Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

[ehenry]

Had to purchase a new cook top for the kitchen. The old one we had is a gas 5 burner 36" glass top KitchenAid cook top that the igniter wiring burned up on. The new one we purchased is a gas 5 burner 36" stainless steel KitchenAid cook top. Now you would think that two 36" cook tops made by the same manufacturer would fit in the same counter top hole.....BUZZZ.....WRONG ! ! ! The new cook top requires a larger hole which brings me to my question......our counter tops are ceramic tile on top of plywood. Will a diamond blade in my angle grinder dry cut the ceramic? My plan is to use my 4.5 inch disk angle grinder with a diamond blade to cut the ceramic and then cut the plywood underneath with a sawzall. Will also have the wife using the shop vac hose to suck ceramic dust as I make the cuts.

Does anyone thats done something like this have any wisdom they'd care to impart on me so I wont be going in to this nekkid ?? I've never fooled with cutting ceramic tile just know the guy that laid it in the house used a wet saw.

 

[LMM1967]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

Take your time - the tile will cause heat to build up very quickly and the diamond blade wiill start disintegrating. Other than that it should be doable.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

I would try a 7" circular saw with a masonry blade. An angle grinder spins up to 10K + in rpms and a circular saw is 7500 at best. The larger blade will not get as hot either.

Your other option is a dremal with a fiber typle cutting wheel and lots of patients or.....buy Momma a whole new counter top!!!

 

[ehenry]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

I've bought a pair of blades for the angle grinder so I guess thats the way I'm going to go. I figure if I take my time I'll be ok.

If anyone else has any knowlege doing this I am wide open to hear it.

Bob, I hope she doesnt read your post. With all the home DIY shows on now her head is FULL of all sorts of things she wants to do. Here you come with new counter top business ! !! ! Shame on ya ! ! LOL

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

Our stores has loads and loads of tile. Yep, we use a diamond blade in a 4" angle grinder. Sure isn't any fun when you have to cut some tile while the store is open. We have someone with a squirt bottle lightly misting the area being cut, the dust will collect to the tile . Then what is airborne can be drawn in by a shop vac. A little water on the blade won't hurt none but help keep it a bit cool. Be sure not to let the motor part of the grinder get wet.

As how, we first lightly score a line with the grinder. Then we go over it several times to just to make a groove so the blade won't jump out as easy. Then we work on an area 4" to 6" at a time. Don't bind the blade or your will chip the edges.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

You're going to have dust everywhere. You could try scoring the cutout lines in the tile, then using big pliers, squeeze and pry down on the waste side of the line. Tile will snap off leaving scrapeable thinset, then plywood to cut w/a sawsall. Maybe durarock (cement board) also but the sawsall will take care of that. Drape plastic everywhere. Spraybottle is a good idea.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

Another option, I have tried them all, is a variable speed saber saw, I have a dozen different masonry blades for mine, they cost about $9 bucks each, but with the variable speed on the saw, you can slow way down in the curves, nothing about what your doing is going to be fast, but you can do it with no problem.

This last project I did, a cut out for a sink in my bath vanity, was done with a 4.5" angle grinder and a diamond blade, slow work, many passes, but got it done, we put in a marble top, so it was prone to cracking, but no problems at all, just take your time, no matter which tool you choose.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

Guys, I appreciate the input sounds like you've been there-done that. I'm gonna beat grass in the morning while there is some sembelance of cool then do the counter tile cutting project during the heat of the day. I'll let yall know how it turns out.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

Seal off the area as best as you can. If you have an extra hose for your shop vac and it is the type that will blow too, vent it out a window. You will think you are getting all the dust but you are not. Be ready to help your wife with the clean up and humor her by telling her how much better the new cooktop will be for her.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

I've cut tile with the same blade you cut concrete board siding, in a skill saw. Cut slow !!! You might even just barely wet the surface, if you can. BUT BARELY !!!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

I second most of the comments, however suggest duct taping the shop vac hose to keep the wife out of the area. I have also used my rotozip with a tile bit, but prefer masonary blades in a cheap harbor freight circular saw that I can throw away after.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

Thanks for all the wisdom, guys. I really appreciate it ! Here is a pic of the finished product and yall were right about the dust that angle grinder stired up but it buzzed through it so quick it was worth it !

I'll be posting over in "Dock Side Chat" about the 7 forms of hell I hugged today that dont have anything to do with the cook top project! Check it out if ya want to.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

Thanks for all the wisdom, guys. I really appreciate it ! Here is a pic of the finished product and yall were right about the dust that angle grinder stired up but it buzzed through it so quick it was worth it !

I'll be posting over in "Dock Side Chat" about the 7 forms of hell I hugged today that dont have anything to do with the cook top project! Check it out if ya want to.

Boy oh Boy, you did great, that looks really nice!

 

[ehenry]

Re: Dry Cutting Ceramic Tile. . . .

Shoulda seen it before I cleaned up all the red flour fine dust that was all over the place !