Set-And-Go Tile Spacer
By Benjamen Johnson
Although setting tile can be fun, we sometimes get frustrated trying to space ‘em just right. Experienced setters can rely on a practiced eye or thousands of those little spacers. For the rest of us, Prazi manufactures the Set & Go.
You can adjust the Set & Go to work with tiles measuring 8″ to 16″. The Set & Go holds four spacers in precise position, so you just set tiles on all four sides of it, then move the Set & Go to the next row, and continue setting tiles — no small spacers to set and pick up.
You can make different patterns with four different types of spacers: X-spacers for doing grid patterns, T-spacers for staggered or subway layouts, I-spacers for octagonal tiles, and L-spacers for starting in corners. Prazi makes spacers for either 1/4″ or 1/8″ spacing — they include the 1/4″ versions of the X, L, T, and I spacers with the Set & Go.
Pick up the Set & Go for $31 at Amazon. They also sell a set of four 1/8″ spacers for about $6.
Set & Go [Prazi]
Set and Go Via Amazon
X-Spacers Via Amazon
L-Spacers Via Amazon
T-Spacers Via Amazon
February 29th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Thats quite the interesting thing. I wonder how well it works though. I wouldn’t imagine it would work on walls at all though.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Looks all nice in neat without any thinset all over the spacers.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Looks to me like you would upset the already placed tiles when you set the one your working with.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Prazi also makes those chain-saw attachments for a Skil 77.
Not quite a chain mortiser - but I might buy one if I did timber-framing.
I have not consulted with him, but I can’t imagine my tile guy adding one of these to his kit. Maybe OK for a homeowner who is doing only 1 job and can toss it after it gets gummed up.
Like fishing lures (some catch more fisherman than fish) - the same is true about tools.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Fred: Why would this get gummed up?
February 29th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Re: Chris Says:
I’m assuming that you are either laying the tiles in mastic or thinset epoxy - that tends to ooze out as you set the tlies. The ooze out might be even more if you have to back-butter the tiles. I’m thinking that this will get on the plastic parts - and which may not be compatible with solvent cleaning. all of this is speculation on my part - we really should ask folks out there who have actually used one.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:26 am
Looks to me like the only thing that would get gummed up in that case is the spacer pieces themselves, which the post says can be replaced for $6. The way I figure it, $6 per tile job seems about right. Isn’t that about what a bag of plastic spacers costs at a big-box hardware store anyway?
I’ve never done any tile work myself, but there may be a tile job in my near future.
cl
March 1st, 2008 at 9:59 pm
maybe silly question?why not leave spacers between tiles and grout over them
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
Ken, I don’t know for certain, but I would think you’d have all those spots with thin cover of grout over them, possibility of it chipping out easily over time (?). Perhaps not as much an issue with a thick tile.
March 5th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
My first tile job was probably more than I should’ve taken on. 800 square ft of 12″ ceramic tile using 1/8″ spacers. I left every single one of those things in place and grouted over them. It’s been 5 years and I haven’t seen any problems yet.
This is an interesting idea but I’d think the plastic spacer portion would need to be wiped after setting every tile. Seems more trouble than it saves.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
[...] Set-And-Go Tile Spacer The Set and Go tile spacer is designed for speed. Instead of lining the floor with thousands of little spacers the Set and Go perfectly brackets in where the tile should go and gets you ready to lay the next one. We’re not sure how much time it’s actually saving but were betting you could have a room laid out before your knees give out from all the kneeling. [...]
March 8th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I’ve had good experience with tile spacers that sit above the tiles — essentially a disk with the cross that sticks down. Much easier to retrieve than the little rubbery ones, and you don’t have to worry about them getting stuck in there and too high to grout over well. They’re a little pricier than the standard ones, but more re-usable.
May 17th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
This would be all well and good if everytime you’re laying tile some jackass doesn’t come in and walk right onto it. The spacers are your best bet and I always just stand them up with only one arm between tiles so the floor looks like a giant miniature graveyard (big hassle pulling them out of the 4 corner joint) and run a broom across them before I grout.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Please send me all the info, regarding your tiles setting machine with spacers.
Also your best price per unit.
Regards,
Joe.
Set-And-Go Tile Spacer