Replies

1. 
   WayneL5 | Jan 16, 2003 12:39am | #1

   Back 17 years ago when I was cheap I cut a small roomfull of slate tile with a dry abrasive blade in a table saw.  There was chipping.  It was more chipping than would be acceptable with ceramic tile, but for a fairly rustic slate floor I could live with it.  It would be too much chipping for a more formal look.  The dust was nearly overwhelming.

   Now that I'm older, I'd spend the $40 to rent a wet saw.

2. 
   don26299 | Jan 16, 2003 02:47am | #2

   >>what is the best way to cut these

   I have had really good luck with those cheap diamond Harbor Freight blades wet or dry.  I use them in a 7 1/4 & 4 circular saw and right angle grinder.  You can mist water on the point of contact.  These blades have run 6 - 14 $.  It doesn't seem to matter whether they call them- you can use either wet or dry. 

   We make a track for the circular saw to run in with L shaped boards hooked to two blocks.  I have been surprised how long these cheap blades last. 

3. 
   stonefever | Jan 16, 2003 03:20am | #3

   Ain't no other way than the saw.  Easier, faster, and possibly cheeper.

   Not to criticize, because I'm sure what you're doing is great, but from a personal opinionated-point-of-view, I'm starting to see too much slate nowadays.

4. 
   jazzdogg | Jan 16, 2003 03:29am | #4

   I recently installed several 12" sq slate tiles using a tub [wet] saw for most cuts and a diamond wheel mounted in an angle grinder for detail work. It's definitely worthwhile to rent a tub saw IMO.

   Cutting hint: Use a glass-drilling or masonry bit to bore a hole at the intersection of any inside corners before heading for the tub saw - the radius helps keep the tile from breaking as it sometimes does at sharp inside corners. I found it very helpful to support the tile on a scrap of carpet pad while drilling.

   Grouting hint: I found that using a grout bag saved a lot of clean-up time because of the grout's propensity to get trapped along the natural strata endemic to slate.

   Good luck,

   Jazzdogg

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jan 16, 2003 04:09am | #5

   ditto.....wet saw....grinder w/diamond blade.

   don't be too cheap...you're already diy'ing it.....let go the tight hold on that last penny and rent the right tools.

   JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

1. 
   Butlerbow | Jan 16, 2003 05:06pm | #6

   Thanks for all the replies.  My brother was willing to buy a wet saw, considering this work is in an apartment building, and we'll have several more tile jobs to do.  I talked him out of it and figured we'd see if we get the job done in a less expensive manner.  I don't like saying cheaper, but you get the idea.  I gave the abrasive blade a whirl last night.  It worked OK, minimal chipping, but the dust was terrible.  I'm still picking tar out of my nose. 

2. 
   don26299 | Jan 17, 2003 05:18am | #7

   >>Grouting hint: I found that using a grout bag saved a lot of clean-up time because of the grout's propensity to get trapped along the natural strata endemic to slate

   Thanks for the tip!  Wouldn't have thought of it.