Need some bathroom vanity advice

[Forrest747]

Well i have officially said i am done with the trailer full time. Now i am going to finish the basement. So we got a jetted tub that has no flange. I have done floor tiling but never tub shower surround. Doing the backer board felt thin set heard to leave a gap at the tub then fill with water then caulk the gap.

[Roly Nelson]

Being a general contractor for some years, I have done a number of shower and tub ceramic tile jobs. I have a faint idea about what you are doing, but the last sentence is a bit of a puzzle. Is there a question that I can answer? Are you planning to tile the walls down to the new tub, or is this a tiled deck that has to meet the edge of the new tub? That suggestion of filling it with water, is a new one for me, I've never had to do that in any of the dozens that I have installed. If it is installed correctly, there should be absolutely no settlement when full or empty. Just my 2 cents. Please ask, and perhaps I can answer your questions.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Cal woody guy

[Forrest747]

We had a tub installed in a house, almost like this one and the guy said ok before you caulk the tile to the tub area fill it up so the tub sits low and then it will make a better seal. so this being my first tub shower tile job i thought ok. so good to know that i do not have to do that. I also have a slightly differnet issue that the wall where teh tub is is 61-1/2 inches and the tub is 60 inches. so thinking putting the non drain (left) side flush against the wall then build out the inch and half on the right side and since the vanity and toilet will also be on that side it will be less noticeble a inch and half adjustment. I also have a 60pound bag of concrete to put under the tub even though it had OSB runners. I also have to trim the one of the runners to make way for a drain that the previous home owner did.

So i see online that they mark the grid which is smart and then start in the middle and work thier way down onto the tub using a ledger board, for the first row. the question i have why not use the tub as the first row?

THanks for your help

[Reddiver]

If the tub is level there is no need for the board.. that is generally done when the tub is way out of level.. You can stack off the tub spreading for variations in level. I have heard of filling the tub before caulking never bothered. You should caulk the bottom join and corners. Besides when you sit on the tub caulking it your feet will get wet

[Forrest747]

Well the tub is in and plumbed. hooked up the pump and filled it with the hose and teh wife had the honor of firing it up. no leaks. we did drop it when setting it and has a chip on the edge, not a big deal.
Well i borrowed a friends PEX crimping tool and every joint leaked. come to fing out the tool was the wrong type. so i rented a kit from home depot new fittings and new tubing, just was easier to get new tubing and so far no leaks. well on leak the shower tub faucet leaks and i think the moen cartridge is melted. knew i should of take it out, oh well.
Got a sweet deal on a new sink 5 dollars and a used toilet in good condition for 20, at teh Habitat for Humanity Restore. Go check it out, plus help a good cause.
Thinking of doing a custom vanity tiled top, no doors just use baskets of some kind. So any advice on building a vanity about 30 inches long i am all ears.

Also is there an app or website that can tell me what tile i bought. The wife found a couple of 12x24 tiles that she loves and im like ok let see if we can find more to do teh shower tub with. thanks

[Forrest747]

Ok maybe its teh left over epoxy I have and watching too many tv shows but i really am thinking of taking some reclaimed lumber flooring or something 2 inch thick and making a custom vanity 23 inches deep and about 4 feet long. got an awesome sink that i will need to cut into the vanity to mount. so thinking of using biscuits glue and pocket screws to join the boards. sand smooth router the edges. make custom cabinet face and attempt doors. thinking just doing a couple of coats of epoxy resin i have left over no cloth, what do you think

Also not happy so far with the tile i have seen for teh tub shower surround so thinking whay not do the same thing as the countertop reclaimed wood joined epoxy not sure cloth is needed other than to be able to make a thicker coat. your thoughts or have i been sniffing glue too much.