Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles' for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers would be!

Tops Tiles sell 1000 for £10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I only need about 300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a reasonable quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99 postage! Ebay has none at the moment - unless I go to Australia.

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat. Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them looking nicely lined up.

Does anyone know of a supplier that will sell these tiny bits of recycled plastic for a reasonable price?

And while I'm in 'moaning mode', I had the daft notion that the back of these fancy metro tiles would have some sort of mark so the half-way point could be easily identified. No, nothing so sensible - at least not on those I bought.

So a word to the wise; if your significant other sees a nice display of these in a shop or catalogue, think again...

J

On 28/05/15 20:49, Janet Winslow wrote:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles' for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers would be!

Tops Tiles sell 1000 for £10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I only need about 300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a reasonable quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99 postage! Ebay has none at the moment - unless I go to Australia.

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat. Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them looking nicely lined up.

Does anyone know of a supplier that will sell these tiny bits of recycled plastic for a reasonable price?

And while I'm in 'moaning mode', I had the daft notion that the back of these fancy metro tiles would have some sort of mark so the half-way point could be easily identified. No, nothing so sensible - at least not on those I bought.

So a word to the wise; if your significant other sees a nice display of these in a shop or catalogue, think again...

J


Ah ha - yes thank you - I have had a similar request.

The other problem is how to deal with sockets due to the bevelled edge.
My only sensible solution was to put (in theory) 10mm backbox spacer
collars on and grout to those leaving the sockets a bit proud but with a
clean seat to mesh to.

I'm thinking we could get a similar effect with a lot less aggro by
using a 2x1 format tile laid brick style.

Janet Winslow wrote:

Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro
tiles' for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the
T-spacers would be!

Just use normal 'X' spacers, poking out like this

http://blog.timesunion.com/homeresto...1/P1050672.JPG

On 28/05/2015 22:46, Andy Burns wrote:
Janet Winslow wrote:

Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro
tiles' for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the
T-spacers would be!

Just use normal 'X' spacers, poking out like this

http://blog.timesunion.com/homeresto...1/P1050672.JPG

Yup that is the way I always use the spacers...

(also make them reusable as well)

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 29/05/2015 01:42, John Rumm wrote:
On 28/05/2015 22:46, Andy Burns wrote:
Janet Winslow wrote:

Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro
tiles' for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the
T-spacers would be!

Just use normal 'X' spacers, poking out like this

http://blog.timesunion.com/homeresto...1/P1050672.JPG

Yup that is the way I always use the spacers...

(also make them reusable as well)


Or get a pack of Aldi plastic plant labels. About 1mm thick IIRC

Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles'
for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers
would be!

Tops Tiles sell 1000 for £10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I only
need about 300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a reasonable
quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99 postage! Ebay
has none at the moment - unless I go to Australia.

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X
types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat.
Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them
looking nicely lined up.

Does anyone know of a supplier that will sell these tiny bits of recycled
plastic for a reasonable price?

And while I'm in 'moaning mode', I had the daft notion that the back of
these fancy metro tiles would have some sort of mark so the half-way point
could be easily identified. No, nothing so sensible - at least not on those
I bought.

So a word to the wise; if your significant other sees a nice display of
these in a shop or catalogue, think again...


Having not heard of "Metro tiles" I just googled them. Yuk! Reminds me of
those old subterranean public toilets.

Mike

In article ,
Janet Winslow writes:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles' for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers would be!
Tops Tiles sell 1000 for £10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I only need about 300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a reasonable quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99 postage! Ebay has none at the moment - unless I go to Australia.

You need to watch Topps Tiles prices. They can be very good prices on some
stock tiles, but any savings can be wiped out if you buy the all the other
things there (adhesive, spacers, trim strips, etc).

When I did my bathroom 10-15 years ago, I think I got the spacers from B&Q
in a sale (and I certainly used 2mm ones).

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat. Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them looking nicely lined up.

Like others have said, use them poking out. Then they are reusable, although
you need more.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

On Friday, May 29, 2015 at 9:39:31 AM UTC+1, Muddymike wrote:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles'
for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers
would be!

Tops Tiles sell 1000 for £10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I only
need about 300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a reasonable
quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99 postage! Ebay
has none at the moment - unless I go to Australia.

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X
types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat.
Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them
looking nicely lined up.

Does anyone know of a supplier that will sell these tiny bits of recycled
plastic for a reasonable price?

And while I'm in 'moaning mode', I had the daft notion that the back of
these fancy metro tiles would have some sort of mark so the half-way point
could be easily identified. No, nothing so sensible - at least not on those
I bought.

So a word to the wise; if your significant other sees a nice display of
these in a shop or catalogue, think again...


Having not heard of "Metro tiles" I just googled them. Yuk! Reminds me of
those old subterranean public toilets.

Mike

Yes indeed. In my kitchen I used some "subway" tiles which are like Metro but without the beveled edge. Even more like an old public toilet. Such is the power of "retro". However I squint at it I think it looks great. I did not go for the Metro as it looks less '30s and more '80s to me.

Simon.

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Janet Winslow writes:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles'
for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers
would be!
Tops Tiles sell 1000 for £10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I
only need about 300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a
reasonable quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99
postage! Ebay has none at the moment - unless I go to Australia.

You need to watch Topps Tiles prices. They can be very good prices on some
stock tiles, but any savings can be wiped out if you buy the all the other
things there (adhesive, spacers, trim strips, etc).

When I did my bathroom 10-15 years ago, I think I got the spacers from B&Q
in a sale (and I certainly used 2mm ones).

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X
types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat.
Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them
looking nicely lined up.

Like others have said, use them poking out. Then they are reusable,
although
you need more.


You tile one wall, then take the spacers out and use them on the next wall,
if anything, you need less.

In article ,
Janet Winslow wrote:
Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X
types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat.
Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them
looking nicely lined up.

Use flush cutting wire cutters. A cheap pair from Maplin etc will be ok.

--
Small asylum seeker wanted as mud flap, must be flexible and willing to travel

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"stuart noble" wrote in message ...

On 29/05/2015 01:42, John Rumm wrote:
On 28/05/2015 22:46, Andy Burns wrote:
Janet Winslow wrote:

Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro
tiles' for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the
T-spacers would be!

Just use normal 'X' spacers, poking out like this

http://blog.timesunion.com/homeresto...1/P1050672.JPG

Yup that is the way I always use the spacers...

(also make them reusable as well)


Or get a pack of Aldi plastic plant labels. About 1mm thick IIRC



Or even cheaper a box of matches, about 2mm square

On Friday, 29 May 2015 15:23:59 UTC+1, Phil L wrote:
"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Janet Winslow writes:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles'
for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers
would be!
Tops Tiles sell 1000 for £10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I
only need about 300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a
reasonable quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99
postage! Ebay has none at the moment - unless I go to Australia.

You need to watch Topps Tiles prices. They can be very good prices on some
stock tiles, but any savings can be wiped out if you buy the all the other
things there (adhesive, spacers, trim strips, etc).

When I did my bathroom 10-15 years ago, I think I got the spacers from B&Q
in a sale (and I certainly used 2mm ones).

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X
types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat..
Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them
looking nicely lined up.

Like others have said, use them poking out. Then they are reusable,
although
you need more.


You tile one wall, then take the spacers out and use them on the next wall,
if anything, you need less.

Quite, you only need more if you do a lot at once.

The idea of putting them in as designed is fundamentally flawed by the fact that tiles are simply not entirely regular in size. IRL you need to cope with slight misalignment.


NT

On 29/05/2015 19:33, wrote:
On Friday, 29 May 2015 15:23:59 UTC+1, Phil L wrote:
"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Janet Winslow writes:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles'
for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers
would be!
Tops Tiles sell 1000 for £10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I
only need about 300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a
reasonable quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99
postage! Ebay has none at the moment - unless I go to Australia.

You need to watch Topps Tiles prices. They can be very good prices on some
stock tiles, but any savings can be wiped out if you buy the all the other
things there (adhesive, spacers, trim strips, etc).

When I did my bathroom 10-15 years ago, I think I got the spacers from B&Q
in a sale (and I certainly used 2mm ones).

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the normal X
types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has to be filed flat.
Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking for trouble if I want them
looking nicely lined up.

Like others have said, use them poking out. Then they are reusable,
although
you need more.


You tile one wall, then take the spacers out and use them on the next wall,
if anything, you need less.

Quite, you only need more if you do a lot at once.

The idea of putting them in as designed is fundamentally flawed by the fact that tiles are simply not entirely regular in size. IRL you need to cope with slight misalignment.

I find the spacers let you do that since they have a slightly different
thickness across the width of a leg from the height of a leg - so
twisting the occasional one, or pairing up a couple on top of each other
allows sub spacer thickness tweaks.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 29/05/2015 19:33, wrote:


The idea of putting them in as designed is fundamentally flawed by the fact that tiles are simply not entirely regular in size. IRL you need to cope with slight misalignment.


And could be a problem when the wall onto which you are tiling is not
perfectly flat. If the tile cement is slightly thicker at the join of
the tiles it will tend to go behind them rather than providing spacing
for a gap.


--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 28/05/2015 20:49, Janet Winslow wrote:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro tiles' for the kitchen.

I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers would be!


Pardon my ignorance but why would you need T shaped spacers? Wouldn't
ordinary X shaped ones do just as well? Used poking in they can be
removed before grouting and used again.

This is the method I mean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmb4Xrv4PTU

On 30/05/2015 04:26, soup wrote:
On 28/05/2015 20:49, Janet Winslow wrote:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some 'metro
tiles' for the kitchen.

I had no idea how ridiculously expensive the T-spacers would be!


Pardon my ignorance but why would you need T shaped spacers? Wouldn't
ordinary X shaped ones do just as well? Used poking in they can be
removed before grouting and used again.

This is the method I mean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmb4Xrv4PTU


Because the tiles are not square - they are rectangular so the tiles in
a row overlap the ones in the adjacent rows. Much in the same way as
laying bricks in a wall.

--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 29/05/2015 19:33, wrote:
On Friday, 29 May 2015 15:23:59 UTC+1, Phil L wrote:
"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article
, Janet
Winslow writes:
Against my better judgement I've been persuaded to get some
'metro tiles' for the kitchen. I had no idea how ridiculously
expensive the T-spacers would be! Tops Tiles sell 1000 for
£10.60 but they only have 3mm ones. Anyway, I only need about
300, probably fewer. One other UK supplier sold a reasonable
quantity for a reasonable price than tries to charge £7.99
postage! Ebay has none at the moment - unless I go to
Australia.

You need to watch Topps Tiles prices. They can be very good
prices on some stock tiles, but any savings can be wiped out if
you buy the all the other things there (adhesive, spacers, trim
strips, etc).

When I did my bathroom 10-15 years ago, I think I got the spacers
from B&Q in a sale (and I certainly used 2mm ones).

Before anyone suggests just cutting one of the legs from the
normal X types - not that easy. The cut leaves a bump that has
to be filed flat. Just using them as sticky-out pegs is asking
for trouble if I want them looking nicely lined up.

Like others have said, use them poking out. Then they are
reusable, although you need more.


You tile one wall, then take the spacers out and use them on the
next wall, if anything, you need less.

Quite, you only need more if you do a lot at once.

The idea of putting them in as designed is fundamentally flawed by
the fact that tiles are simply not entirely regular in size. IRL you
need to cope with slight misalignment.


NT


IME spacers can be removed after an hour, so you'd have to be a bloody
fast tiler to need a jumbo pack.

On 30/05/2015 09:52, alan_m wrote:
On 30/05/2015 04:26, soup wrote:

This is the method I mean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmb4Xrv4PTU

Because the tiles are not square - they are rectangular so the tiles in
a row overlap the ones in the adjacent rows. Much in the same way as
laying bricks in a wall.

Fair enough, but why couldn't ordinary X shaped ones be used poking in
only slightly adapted for brick type bond?


A la :- http://postimg.org/image/6omuybfqx/