posted
I have 6"x6" 3/8" thick porcelin tile that I need to cut a rectangle into. I have tried with the CNC machine but have had no luck. Anyone have any suggestions.
Thanks for your help, TJ
-------------------- TJ Duvall Diamond State Graphics, Inc.
New Castle, DE 19720 Posts: 396 | From: New Castle,Delaware | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks I was thinking a waterjet might work also, but this is more of a favor than a job so that might not be an option. The problem with the saw is I need to cut in the middle of the tile. And even with the correct bits the CNC breaks the piece before it starts cutting. Thanks again.
-------------------- TJ Duvall Diamond State Graphics, Inc.
New Castle, DE 19720 Posts: 396 | From: New Castle,Delaware | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
My wife is a commercial (union) tile setter. She just installed over 600 square feet of porcelain tile in our new house (while nearly 6 months pregnant!). She uses a manual "cutter bar" to make straight cuts- it is like a glass cutter (with the little carbide wheel) on a track, very much like the track on a (tiny) panel saw. Score the tile and snap it, just like cutting glass. Porcelain breaks very cleanly, the edges can be sharp!
posted
Hiya TJ, I'm with Gene on this one. I don't think waterjet will work because you have to get through the tile first before cutting it. My gut feeling says the jet blast will probably shatter the tile before it even begins to cut. Another thought would be to drill the tile first and carefully cut it with a small fine tooth saw.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I worked at a company that had a waterjet- it will cut thru that tile like it's a piece of Swiss cheese. Remenber whatever you are cutting with a water jet is always well-supported underneath. No breakage. We cut everything on that machine, they are pretty cool. Messy, though.
posted
I have a water cooled diamond blade saw and it works slick. The saw is suspended over the table and the bed runs on two rods underneath. There's a wet tub underneath.
To cut a diamond hole in the center of a tile I would turn the tile upside down and drop the saw through the tile from the backside. That way you can cut through the tile all the way through without overcuts on the face.
Just find someone with a similar saw and have them cut it for you.
-grampa dan
[ January 19, 2005, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8740 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
TJ, You can also find a "carbide encrusted" hacksaw "wire/cable" (for lack of something better to call it) probably at Lowe's. You would need to drill a hole through the tile first and then thread the cutter through, then attach it to your hacksaw.
Carbide bit will cut through, for your hole.
-------------------- Gene Golden Gettysburg Signs Gettysburg PA 17325 717-334-0200 genegolden@gettysburgsigns.com
"Art is knowing when to stop." Posts: 1578 | From: Gettysburg, PA | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
oooops if this is a job where you need certain shapes (especially small intricate shapes), waterjet cut is the only way to go, if it can be done. I have cut shapes and even punching a hole is possible with the use if a Bosch Grinder with a dry cut blade (it won't last long) and a wet saw from the back of the tile and the front and then file with a carbide file (I used these old school diamond granite files my dad had)
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1539 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Dremel and rotozip are now the same company has bits for the work since the tile is loose you can use a wet sponge to keep the dust down. it will do the job but is a little on the slow side.
[ January 20, 2005, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: Glen Perye Jr ]
-------------------- PTSideshow, been there, probally done that. Wizard Works Show Supply Magic Props FX Signage Banners Ect. Posts: 120 | From: Mount Clemens,MI,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic