Posted: 6/17/2006 7:50:41 PM EDT
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OK so I am laying down a new Glazed Ceramic Tile in the bathroom and having a REAL BEAR trying to cut these tiles.. I do not have a wet saw but I do have a dry tile saw blade on my table saw. A few cuts went well but some of the more EVIL cuts are chipping the glaze on top and its not going well. Anyone have any experience with these? are they any good?  |
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I always tape up tiles for cutting. This allows for easier marking for the cuts and helps prevent chipping/flaking. For detail cuts, I've used hacksaws with a ceramic cutting blade,and the Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel. And always use water, a squirt bottle works well. |
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if you have a harbor freight close by. www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/emails/display.do?fname=24_RetailB.html da.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=wet+tile+saw |
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Using those takes alittle practice. Score the tile several times before you smack the handle. Make sure you score it from edge to edge and it'll cut it like a lazer. It's really not hard to do once you learn the tricks. I used to do tile work for a living and on the smaller jobs we had one of those and a pair of chipping pliers. You don't need anything more. |
Went to Home Depot last night and they had two of the 88.00 wet saws and both of them were in open boxes and both were used...  So I ended up getting this 4" blade for my angle grinder:  li'l fucker worked GREAT!! As I was telling 1Shott today... cuts smooth and fast. Thank you all for your suggestions. I appreciate them... although since I have a kitchen and one more bath to do... hopefully they will get that wet saw in SOON! |
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Not the cheapest route, but if you can manage to schedule all the tile work at one time you can just RENT a Wet Saw from Home Depot. I did it when building my house, knowing that I otherwise Never do tile work. I didn't see the need to own a Wet Saw, and I was able to rent a really nice one. Wet Saw is not really optional for most tile work, it's mandatory. Futuristic |
Doesn't the AG blade spew (unhealthy to breath) tile dust everywhere? |
Not as bad as I thought but yes there was tile dust all in my backyard. I did wear goggles and dust mask. ETA: Which reminds me, I see these tile guys all the time cutting and not wearing dust masks... what the hell is that all about and wondered if that was unhealthy. |
Those things suck. If you are working with this wall tiles they are OK, but forget it for anything substantial. |
| I do tile all the time. I mainly use the angle grinder with an MK dry blade. If there is a lot of cuts along the walls, etc I'd recommend a snapper for any ceramic tile, porcelain can be tough unless you buy a good one. A wet saw can be nice but not necessary. I only use them with granite, marble and real travertine tile. Also I dont think breathing the dust is all that healthy, but like everything else construction related it contains silica, so does the Hardibacker, and thinset. Its in about every masonry product and even joint compound. Oh and never cut slate dry either. |
So what do you do to prevent it? Just a dust mask? |
Uhh... A WET SAW. I can't imagine someone who does tile "all the time" not having a wet saw. I did tile once, and I have a nice wet saw. As soon as I finish one more bathroom, I'll sell the sucker! |
| If you get a wet saw, be sure to get one with a water channel around the edge, otherwise you have water running off the side of the saw and onto the floor or who knows where. Something about standing in water running a saw scares me. I borrowed an $80 one then went and bought a $200 one. It's worth it. The laser is pretty much pointless since it's on the guard and the guard wobbles all over. Other things to look for are deeply engraved ruler numbers that you can read when they're wet and full of mud, a fence that clamps securely, and a top that is more than sheetmetal. |
I was asking on a dry cut application what is used for breathing protection. I dont do tile "all the time" its a small project that needed LIMITED cuts and as I stated before.. Home Depot was out of stock on the wet saw. I see these contractors EVERY DAY cutting tile without a wet saw for small cuts and they have NO breathing protection. (Or eye protection for that matter  ) I ont the other hand looked like I was going into surgery with the eye and face (breathing mask) on... I was asking to see if the dust mask was enough protection... thats all. |
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Frige, get a wet saw or make it harder on yourself. Your choice. $88 at Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, or Harbor Freight. I tile apartments every day damn near, and I will tell you that a good wet saw is worth its weight ingold. I use this:   $199 at Harbor Freight - bridged and the extended warranty with my 20% off coupon came to $207 out the door. If you want you tile to look like this:         Then buy the righ tools or hire a professional. Get rid of your scribe cutter and buy a damn wet saw, bro. |
In that case, just buy a dry blade for your grinder. Yes, a cheap respirator mask will be OK. |
You may want to try making cuts from the backside of the tile - see if that helps w/ the chipping. |