Grout removal

[detiling]

Hello everyone, looking for a bit advice on the best way to remove grout. I have used the bosch pmf 180 in the past but find it a bit time consuming and the blades dont seem to last very long. Am i better using an angle grinder? if so what kind of blade should i use, will the one from my wet cutter be ok to use? Its a 115mm blade.

 

[Dan]

I wouldn't use an angle grinder and doubt it would be any quicker anyway. That bosch tool or the fein multimaster (pretty much the same thing) are not so violent if they touch the tile. So preventing chipping. Though an angle grinder if you slipped would just ruin the tiles, and would also be more prone to slipping as it doesn't oscillate, it spins in one direction.

Unfortunately there is no quick way to remove grout. if there was, the grout wouldn't be so good at holding up over time.

Keep chipping away with your bosch.

 

[jonnyc]

good old dave from trade tiler sells the montolit blades that are only 1mm thick.
hes even got an 80mm diameter blade now which when fixed to a grinder with variable speed can slip between the thinnest of joints providing you ahvea steady hand.
i cannot tell you how good these blades are.
they cost more but last so much longer and are worth every penny.
I managed to cut a 3mm slither of 15mm thick porcelain tile 1000mm long on my overhead saw without it breaking.

 

[jonnyc]

sorry forgot to mention fein cut works very well with right blade but cvery laborious.
montolit better as long as you ahve a keen eye and steady hand. not a job for sat morning after a night out

 

[Ian]

I have an old 115mm glass blade in my toolbox for grout removal. Stick it on the grinder and works a treat, the edges are worn so it doesn't chip the tiles but, still cuts through the grout.

 

[detiling]

thanks for the quick replies, have seen those blades before and did think it looked good. Think i will persevere with the bosch at the minute but will look into getting one of those blades for future use.

 

[Sean Kelly]

Detiling, why are you removing the grout? How thick is the grout line? How much grout do you want to remove? I guess you are regrouting because of discolouration? If so, have you thought about grout colorants? In the past I have used an angle grinder on 5mm grout lines, but the mess in the kitchen was like a volcano had erupted! Cheers Sean

 

[detiling]

Its a job a customer done himself and has made a right mess of the grouting, wants it done properly. The grout joints are quite wide, about 8 - 10mm.

 

[Sean Kelly]

It might be quicker to dig up the tiles and start again! You are going to wear out quite a few blades digging up that much concrete grout. An angle grinder, hoover and a Hardiebacker knife might help. Again, I do not know how much floor you have to do.

 

[swanman]

So much advise

Its your call now

But i would go with the bosch multi

 

[giraffeheights]

Hello,
we've got approx 60 sqm of floor tiles that have had keracoll fugalite liquid ceramic grout laid down. the colour of the grout looks patchy, we think because of differences in texture due to application. thankfully tiles are big (900x450mm), grout is 3 mm thick. please can you advise on the neatest, most time efficient way of removing this grout so we can re apply to get a uniform finish?
any advice is much appreciated. Cheers.

 

[andyb1]

I hate re-grouting try too avoid it at all costs!

 

[bugs183]

Get yourself an Exact saw. They sell them on ebay.
They look a bit gimmicky, but i've seen them in action and they are really quick, plus they have a really neat vacumm attachment for doing it dust less. The blade has a depth stop so even if the tiles have under floor heating the cutter they won't get cut.
Great piece of kit.

 

[White Room]

Get yourself an Exact saw. They sell them on ebay.
They look a bit gimmicky, but i've seen them in action and they are really quick, plus they have a really neat vacumm attachment for doing it dust less. The blade has a depth stop so even if the tiles have under floor heating the cutter they won't get cut.
Great piece of kit.

How much are the blades for them.....

 

[bugs183]

Dunno, have a look on ebay etc. Th guy using it says they last much longer than the fein blades. I'll certainly buy one when this kind of job comes my way.

 

[giraffeheights]

Get yourself an Exact saw. They sell them on ebay.
They look a bit gimmicky, but i've seen them in action and they are really quick, plus they have a really neat vacumm attachment for doing it dust less. The blade has a depth stop so even if the tiles have under floor heating the cutter they won't get cut.
Great piece of kit.

Cheers bugs183. will this work with the liquid ceramic grout? cheers.

 

[bugs183]

Don't see why not Giraffe.

 

[stone tiler]

I've got a worx handycut (similar to the exact saw ) and it's the dogs at this kind of work. I do a lot of grout removal jobs as most other tilers avoid them and there's good money in it. With this tool its easy and attach a hoover and there's no mess either. Every tiler needs one of these bad boys!!!