Help!

[philipdayton]

Hi,

I'm in the process of tiling my kitchen and have encountered a bit of a problem!!:furious3:
I set out the tiles so that the brickwork pattern was central to the cooker hood and all was well and good until i got to the sockets at the far end of the wall...
Where the sockets fall in the middle of the tile (see sketch) I've tried a tile file/saw and the tiles cracked and split across the corners :mad2: , did this twice, then tried jigsaw on slow speed which despite my scepticism worked quite well until the blade went blunt and then the tile split! tried chain drilling all round which nearly worked!

basically am i wasting my time? is it impossible?
Any suggestions greatly received

 

[MICK the Tiler]

What sketch?

You just need an angle grinder with a continuous rim diamond wheel. Having the power point in the middle is where you want it to be? Just mark on the face and transfer to back. Cut short marks first then long, blade should penertrate through the back of tile, flip it over and finish from back.

 

[DHTiling]

My wet cutter has a removable guard..so doin plunge cuts is no probs......so if your guard can be took off then just pluinge cut them...no probs....

 

[GazTech]

If not confident with plunge cuts, get sparks to drop the socket back box to top of the tile below, this will eliminate the vulnerable bottom piece, the tile will be more rigid when cut .....Gaz

 

[Gazzer]

A battery operated Makita tile cutter would be ideal for this. Try hire shops.
they look like this
http://www.newpowertool.co.uk/makita-12v-80mm-glass-and-ceramic-tile-cutter-4191dwd-303-p.asp

HSS hire them
http://www.hss.com/g/7443/Cordless-Glass-and-Tile-Cutter.html

 

[chille]

with a tile that size, by the time you do the cut out, as you press it on it will probably break anyway.

I know its a nightmare but moving the socket up or down depending on where the cable drops come from is gonna be the easiest and better solution m8

 

[Grace'sDad]

Easiest solution is as Dave said - plunge cut.

Remove the guard off your wet cutter and make sure you wear some specs!

 

[Elliott]

If it was my kitchen I would try and move the socket further left if the wire will allow it? Wouldn't do it on a job though - just grout the cracks LOL.

 

[David Cruse]

Grouting over cracked tiles, is that right ??? Your house or not.
Sorry, don't agree.

Dave.

 

[sibs]

Hey my bathroom is full of em lol... especially around the window and some of the grout lines don't match up. Funny how you only notice these things when you know what to look for lol

 

[Deleted member 1779]

Pack of diamond drills and then use them to cut neat holes in middle of tiles.

Like this:

Follow project how to cut a square hole in a tile with round drills


Below is a rough look at what you are trying to do.

You need the BFKMX and can mix and match th drill sizes to make the cuts. If it were me I would use the 16mm in each corner.

Results are perfect. You wont ever break a tile and if you ask me for the discount code will come in at less than £50 quid.

Plus you can use the drills on other things IE like fixtures and fittings.

Richard

PLEASE NOTE MY PROJECT ABOVE IS VERY WONKY AND REMEMBER ONCE COVERED BY A SOCKET WILL NOT BE SEEN !!! - MAYBE I WILL DO A BETTER PROJECT FOR PLUG SOCKETS...

 

[mz30]

A battery operated Makita tile cutter would be ideal for this. Try hire shops.
they look like this
http://www.newpowertool.co.uk/makita-12v-80mm-glass-and-ceramic-tile-cutter-4191dwd-303-p.asp

HSS hire them
http://www.hss.com/g/7443/Cordless-Glass-and-Tile-Cutter.html

Sorry to disagree but unless your really skilled using a cordless makita then it will not work ,i have had one for five year's and would not feel comfortable using it to do what you want and at 350 quid to do your own kitchen it's not really a viable option.
Instead go to a diy shop and buy a 240v wet cutter for around 30 quid and back plunge the tile ,might take a couple of goes but you will get it.

 

[Deleted member 1779]

I've done a little article at website with much more pics.. Here

Short summary is this:

Mark out your tile.

Use the 16mm core drill to blast holes into the corners.

Remove the core plugs from each corner..

Use a mini grinder to cut or score lines in-between the holes. [Mini Angle grinders cost £14.99 from screwfix direct]

Pop out the centre of the tile. A gentle push should do it.

Check everything is fitting snug.

Perfect results!

Tools used were these:

1 x mini grinder [£14.99] from Screwfix
1 x mini grinder 110mm blade [£19.99]
1 x 16mm drill from the BFKMX [£49.99]
1 x drill

WARNINGS:

Never drill / grind without ear defenders, gloves and goggles.
Never work with live wires. The socket was wired but not connected to any supply.

Full and detailed article can be read here.

 

[philipdayton]

Thanks for all the replies guys, will try the pluge method and the angle grinder suggested by 365 this weekend and keep you posted.
Also considering trying a dremmel.

 

[Grace'sDad]

With regard to plunge cuts on a saw with the guard and riving blade removed, I thought I'd add my two-penneth.

The way I work it is to simply draw the lines right to the edge of the tile. Using these lines on the tile edge, it is then possible to visually line up the cut with the blade. This removes the guess work and is surprisingly accurate.

Simply make a mental note (or place a mark) on the edge of your cutter's table so that you know where the line of the blade is.

This sorts out the "left&right" accuracy, and a quick glance under the tile ensures that the "forward&back" position of the blade is where you want it.

Make sure that you don't move the tile whilst switching the cutter on, and simply let the weight of the tile do the cutting while you hold it in position on the bottom edge. (porcelain may need a bit of pressure).

I forgot my 30mm diamond bit yesterday and had to cut out for a shower head arm. I managed to get a really accurate 30x30 hole.

(make sure you wear glasses, coz the moment the blade cuts through, you will get a face full of spray and possibly chips!)