Try looking up the tuscan leveling system, or marble plane. These are two systems your installer may be looking at.

I was just going to say the same thing. I just purchased the Tuscan system. I've seen pictures of floors done with it, and they're as reflection perfect as a solid mirror.

Cool. I like it. Has anyone actually used this product. Viewed the video, looks painless, but that is sales marketing. Any comments?

I know someone who has, otherwise I wouldn't have been willing to give it a shot, for the very same reason that saxmaan brought up. But the guy I'm talking about is someone whose judgement I trust. I've known him for about 6 years, and like I said, I've seen pictures of the work done with the system, one of which was his own dining room floor, and the flatness of the floor is unrivaled. It's that good. I'll see if he can either register and come in here with the pics, or send them to me so I can post them.

What's up, as soon as I get a chance, I'll post some photos.

How do you post photos here?

Test.

[IMG]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/Rich7/P1010344Custom.jpg[/IMG]

Richie-- instead of using the IMG line, use the html line.

Can I try?

Is this only really for marble...would it make sense for regular tiles? And I guess it only makes sense for "large" sized material.

It only really makes sense for stone and rectified porcelain, where the edges are pretty much square and the tiles get set with extremely tight joints.

Rich, could you post that picture of the finished floor looking out at the slider?

Oh well-- slider, french doors-- My memory ain't what it usta be!! What's important is that reflection. THAT'S what you get from using that "leveling contraption". When working on polished stone, that reflection will tattle on you every time. If a tile is so much as 1/64" out of whack, the reflection will be broken, and there's no denying it.

Holy Moly!

That is something!

I wonder how many home owners even appreciate [or notice] that level of craftsmanship.

How much does said Tuscan system cost?

It's not cheap, I'll tell you that.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tuscan Leveling ordering page

Wow, just the consumables (assume the caps aren't reusable) are ~$5/tile. Now I know why I stick with porcelain. :-)

Amazing floor, tileman!

Bill, question on the gun...

Is it adjustable so you have it at one setting when you snug the tiles up, then another for when you go back and snap the straps off?

What I'm wondering is if you snug the strap too tight during the initial setting process, can you snap it? Or is there an adjustment or stop on the gun to prevent you from squeezing too hard and snapping the strap when you set the tile.

weedy, the straps are "consummables", the caps can be reused.

I give the inventor credit, that looks like a nifty product. Definitely pricey, but as a time saver for sure.

Mongo

Wonder if it could be used to make a rustic slate floor a little less rustic. Maybe isn't really needed, I just did my bathroom [first slate], and by the end had gotten much better at spotting the tiles that would need an extra thick back butter to bring them up to height. Still a long way from flat, of course...

Mongo-- It's not adjustable. It actually has two "stops" for lack of a better word, one for snugging up the straps, and one for popping them afterward.

oruboris-- unfortunately, it has the restraint of reality. :-) When you have a tile where three corners are all the same and the fourth one takes a dip like a ski slope, there's just no hope for it!

Wow, just the consumables (assume the caps aren't reusable) are ~$5/tile.

Actually, the caps ARE reuseable. The only thing that isn't are the straps. Once you snap them off, they pull through the caps just like electrical ties.