Which essential tools for starting out?

[dingabell]

Hi there. This should probably be in the tools section but I figured more people would read it in the general one. I was wondering what tools are essential to buy when you're starting out. I'm presuming a dry manual cutter and also a wet cutter, but do you also need other things like laser levels. Any advice would be appreciated as I'm starting to get a list together. Many thanks.

 

[DHTiling]

Tape measure

 

[bugs183]

There is a list on here that was compiled a while ago, not sure where though!!

 

[John Benton]

There is a list on here that was compiled a while ago, not sure where though!!

Its here Bugs

http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-tools/186-tiling-tools-starter-kit.html

 

[DHTiling]

Doesn't hurt to do it again

 

[Ian]

A good quality scribe cutter that can handle the hardest of porcelain, tiles are getting bigger and harder to cut so, don't scrimp and find you can't do a job because you don't have the right tools.

 

[Andy Allen]

flask/kettle, radio.... and a thick skin..

 

[DHTiling]

And a sigma tile cutter.

 

[John Benton]

An allergy to anhydrite floors may come in handy :smilewinkgrin:

 

[DHTiling]

A sense of humour.

 

[AliGage]

What sort of budget have you got to setup with?

I first started out with about £70.00 and got enough to get my first job done. Added to my tools ever since. But if you have a fairly healthy budget we could proberbly compile a list of useful and essential tools to get you started.

 

[radim]

dustsheets,screwgun, set of corers

 

[murray marble]

a calculator and plenty of pencils

 

[bugs183]

To be fair this forum is one of the most useful things you can have and it's free, so nice one being here before you get stuck in.
A laser level may seem like an unessacary expense but they are fundamental to my wall tiling now.
Also find a local supplier with staff who know what they are doing, it'll save you loads of time and hassle.

 

[AliGage]

Tradetiler Tilers Starter Tool List

I wouldn't say you need all what's on this list, but it's a good guide. Unless you got a couple of grand to spend then it's a build up slowly job. I'd estimate a starting list for everything you're likely to need would be around 16-1700 quid mark to be honest.

 

[steve187]

get the tools as you need them, as the jobs come up, different tools for floors then walls, but some overlap, dry and wet cutter trowels etc, if you can afford it get the best cutters, but if budget is tight get a cheaper one that does the job , but think about replacing it with a better one further down the line, get a medium size dry cutter first, that will do sizes up to 700 say, a smaller one can be added later for kitchens, if your work goes that way,

have a look on here in the for sale section, also put in an ad, maybe someone has got some tools that are not used now that they may be willing to sell on.

all the best

 

[Alan M]

if your a trades man already then you probably have most of the non tiling stuff.
i would get a mixer ,dry cutter(fairy bit but not enourmous) ,trowels , grout float, good cheap grinder and disk,and a few sponges. every thing else will be built up as the money comes in and you see what you need. this is how i did it.
make sure to get a good tool box to put everything in. in my eyes this is one of the core principles i work by. have all my tools for each job type in its own tool box, ready to go . and then you wont forget anything

 

[DHTiling]

Good set of knee pads.

 

[dingabell]

Thanks guys. Every bit of advice is greatly appreciated. I wouldn't say I have an open ended budget but my redundancy money will let me buy the quality of tools I want rather than having to scrimp. I think I'd much rather buy the best quality I can afford rather than buying cheaply and having problems/having to buy twice because they're just not up to the job. For me starting out, I think tools which make things easier/quicker for me will be a major benefit, though I obviously realise it's more about my own skill than the tools I use. A good quality Sigma cutter (3cm)? will probably be the first major purchase. Thanks again for your advice. It really does help.

 

[DHTiling]

Don't forget pics of your new shiny tools

 

[afright]

First thing I was taught to use was a water, level thing of the past now laser,s are around,they where a very good way to level adjoining rooms and great doing swimming pools trouble was, it was a two man job

 

[bugs183]

Plus using a water level annoys everyone with two men shouting 'up'down' to each other!!