steve’s top tool picks
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Steve’s must-have tools
It’s no surprise you see me using the Montolit Gold Line Blade all the time when doing tile work. It allows you to easily shave down tile, and it makes cutting circles in tiles a breeze. 10 out of 10 recommend.
The IRWIN LINOLEUM KNIFE is the tool I have on-hand during all of my bathroom remodels. It can be used for clearing thin-set off of tiles, removing stubborn tiles, etc. It’s a multi-tasker, which I love.
I use the Makita Paddle Switch Grinder on a regular basis when cutting tile. It helps with cutting holes in the tile, and the corded model here can plug into my shop vac to cut down on excess dust.
The Ardex Square Grout Sponge is the only one I use when cleaning up my thinset and grout. Hands down the most superior sponge you will find for doing tile work.
I definitely rely on the Dewalt Line Laser to make sure my tile work is as straight and level as I can possibly make it. This laser makes my work so much easier. I honestly don’t know how I went so long without one.
This isn’t the exact Mounting Pole that I use (it is no longer available), but it is the one I recommend. I will more than likely be purchasing this myself once I break my current pole. It’s only a matter of time!
The Frosch Trowel is excellent to use on large format tile, like big ol’ floor tiles.
The Ardex X77 is a premium thinset I use for intricate tile work (like mosaics) & glass tile.
This Ox Trowel is great for mosaic & subway tiles. It’s my go-to for the smaller tiles!
The Ardex X5 is my go-to thinset. It holds up for a long time and has good price point. I also love that it is non-sagging and it’s great for all sizes of tile.
The Ardex Mixing Paddle is a fantastic mixer for floor leveler. It has a more narrow tip that mixes well in standard sized buckets.
Without fail, I use the Collomix Mixer every time I mix up a bag of thinset mortar. It’s extremely powerful! The RPMs are much faster than others, which provides a superior mix to any thinset you are using. Ultimately, this mixer will result getting the best performance out of your thinset.
The Dewalt Taping Knife Set is an essential set when finishing drywall. I love that all of these items are bundled in one order!
I use the Schluter Ditra Trowel for setting the Ditra underlayment. It’s really important to use this trowel because it gives you the accurate amount and control of thinset you need to properly set the Ditra.
I’ve tried many very expensive tile saws, and I find the Dewalt Wet Tile to be the most universal and accurate tile saw.
The Fein Turbo Dust Extractor is honestly one of the best tools I have on my jobs. It’s very powerful and takes a beating. I use it with my tile grinder to cut down on the dust— the shop vac automatically will turn itself on when I turn on the grinder. It will save your lungs, no doubt. My wife loves it, too. I don’t cough nearly as much as I used to with this working along my side.
I use the Fein Dust Guard along with my Fein shop vac, and it has helped protect my lungs and cut down on dust significantly on the job site. Hands down, best system.
I love the Brutus Horseshoe Spacers because they are really easy to use, and you can re-use them! I find them to be very accurate, and if I need a bigger grout joint, I just double up the spacers.
This Schluter Kerdi Trowel is the one I use for setting the Kerdi membrane. Again, it’s really important to use this trowel because it gives you the correct amount and control of thinset you need to properly set the membrane.
I grab the Makita Circular Saw to cut my framing— easy and quick! Basically, anything and everything you would need to cut with a circular saw, this thing will do it. It’s just as powerful as the corded.
Microfiber Cloths help prevent epoxy haze from forming on your tilework. These are the only ones I like to use.
The Montolit Tile Cutter cuts up to 25 inch tiles. It’s extremely accurate, and it’s the only cutter that I know of that can cut down to 1/2 inch slivers off of tile.
Dry Diamond Polishing Pads— I don't have to use these often, but when I do need to polish natural stone, they work beautifully. No scratching or scuffing-- fast and easy!
The Montolit Minipiuma Tile Cutter is great for cutting small tile, like subway tile. It works really well in tight spaces— takes up barely any room at all!
I use the Light Duty Scrub Pads when scrubbing off the haze on tile after I use an epoxy grout. They are great to use and extremely efficient!
The Troxell Grout Float has stiff but flexible edges that help pack premixed grouts and/or epoxy grouts into grout joints. 10 out of 10 recommend!
The Grabo is great for that extra hand needed when lifting massive tile. It’s the tile quicker picker upper!
Since bathroom remodeling means reconfiguring plumbing, I use the Rigid Tubing Cutter for all of my projects. Plumbing made easy with this cutter for cutting PEX!