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OT: ceramic tile jigsaw blades
BenB - 26/1/10 at 03:37 PM

Anyone used them? What's the knack?
Slowly slowly? Lots of water?

I used some TC jigsaw blades last night on some ceramic tile and it ate the blades for breakfast. I think I was going a bit too fast (the blade got "blued" ) but heyho...

I've got to cut 110mm out of the centre of a tile for the bonzo tube and it's either find out how to it properly using the jigsaw blades or blow £40 on a diamond hole saw which will only ever cut one hole

Agriv8 - 26/1/10 at 03:42 PM

used them a couple of times and my advise is speed to medium + water and let the blade do the work ( dont push it too hard )

regards agriv8

Bluemoon - 26/1/10 at 03:43 PM

Can you not cut straight lines, i.e. cut the tile in 4, then chop of a corner from each of the four parts, you then get a rectangular hole?? Messy and not the best looking solution though, but locost..

Dan

BenB - 26/1/10 at 03:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Bluemoon
Can you not cut straight lines, i.e. cut the tile in 4, then chop of a corner from each of the four parts, you then get a rectangular hole?? Messy and not the best looking solution though, but locost..

Dan


I could but I'm a pedantic perfectionist....

whitestu - 26/1/10 at 03:53 PM

I've had much more success with a ceramic hacksaw blade - had one for ages and it still hasn't worn out, and is dead easy to cut with.

Much less likely to crack the tile as well.

Stu

BenB - 26/1/10 at 03:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
I've had much more success with a ceramic hacksaw blade - had one for ages and it still hasn't worn out, and is dead easy to cut with.

Much less likely to crack the tile as well.

Stu


Good point, might be worth trying....

RAYLEE29 - 26/1/10 at 03:54 PM

hi, drill a hole and use a tile saw much like a coping saw gently and support the tile
might take a while
Ray

Vindi_andy - 26/1/10 at 04:09 PM

Used a TC blade in jigsaw.

Slowest speed and let blade do the work.

You do have to occasionally turn the speed up and run the saw elsewhere to cool motor as suggested in manufacturers sheet but had great reasults

Davegtst - 26/1/10 at 04:41 PM

Just use a hacksaw with a metal blade. Drill 4 holes with a masonary drill bit the cut out the middle with a hacksaw. Worked perfectly for me.

twybrow - 26/1/10 at 04:43 PM

If it is a porcelain tile, they are so hard very little will easily cut it. If it is regular ceramic, then those hacksaw blades work wonders. Mine did an entire kitchen walls/floor/dining room/bathroom, and still cuts today!

stevec - 26/1/10 at 04:54 PM

The proper tile saws are good for cutting fibreglass aswell.
Steve

Liam - 26/1/10 at 05:52 PM

Though you'll probably get on OK with the jigsaw, a pro-tiler pointed me in the direction of this site once. Bought a few (smaller) bits during my renovation, they came in a few days (from Hong Kong) and did the job on the most bitchin porcelain tiles I've had the displeasure to have to make holes in.

Liam

BenB - 26/1/10 at 06:23 PM

quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
If it is a porcelain tile, they are so hard very little will easily cut it. If it is regular ceramic, then those hacksaw blades work wonders. Mine did an entire kitchen walls/floor/dining room/bathroom, and still cuts today!


Oh yes it's a porcelain tile. Rapidly wishing I'd checked what type of tile it is before buying them.

What's all this about turning up the speed on the jigsaw then? Might have to upgrade to a variable speed joby. Mines full chat or nothing

Liam - 26/1/10 at 06:31 PM

Oh dear - if they're as hard as mine, aint nothin but diamond that'll cut them! I couldn't even drill 6/8/10mm holes for screws, etc without the diamond bits. Would destroy a brand new decent quality metal masonary bit in one hole running at low speed with water.

Er, good luck!

dhutch - 26/1/10 at 06:42 PM

Never used either but would have more faith in a hand saw than a jigsaw myself. Neithers going to be rapid.

Ive used a hired diamond core cutter for making 4inch holes in engineering bricks and that worked out quite well.
- Think it was about £30 for the day, uncluding wear (about 10 holes) and a 110v drill and transformer to go with to save hammering mine for the day. A i had a stack load of other holes to make including cutting upwards into plasterboard and the like.

Daniel

norfolkluego - 26/1/10 at 06:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Davegtst
Just use a hacksaw with a metal blade. Drill 4 holes with a masonary drill bit the cut out the middle with a hacksaw. Worked perfectly for me.


Better with a proper tile bit (they look a bit like the head of an arrow), not expensive and sold in all DIY stores

Peteff - 26/1/10 at 07:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RAYLEE29
hi, drill a hole and use a tile saw much like a coping saw gently and support the tile
might take a while
Ray


I did it this way, only broke two tiles. I use ordinary masonry bits and a carbide grit saw blade. I have used carbide grit jig saw blades as well, my jig saw runs so slow you can count the strokes on low speed.

iank - 26/1/10 at 07:43 PM

I'd hire a diamond hole saw if you're only doing one hole.

The tiler I used was quite clear as to his views on the ease, or lack of, fitting porcelain and travatine. He went through 2 diamond blades on his tile cutter doing our two bathrooms.

macc man - 26/1/10 at 08:37 PM

Hi, if you only have 1 hole to cut I would either hire a cutter from Topps or use a tile drill (only a few pounds) and chain drill. If not visible easier to cut tile in two and cut with nibbler and file rough edges.Nobody will notice.

BenB - 27/1/10 at 08:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by macc man
Hi, if you only have 1 hole to cut I would either hire a cutter from Topps or use a tile drill (only a few pounds) and chain drill. If not visible easier to cut tile in two and cut with nibbler and file rough edges.Nobody will notice.


Yup. Chain drill and file might be the way forward. My tile file (for the moment anyway) seems to work quite well on the tiles....

Vindi_andy - 27/1/10 at 03:12 PM

regards speed on jigsaw when using carbide grit blades you have to use a variable speed jigsaw and turn the speed down to just above minimum.

This means not a lot of airflow over the motor so it gets hot thats why you then turn it up to full chat for a little bit and run it but do not try and cut tiles when doing this.

As has been said if its only one hole hire a diamond hole saw or chain drill with small diamond bit.

You will struggle to use a standard masonary bit on porcelain.

Liam - 27/1/10 at 03:19 PM

Hiring a pukka cutter for one hole is a bit ott imho. The link I posted above will buy a diamond coated hole saw for less than the cost of a days hire, and though obviously not the highest quality available, will easily do the one hole and come back for more later.

Liam