FFTSE will feature a challenging tile competition. With assistance from Colin Cass & apprentices at TAFE we have designed and constructed a module which Colin estimates will take a competent fixer a maximum of 3 hours to tile & grout.

To increase interest in the competition each tiler will have a choice of colours in at least 2 of the materials eg. red, white & blue mosaic to choose from. So while the prime objective is to tile the module, there is also an element of design involved, which will hopefully result in each entry looking different.

The drawing attached is based on the actual photograph taken by Col, who is arranging for :
a) Carpentry students to line each module with 4mm MDF, prior to the bays being braced & clad in an appropriate sheeting. This will allow the bays to be used again.
b) The addition of a 900 x 200 x 200mm hebel block along one wall, which will be tiled as a step. Edges to be finished in tile trim.

1) We require all participating adhesive manufacturers to supply 2 or 3 tilers who should:
Wear a t-shirt with company logo
Tiler's should bring their own tools
A wet cutter and sufficient water will be supplied, although it is not anticipated that any of the cuts will be particularly difficult.

2) Obviously each company's entrants will use their brand of adhesive & grout to fix ceramic tile, mosaic or stone

3) Appropriate signage will be permanently placed by each work station listing the participating companies & their stand numbers.

Day 1: Thursday April 17:

2 tilers will concurrently participate at station 1 (see floor plan) & two others will work at station 2, commencing at 10.30 am and finishing at 1.30 pm.
2.30 pm - 5.30 pm - Repeat
Each module will be placed several metres apart. Tilers are requested to be as neat as possible. The area will be cleaned by the venue and modules will carefully be removed and replaced at night. Each module will stand on a pallet & base.

Day 2: Friday April 18:

2 tilers will concurrently participate at station 1 (see plan) & two others will work at station 2, commencing at 10.30 am and finishing at 1.30 pm.
2.30 pm - 5.30 pm - Repeat

Before the competition each tiler will be provided with a drawing of the module with precise dimensions, location of the hebel step, & choice of available tiles & their dimensions. This should enable them to pre-determine which colour combination they will use before they start. Tiles will be located with adhesive, grout & trim at each work station.

Tiling must by symmetrical & well aligned with evenly spaced joints, precise cutting & neat grouting. The objective is to finish within the allotted time frame & produce a well tiled colour co-ordinated entry.

ATC/ASAA representatives will judge the entries on Saturday Morning (April 19). Presentation will take place at a tiler's BBQ in area 1822 which is located just outside. All associated suppliers of material & entrants are invited to attend.

1st Prize: B.A.T Trims are providing a Raimondi Zoe 85A 3hp saw with a cutting length of 850mm. This new model will cut tile & stone & is valued at AU$3600.00
2nd Prize: CDK Stone will donate Flex tiling tools.
Flex L3709 /125 small portable wet saw supplied with blade
Flex L3403VRG variable speed polisher, with coupling & a full set of diamond blades
Flex R500 FR adhesive mixer
Approximate value $1500.00
3rd Prize:
Husqvarna will provide a TS 230 I lightweight wet saw that has a cutting depth of 46mm & can be used to cut a variety of materials. Value approximately $500.00

Please call Rowena Rowbotham (03 9888 3459) & provide the name of each entrant. Six adhesive companies are participating and as 6 does not divide neatly into 16 the first 4 companies who put their hands up can enter 3 tilers.
Please nominate a preferred starting time for each entrant & ensure they come to your stand 30 minutes before the scheduled start.
In addition each entrant will be given a FFTSE cap & t-shirt. Photos of the competition entrants and the winning entries will appear in the May edition of Tile Today.
Please advise tiler’s names by March 11 latest. We can send drawings to you or directly to the tiler in question.
The prizes are valuable & we hope that the competition will prove to be an eye catching exhibit.