Nice work nick ,really nice

 

I ate a wheelbarrow full of chit on this one.

Had a crappy day.

Rushed my layout.

Hated the proportion/symmetry of the H-bone....ripped it off...shifted and re-cut....started over...

Frame tiles were bowed almost a quarter, and ALL varied in length, up to 1/2" (leaving my finishing miters unequal lengths)....hadn't really checked sizing, because I was so astonished by the curvature and bowing.

Laid out the subways wrong (out from the horizontal center instead of breaking on center), and was explaining to the picky HO why I mathematically was going to have to leave a monster grout joint around the frame...... as I realized I had temporarily lost all use of my pea brain (saved it just in time, but still appeared fairly inept).

I was lucky it was a splash....and that I had two helpers with me to clean up after the messes I seemed to keep making.

Bad day......chit happens.

 

I'm sure if all of us were honest with ourselves, if you've been at it long enough, you've had jobs that your customer loved and you just weren't happy with and knew it wasn't your best work. There is a laundry list of reasons. Logistics, schedule, stress, etc. I've done the best I could with horrible materials.

How many of you have installed box store tile that was 3/16" or better out of size, unsquare, and shaped like a potato chip? Of course they wanted a 1/8" grout joint too...

I've posted enough pictures here to be judged and I'm sure not everyone was in love with my work. That's OK with me. I know exactly what I'm capable of so a random negative opinion really doesn't matter.

Sometimes the jobs I'm most proud of aren't the most stunning visually. The only people that would get it are some of you guys that had the ability to see what I started with and what materials were used to achieve it.

 

Paul, What the heck? I come on here this afternoon and all I see are your posts and they all fricken rock What did you do climb the mountain and eat all the sensai beans?

 

Some days you're the windshield and some days you're the bug lol. Thanks man

 

I was not gonna write it here anymore, but I have to respond Rob and Paul's comment and clarify some points, this is a direct respond to them but nobody, still I have no intention of being in this forum anymore.
I have no objection of criticism, otherwise I would be furious about Rob's comments, but when this guy just comes along and without any thing more, just comments as my work as"horrible", it makes me wonder why he says that, so I asked, but I bet he does not know why he did say,(maybe feeling the need of mimicking Rob's comments),then he remembers Rob was saying something about wavy mmm.. slivers, so he answers "waviness, slivers, uneven lines,NOTHING LINES UP etc.." funny thing about it Rob was saying wavy about membrane not shower pan tiles, but he gotta answer so he writes anything it comes to his mind, I bet he does not know the grout is urethane and it does not come smooth as cement grout, BECAUSE he is not there to criticize, he is there to bash something, he is there to bully someone, look down from the high level..if he has any intention of criticize, he would explain it like Rob did..then I would explain the $1 tile, someone's design etc. but NO, he labels like a jury member in a tacky TV contest.

Lets talk about ego, he posted today how picky what he does and that is why he has great customers blaha..blah blah..any proof? anyone seen his work?.. easy to talk..
Just click on his nick and see his post..all 2000 posts, not one picture of his work...not even one project picture... all his responses are about "off topic", beer and kidney stones stories... he has a big ego, he is the greatest what he does (whatever he does??) that is why he has all his customers blah blahhh but he does not have a smart phone with a camera:laughing: maybe he does secret service finish carpentry:clap:but he has a great sidekick as well.
He is big BS and good luck dealing with him.

 

Astor if you let one guy run you off then you've lost. There is so much you could learn from this site and contribute to it that it would be a shame.

I have gotten into it many times, said some stupid arse chit or just butted with guys wanting to walk away but it would have served no purpose and I would have been the one who missed out.

In fact, some of the guys that I have butted heads most are some of the guys that I am closest to here.

Hang with us and if you have to, put him on your ignore list.

 

I wasn't repeating anyone's words.
This picture speaks for itself...

 

I wasn't repeating anyone's words.

This picture speaks for itself...

So no picture of your work??
Astor is making some good points

My honest first reaction to astors original post is "why is he wasting his time with this low rent stuff?" Betting the customer didn't spend more than $500 for that ugly tile

I've only seen top notch high end work from him

 

Astor, I've been following along and you're wrong.

You received some criticism that was not sugar coated. Sometimes, that's the best kind. It's usually blunt, but very honest. If you learn from it you usually become a better tradesmen.

I'm terrible at setting tile. I posted a project on here and also received some criticism. But, unlike you, I KNEW my work was flawed. I welcomed criticism and asked for advice about how to improve, how to avoid the same mistakes. And, I got that advice and then some.

There are some really incredible tile setters on here. Of course they're going to point out some flaws. That's how we learn. They would be doing you an injustice to just say, "hey, it looks great. Keep up the good work." Can't you see that??

Sometimes criticism is a little bitter pill. But, we're men and we're supposed to be able to handle that easily. I didn't read any personal or character attacks.

I think you work is good, not great, but good. I've seen better and worse. I agree with the criticism given. If you take it all in, and learn from it, your next job will be much better.

Never stop learning and trying to improve. No one is perfect.

Just my unsolicited two cents. I also hope you stay. We all learn from threads like this. If everyone just posted impeccable, flawless work what would be the point??? We all can find pictures in magazines if that's what we're looking for.

Have a great day,
Jon

 

Astor, I've been following along and you're wrong.

You received some criticism that was not sugar coated. Sometimes, that's the best kind. It's usually blunt, but very honest. If you learn from it you usually become a better trade.

Have a great day,
Jon

Still you did not get it, instead of being his sidekick,you better read from the start, I have no problem with criticism,-read my first response to Rob. I admit this is not my best, there are legimate reasons for some o those flaws and I had explained it. There is no way this work is can be labelled as "#horrible"
Even when they choose jury members for contests,they need to be qualified for that, he has no qualification to show he can label my work.
Still no word why he does not contribute to this forum with any of his picky work.

 

2x9 polished herringbone With a nice squared edge. It's been a long day so far...

The second picture is from where I left off yesterday.

 

That looks killer Wiz.:thumbsup:

I need to talk someone into that.

 

Astor, you don't have to be great at something to see that someone else is also not great.

I'm a terrible mason. But, I'm pretty confident I'm qualified to point out the obvious flaws in someone else's brick work. There are countless analogies to support that point.

 

I have seen Astor post up for years. I have seen some of his stuff that is amazing. Everybody take a deap breath and get off his balls...

 

Sorry Matt, I know your work and it's impeccable, but if you posted pics like those, I would say something. I don't think that we were all out of line.

 

:laughing::laughing:

 

 

As flat as possible. What a long day

 

Never even seen marble herringbone before.....looks awesome

 

While that is seriously nice looking Ill bet its going to be slicker than a minoe's D.

I honestly dont think I would be able to find the patience to pull that off. Well laid sir!

 

I mean who would run the border into a window like that?

 

That's not the issue, it's why didn't the border continue on the top to match the bottom? :laughing:

 

Prick... lol

 

That's grumpy old prick

BTW, am I allowed to say prick here, I was told by a mod to clean it up...

 

Seems all I do is post niches.... This one is...well.. It's something...

I had to bullnose and polish about 50 lnft of Emperador marble on this bathroom....

 

No comments on the awful tile selection? You guys are too kind.

Here's the other bathroom I did in that house. Bleeeeeech!

 

I didn't think it looked that bad in the first pic, but the second bathroom is a bit harsh. I typically don't criticize selection. I am more interested in correct installation and installing crap to make it look as nice as possible. Seems that you have achieved that in both pics.

 

I would never say anything to the homeowner on color selection... I'd advise them if their layout is a poor design, but usually when they ask how it looks, I smile and say, "Looks nice!"

There's always a little disappointment though when you're putting together a shower that you know will never make page one of your website.

I want to show the wife and friends pictures that make them ooh, and ahh... not eew, gawd!

 

There have been a few that will never make it on here and will never will make it on the portfolio.

 

It hurt my eyes i just pass on by........

 

This was a very small bathroom we did and since I've asked to pick all of your brains and claimed that I am a self proclaimed "average tiler" I thought I would jump into the wolf's den and get opinions on this one.

I can take it, so give it to me straight! (PS sorry for the sideways pics not sure how to straighten them)

Mark

 

Looks great to me.
The caulking between the wall tile and painted wall could use a nice sharp cut in. Or use grout and shape it, or mask when caulking.

 

It looks great you should be proud

 

I was thinking the same thing! I'd be proud to have that in my portfolio.

 

I'm seriously shocked right now.
I swear I used to think I was a big deal as I run into so many lower quality jobs that I was doing a good job.

Then I come on here and feel very small. Made my night, thanks fellas!

Now if I can figure out the art of all the bloody thinsets and natural stone I would feel more comfortable. I have a marble herringbone floor and 2x12 glass tile tub surround coming up. I'm rather scared and may just sub due to my fear

 

I think it looks great. I Really do.

I also feel the same way as you. I feel like if I posted pictures from some of our best jobs, they'd be small crap compared to what some of the guys post on here.

I think it's not important how "high end" your job is but rather that you deliver an awesome product for a good price at whatever level your client is looking for. And that when you're done, the client is very satisfied.

 

Here A few I have done.

 

Rhino, looks great to me