Spin DoctorLippage Control System 250 Starter Kit With 1/8 Base plates, Tile Leveling System 1/8

My wife and I DIY little things all the time, but undertaking a massive tiling project is not for the faint of heart. But this product changed everything.The TWO biggest visual problems with tiling for a DIYer are:1) straight grout lines2) uneven surface from tile to tileThis product, with your attention and understanding, cures 99% of those two visual issues -- and with virtually no stress (other than what you inflict on yourself, and I still had some of that for that initial laying, until I realized it was all in my head!!).We've completed two family bathroom, a massive kitchen, and just completed the master bath with non-slip, high-gloss, large format Turkish porcelain (pic #5) on the floor. COULD NOT BE MORE THRILLED!!In pic #1, if you look close at the base of the black stem, you can see the perforation marks. As you likely know by now, these remain in place after removal of the stems. YOU MUST allow the tiles to set in the mortar according to your mortar manufacturer's instructions. Then, you will be happiest if you remove the stems with a smack (rubber mallet or your shoe) IN THE DIRECTION OF THE GROUT LINE in order for the perforation to give way at the base. If you kick perpendicular to the grout line, you will bust the stem and create an entire new layer of work for yourself removing a flawed piece of plastic protruding where there should be nothing. When you kick in line with the grout line, the perforation gives way leaving a clean grout line. 100% of the time.In pic #2, you can see that we are working our way with a large format tile in the kitchen. If you must stop work until another day, you can still achieve happiness and flawless results if:- You are following the tile manufacturer's instructions and using the correct mortar and trowel for the tile- I realized that the point in applying the mortar isn't to create a thick platform, but rather to promote coverage of the mortar on the back of the tile. That's it. Coverage. If you watch YouTube videos by the national tile association, you'll see the point visually. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Way5bMh-eYg&t=220sSo, when you get to a row where you must stop, apply the mortar per instructions, and press each tile down properly -- which in this case is reasonably snug against the footing of the black stem. The next day, when you start, resume as normal. The prior day's tiles aren't going to budge, but as long as you are applying the mortar the same exact way, you should be fine.In pic #3, you can see my working kit:- Inside the cardboard box I kept an easy to reach set of used black stems for cleaning grout lines on-the-fly. Keep those grout lines free of mortar -- but don't stress about it if some oozes out here and there. I carefully used the blue-handled tool (it is a grout remover [though we are discussing mortar here] with a 1/8" blade, and some spray water to loosen the mortar and it comes right out after I could get back on the tiles after 24 hours). Also, I thought I was manly and just dove right into laying tile and didn't use gloves initially. It took THREE WEEKS for the acid burns to subside on my finger tips...and before I could feel again. Don't be me. Use gloves from the get go.Pic #4 is the finished result of the large format porcelain tile in our kitchen. The spacer product was excellent here, and the only challenge I faced was the tile itself, it was manufactured with an ever so slight flare from top surface to bottom, and that was inconsistent, so I had to be artistic with "little adjustments" to many tiles. Even so, the job looks fantastic.Pic #5 is the finished result of the large format porcelain tile on our master bath floor. This room terrified me, the thought of high gloss. It just felt like it was going to be unforgiving. However, that too proved to be all in my head. I just used what I'd learned on the other rooms and this room was actually a joy to do. Note: Amazon also sells an optional clear protection plate that goes between the red cap and the tile. I did use this clear protection plate on the high gloss porcelain, out of an abundance of caution, to minimize the likelihood of any scratching from screwing down the red caps -- you're moving on the fly, working against mortar that is drying, and some of it inevitably ends up on the surface, even the tiniest amount. We had zero issues in the other rooms, and it didn't seem likely here. But, an ounce of prevention is worth a whole lot of cure. NOTE: I had a bugger of a time finding these anywhere. Lowe's sells them but you have to cut off an arm and a leg. Eventually found them on Amazon when I searched for "Universal Clear Protection Plates for Tile Leveling Systems". These are reusable. The question is: How many do I need? If you're going to lay a glossy tile, you need clear plates equal to the number of black spacers you'll use. When I did the master bath, I used an average of 10 levelers (black stems with red caps and clear plates) along the edge of each tile, and I laid 60 tiles in the first juggernaut. That was 8 hours of work (we had already pre-cut and dry-fitted all the tile on a prior day and those hours aren't counted in the laying of the tile). The more psychotic you are about straight lines and level surfaces, and a little paranoid, the more stems you'll use!!!

Ordered this kit twice. First time didn't inspect until after 30 day return window. Second time same issue. Description clearly states " Kit include: 100 caps (reusable for multiple jobs), 250 black base plates 1/8 (black)". Did not get the red reusable caps either time, so I can not use or complete my project.

This system works really well. I have not tried any other system, and it is possible that one of the ones that uses a tool to tighten would be less hard on the hands. But I also like that I don't need the tool and I would choose this system again.With no experience I had trouble figuring out what quantities I needed. Here is some perspective. As a DIY home remodeler working on my own I can set 60 12x24 tiles in a day. It's a pretty intense and very full on day. That quantity of 12x24 tiles requires 200 caps. I needed a thousand of the bottom pieces but did not end up needing 400 of the tops, so I could have purchased two of these sets and the additional lower pieces by themselves. Figure about 3.33 tops per 12x24 tile, or round up to 4. If you are faster at tiling, and/or have a helper you can probably get more done in a day, if your job is even that big, so calculate accordingly.

I tiled my bathroom walls and the leveling system worked great. Tip: when you break them off with a hammer hit the flat side.

I like these, they really do prevent lippage. They are not cheap, but neither is a tile job. I had some difficult knocking them off at first, but it was mostly technique and inexperience. They recommend a large rubber mallet, and once I began using that tool they snap off pretty easily. A heavy plastic tile hammer did not work well. Kicking also works on floor tile installations. The spinners seem quite durable, I've used some of them 3x now.

The media could not be loaded.  I used these with 12"x24" porcelain tiles. During install, they were extremely easy to use. I probably used way more than I needed to, but these were a small portion of the overall price of the bathroom remodel...this was not going to be what broke my budget.Others have complained about the heads not breaking off after install, but so far, I have only had one do that (and it was one that my daughter kicked). Just make sure to leave the red tops on while kicking. I had finished tiling at about 9pm and didn't want to mess with them the next night, so I gave the floor about 36 hours to dry before I started breaking them off. I have two tips: 1) kick them in-line with the layout. Your instinct will be to kick them perpendicular to the grout line, but that won't work, they'll just bend. 2) put your floor register cover on first...I had to dig multiple out. :-)Overall a great product.

Ordered a starter kit which, as per item description, should include 100 reusable caps and 250 spacers of selected size. Received a box with spacers, but no caps. Thought maybe the caps might be coming in a separate shipment but not the case.Also, be aware that the surface protector sheets that are pictured in the item description are NOT included (either).Not a kit, just hit and miss shipping?EDIT: Received 2nd “replacement kit”, again, no caps. Plain and simple FALSE advertising. I expect more from Amazon. This is NOT acceptable. Do NOT buy this “kit”. Go elsewhere, maker and/or seller.

false advertising for this product purchase this product already twice

This is supposed to be a starter kits with caps and bases, it does not come with the caps so the bases are just overpriced shims unless you already have caps. Product looks fine but I did not get what was described on the website.

Excellent product, easy to use, so happy I purchased. It made the spacing and lips between the tiles dead on.My walls and floors looked amazing for a do it yourself install.With a quick tap from my rubber hammer, they broke away without any damage to tiles.

They work great never thought it would be that easy to get a great looking tile job

Bought this “kit” in November (return ability ended Jan 31st) and didn’t open until now when I am ready to do my tile. Apparently I did not receive the starter kit with all pieces as describes I only got the spacers. Being the first time I was buying this system I don’t have the ability to use just the spacers hence why I got the “starter kit” extremely disappointed at the now waste of money