5 Must Have Tools for Tile Installation 

Dewalt Green Cross Line Laser: amzn.to/39CWiYs Dewalt Multi Tool: amzn.to/3lzJQeH Porter Cable Tabletop Tile Saw: amzn.to/39Dsxa6 Levtec Tile Leveling System Kit: amzn.to/3lDxB0l Montolit 24" Tile Cutter: amzn.to/2KWJkul

10 must have tools to succeed in the tile trade. 1. A drivers license 2. Reliable transportation. 3.Self-motivation. 4.And the ability to work unsupervised in a fast pace,high demand industry. 5.Tape measure. 6.Knee pads. 7.Pencil. 8.Bucket n trowel. 9.A square. 10. Finally a good helper who fits the first 4 standard's above. Oh n my radio of course.

Been in the trade for 23 years and same as most of you old pros, came from a family of tile setters. Getting a good chuckle from all the comments. One thing you can always count on are tile setters picking apart another guy's work. No worries, I'm just as guilty sometimes. There have been a lot of great innovations over the years, but I think a lot of guys will favor the tools and methods they used coming up the ranks. That said, I know there were tools my old man and uncles used 40-50 years ago that I wouldn't want to have to limit myself to, but until someone makes a laser that wraps around corners, I'll always keep thirty feet of plastic tube handy.

Forgot the most two MOST important tools for tile. A good set of knee pads and a radio! 😂😂

“Speeds up time” ! That’s one amazing laser level.😉😂

I insert the level system clips when i set the last tile row for the day. I don't mess with removing dried thinset the next day. Now i have only done two jobs for myself...but it seem to work fine that way. I use the cheap floorcraft system at menards. Works well for me

I've seen a lot of comments regarding tile leveling systems. These are for use with large format tiles which tend to have a warp from the manufacturing process. These clips weren't meant to replace skill or mortar but to help manipulate the points of the tiles for a flush reveal. Place a 12" x 24" tile on a flat surface and you can slide a credit card under it, clips help improve the job in quality and time, very much worth a few cents more per tile.

That laser thing is next level stuff and if you have not used it start using at for everything even for DIY projects :). I used to think they were bs unless I bought one on a deal and now I can't stop using it :)

absolutely big thumbs up to the oscillating dewalt, however, best case scenario is to leave the tile system clips in the night before so you don't have to cut out a slot for them.

I am a installer for a long time ago , the level system is not for beginners , I think they are just for rectify tile , but now I'm using it regular and I think they make my work better and faster

Best tool in tile is a great experienced helper. But it's more of a luxury item.

What Johnson, can barely see it. Doing my bathroom right now, very helpful. Nice video, thank you!!!

large format snap cutter and a grinder with diamond blade have made me a lot of money over the years....As you said in the video, great for floors where all the cuts will be hidden under the base and wet saw set up would have to be far from the work area....

1. Tri level. 2. Small portable tile saw. 3. Leveling system clips. 4. Manual tile cutter.

Bosch makes a grout removal blade that's pointed and works great imo. I use it on my M12 oscillating tool.

About modifying the grout bit, easier method if you forget to insert clip before it hardens. Use bit as is and just shave the clip down with a utility knife.

Pocket lasers are great. I take them to do estimates and show the client how out of whack their floor/backsplash/deck railing etc. is. That and a digital measure that I'm quietly taking down numbers on while talking and listening. In and out in minutes. Use a tiny red PLS 180 laser and love it - lines are as bright as the green one you show and I can use it with a receiver for long distances outside for fencing, siding or dirt work.

about to get one of thse , ive branched off from my installer and have been an installer on my own for like 6 months, but my work is gorgeus, zero lippage is my rule if someone is on my job, i also read the boxes and install so people can stilll have warranty from not just our company but the company the tile is to as well. i havent got one yet becuase my boss has just been giving me 200-500 foot jobs and few showers so far, but like i said i rally beat myself up about how well my install is , i do alot of flashing on my walls and my floors

Man I wish I could work for you to learn all these tools of the trade, watching your videos gets me only so far, just to work with you to learn all the tips n trick you already know would save me so much time and headache on so many projects I've already done

Good point about where to use manual tile cutter.

I agree. Commercial use green lasers. And that mitred edge porcelain is pro work. Thanks for sharing. Time to upgrade my tool game

As a new tile setter of only 2 years I have learned in my career it is a lot easier to do flooring with any tile I’ve 1x2, as of the job I just finished the floors were only patched and the levelling was half assed, as well the walls would move as I was using 2x4 tile levelling clips were a must I prefer the wedges but I used tungsten 1 time use self levellers and we’re very helpful. No job is ever gonna be perfect or square and if there’s items out there to use to make the job look more clean I recommend you do it. Tile work is expensive not cheap if people want crap work that’s what they get but those who pay the extra .50 c just for clips get the best.

I’m sitting here reading some of these comments about the leveling systems and I’m kind of amazed. How can you badmouth a tool that pulls or pushes a bow out of a tile? Or help level out a floor when the foundation is shit? The leveling systems don’t have to be for all jobs, but the are useful.

What you do is simple put your Clips in prior to installing your cuts the next day when you kick your Clips out just don't kick out the ones that's not clipped in until you install your cuts this guy is doing a bunch of extra stuff

I purchased three Bosch lasers for tile I didn’t think about batteries until I saw your video. I wish I could have saw it first

I from spains me encantan tus trabajos eres un super profecional yo me dedico a la construccion tambien 👍

I don’t get the point to grind the adhesive the day after when your adhesive set..just add them the day before...

1. Stabila levels, (6,4, and 2 footers) 2. Wet Saw 3. Grinder 4. Mixing drill 5. Laser (Bosch) 6. Hand tools (trowel, pointer, etc) 7. Maybe the cutting board 🤔

The video was great. I enjoyed it.

I have tiled enough to know the strength of the tile is in full contact with the thinset, thusly the thinset thickness sets the level, build up for higher thin out to lower. It looks like the leveling system cheats that process, and if it raises a adjoining tile to match level will it also loosen the connection with the thinset below. In my world the only proof of what works is when you demo a old tile floor years later and in that it's easy to see strong and weak spots.

Thats a badass tilecutter!

Awesome video. I was impressed with how you were able to score and cut those large tiles without water.

I want to become a tile installer soon. So this definitely helped alot.

I wish you could show more of the preparation before tiling that is so important

Thanks very much for the tips 👍

A nice epoxy tile grout is also important for tile installation

The funny thing about tools it is it all depends on skill level and where you’re at in your business. Nothing wrong with any of these tools. But some do go by the way side. Example you start with cheep levels than move to lasers which are fun and great. But now since I bought stabilia levels never use the lasers. And these clips I don’t know how I feel about them. They can that an amateur up to pro level on smooth floor. But for me they take my coverage down. I only use them if there is a problem. One the substrate is not flat or two the tiles themselves are not flat and you’re doing thirds.

Outro music is fire.

This was a great video. Very informative and easy to understand the functioning of each tool. Thank for posting 👍🏻💪🏻

Why not put the self leveling clips under the tile when you lay it down and just tape it in place so it will remain tight to the final tile while it sets in place instead of having to multi tool grind out the dried thinset?

Heres and idea about the multi tool....how about just tile the floor with out clips or are you not good enough. They do not speed up installing tiles and they will make a surface flat not level!!!

I'm a little surprised he didn't mention a jam saw. My old school Craig jamb saw has been a life saver and cuts neat, straight lines. It's adjustable and it's easy to maintain. I think that the multi tool has it's place but for a nice cut under the door or the wall, I prefer the jamb saw. Also, call me crazy but I also don't use tile leveling systems. I've had some pretty crappy floors to work on but I would work it out by adding/lessening thinset OR leveling out the surface prior to tiling. I do work on both new and old work but have never needed a leveling system. Not saying it's not handy, I've just never had the need for it. Thank you for the video though.

I think a thin set mixer is more essential than the leveling clips

Nice tile cutter

Very nice smooth and clean tutorial. Thanks for examples!

Hi landberg, you forgat 1 very important too, mud mixer 👍

my brother that montoilt most times i can even cut outside cuts for side walls that thing is that good.!

Great job very very good

The list should be: 1. Thinset mixer 2. Manual tile cutter 3. Grinder and polisher 4. Wet tile saw. These are the true must have. The rest are making setting the tile much easier.

Good day

You have great tools

Coffee and a spliff!!!

Angle grinder , leveling clips , self leveling compound , proper mixer

Some good ideas for equipment. Regarding your Johnson level.... I switched to the Lithium AAA batteries and they last about 4 to 5 times as long as the standard batteries. They cost a bit more but it beats changing batteries every day or two. But definitely the 12 volt rechargeable unit is the way to go and definitely go with a green laser. The green laser costs a bit more but it is worth it.

Great Video,If truly could only have five tools for setting tile,WHAT WOULD THEY BE ? Just curious 🤔 Mine would be,wet saw,Trowel of my choice,grout float,bucket,Level 😆

Nice choice of tools, and great explanations/demonstrations!

You forgot to mention a grinder with a tile cutting wheel. With a snapper cutter, I hardly ever use a wetsaw anymore.

I tried a red line laser and gave up immediately . . . I'm colorblind and can't see the red line at all. Got a green line and it's like a whole new world!

I find the green lasers to thick the red is finer so I can be more precise.

It was very interesting watching you tools. I recently bought the Ryobi tile cut battery saw. I really like it. It is compact and very comfortable work with.

nice rail cutter, I like the swivel base.

idk any tile installers that use the leveling systems but I have use them on really big tiles only. My pops( been tiling for 40yrs) says they're make installing take longer and lowkey waste of money.But would use them on really big tiles so he wont have to reset them is they're not level

very nice tiles design

What about a good pair of tile nippers? yes a hand tile cutter on straight cuts is so much faster than a tile saw. I have different size tile saws also I only use my big Mk 10 inch saw only if it is necessary.

Heres a time-saver, leave the clips in when the mud is wet so u dont have to cut out thinset to put them in the next day. Just make sure they are in tight and no one touches them.

Before your father was born tile setters got along quite well without all that garbage, and they weren't plopping down "large format tiles"!!

Ty for the tips, will be starting my first tile project next month.

You should do videos about tools for apprentice/helpers and literally just for beginners trying to start in the trade just an idea I thought I'd share

Thank you for the info really enjoyed your knowledge

Thanks for the video, always enjoy them. Al from Maryland

I don't understand why a table top saw is needed when having a manual montolit tile cutter. Does the table top saw make better cuts ?

I love my mole tie tool 😂

The green is WAY more expensive. I'm cheap I lower the lighting🤪

Get a crane undercut saw its so much quicker I use mine to undercut doors too

I wanted to see you get at least 2 more 45deg cuts lol Honestly great video thanks. I'm a DYI guy

Need laser protective glasses

I've loved your things guys thanks.

Excellent video as always! Also love your music in your videos. Great stuff. Maybe share a spotify or songs you post in your videos sometimes.. just an idea haha

Love and thanks for your video. It will be my first tiling a 40 sq ft bathroom so trying to see what tool I should have/ must have. I have rental home that I will be tiling many bathroom. More like 30 bathroom. Please help, concern about price of the tools because buy Dewalt and Milwaukee. Thanks so much. All floors is wood sub floor.

For 12 years experience as a tiler thanks god my eyes is better than this laser and the time you will need to set up the laser before you start working I’ll be finished with tiling 😂😂🤣👍

A good set of knee pads? nips? margin trowel? grout float?(marshal town fan myself)

Tile leveling system is NOT a must have.....It's only a must have if you're not very good at leveling tiles. It slows down production, cost money and it's hard to play with tiles that are inconsistent in size when using a leveling system. You can use it if you want to.

Awesome! Been installing tile for years and just now found your page. Always love learning new better and faster ways to do the job. Thanks for the videos got an instagram and/or Facebook account? I’m not on RU-vid as often as I’d like to

I got all those exact tools in the back of my truck :)

why not just stick the tile level system in before you leave? then its already in there for tomorrow instead of having to grind it out?

Why do you need a tool for removing thinset? Just apply the leveling system before it cures?

Man thanks for you videos

And if you or anyone wants to step up there lazer level game a SICK SET UP IS the self leveling Dewalt cross line green level In combination with fastcaps"3rd hand HD Telescoping pole with fast caps lazer level mount worth every penny you set the pole behind you as your setting tile and just slid it up or down it goes all the way to the floor and all the way to the ceiling iv been using this set up for the last 5 years promise it is the only way it should be done better then any tripod or wall mount sec to set up an can move it any where they even have a Telescope and poll that can go up to 80' Best laser level set up ever I use it for everything hanging cabinetsPictures it's amazing you can even use the PoleTo hold weight use it as a Jack very cheap Price for an amazing set up you won't be disappointed

If your walls arent plumb, the vertical line on a laser will not work. Easier to just use a level on verticals

Have use that cutter one of the best Cutters but a little pricey

Just cut the clip with a pair of snips you can cut them down that's a lot easier and altering you're a grinding wheel

What kind of tile cutter is that? not bad at all I've been using SIGMA for the Last 15 years for me the best out there

You forgot the main tool that any tile installer would use at least once during any type of install if not on daily basis - angle grinder.

Once he said “here’s your johnson horizontal, and here’s your johnson vertical” I couldn’t pay attention anymore. Just due to the imaginary visual distraction.

Hello, Whats the make of the manual tile cutter?

What's the best laser for floor tile layout with right angles? Thnx

Great video! I have a question for you. Do you know of any technique for cutting glass tile without chipping the edges?

Do you prefer to use the manual tile cutter for all straight cuts or just back wall of the shower like mentioned in the video ?

Why didn't you compare the greenline dewalt to the red line Dewalt

Good that you have safety glasses, but I’m pretty sure they won’t help you if that grinder blade brakes, and you don’t have that guard on.