Welcome to the US & Canadian Tile Setting Forum

[Dan]

We have such a friendly atmosphere on tilersforums.co.uk that I thought it would be silly not to share it with out friends from over the pond.

[Dave]

Welcome to all from over the big pond................dave..
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America's version of the TTA.......dave..

TCNA

[365drills]

Just a quicky to the guys in America & Canada. I know you use imperial measurements and in the UK we are on Metric.

Yes I know that the UK had imperial and we sold out to the French.... Shame on us....

But what I wanted to tell you is that we can supply you with our diamond drills in 48hours from ordering.

We have an american website TilersForums.co.uk | Tiling Forum | Tile Forums | Ceramic Tile Forums | Tiling Courses - Tiling Advice Forum and we export drill kits to the USA and Canada on a daily basis via FedEx.

1) We are looking to you for decent distributors. Or stockists.
2) If you want a set of drills then for $99 dollars all in we deliver a kit door to door.
This is it:




I appologies (again) for the metric sizes and are working on imperial plates for you. But they wont be out for another 9 months yet.

But check us out at TilersForums.co.uk | Tiling Forum | Tile Forums | Ceramic Tile Forums | Tiling Courses - Tiling Advice Forum

In the mean time until we can convert to your measurement here is a very handy little converter guide that makes life easy




I am sorry that it does not go beyond two inches but I got the guide from France and apparently in France, the men dont seem to have a need to measure anything greater than 2" But I guess that's the French for you.........

(PS: To all French Canadians... Just a joke)

[Rob Z]

Dave, you posted the link to TCNA. Here is the link for their affiliated school, the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation.

Ceramic Tile Education Foundation Home

I have been there for numerous classes over the past 10 years, including a private training session sponsored by Schluter Systems.

What are the training opportunities available in the UK? The other major players here are either going through a union or the CTIOA Ceramic Tile Institute of America CTIOA - ONLINE .
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BTW, what restrictions or requirements are there for tile setters in the UK? For the most part, here in the US you can call yourself a tile setter without having to prove or demonstrate any competence to anyone first.

[Dave]

hi rob its the same over here as well you can call yourself a tile fixer with no prior training ....We have various training facilities from short courses to NVQ's...have a read through these rob and it might give you a better understanding of some of them......dave..
Tiling Courses - Wall and Floor Tiling Course - Tiling NVQ - Tiling Courses & Tiling Course Companies

The Tile Association

Tiling News

[LOFTHOUSE]

And....if you want to be affiliated there is the National Tile Contractors Association. They have a lot of perks included when you pay your $500 yearly dues. I'd love to join as soon as I've got the spare $500, busy buying tools and such. I'd go further with a 365 Diamonds Imperial Kit.

Can't Wait. Happy Tiling Mates

[Rob Z]

Lofthouse,

I've never felt the need to send the NTCA my money....$500 of new tools is more useful!

[LOFTHOUSE]

Yep.....and the BBB.....Better Business Bureau (not the Brittish Broadcasting Bobbysocks)

want $440 a year for membership, where I'm also not so sure if I want to be on a list. It just goes on and on and on.....and on.

[Rob Z]

I think by and large the BBB is a scam.

[bootsmckiber]

Thanks for including us Dan,Like I've said before,I was born in Accrington(Whalley nursing home)so I like to keep in touch with the U.K. site,makes me feel like I'm still British,well I am I just haven't been home since 1967 when we immigrated here,but God as my witness as I type this message I'm wearing my Man United ball cap,once a Brit always a Brit,cheers.
Mike

[James Spelrem]

Dan no matter what you do show up with a tape measure your a tile setter in Alberta in the last 5 years with the big boom. I have never seen so much garbage installs.and now because of the down turn these same guys are bottoming out there prices to get the job eventually they will be weaned out but not before making a real mess of pricing again

[Rob Z]

James, nice looking installations in your profile!

[James Spelrem]

Thank you Rob a real compliment comming from another pro.

[James Spelrem]

Have a tough one My last appentance is moving away wife wants to be closer to her mother and where she goes he goes. in all I see great things for him taught him well 22 years old just needs more experinceas we all did at one time or another. my big delima is finding a new guy very hard to come by had one for about 3 months hoping he would work out on the books I paid 18 in the end he cost me 22-25an hr had to let him go I do not have time to babysit Have one guy who is interested but have seen him work with his dad good worker bad attitude not sure what to do need a guy good ones are very hard to come by. wanted to start thread dont know how.not very good with a computer took me 15min to write this my daughters just laugh at me

[bootsmckiber]

Well your definatly on the right track,you just have to let the guy that comes out he's on a one week trial period,he's got to want the job,a good helper can make or break a job as well as your wallet,I think there's a part on this site for people looking for workIt would be best to get someone from a personel reference and with experience otherwise be sure to tell them it's a one week trial otherwise you may get stuck with a lummox,if your training him fresh,you have to have patience,like teaching your kid to drive,at first drive you freakin nut's,but in not to long of time,with lot's of patience and good coaching,a star is born,your helper will start making you money,they're invaluble,my helpers usually ahead of me prepping the floors for the next job or behind me cleaning up and grouting from my last job,it works out well,once you teach them ,the onus is then on you to try to keep them,every grunt has his day when he says to himself,screw him,I'm worth more than that,Be fare,go over the books,is he making you money,then negotiate a fair rairse,agaian,a good helper is invaluble Good kuck,cheers,
Mike

[bootsmckiber]

that should have read "good luck"not good kuck,I'm a non drinker so I had to verify that cause good kuck is probably exactly what I would have written a dozen years ago,lol

[Rob Z]

Hey Mike, I knew what you meant!