Stone profiling by Daz & Bri

[Daz]

Having had the pleasure of meeting with Bri today, I thought I would have a go at providing our step by step guide to edge profiling below....

Tools:
Makita variable speed grinder
Radius 10mm routing attachment with M14 thread
Polishing discs (200, 400 & 800 grit)

We first profiled the stone edge with the routing attachment.

Next was to polish the edge with a 200 grit diamond pad.

Then a 400 grit pad.

Then the 800 grit pad.

As you can see, it's a doddle!
The biggest issue is that the face of the stone becomes marked by the guide bearing on the routing attachment. I have overcome this by placing a polishing cloth on the tile face prior to routing so that the bearing does not actually come into contact with the tile face.

The pics in this guide were Bri's first stone profiling attempt so it's clear to see that anyone can achieve a great finish with the right tools and some care and attention - LOL.

Hopefully this will prove to be beneficial and inspiring for others.

 

[Mike]

interesting thread. how much does the profiling bit cost?

 

[user123]

Wow - that's fantastically clear!

Nice arms, too, Bri ..not that that's important or anything... :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Daz]

They vary in price Mike. You can pay anything between £50 & £200 depending on the profile, manufacturer etc..

I'd also recommend the variable speed grinder and polishing pads, too so costs do add up.

 

[doug boardley]

Well done guys,,,,thread "stickied"

 

[Ian]

I priced up the exact kit that Daz had when I got home today and for the grinder (makita), profiling wheel, 200/400/800 pads and the attachment came in at £340 which will pay for itself in a couple of jobs. A massive thanks to Daz for taking the time out of his day to show me what to do and to let me use his tools, top bloke

 

[doug boardley]

Daz, to overcome the bit scuffing the face, could you not turn the tile and bullnose it from the back, or would it chip the face?

 

[Ian]

This profile is only a half bullnose Doug, so if you did it from the back it would be on the wrong side of the tile. It would work with a full bull nose.

 

[Daz]

Daz, to overcome the bit scuffing the face, could you not turn the tile and bullnose it from the back, or would it chip the face?

I like your thinking Doug. However, the profile (given that it is a radius and not semi-circular) will look odd if inverted mate.

 

[hillhead]

With care no marking of the face should occur.Practice makes perfect.Iv done loads.I was lifting trav skirting on Friday morning and watched a guy trying to round it, I had fun let me tell you. Lol. He thought he was good too.

 

[DHTiling]

You are using the profiler wrong
Run the wheel along the edge not the face


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Ian]

We had a bit of a discussion about that Dave, we were aware that it was designed to be done the other way round but without clamping the tile to the bench that was the best way to do it to enable the user to keep 2 hands on the grinder. When I get my own kit I'll practice and find a way that suits me and if necessary get some clamps to enable me to do it the other way. There's going to be a lot of dust and ruined trav!

 

[DHTiling]

Just stack a couple tiles on top of the one you are profiling, that holds them ok for me, you profile that way it will leave marks especially on polished material.



Sent from my iPhone

 

[Rich]

Great thread! Well done Daz and Bri.

When is it my turn for the day trip with Daz? :lol:

 

[Ian]

Great thread! Well done Daz and Bri.

When is it my turn for the day trip with Daz? :lol:

Tell him when you want to go, you are King now! :lol:

 

[kaharrison9]

Have just been browsing and noticed for more cash there is a water fed Makita stone polisher and on you tube all the demonstrations by professional set ups seem to be water fed as well.
Is there any differance wether dry or wet or any benefits in water fed?
Cheers
Kev

 

[Ian]

I would say it would be better to water feed porcelain to minimise chipping.

 

[Rich]

Tell him when you want to go, you are King now! :lol:

Oh yeah!! You mean tell him WHEN he is doing it!

I love being king

 

[kaharrison9]

Clips i looked at it was marble.
Looking into purchasing a similiar set up as Bri and my good friend the Spanish but like a lot of things once you start looking up,lots of questions and queries pop up

 

[Ian]

I'd say your best bet is to speak to Spanish and use his kit (if you haven't already). Daz showed me a marble tile that he'd profiled dry and it was spot on, no chips or marks. I would imagine the profiling wheels will last longer if they are water fed.

 

[Gazzer]

£130 all in Ebay

 

[Dan]

Not a bad price that.

Nice thread guys. Love these types of threads.

 

[Ian]

£130 all in Ebay
View attachment 30593

I had a look at those kits Neale, the thing that put me off was the american plug, I assume you changed that yourself and was it easy enough to do?

 

[Gazzer]

I had a look at those kits Neale, the thing that put me off was the american plug, I assume you changed that yourself and was it easy enough to do?

Yup cut old one off and put new one one. Mine is 110 v. Also you have to realise that the spindle thread is not metric. Its 5/8 I believe but not really an issue as I would just get a new profiling bit or whatever from the USA again. If I thought I was going to be using it every day then I may consider a UK version .

 

[Daz]

You are using the profiler wrong
Run the wheel along the edge not the face


Sent from my iPhone

Yeah, I meant to mention in the original post that I realise the profiler should run along the edge, but I have found it difficult to control and to get an even finish that way. I have gained better results by using it the way in the pictures. I lay a polishing cloth over the face of the tile so that the guide wheel does not mark the tile and it works well for me.