the corners etc.........

davy_G · 23-04-2008

3mm for me. If the surface isnt flat the mosaics wont be either. Spend time sorting out walls by plastering them first with bagged stuff.

robbo · 24-04-2008

Just bought a Hoffmann 3mm trowel, very comfortable to use.

**sWe** · 24-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo

Just bought a Hoffmann 3mm trowel, very comfortable to use.

I use Hoffmann trowels too!!!!!1

Enthusiasm aside, yeah, they're damn comfortable. I used to wield trowels with wooden handles, but my elbows and fingers took a real beating from them. Switched to Hoffmann (with a few exceptions), and bam, joint problems went the way of the Dodo.