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Discussion Forum

Cutting Plastic (?) Tiles

BossHog | Posted in General Discussion on August 3, 2004 03:35am

I’m trying to fix up the kitchen at the old house a bit before we rent it out.

One of the things I hae to tackle is cutting a few tiles around outlets and switches. But I have no idea how to cut the danged things without breaking them.

The tiles are thin, cheap plastic ones. Probably from the 1960s or so, I’d guess.

Since they’re around light switches and outlets, I have to cut NOTCHES out of them. Not as simple as just cutting an inch or so off of them.

I tried scoring them with a utility knife then snapping them. But they break at random places, not just along the score lines.

Got any suggestions for these things?

When a democracy is in trouble, the remedy is more democracy. [Andrew Jackson]

Reply

Replies

  1. WayneL5 | Aug 03, 2004 03:46am | #1

    I'm not sure I'm picturing them right.  Are you trying to cut a u-shaped (three sided) cutout?  If so, drill a hole in the two corners.  Then saw to the holes with a fine-toothed blade, such as a hacksaw blade.  Tilting the blade at a shallow angle after the cut is started helps put more teeth in contact with the material and reduce chattering.  Then, if you're lucky you can score and snap the tab off, or use a coping saw on the third side, or drill a row of closely spaced holes before scoring and snapping.

    1. User avater
      BossHog | Aug 03, 2004 03:53am | #2

      Yup - A "U" shaped cutout is what I'm after.

      Hadn't though about drilling holes first. I may run over and try that yet tonight.A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to let alone. {Henry David Thoreau]

      1. FNbenthayer | Aug 03, 2004 03:59am | #5

        I'd drill at the curves and try a metal blade in my jigsaw.The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski

  2. User avater
    MarkH | Aug 03, 2004 03:57am | #3

    Try a saber saw with a metal blade, or a hacksaw.

  3. User avater
    RichColumbus | Aug 03, 2004 03:58am | #4

    If they are what I think they are...

    try using your Dremel.  A diamond point might be a bit much... but a carbide cutter with enough fluting to clear the chips might be the ticket.

  4. User avater
    IMERC | Aug 03, 2004 04:43am | #6

    Drill a piolet hole... Use a fine tooth STRAIGHT point (no hook) blade in yur jig saw and make sure the orbit function is turned off...

    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!

  5. User avater
    IMERC | Aug 03, 2004 04:49am | #7

    PS... Cut from the back side....

    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!

    1. User avater
      BossHog | Aug 03, 2004 02:04pm | #8

      Well, I went over last night and tried drilling a hole in a couple of the tiles. The first one cracked, but the 2nd one didn't.

      I don't own a jigsaw. So I went to get one of my hacksaws. Trouble is, I haven't the faintest idea where they are. I looked at both houses but couldn't come up with one. Still don't have my tools put away from moving.

      So I'll try the hacksaw thing once I actually FIND one of them. (-:The taxpayer; that’s someone who works for the federal government, but doesn’t have to take a civil service examination. [Ronald Reagan]

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Aug 03, 2004 07:50pm | #9

        Time for a Bosch... I can see that from here...

        Use a brad point bit to drill...

        now to figure out what glue puts those tiles back together..

        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!

        1. User avater
          BossHog | Aug 03, 2004 08:22pm | #10

          Never thought about a brad point bit.

          Not sure I have one less than 1/4", though.

          Don't know that I'll buy a Bosch scroll saw. I've been eyeing the Freud ones for a while.

          My next tool purchase will probably be a hammer drill...I went to a restaurant that serves "breakfast at any time." So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance.

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Aug 03, 2004 08:59pm | #11

            Ah yes... More Bosch made to order for the Boss....

            Drill a series of connecting holes with the brad point..

            When you cut thick vynal tiles it helps to warm them 1st...That might work here...

            More Bosh tools... Heat gun or the Milwaukee....

            This can be fun...

            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!

          2. User avater
            IMERC | Aug 03, 2004 09:07pm | #12

            Boss I use a nibbler to cut them...

            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!

          3. WayneL5 | Aug 04, 2004 12:43am | #13

            Brad point is the way to go, with the plastic solidly supported behind the bit.  Or, heat up a nail with a torch and melt the hole in.

            Time to buy a new hacksaw blade!

          4. User avater
            MarkH | Aug 04, 2004 12:48am | #14

            Yeah, all you need is a blade, you don't need a hacksaw frame. Duct tape one end and cut on the pull stroke. 32 tpi on the blade.

  6. maverick | Aug 04, 2004 03:36am | #15

    Roto-zip

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Aug 04, 2004 09:02am | #17

      Too fast... Too mucch heat to contend with...

      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!

  7. Piffin | Aug 04, 2004 03:36am | #16

    Dremel disc cutter, slow speed

    or

    wood burning set or soldering iron to melt the cut

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Aug 04, 2004 09:03am | #18

      wood burning set or soldering iron to melt the cut

      I like it.... File that one away...

      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!

      1. User avater
        goldhiller | Aug 04, 2004 07:43pm | #19

        Fein Multi-Master or for those that ain't got one ............heat your utility knife blade in the flame of a propane torch and cut away.  Worked dandy for me before I got the FM.  

        Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.

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