My Summer holiday job!

I have done small kitchen tiling jobs before with acceptable results but am
struggling with tiling shower walls. I have read the FAQs info and have most
of the job sussed out such as horizonal battons. Just 2 problems remain
after doing a small trial area.

1) I need to use a 3mm solid bed adhesive (no voids) but seem to have
problems in getting it anything like even. The walls are fairly recently
professionally replastered so have gentle slight undulations rather than
abrupt in and out if that is relevant. I am in danger of it looking like a
grotty pub loo done by a drunken odd job man.
I have thought of making a spreader with a very thin nib at each end to hold
the spreader off the wall at the right sort of distance to create an even
bed. With luck the adhesive will close up again after the nib has passed.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

2) The tiles don't snap along score lines as tiles have in the past
(although only about 6mm thick). I am thinking of seeing if I can hire an
electric tile saw to do the straight cuts although I only have about 60
tiles to cut (an included window area does not help!) Are these hirable?
Possible cost? Am I indulging in overkill?

Why don't I just stick to things I can do like wiring, plumbing and central
heating!! No answers to that!

John