Able Skills Tiling Courses - Tile Advice

[peter franks]

What a great week on natural stone tiling course this week. I worked in a fully fitted kitchen area and installed 100 x 100 mm tumbled marble onto the wall areas followed by 300 x 300mm uncalibrated slate on the floor area. First we undertook a really informative class on adhesives and grout selections for these materials and received demonstration on how to correctly fix and cut the marble and slate. Fixing took a lot longer than it did with the previous weeks training but have to say that I am really pleased with the end result. Never had a clue four weeks ago about selections of adhesives, grouts sealers etc.

Had a really good class session with the Rubi tools UK rep Darren (see photos) who spent a few hours with our group letting us sample various Rubi tools. Roll on
Monday.

 

[peter franks]

Hi all. Just finished week 5. Wow busy or what. Had a bad start to the week as I was sick Monday and Tuesday but fortunately I was able to complete my course from Wednesday right through to Sunday. I covered a lot of surface preparation this week, fixed aqua panel cement backer boards and then tiled using single part flexible adhesive and also fixed plasterboards and tanked out using WP1 then tiled the tanked out area once dry. During the drying off period, I tiled a box which required a 3 way mitre and then tiled an arch which enabled me to tackle some challenging cuts which were really difficult. Also did some prep on floors laying self levelling compounds and had a go at screeding. Mark from BAL came in to do a class demo on their products which was excellent .Going straight through till Friday now so training 10 days in a row!!

 

[Max@ableskills]

Hi all. Just finished week 5. Wow busy or what. Had a bad start to the week as I was sick Monday and Tuesday but fortunately I was able to complete my course from Wednesday right through to Sunday. I covered a lot of surface preparation this week, fixed aqua panel cement backer boards and then tiled using single part flexible adhesive and also fixed plasterboards and tanked out using WP1 then tiled the tanked out area once dry. During the drying off period, I tiled a box which required a 3 way mitre and then tiled an arch which enabled me to tackle some challenging cuts which were really difficult. Also did some prep on floors laying self levelling compounds and had a go at screeding. Mark from BAL came in to do a class demo on their products which was excellent .Going straight through till Friday now so training 10 days in a row!!




View attachment 25645 View attachment 25646 View attachment 25647 View attachment 25648 View attachment 25649

Thanks again for the feedback pete. looking forward to week six pics

 

[tfs]

You guys realy seem to be setting the standard with this course Max. Some good topics covered.

Your tiling seems to be getting good too Peter. Keep at it mate

 

[peter franks]

Hi all. I am exhausted lol! Just completed my sixth week tiling a fitted bathroom.
I worked to a specification which included preparing, setting out and tiling the bathroom. Here are some pics hope you like. I am really happy with it.

 

[Dan]

Cheers for the pictures.

Nice trusty washboy there.

 

[peter franks]

You guys realy seem to be setting the standard with this course Max. Some good topics covered.

Your tiling seems to be getting good too Peter. Keep at it mate

Thanks very much tfs.

Im really happy with the course will keep you all posted.

 

[peter franks]

Week seven complete and a break from tiling training. I moved down to the plastering centre (practically next door to the tiling centre) to gain practical skills on wall preparation. Another really enjoyable week this time with Spencer and Jo (the plastering instructors).



Boarded wall area, with angle beads installed


Attached pier plastered



My room plastered and starting to dry out



My practice at rendering

 

[peter franks]

My practice at rendering

 

[Max@ableskills]

Thanks pete, glad to see Spence and Jo looked after you last week they really operate a good course. I can't wait for your post on this week

 

[bobby1670dee]

well done mate,excellent feedback.I don't think anyone has posted picture for several weeks,usually they post for a week or two and then disappear!
How many more weeks are you doing?

 

[peter franks]

Final week done. I went back to tiling this week, tiling a Victorian pathway which was slow but very rewarding. One thing I learned from this week is that you have absolutely no room for error with this stuff. Feel confident that I could take on the pathways but only in the summer lol.

I was registered for my NVQ this week and received my portfolio. Had a discussion with Max about compiling my portfolio and went through some case studies of previously completed portfolios which made the process very straight forward.

I have got some work lined up so hoping to gain the NVQ as soon as possible.

 

[peter franks]

Thanks bob, its been really great at able skills just finished up, learnt so much cant thank them enough.

 

[Max@ableskills]

Pete thanks for all your feedback and good luck with your NVQ. Keep using the forum for advice and stay in touch via PM. Cheers

 

[peter franks]

Hi all i have passed my cscs test.
What a joke i had 45 minutes to complete and was in and out in ten minutes.
Not exactly mastermind, still needed to pass it to help me with my nvq.