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11-05-2010, 05:56 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 19
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string as spacer
Does or has anyone ever used string or rope as a spacing for tile. An old tiler i used to work with would use it and i was wondering what would be the best type to use. Worth a try i think.
__________________
Chris
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11-05-2010, 05:59 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Deland, FL.
Posts: 4,064
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Why would you want to do this?
Other reasons to use a string but for tile spacing? Maybe you misunderstood him.
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Ben
Rule number one in life: You go with what you got, imperfections and all.
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11-05-2010, 06:03 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 19
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Ive seen him use it. Its like a 1/4" rope that he would use and it would compress enough to give you a nice 1/8 joint and it would keep the joints clean for grouting. he said he learnt that from an old italian setter when he was much younger
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Chris
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11-05-2010, 06:08 PM
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#4
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Pondering retirement daily
Senior Contributor
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 28,236
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Chris,
That very technique was discussed at the JB mud course. Many old timers had seen it.
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Paul 1
For when DIY isn't such a good idea...
Houston TX area Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

http://CabotAndRowe.com
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11-05-2010, 06:41 PM
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#5
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The Revolution has begun/Make America Great Again
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Centerville, Ohio
Posts: 8,313
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Used a white cotton string but only for 4x4's inna shower.. Also used tile boxes cut up into squares...
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mm (aka "Paco")
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11-05-2010, 06:43 PM
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#6
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Florida Tile & Stone Man
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Naples Fl.
Posts: 22,690
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I heard of it many times years ago, and tried it on circular tub decks,and circular showers.Never worked good for me.Plain old nylon wound 1/4" as said.
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11-05-2010, 06:44 PM
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#7
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Florida Tile & Stone Man
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Naples Fl.
Posts: 22,690
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I've built a lotta mud curbs with tile boxes.
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11-05-2010, 07:07 PM
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#8
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Moderator emeritus
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boerne, Texas
Posts: 95,491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul
That very technique was discussed at the JB mud course. Many old timers had seen it.
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Hey! Some of us younger guys were familiar with the method, too.
And it'll still work, Chris, but I find spacers and wedges to be much more convenient.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoner
I've built a lotta mud curbs with tile boxes.
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Which relates to using string as a spacer just how, Stoner?
You got a link?
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11-05-2010, 07:20 PM
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#9
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Tampa Florida Tile Contractor
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 26,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C.R.L Construction
he said he learnt that from an old italian setter when he was much younger
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same here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben
Why would you want to do this?
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I used it, also used sized rope many times on quarry tile walls and
a good amount of 12x12 walls.
you need a soft rope or string and put it in a bucket of water so it absorbs the water.
as you set your rows you lay the damp rope in the horizontal joint and then stack on that.
after a day the water evaporates from the rope and pulls out of the grout joints easily.
Last edited by ceramictec; 11-05-2010 at 07:52 PM.
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11-05-2010, 07:55 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Deland, FL.
Posts: 4,064
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I'm with CX. I would use spacers. Plenty of other uses for rope. If spacers weren't available like inna old days then I'm sure rope was just fine.
__________________
Ben
Rule number one in life: You go with what you got, imperfections and all.
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11-05-2010, 08:29 PM
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#11
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Independent Tile Contractor
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Rogers, MN
Posts: 830
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I've heard old timers talk about the string/rope also. I don't get it myself. Seems to me that would only work if the tile are all consistently sized, which is rarely the case. Shims and spacers for this guy.
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11-05-2010, 08:33 PM
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#12
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Ohio Tile Contractor.. Hydroban shower specialist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Painesville Ohio
Posts: 5,107
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almost all of the older homes around here that are plaster walls, have tile set with string
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Scott.
www.scottishtileandstone.com
Laticrete hydroban showers
Mud set stone.
ditra kerdi stone showers waterproof mudset stone backsplashes glass tiles,laticrete, hydroban,ohio,cleveland,painesville,backsplashes,
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11-05-2010, 08:53 PM
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#13
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Tile and Stone Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 5,542
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotty
almost all of the older homes around here that are plaster walls, have tile set with string
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And they just left the string in the grout joint?
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11-05-2010, 09:24 PM
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#14
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Moderator -- Mud Man
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Princeton,Tx.- Dallas area
Posts: 34,012
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Chris, using something that will compress will give you troubles, that's one of the problems with a rope. Many old timers would use a fine string that wouldn't compress much. The problem is, because of the weight, the higher you stack the wall up the more the rope compresses on the lower section and less on the top. That makes the joints smaller on the lower part of the wall. I seldom ever use spacers these days, nearly all wedges.
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11-05-2010, 09:32 PM
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#15
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Ohio Tile Contractor.. Hydroban shower specialist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Painesville Ohio
Posts: 5,107
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Levi.. They sure did. Every job Ive torn out, had the string still in there..
__________________
Scott.
www.scottishtileandstone.com
Laticrete hydroban showers
Mud set stone.
ditra kerdi stone showers waterproof mudset stone backsplashes glass tiles,laticrete, hydroban,ohio,cleveland,painesville,backsplashes,
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