Replies

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Jun 13, 2005 06:55am | #1

   Are you talking about Mexican saltillo tile?  If so, there are a couple of varieties: the crude natural stuff that apparently has no dimensional tolerances and thus can vary as much as a 1/4" or more and is usually not flat, and the stuff that's sold as super saltillo and is very regular.

   Anyway, it cuts very easily, but you have to use a saw ... score & snap won't work.  A wet saw would be preferred because it will help control the dust, but a dry saw will work as well.  You could even use a diamnond blade in a side grinder, or even an abrasive blade.  It will be messy so cut it outside.

   People do things various ways, but one thing all agree on: you must seal the top surface before grouting.  If you don't, the face of the tile will absorb the moisture from the grout, making for a horrible mess of dry grout that you're trying to push around, and the face of the tile will be stained.

   Of course if you're not talking about saltillo, ignore this message.   :)

    

   I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

2. 
   spinnm | Jun 13, 2005 07:46am | #2

   But if you are....you can always go over to the tile forum at http://www.johnbridge.com .

   Ed told you true, but there are several Texans over there who've layed miles of it.  They say not to seal the edges, but I've never found that to be a problem. You want several coats.  If it's still sucking up sealer, it'll suck up the grout too.

   You want to lay it wet also, so it doesn't soak all the moisture out of the thinset.  Just dump them in a drywall bucket of water.

   ShelleyinNM