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I need to buy a grout float, so I went to Lowes and they have about 6 kinds. I know I don’t want the cheapest one, and one says it’s for epoxy grout, but that still leave several choices. One has a gum rubber face – so? Some are hard, some soft. I will be installing 12″ saltillo tile with 1/2″ joints, if that makes a difference. Also, with joints that wide, can I squirt the grout in with a cake decorating bag? Would I still need the float?
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Ed, are you still waiting for your current copy of FHB? Go back to Lowe's, they probably have it by now. Read the cover article. Read the article on page 94 too. Joe H
*Joe, got my copy a few days ago, and that's the first article I read. Also re-read it today. He recommends using a soft float everywhere, and he recommends buying the expensive one, but there are still a few questions. I don't anticipate laying another floor for quite a while, so the most expensive tools (in this case) might not be appropriate. For example, one of the Lowes floats has a smooth face, one has a bit of texture (kind of like the back of tempered hardboard) and one is gum rubber; what's the difference? Also the author doesn't mention using the cake decorating bag. However, an article in the same issue on bricking front steps does show that technique. But my question still stands: would you need a float if you squirted the grout in place?Hey, Joe, I'm not trying to be argumentative, just looking for advice from been-there, done-that.
*I like the gum rubber myself and for a nice looking finish, you should use a float no matter how you put the grout on. Hope this helps some.Billy
*Ed, I'd say just get one you like and figure it for a one time use. By the time you're done and it sits for a few years it'll be crumbly. You'd need a hell of a big bag, or be filling it a bunch to be filling joints that size. Careful your grout doesn't set up while you're at it. Joe H
*Went to HD tonight (there's one open 24 hrs near me) and saw that they actually sell grout bags. But you've got a good point - that's a lot of fillups, and it could get hard before I finished.How do you cut saltillo?
*Nothing like buying lumber at 3am....Do they deliver 24hrs too??
*What to grout with , how to cut.....hope the tile is cheap because it APPEARS you are in over your head. Someone throw this fella a life preserver.
*Keith, your statements appear to be fair, on the surface. However, I have never worked with Saltillo before, and sinbce it is a softer tile I was wondering if the cutting is different. The 'expert' at HD says not to use the score & snap method, that it has to be a wet saw. I don't believe him. Also, while I'm sure any float would work, more for curiosity sake than anything I'm asking about the differences. Maybe I'm asking too many detailed questions, when I should just jump in and make it happen. I'm not offended by oyur comments, and I hope you're not offended by my questions.
*Ed, any rubber grout float will work. You can use the "pastry" bag but you'll still need to use a float to pack in the grout and smooth it. Most saltillo tile, especially non-glazed will need to be sealed before grouting, the grout will embed itself into the soft tiles and stain them. I don't know about scoring and snapping, you could buy a couple and try it. If you got an extra $90 buy one of those plastic plasplugs wet saws at HD, it'll cut your tiles like butter. I've used mine on porcelain, granite, even concrete pavers. good luck to you
*Jim, thanks for the advice. HD has a wet saw on sale for something around $50, and I'll probably get one becasue I am anticipating quite a few cuts.Keith, I lied. The more I think about it, the more offended I am by your post. But I don't feel bad or wrong about asking the questions, I'm simply annoyed by your response. I would much rather be asking these questions, than to post a message later telling what I had done and asking how to fix the mess. If you think my postings are a waste of time, don't answer. If you're too good to help someone learn, well, one day you'll get what's coming to you. I believe that I can learn something new everyday, and when I stop learning I'll be pushing up daiseys. I had formulated a long response in my mind, but I'm going to let it drop. Have a good day.
*Well said Ed. And BTW, Jims advice was right on. Good luck.Billy
*Ed, I don't think those soft tiles will break straight like a vitrous tile. Or like a brick either, they're a different (?) texture. And those cheapo Plasplug plastic saws are pretty slick, I didn't know they could be had for $50, I think local HD gets about $120 for them last time I noticed. Joe H
*How much is this job worth to you?Apparently not enough to get it done right. Grout float putting you over budget ($20), don't want to saw soft tiles because you don't want to buy a saw?Buy a cheap float and rent the saw, the rest of the job will be easier,but I'll bet it will still look like a 3-year old did it. Why? Because you are approaching it with every chickenshit,corner-cutting,Mickey Mouse option available to you instead of approaching the job with an attitude of "let's do it right!".
*Joel, that's a knee-jerk reaction. I have time, not money. Usually I buy the best tool I can, but why spend $20 for a float that I'll only use on one 500 sf project, when a $5 float will do the same job? As for the tiles, maybe a wet saw is the only way to do it. But since they are relatively soft, maybe a carbide blade in a jigsaw would work. I don't know, so that's why I asked.
*I stand by my original post. Even at $120.00 for a saw on a 500 sq/ft tile job? Take pictures..we all need some entertainment.
*Hey Ed, I asked my tile bud about score and snapping Saltillos, and he sez he never tried it cause he just figured they were too soft. I'm sure you've got some extra, try it at HD's rental thing, &/or try the jigsaw (he sez he never even thought about that).Somebody here said they used unsealed stuff and grout didn't stain it, I've seen otherwise, but you could experiment. The grout bag will take you forever, and you'll still have to float it.Wet saw rental at HD: 42 bucks a day, $162 a week...Keith and Joel, get back on your medication.
*Bucksnort,my medication is working just fine.I just think if you approach a job looking for a bunch of shortcuts, it's gonna look like you did it with a bunch of shortcuts.
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I need to buy a grout float, so I went to Lowes and they have about 6 kinds. I know I don't want the cheapest one, and one says it's for epoxy grout, but that still leave several choices. One has a gum rubber face - so? Some are hard, some soft. I will be installing 12" saltillo tile with 1/2" joints, if that makes a difference. Also, with joints that wide, can I squirt the grout in with a cake decorating bag? Would I still need the float?