travertine shape cutting..

[cja]

Another day another question.. sorry!

Travertine, 12.5mm 610x406 on walls

Brick bonded pattern, need to go 'around' an alcove - it works out that visually it would look better to make the cut in a single tile, but i'm not sure if it's practical?

I've illustrated in a diagram, apologies for the pink - the picture on the left is how i think it would normally be done - 2 tiles, 2 cuts in each, polish the edges. However, on the right is how it would look better - 1 tile, 3 cuts - but i'm not sure what tool would be up to the job of making the horizontal cut? Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[DHTiling]

It can be done with a grinder... as long as it falls in line with the lay out then no reason not to do it in one.

 

[cja]

thanks dave - will that get a clean enough cut? just a diamond disc on an angle grinder?

 

[DHTiling]

I use a turbo blade... and yes a nice clean cut.. BUT i do bull nose my edges..

 

[Scott]

With a steady hand! I use something like a pencil line to guide my hand to rather than just a pencil line for the blade cut. That way i can 'draw' my hand back with the grinder in a straight line

 

[White Room]

I've never used a grinder for shaped trav, pencil the shape onto the tile and lots of thin cuts to the line on the tile, then nibble away.

As trav is soft a rounded tile tends to finish the edge for me

 

[cja]

ok - anywhere i can buy a steady hand?! will give it a try.. thanks - i was looking at things like a rotozip as you can get them with a line guide, but wasn't loving the thought of splashing another £170ish quid..

 

[DHTiling]

You can do the straight cuts on ya wet saw ans the dress the corners with the grinder,,

If you need to curve then it is done like this,.. FF to 4 mins.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF00fAoK4m0]YouTube - Cutting a Freehand Curve in a Glazed Tile[/ame]

 

[astute1]

Agree with Dave, I sometimes run my turbo blade along a straight edge. I have a number or 3mm thick L Angle aluminium ones, different lengths. Gives you a nice straight cut, especially if youve had a few beers the night before and your hand is a little unsteady. Generally just use it for a first shallow marking cut then remove and your blade has a nice straight trench to run along in.

 

[faithhealer]

plunge cut mine on my wet cutter

 

[cja]

thanks chaps - i don't think i can plunge as i just have a wet table saw - will give a turbo blade a try - i have plenty of spare trav to try it on

 

[Gazzer]

Angle grinder for me

 

[Fred]

I angle grind most tiles nowadays, blackdiamond industries porcelain turbo blades are excellent and great value.