Ceramic tile

[Vinniem]

Have to change a singlegang box to a 2 gang box in a kicthen. the wall is ceramic tile. I was thinking of using a rotozip.


What do you guys feel the best tool is to cut it in?

 

[barbeer]

 

[hillbilly]

I've got a Dremel tool with a 1 1/4" (30mm) diamond blade that works well for notching ceramic tiles.

The blade cost about $10.

I use a wet sponge to control the dust.....hold it against the blade as you cut.

Hope this helps
steve

 

[barbeer]

Just kidding! Try this......

And this....

 

[JohnConnolly]

I'd use the Rotozip with the tile bit instead of the blade.

Less dust and you can get into the corners.

 

[celtic]

Here's my set-up...use it for many different applictions:

Rotozip (I recommend a CORDED model...I've burnt out too many cordless models)

Vacuum attachment ~ Roto-zip #RZVAC1

Vacuum ~ Dewalt DC-500 Corded/cordless

Just pick the RIGHT BITS
You'll need one for the tile.


SWEET

No mess...no clean-up...done

EDIT TO ADD:
Tilecut XBIT™
XB-TC1

or

Tilecut™ Bit
TC1

Those the bit/s you want

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Here's my set-up...use it for many different applictions:
Rotozip (I recommend a CORDED model...I've burnt out too many cordless models)
Vacuum attachment
Vacuum
Just pick the RIGHT BITS
You'll need one for the tile.

SWEET
No mess...no clean-up...done

Humm let me smoke and have a think about that one.

Okay-- Got my response--- Let the tile guy cut it. I don't cut tile--not my job , man.:grin:

 

[stickboy1375]

Okay-- Got my response--- Let the tile guy cut it. I don't cut tile--not my job , man.:grin:

C'mon Dennis, your an electrician, you can do anything, I've hung pictures, moved furniture, you name it for women who are married to guys with no ability to even use a screwdriver...:grin:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

C'mon Dennis, your an electrician, you can do anything, I've hung pictures, moved furniture, you name it for women who are married to guys with no ability to even use a screwdriver...:grin:

I can do anything (If I want to) so let me think and smoke about it again

Nah, I don't want to.

 

[celtic]

Okay-- Got my response--- Let the tile guy cut it. I don't cut tile--not my job , man.:grin:

While that may be true for new construction ...what happenes when the tile guy doesn't make an exact cut?
You call him back?
At who's expense?
What if he doesn't show up?

I find it's easier (and more profitable) to just make the alteration myself.

In the case of existing work where the customers wants an outlet for whatever reason, but no tile is being laid - you call a guy special just for this???
I'll make the sale... No Problem

 

[quogueelectric]

cutting tile

cutting tile

The tile/masonary guys best friend is the 4 inch angle grinder with a diamond wheel for heavy cutting. You can get a grit blade for a jigsaw also. Drill round holes in the opposite corners with a small grit holesaw then cut straight to the corners with a grit blade.

 

[JohnConnolly]

I'm diggin the vacuum/attachment thing.

 

[mdshunk]

I like to use a combination of both methods. The RotoZip tile bits are certainly effective, but they're very expensive and wear quickly. I cut as much of the "straight" with a diamond wheel in a 4-1/2" grinder as I can without overcutting, and finish off the corners with a RotoZip with a tile bit chucked up in it. It's not all that often I have to do this, anyhow, but a box cut into tile is a 200 dollar upcharge for me. With that in mind, I can take my time and do a superior job. I've followed electricians who have used a chisel and hammer on ceramic tile (no kidding), and they've left a few angry customers in their wake. Throw a cheap 29 dollar grinder, a 10 dollar diamond wheel, a 50 dolllar RotoZip, and a 5 dollar tile bit on the truck, and you'll be well prepared for any tile work. The diamond wheel in the grinder works real slick for cut-in boxes in brick too!

 

[celtic]

.............. a box cut into tile is a 200 dollar upcharge for me....

That's what I'm talking about!

 

[quogueelectric]

porcelain tile

porcelain tile

One important note when cutting tile is to ALLWAYS wear eye protection I had a dremmel tool disc explode while cutting tile and a fragment stuck right into the bridge of my nose I was verry lucky that day that I did not lose an eye.

 

[mdshunk]

That's what I'm talking about!

I know electricians personally who flatly won't cut in a box in existing tile work. That reason alone is enough to justify the upcharge.