[JavaBrewer]

Ageed. I cut & position all the backer, pencil the pieces, and then pick up and start in with the thinset. I keep the seams between boards ~ 1/4 to 1/3" wide and use fiberglass mesh tape and more mortar to fill.

It's surprising how labor intensive the screw down is. I'm no pro like KT, and I like the piece of mind with screws, so I used my corded electric drill to drive the screws sold by the underlayment co.

Outstanding prep makes an outstanding result possible.