Hello
We are redoing our kitchen and replacing the counter tops with granite. The existing counter tops are 5/8″ and the granite will be 1 1/4″. Since we have tile back splashs, we need to cut 5/8″ off the back splashs so that the granite will fit in. I would like to do it in place and I do not have extra tiles. Someone suggested using an angle grinder with a diamond blade. Will this work?? Also, how do I do the interior corners?? I thought that this must be a common issue since plumber routinely have to cut wall tile in bathrooms, etc.
Thanks
Texasron1
Replies
not an easy prospect, i assume you cant remove the required tiles, cut them and replace them
a small circular tile cutter would work, the battery operated water tile saw from makita would work okay and keep down the dust, or a regular grinder with a dry diamond blade would also work with a lot of fine dust and noise though, either method, watch the depth. a scrap of wood ontop of the old countertop to mimic the new height would keep your cut straight
into the corners would be a problem however, maybe you could very carefully remove those two tiles and cut and replace them
if not, a series of small holes along the cut line (diamond bit) and very carefully break them off. you could drill these holes using a guide of some kind to keep the line straight
caulking is not a piece of trim
I use a dry cut diamond blade on a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder to cut access panels in tiled plumbing chase walls. Most of these are CMU walls, so we cut through both the tile and the block. To keep the dust down a little we hold the nozzel of the shop vac hose next to the grinder while we are cutting. When you get to the corner, just let the cut go deeper and get both sides at the same time. You will end up with about an inch to inch and a half of each tile that is not cut. We finish those out with a dremel tool that has a flex shaft and diamond bur bit.
Take you time. Those angle grinders can jump out of the cut if you try to go to deep at one time. Shallow cut=control=good job.
Dave
My small (3"?)Makita cordless with a tile blade has always worked great for me!
Be well
andy
My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
The tiles in the corners sound like a job for the Fein Multimaster
John
I'm currently cleaning up 1/16" grout joints in 2" square mosaic tiles with a Dremel grout removal attachment. It's quite labourious. Would you recommend the Fein tool for this? What I am cleaning out is thin-set that has squeezed out into the grout joints.
You might try a rotozip with a tile bit. I used one to cut in a threshold in a slate tile floor by using a guide strip. Plunge cut into the waste and move up to the guide.
So if I understand this correctly, someone installed a 5/8" thick counter top? Made of what?
I'm having trouble with the fact that someone would cut corners enough to install a 5/8" top and not also have gone way cheap on the cabinets. If the cabinets aren't top shelf why bother with granite? Perfume on a pig.
However you decide to cut that tile, I will suggest that you leave yourself a little wiggle room. If it was mine, 5/8" exsisting top, with 3/4" "new" cut= 1"3/8". I know that you have actually measured the New Granite top, for it's thickness,, right,,,,. What happens if you decide to lower your base cabinets, will your drawer's clear, dishwasher,stove etc. Anywho, if it were mine, I would want to take a close at the Base cabinets, with the exsisting tops off, regardless if I was going up or down. Good luck Jim J