Replies

1. 
   IMERC | Nov 23, 2006 11:58am | #1

   rigt angle grinder and a diamond wheel..

   take yur time and use a straight edge...

   good to go..

    

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

1. 
   Whale | Nov 23, 2006 12:00pm | #2

   When you say use a straight edge do you mean to put up a steel edge and use it to run the grinder along...

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Nov 23, 2006 12:21pm | #3

   Ditto what Whale said -- the grinder with the diamond blade. Although a Zip tool might give you a bit more control, it will take many hours, instead of less than one hour. Those Zip tools just aren't as good at cutting tile as the TV ads show.

   And don't get a segmented-rim diamond blade, get the continuous rim one, it will leave a smoother cut.

   For the straightedge, try to rig up something so that you aren't freehanding this cut. From your description, it sounds like this will be the visible line between the counter and the backsplash. Even small variations from perfect will be noticable.

   Anything that helps you hold the grinder true straight and level, while yo move thru the cut. The best I can think of quickly is a board (or angle iron) laid flat at the right height -- you could ride the grinder head on that to help.

    

    

    Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.

2. 
   IMERC | Nov 23, 2006 01:18pm | #4

   wood would work better... 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   VAVince | Nov 23, 2006 04:00pm | #5

   Sounds like a finished Kitchen. Grinder will put out lots of dust! May want a helper with a vac to follow along.

3. 
   danski0224 | Nov 23, 2006 06:33pm | #6

   First, does it *really* need to be cut? You are talking about maybe 3/8 of an inch difference, right? How much tile will be cut- less than 3/8 of an inch?

   Will there be a granite backsplash, or is the tile the backsplash? I would really think twice about this if the tile is the backsplash and if a short distance of tile will be below the new top- it will still come out later.

   Is your existing top *really* thicker or is it built-up?

   You will then have to remove whatever is under the tile to get that flush fit.

   An angle grinder will make a HUGE mess. Try dry cutting a small piece of scrap and you will understand. Do NOT underestimate the magnitude of the mess. Goggles, earplugs and a respirator will be mandatory. You will need to tarp off the work area to keep clean up to a reasonable amount. Did I say this would be messy?

   It will also be impossible to cut a perfectly straight line. When the grinder is plunged into the tile, if you lose control it can run out onto the cut tile behind the grinder and mark/cut it. There will likely be chips in the glaze anyways no matter how perfect you try to be.

   A nice bead of colored caulk will hide the eventual flaws.

   If you are truly set on cutting the tile, this sounds like an ideal job for a Fein MultiMaster. The mess issue alone compared to an angle grinder will be worth it. The MultiMaster will also allow cutting much closer to the existing cabinets or top if they are still in place. I bet you could run that diamond blade right on top of a wood shim/spacer and get that near perfect cut. Ain't gonna happen with an angle grinder, and a whole lot more dangerous.

   Anyone that can swing 360+/- square feet of granite can probably swing a MultiMaster.

4. 
   CAGIV | Nov 23, 2006 06:43pm | #7

   I've done this a number of times as suggested above with an angle grinder and a continuous rim diamond blade.  If you go slow it's not hard at all to keep a straight line freehand, I mark the cut with a wax crayon and have a second person in back of me holding a vac directly in back of the blade to catch all the debris.  Where a mask and safety glasses and take your time.

   Use the screw in handle in the grinder to help you stabilize the tool rather then using the grinder with out it.

   I would not recommend trying to use a straight edge I think it will interfere with the blade more then it will help and could potentially cause a danger.

   Get some color match caulk to match the backsplash grout, leave yourself at least and 1/8" gap for clearance.

   I would strongly urge you not to use a rotozip, the bit in a rotozip and the ergonomics of the tool itself are going to make it hard to control.

   I see a lot of people are concerned about the mess it will create, if you have a second person with the vac the mess is not that bad at all.  With out the vac. you will have a huge mess.

   

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/23/2006 10:45 am ET by CAGIV

5. 
   Hiker | Nov 23, 2006 07:17pm | #8

   You might also try a Crain jamb saw with a diamond blade.  Use the old counter as a guide.  It will give a little more control than a grinder.

   Bruce

6. 
   IdahoDon | Nov 24, 2006 07:06am | #9

   Get a diamond wheel for a hand grinder.  The other methods would take way too long. 

   Diamond wheels vary considerably and the better quality and smaller grit wheels will cut smoother.  Coarse wheels can really chip some ceramic tiles.

   Makita, MK and others also make a tile circular saw that uses smallish diameter diamond wheels and would also work well, but the surface would need to be protected from the saw base moving over it.

   Of course any circ saw can be fitted with a diamond blade as well, but they are much harder to control on a horizontal cut on a verticle surface.

   Good luck

    

    

   Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

7. 
   CaseyF | Nov 24, 2006 08:08am | #10

   If you are in the market it would make a nice excuse to get the multi-master, but if I were doing it and didn't want to pony up the money right now I'd use my grinder.

   Someone following behind with a vacuum hose as suggested above is a must, but it might also be easier to make the cut in two passes. My experience cutting tile with a grinder is that sometimes that's the better option.

   I also wonder if it would help to score the tile with a knife or something just above your cut line to help prevent chipping, kind of like when cutting down a door or some plywood? I've not done that, but tile with a very smooth finish does tend to chip. Anyone ever try that?

   Peace,

   Casey

   http://www.streets.org