Just installed the last of 400 sq’ of nat. slate tile a couple days ago.
This was a smaller part in the entry of the onv. house I’ve been on for a while.
I usually use a 5-in-1 to remove the thinset from in betwixt the tiles and was dreading it this morning. Easy to come out and scratch/chip those slates, ya know.
While trying to think of some other way to do it (roto-tool?, no – grout saw? no), i was digging through a misc. bit box and found some of those small glass/tile bits.
Put it in the drill, and had the thinset removed in 35 mins. No scrapes on the nat. slate or nothin’.
So…I’m not sure if using the 5-in-1 is the way to go, and I assumed everyone else uses a multi-tool, which I don’t have yet, but I sure liked how this worked.
Thought I’d share.
Replies
I always remove thinset as I go, easy when wet!
Amen--was going to say the same thing. The guy I often worked with would get way ahead of me, or send me off to do something else while he was installing tiles, and then I got to use a grout saw the next day--100 x harder and took lots longer, plus always the danger of chipping edges or scratching the faces. Whenever I could, I followed him immediately and wiped the wet thinset from the joint with a screwdriver or finger or piece of shim.
Are you talking about the spade shaped bits?
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Yeah, the spade shaped ones.
I know what you mean about wiping as you go, but thinset always gloops up on the sides and top of the tile when I do that.
I do it when I can, but this is working pretty good for doing it after.
No Coffee No Workee!
don't be scared to spend 35.00 at harbor frieght for there multi tool deal. it works really well and for the price of one multimaster saw blade you can buy a whole new tool.
the older i get ,
the more people tick me off
Been thinking about that...
Problem is, I'd want to use it for everything it is supposed to do, not just for the tile grout lines.
I have not heard great things about the HF ones - though I am a proponent of some things from there, don't get me wrong - and I'm worried I'll spend $35 on something that will not work the way I hoped it would, and regret not spending the extra cash for a good'un.
What is anyone's opinion on the others...which should I get?No Coffee No Workee!
i bought mine just cause everyone here goes on about using a mmaster. i thought what the heck i'll give it a try.
i'm working on house with 38 windows and close to half have rotten sills and trim. this thing has been great for this. i have used it almost everyday since i bought it.
now for the negative part. everyone talked about mm blades running 30-40.00 each. well if the don't last longer than hf and i had a real 400.00 mm i would sell it. hf blades run 5.00 and i get a couple windows done with a blade. i would like to see them last a little longer. and if you hit a nail with the plunge blade,your done! get another one.
if you buy a hf and don't like it ,they will take it back with no problem,they have about as good of customer service as there is.the older i get ,
the more people tick me off
HB had all their blades onsale this week... $5.99 even the diamond ones... or the 4 pack of regular with the scraper blade... think i got about 7... even purchased another multi tool ($39) for my best guy... he really liked mine... he used it to cut off protruding shims last week... thought he'd gone to heaven
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