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Notched Trowel — 6 mm Square Notch
Product Description
Notched Trowel 702301-76, one of the five art numbers of the German Standard Notched Trowel series (702301-74 / -76 / -78 / -80 / -82).
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Product name | Notched Trowel |
| Art. Nr | 702301-76 |
| Blade size | 130 mm x 280 mm (approx. 5-1/8" x 11") |
| Notch type | Square, the ⊔ profile |
| Notch size | 6 mm x 6 mm |
| Construction | Spot Riveted |
| Blade material | Stainless steel; for carbon steel, contact sales |
| Handle | Blue bridge handle on a mount |
| Product line | German Standard Notched Trowel |
| Series siblings | 702301-74 / -76 / -78 / -80 / -82 |
| Flat-blade counterpart | German Standard Trowel 702301, same 130 mm x 280 mm blade, wood handle |
702301-76 is the 6 mm size of the German Standard Notched Trowel series: five art numbers, one square notch size each (4–12 mm), all on a 130 × 280 mm blade. Choose the art number by the notch that matches the tile you are setting: see Selection Guide and How to Use below.
It is the general-purpose notch size for wall tile, not a specialty item. The 6 x 6 mm square notch is the size to reach for on standard ceramic wall tile between 100 mm and 300 mm: the 10x10 to 30x30 cm formats that make up most bathroom and kitchen wall work.
Bed thickness becomes a specifiable number, not a feel. A square notch compresses to roughly half its depth once the tile is bedded, so a 6 mm notch leaves about a 3 mm bed. When an architect or main contractor specifies adhesive thickness rather than tile size, this rule lets you answer from the notch size alone.
Square geometry lays a fuller bed than a U or V notch of the same depth. For a given notch depth the square profile carries more adhesive, and the flat-bottomed rib fills voids in an uneven tile back rather than bridging them. The trade-off: square ribs collapse sideways and will trap air if the tile is twisted down.
Five art numbers, one blade size. 702301-74 through -82 each carry one square notch size (4–12 mm), all on the same 130 mm x 280 mm blade, so a crew moving from wall tile to floor tile changes art number without changing reach, balance or blade area.
Stainless steel blade. The art numbers in this series are stainless steel, with high corrosion resistance and low maintenance, which suits wet-area work and sites where tools are hosed down daily. Each art number corresponds to one blade material; carbon steel, the lower-cost option where the tool is dried and oiled after each use, is available through Leading Tools sales.
Spot Riveted mounting. The blade is joined to the mount by spot-riveting; for mount material and joint details, contact us.
Same blade as the flat 702301. The flat German Standard Trowel 702301 uses the identical 130 mm x 280 mm blade. A contractor already running the flat trowel gets a notched tool with the same footprint and coverage rate per pass.
| Application | Tile size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dry-area wall tile | 100–300 mm (10x10 to 30x30 cm) | The core band for this notch; approx. 3 mm bed |
| Wet-area wall tile | 100–200 mm | Achievable, but the 95–100% coverage requirement means checking a lifted tile early and back-buttering if short |
| Small-format floor tile | Up to 200 mm | Floors must be laid solid bed to 95–100%; above 200 mm move to 702301-78 |
| Mosaic sheets | Not recommended | Use 702301-74 (4 mm) for material up to 100 mm |
| Tile above 300 mm | Not recommended | Move up the series; combing alone will not reach coverage |
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Load and spread | Place adhesive on the substrate with the flat of the blade | The flat face does the placing; the notched edge only meters it |
| 2. Comb | Hold the notched edge at approximately 45° and draw it through in one direction only | Never swirl or rotate the trowel: curved passes fold air into the bed |
| 3. Use the angle as a control | Work within 45–60°; a steeper angle leaves a thicker bed | Adjust the angle for tile size rather than changing tools mid-run |
| 4. Set the tile | Press the tile straight down into the ribs with firm, even pressure | Do not twist square-notch ribs down: twisting is the classic way to trap air under a square notch |
| 5. Check coverage | Lift one tile early in the run and read the back | Dry walls need 80% contact; wet walls and floors need 95–100% |
| 6. Correct | If short, back-butter or move up one notch size | Back-butter with the same notched edge at 45°, one direction, over the full tile back |
| What you see on the tile back | Reading | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous adhesive with closed ribs, 95–100% | Meets the floor and wet-area standard | Continue; no change needed |
| 80–95%, ribs closed over most of the back | Acceptable for a dry interior wall only | Back-butter for wet areas and floors |
| Below 80%, open rib lines still visible | Below standard for every application | Move up one notch size, or back-butter, or both |
| Air voids at the tile centre | Ribs were twisted rather than pressed | Press straight down; stop rocking square-notch tile |
This is the size band the 6 mm notch was made for. Comb the substrate at 45° in a single direction, working an area you can tile before the adhesive skins, and press tiles straight home.
Expect roughly a 3 mm bed; adhesive consumption depends on the adhesive and the substrate, so estimate it from the adhesive manufacturer's data sheet. Lift the first tile of each wall to confirm at least 80% contact before committing to the run.
Wet-area walls carry the same 95–100% coverage requirement as floors, which is a step change from the 80% minimum for a dry wall. Two practical consequences: keep to the lower half of the tile-size band with this notch, and verify coverage on a lifted tile rather than assuming it.
If the back reads short, back-butter the tile with the same notched edge at 45° in one direction. Specify the stainless steel blade for wet-area crews: it has high corrosion resistance and low maintenance; chlorinated water, coastal air or prolonged soaking can still cause rust spots, so rinse with clean water and dry after use.
Open time and grouting time are set by the adhesive manufacturer's data sheet, not by the trowel: always work to the adhesive's stated open time.
Combing the substrate alone will not reach the required coverage on large-format or low-porosity tile; the tile back is buttered as well. A 12" x 24" (300 x 600 mm) tile, for example, is commonly laid with a 10 mm notch plus back-buttering to reach 95% coverage: that is a job for 702301-80, not for this 6 mm tool.
Back-butter with the same notched edge held at 45°, combing in one direction across the whole tile back. The rule of thumb for this series: match the notch to the tile size from the table in the Selection Guide first, then add back-buttering if the lifted-tile check still reads short.
Natural stone backs are frequently uneven, which is exactly the case where a flat-bottomed square rib helps: the constant-section rib fills the low spots rather than bridging them.
For medium-sized stone the 6 mm notch is at the lower end of what is usable: check coverage on a lifted piece and step up to 702301-78 if the back reads short. Specify the stainless blade where the stone or the setting material holds moisture against the tool. Confirm adhesive compatibility with the stone supplier before starting; some stones are sensitive to cement-based and to moisture-carrying adhesives.
| Adhesive type | Suitability with a 6 mm square notch | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cement-based thin-set mortar | Standard application | The reference case for the notch-to-tile-size tables |
| Polymer-modified thin-set | Suitable | Longer open time; clean the blade before the polymer starts to cure |
| Ready-mixed paste adhesive | Test first | Thicker pastes may not release cleanly from a 6 mm notch; comb a test area |
| Epoxy adhesive | Test first, and clean immediately | Cured epoxy has to be removed mechanically and solvents can damage the blade |
| Error | Result | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Swirling or rotating the trowel | Air folded into the bed; inconsistent rib height | Comb in one direction only, every pass |
| Angle drifting through the stroke | Bed thickness varies across the wall | Hold a steady 45–60° from start to finish of each pass |
| Twisting the tile down onto square ribs | Trapped air at the tile centre | Press straight down; U-notch ribs tolerate rocking, square ribs do not |
| Using a 6 mm notch on tile above 300 mm | Coverage below the required percentage | Move up the series and back-butter |
| Clogged notches | Rib height drops, coverage drops with it | Clear the notches before the adhesive sets |
Q: What tile size is the 6 mm square notch actually for?
A: Standard ceramic wall tile of roughly 100–300 mm (10x10 to 30x30 cm) in dry areas. It leaves about a 3 mm bed once the tile is pressed in. Adhesive consumption depends on the adhesive and the substrate; estimate it from the adhesive manufacturer's data sheet.
Q: There are air pockets under the middle of my tiles.
A: This is the classic square-notch problem: the tile was twisted or rocked into the adhesive, so the ribs collapsed sideways over trapped air. Press the tile straight down with firm, even pressure.
Q: When should I move up to the 8 mm or 10 mm trowel?
A: When the tile is larger than about 200 mm on a floor or about 300 mm on a wall. 702301-78 (8 mm) suits 200–400 mm floor tile, -80 (10 mm) suits 300–600 mm, and -82 (12 mm) suits 600–900 mm.
Q: Carbon steel or stainless steel: which should I order?
A: The art numbers in this series are stainless steel, the right choice for wet-area work and for crews who wash tools down daily. Each art number corresponds to one blade material. Carbon steel is the lower-cost option and is fine where the blade is dried and lightly oiled after use; contact Leading Tools sales for it.
Q: Is 702301-76 the same tool as the flat 702301?
A: Same blade size, different tool. 702301 is the flat, un-notched German Standard Trowel with a wood handle; 702301-76 is the 6 mm square-notch version on the same 130 mm x 280 mm blade, with a blue bridge handle.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Blade shape | Rectangular flat blade |
| Blade size | 130 mm x 280 mm (approx. 5-1/8" x 11") |
| Notch profile | Square (SQ), flat-bottomed, 90° notch walls |
| Notch size | 6 mm x 6 mm |
| Notched edges | Square notches are cut into the blade edge; the blade face itself stays flat and smooth so the same tool loads and spreads adhesive before combing |
| Notch layout | The notches run along one long combing edge and the adjacent short end; the remaining edges are left plain |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Handle type | Bridge handle |
| Handle color | Blue |
| Mounting | Blue handle on a mount; the blade is joined to the mount by spot-riveting; for mount material and joint details, contact us |
The art numbers in this series are stainless steel. Each art number corresponds to one blade material; for a carbon steel blade, contact Leading Tools sales. The comparison below is for reference.
| Variant | Blade material | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel | Carbon steel blade | Dry-area work and cost-driven projects where the blade is dried and lightly oiled after each use |
| Stainless steel | Stainless steel blade | Wet areas, daily washdown, long service life; high corrosion resistance and low maintenance |
The base code 702301 refers to the flat, wood-handled German Standard Trowel. The notched versions are identified by their -74 / -76 / -78 / -80 / -82 suffixes, not by the base code alone.
| Notch type | Characteristics | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Square 6 mm x 6 mm | 6 mm wide notches with 6 mm gaps between them and a 6 mm depth, producing parallel ribs of even height; the flat notch bottom gives a rib of constant cross-section | Standard ceramic and porcelain wall tile of 100–300 mm in dry areas |
| Rib collapse | When the tile is pressed straight down, the ribs spread sideways and close the gaps between them; the resulting bed is roughly half the notch depth | Reaching the specified coverage percentage without over-applying adhesive |
| Failure mode to know | Square ribs collapse toward both sides and can fold air into the bed if the tile is twisted or rocked while setting | Set square-notch tile with straight pressure; leave rocking for U-notch work |
Correct notch, correct coverage. Coverage is a specified quantity, not a matter of judgment. Dry interior wall tiling requires at least 80% adhesive contact (ANSI A108.5); wet-area walls and all floor tiling require 95–100%, with floors laid to a solid bed. The adhesive manufacturer's data sheet and local codes govern. Selecting the notch that reaches those figures for your tile size is the entire function of this tool.
Half-depth rule. Square notches compress to about half their depth; U notches to a little over a third. A 10 mm U notch and a 6 mm square notch therefore land closer together in finished bed thickness than the numbers suggest, useful when converting a specification written for one profile into the other.
Spot Riveted construction. Spot Riveted is the specified construction for this series: the blade is joined to the mount by spot-riveting; for mount material and joint details, contact us.
One blade size across the series. Five art numbers, one square notch size each (4–12 mm), all on a 130 × 280 mm blade, cover mosaic through 600–900 mm large format without changing blade dimensions.
Art numbers, blade size and notch size are Leading Tools specifications; tile format and compressed bed thickness are typical values.
| Art. Nr | Square notch | Tile format | Bed after the tile is pressed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 702301-74 | 4 mm x 4 mm | Mosaic and small tile up to 100 mm | Approx. 2 mm |
| 702301-76 | 6 mm x 6 mm | Standard wall tile 100–300 mm (10x10–30x30 cm), dry areas | Approx. 3 mm |
| 702301-78 | 8 mm x 8 mm | Medium floor tile 200–400 mm | Approx. 4 mm |
| 702301-80 | 10 mm x 10 mm | Standard floor tile 300–600 mm; the default size for most residential floors | Approx. 5 mm |
| 702301-82 | 12 mm x 12 mm | Large format 600–900 mm | Approx. 6 mm |
| Application | Required adhesive contact | What it means for notch choice |
|---|---|---|
| Dry interior wall | At least 80% (ANSI A108.5) | 6 mm square is sized for this band at 100–300 mm tile |
| Wet-area wall (shower, wet room) | 95–100% | Stay at the low end of the tile size band, or move up to 8 mm and back-butter |
| All floors | 95–100%, solid bed | Floors above 200 mm belong to 702301-78 or -80, not to this notch |
| Large format and low-porosity tile | 95%+ typically needs back-buttering as well as combing | A 12" x 24" (300 x 600 mm) tile is commonly laid with a 10 mm notch plus back-buttering: that is 702301-80 |
| Notch type | Characteristics | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Square (this trowel, 6 mm) | Flat notch bottom, ribs of constant cross-section; deposits the most adhesive for a given depth, but ribs collapse sideways and trap air if the tile is twisted | Standard ceramic and porcelain; specification work where bed thickness is specified |
| U-notch | Rounded notch bottom; adhesive spreads from the base outward, so less air is trapped and the tile can be rocked into place, but a wider notch is needed for the same coverage | Vertical work and situations where the tile must be adjusted after placement |
| V-notch | Pointed ribs carrying the least adhesive of the three profiles | Light and mosaic materials |
The 702301 series is square-notch only. If the job calls for U or V geometry, choose the Notched Trowel 641821 series, which is shown in the catalog with U, V and square notches for each blade size, ordered the same way with a notch code after the art number.
| Art. Nr | What it is | When to specify it instead |
|---|---|---|
| 702301-74 | 4 mm x 4 mm square notch, same blade size | Mosaic and tile up to 100 mm |
| 702301-78 | 8 mm x 8 mm square notch, same blade size | Medium floor tile 200–400 mm |
| 702301-80 | 10 mm x 10 mm square notch, same blade size | Standard floor tile 300–600 mm |
| 702301-82 | 12 mm x 12 mm square notch, same blade size | Large format 600–900 mm, with back-buttering |
| 641821 / 644821 / 646821 / 648821 / 661821 / 664821 / 666821 / 668821 | Notched Trowel 641821 series, 4" and 4-1/2" widths in 11"–18" lengths, offered with U, V or square notch options | When U-notch or V-notch geometry is required, or when a wider or longer blade than 130 mm x 280 mm is wanted |
| 702301 | German Standard Trowel: the same 130 mm x 280 mm blade with no notches, wood handle | Flat spreading, finishing and smoothing rather than combing |
| 611510 / 611511 / 611512 | DIY Trowel, 4-1/2" x 10-1/2" to 4-3/4" x 11", spot riveted light weight | Light-duty flat trowel work |
All five art numbers in the German Standard Notched Trowel series:
| Art. Nr | Blade size | Notch type | Notch size | Blade material | Handle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 702301-74 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 4 mm x 4 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| 702301-76 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 6 mm x 6 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| 702301-78 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 8 mm x 8 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| 702301-80 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 10 mm x 10 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| 702301-82 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 12 mm x 12 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| Contaminant | Cleaning method |
|---|---|
| Wet thin-set or grout | Wipe the blade and clear the notches with a damp sponge or cloth before the material sets |
| Cured adhesive | Soak in warm soapy water to soften, then lift off with a plastic scraper, not a metal blade, which scores the face |
| Light surface rust on a carbon steel blade | Soak in white vinegar to remove, then dry and re-oil |
| Epoxy adhesive | Mechanical removal only; solvents may damage the blade surface |
| General | Rinse, dry completely, store dry |
Clear each notch individually with a wooden toothpick or a small stiff brush while the residue is still soft. Avoid metal picks in the notches: rounding the square notch corners changes the rib profile and, with it, the bed thickness the notch is supposed to deliver.
Store the trowel flat or hung so the blade cannot bow, and keep it dry. Carbon steel blades in particular should not be stored damp. Where a tool is stored for more than a week, a light film of oil on a carbon steel blade prevents surface rust forming in storage.
Replace the trowel when the notch corners have rounded or a notch has deformed: the geometry is the product, and a rounded notch delivers a thinner bed than its marked size. Replace a blade that no longer sits flat, since uneven contact produces ribs of uneven height.
Notched Trowel 702301-76, one of the five art numbers of the German Standard Notched Trowel series (702301-74 / -76 / -78 / -80 / -82).
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Product name | Notched Trowel |
| Art. Nr | 702301-76 |
| Blade size | 130 mm x 280 mm (approx. 5-1/8" x 11") |
| Notch type | Square, the ⊔ profile |
| Notch size | 6 mm x 6 mm |
| Construction | Spot Riveted |
| Blade material | Stainless steel; for carbon steel, contact sales |
| Handle | Blue bridge handle on a mount |
| Product line | German Standard Notched Trowel |
| Series siblings | 702301-74 / -76 / -78 / -80 / -82 |
| Flat-blade counterpart | German Standard Trowel 702301, same 130 mm x 280 mm blade, wood handle |
702301-76 is the 6 mm size of the German Standard Notched Trowel series: five art numbers, one square notch size each (4–12 mm), all on a 130 × 280 mm blade. Choose the art number by the notch that matches the tile you are setting: see Selection Guide and How to Use below.
It is the general-purpose notch size for wall tile, not a specialty item. The 6 x 6 mm square notch is the size to reach for on standard ceramic wall tile between 100 mm and 300 mm: the 10x10 to 30x30 cm formats that make up most bathroom and kitchen wall work.
Bed thickness becomes a specifiable number, not a feel. A square notch compresses to roughly half its depth once the tile is bedded, so a 6 mm notch leaves about a 3 mm bed. When an architect or main contractor specifies adhesive thickness rather than tile size, this rule lets you answer from the notch size alone.
Square geometry lays a fuller bed than a U or V notch of the same depth. For a given notch depth the square profile carries more adhesive, and the flat-bottomed rib fills voids in an uneven tile back rather than bridging them. The trade-off: square ribs collapse sideways and will trap air if the tile is twisted down.
Five art numbers, one blade size. 702301-74 through -82 each carry one square notch size (4–12 mm), all on the same 130 mm x 280 mm blade, so a crew moving from wall tile to floor tile changes art number without changing reach, balance or blade area.
Stainless steel blade. The art numbers in this series are stainless steel, with high corrosion resistance and low maintenance, which suits wet-area work and sites where tools are hosed down daily. Each art number corresponds to one blade material; carbon steel, the lower-cost option where the tool is dried and oiled after each use, is available through Leading Tools sales.
Spot Riveted mounting. The blade is joined to the mount by spot-riveting; for mount material and joint details, contact us.
Same blade as the flat 702301. The flat German Standard Trowel 702301 uses the identical 130 mm x 280 mm blade. A contractor already running the flat trowel gets a notched tool with the same footprint and coverage rate per pass.
| Application | Tile size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dry-area wall tile | 100–300 mm (10x10 to 30x30 cm) | The core band for this notch; approx. 3 mm bed |
| Wet-area wall tile | 100–200 mm | Achievable, but the 95–100% coverage requirement means checking a lifted tile early and back-buttering if short |
| Small-format floor tile | Up to 200 mm | Floors must be laid solid bed to 95–100%; above 200 mm move to 702301-78 |
| Mosaic sheets | Not recommended | Use 702301-74 (4 mm) for material up to 100 mm |
| Tile above 300 mm | Not recommended | Move up the series; combing alone will not reach coverage |
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Load and spread | Place adhesive on the substrate with the flat of the blade | The flat face does the placing; the notched edge only meters it |
| 2. Comb | Hold the notched edge at approximately 45° and draw it through in one direction only | Never swirl or rotate the trowel: curved passes fold air into the bed |
| 3. Use the angle as a control | Work within 45–60°; a steeper angle leaves a thicker bed | Adjust the angle for tile size rather than changing tools mid-run |
| 4. Set the tile | Press the tile straight down into the ribs with firm, even pressure | Do not twist square-notch ribs down: twisting is the classic way to trap air under a square notch |
| 5. Check coverage | Lift one tile early in the run and read the back | Dry walls need 80% contact; wet walls and floors need 95–100% |
| 6. Correct | If short, back-butter or move up one notch size | Back-butter with the same notched edge at 45°, one direction, over the full tile back |
| What you see on the tile back | Reading | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous adhesive with closed ribs, 95–100% | Meets the floor and wet-area standard | Continue; no change needed |
| 80–95%, ribs closed over most of the back | Acceptable for a dry interior wall only | Back-butter for wet areas and floors |
| Below 80%, open rib lines still visible | Below standard for every application | Move up one notch size, or back-butter, or both |
| Air voids at the tile centre | Ribs were twisted rather than pressed | Press straight down; stop rocking square-notch tile |
This is the size band the 6 mm notch was made for. Comb the substrate at 45° in a single direction, working an area you can tile before the adhesive skins, and press tiles straight home.
Expect roughly a 3 mm bed; adhesive consumption depends on the adhesive and the substrate, so estimate it from the adhesive manufacturer's data sheet. Lift the first tile of each wall to confirm at least 80% contact before committing to the run.
Wet-area walls carry the same 95–100% coverage requirement as floors, which is a step change from the 80% minimum for a dry wall. Two practical consequences: keep to the lower half of the tile-size band with this notch, and verify coverage on a lifted tile rather than assuming it.
If the back reads short, back-butter the tile with the same notched edge at 45° in one direction. Specify the stainless steel blade for wet-area crews: it has high corrosion resistance and low maintenance; chlorinated water, coastal air or prolonged soaking can still cause rust spots, so rinse with clean water and dry after use.
Open time and grouting time are set by the adhesive manufacturer's data sheet, not by the trowel: always work to the adhesive's stated open time.
Combing the substrate alone will not reach the required coverage on large-format or low-porosity tile; the tile back is buttered as well. A 12" x 24" (300 x 600 mm) tile, for example, is commonly laid with a 10 mm notch plus back-buttering to reach 95% coverage: that is a job for 702301-80, not for this 6 mm tool.
Back-butter with the same notched edge held at 45°, combing in one direction across the whole tile back. The rule of thumb for this series: match the notch to the tile size from the table in the Selection Guide first, then add back-buttering if the lifted-tile check still reads short.
Natural stone backs are frequently uneven, which is exactly the case where a flat-bottomed square rib helps: the constant-section rib fills the low spots rather than bridging them.
For medium-sized stone the 6 mm notch is at the lower end of what is usable: check coverage on a lifted piece and step up to 702301-78 if the back reads short. Specify the stainless blade where the stone or the setting material holds moisture against the tool. Confirm adhesive compatibility with the stone supplier before starting; some stones are sensitive to cement-based and to moisture-carrying adhesives.
| Adhesive type | Suitability with a 6 mm square notch | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cement-based thin-set mortar | Standard application | The reference case for the notch-to-tile-size tables |
| Polymer-modified thin-set | Suitable | Longer open time; clean the blade before the polymer starts to cure |
| Ready-mixed paste adhesive | Test first | Thicker pastes may not release cleanly from a 6 mm notch; comb a test area |
| Epoxy adhesive | Test first, and clean immediately | Cured epoxy has to be removed mechanically and solvents can damage the blade |
| Error | Result | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Swirling or rotating the trowel | Air folded into the bed; inconsistent rib height | Comb in one direction only, every pass |
| Angle drifting through the stroke | Bed thickness varies across the wall | Hold a steady 45–60° from start to finish of each pass |
| Twisting the tile down onto square ribs | Trapped air at the tile centre | Press straight down; U-notch ribs tolerate rocking, square ribs do not |
| Using a 6 mm notch on tile above 300 mm | Coverage below the required percentage | Move up the series and back-butter |
| Clogged notches | Rib height drops, coverage drops with it | Clear the notches before the adhesive sets |
Q: What tile size is the 6 mm square notch actually for?
A: Standard ceramic wall tile of roughly 100–300 mm (10x10 to 30x30 cm) in dry areas. It leaves about a 3 mm bed once the tile is pressed in. Adhesive consumption depends on the adhesive and the substrate; estimate it from the adhesive manufacturer's data sheet.
Q: There are air pockets under the middle of my tiles.
A: This is the classic square-notch problem: the tile was twisted or rocked into the adhesive, so the ribs collapsed sideways over trapped air. Press the tile straight down with firm, even pressure.
Q: When should I move up to the 8 mm or 10 mm trowel?
A: When the tile is larger than about 200 mm on a floor or about 300 mm on a wall. 702301-78 (8 mm) suits 200–400 mm floor tile, -80 (10 mm) suits 300–600 mm, and -82 (12 mm) suits 600–900 mm.
Q: Carbon steel or stainless steel: which should I order?
A: The art numbers in this series are stainless steel, the right choice for wet-area work and for crews who wash tools down daily. Each art number corresponds to one blade material. Carbon steel is the lower-cost option and is fine where the blade is dried and lightly oiled after use; contact Leading Tools sales for it.
Q: Is 702301-76 the same tool as the flat 702301?
A: Same blade size, different tool. 702301 is the flat, un-notched German Standard Trowel with a wood handle; 702301-76 is the 6 mm square-notch version on the same 130 mm x 280 mm blade, with a blue bridge handle.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Blade shape | Rectangular flat blade |
| Blade size | 130 mm x 280 mm (approx. 5-1/8" x 11") |
| Notch profile | Square (SQ), flat-bottomed, 90° notch walls |
| Notch size | 6 mm x 6 mm |
| Notched edges | Square notches are cut into the blade edge; the blade face itself stays flat and smooth so the same tool loads and spreads adhesive before combing |
| Notch layout | The notches run along one long combing edge and the adjacent short end; the remaining edges are left plain |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Handle type | Bridge handle |
| Handle color | Blue |
| Mounting | Blue handle on a mount; the blade is joined to the mount by spot-riveting; for mount material and joint details, contact us |
The art numbers in this series are stainless steel. Each art number corresponds to one blade material; for a carbon steel blade, contact Leading Tools sales. The comparison below is for reference.
| Variant | Blade material | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel | Carbon steel blade | Dry-area work and cost-driven projects where the blade is dried and lightly oiled after each use |
| Stainless steel | Stainless steel blade | Wet areas, daily washdown, long service life; high corrosion resistance and low maintenance |
The base code 702301 refers to the flat, wood-handled German Standard Trowel. The notched versions are identified by their -74 / -76 / -78 / -80 / -82 suffixes, not by the base code alone.
| Notch type | Characteristics | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Square 6 mm x 6 mm | 6 mm wide notches with 6 mm gaps between them and a 6 mm depth, producing parallel ribs of even height; the flat notch bottom gives a rib of constant cross-section | Standard ceramic and porcelain wall tile of 100–300 mm in dry areas |
| Rib collapse | When the tile is pressed straight down, the ribs spread sideways and close the gaps between them; the resulting bed is roughly half the notch depth | Reaching the specified coverage percentage without over-applying adhesive |
| Failure mode to know | Square ribs collapse toward both sides and can fold air into the bed if the tile is twisted or rocked while setting | Set square-notch tile with straight pressure; leave rocking for U-notch work |
Correct notch, correct coverage. Coverage is a specified quantity, not a matter of judgment. Dry interior wall tiling requires at least 80% adhesive contact (ANSI A108.5); wet-area walls and all floor tiling require 95–100%, with floors laid to a solid bed. The adhesive manufacturer's data sheet and local codes govern. Selecting the notch that reaches those figures for your tile size is the entire function of this tool.
Half-depth rule. Square notches compress to about half their depth; U notches to a little over a third. A 10 mm U notch and a 6 mm square notch therefore land closer together in finished bed thickness than the numbers suggest, useful when converting a specification written for one profile into the other.
Spot Riveted construction. Spot Riveted is the specified construction for this series: the blade is joined to the mount by spot-riveting; for mount material and joint details, contact us.
One blade size across the series. Five art numbers, one square notch size each (4–12 mm), all on a 130 × 280 mm blade, cover mosaic through 600–900 mm large format without changing blade dimensions.
Art numbers, blade size and notch size are Leading Tools specifications; tile format and compressed bed thickness are typical values.
| Art. Nr | Square notch | Tile format | Bed after the tile is pressed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 702301-74 | 4 mm x 4 mm | Mosaic and small tile up to 100 mm | Approx. 2 mm |
| 702301-76 | 6 mm x 6 mm | Standard wall tile 100–300 mm (10x10–30x30 cm), dry areas | Approx. 3 mm |
| 702301-78 | 8 mm x 8 mm | Medium floor tile 200–400 mm | Approx. 4 mm |
| 702301-80 | 10 mm x 10 mm | Standard floor tile 300–600 mm; the default size for most residential floors | Approx. 5 mm |
| 702301-82 | 12 mm x 12 mm | Large format 600–900 mm | Approx. 6 mm |
| Application | Required adhesive contact | What it means for notch choice |
|---|---|---|
| Dry interior wall | At least 80% (ANSI A108.5) | 6 mm square is sized for this band at 100–300 mm tile |
| Wet-area wall (shower, wet room) | 95–100% | Stay at the low end of the tile size band, or move up to 8 mm and back-butter |
| All floors | 95–100%, solid bed | Floors above 200 mm belong to 702301-78 or -80, not to this notch |
| Large format and low-porosity tile | 95%+ typically needs back-buttering as well as combing | A 12" x 24" (300 x 600 mm) tile is commonly laid with a 10 mm notch plus back-buttering: that is 702301-80 |
| Notch type | Characteristics | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Square (this trowel, 6 mm) | Flat notch bottom, ribs of constant cross-section; deposits the most adhesive for a given depth, but ribs collapse sideways and trap air if the tile is twisted | Standard ceramic and porcelain; specification work where bed thickness is specified |
| U-notch | Rounded notch bottom; adhesive spreads from the base outward, so less air is trapped and the tile can be rocked into place, but a wider notch is needed for the same coverage | Vertical work and situations where the tile must be adjusted after placement |
| V-notch | Pointed ribs carrying the least adhesive of the three profiles | Light and mosaic materials |
The 702301 series is square-notch only. If the job calls for U or V geometry, choose the Notched Trowel 641821 series, which is shown in the catalog with U, V and square notches for each blade size, ordered the same way with a notch code after the art number.
| Art. Nr | What it is | When to specify it instead |
|---|---|---|
| 702301-74 | 4 mm x 4 mm square notch, same blade size | Mosaic and tile up to 100 mm |
| 702301-78 | 8 mm x 8 mm square notch, same blade size | Medium floor tile 200–400 mm |
| 702301-80 | 10 mm x 10 mm square notch, same blade size | Standard floor tile 300–600 mm |
| 702301-82 | 12 mm x 12 mm square notch, same blade size | Large format 600–900 mm, with back-buttering |
| 641821 / 644821 / 646821 / 648821 / 661821 / 664821 / 666821 / 668821 | Notched Trowel 641821 series, 4" and 4-1/2" widths in 11"–18" lengths, offered with U, V or square notch options | When U-notch or V-notch geometry is required, or when a wider or longer blade than 130 mm x 280 mm is wanted |
| 702301 | German Standard Trowel: the same 130 mm x 280 mm blade with no notches, wood handle | Flat spreading, finishing and smoothing rather than combing |
| 611510 / 611511 / 611512 | DIY Trowel, 4-1/2" x 10-1/2" to 4-3/4" x 11", spot riveted light weight | Light-duty flat trowel work |
All five art numbers in the German Standard Notched Trowel series:
| Art. Nr | Blade size | Notch type | Notch size | Blade material | Handle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 702301-74 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 4 mm x 4 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| 702301-76 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 6 mm x 6 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| 702301-78 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 8 mm x 8 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| 702301-80 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 10 mm x 10 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| 702301-82 | 130 mm x 280 mm | Square (⊔) | 12 mm x 12 mm | Stainless steel | Blue bridge handle, Spot Riveted |
| Contaminant | Cleaning method |
|---|---|
| Wet thin-set or grout | Wipe the blade and clear the notches with a damp sponge or cloth before the material sets |
| Cured adhesive | Soak in warm soapy water to soften, then lift off with a plastic scraper, not a metal blade, which scores the face |
| Light surface rust on a carbon steel blade | Soak in white vinegar to remove, then dry and re-oil |
| Epoxy adhesive | Mechanical removal only; solvents may damage the blade surface |
| General | Rinse, dry completely, store dry |
Clear each notch individually with a wooden toothpick or a small stiff brush while the residue is still soft. Avoid metal picks in the notches: rounding the square notch corners changes the rib profile and, with it, the bed thickness the notch is supposed to deliver.
Store the trowel flat or hung so the blade cannot bow, and keep it dry. Carbon steel blades in particular should not be stored damp. Where a tool is stored for more than a week, a light film of oil on a carbon steel blade prevents surface rust forming in storage.
Replace the trowel when the notch corners have rounded or a notch has deformed: the geometry is the product, and a rounded notch delivers a thinner bed than its marked size. Replace a blade that no longer sits flat, since uneven contact produces ribs of uneven height.
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