Replies

1. 
   danski0224 | Mar 16, 2009 08:00pm | #1

   Sounds like a very messy job involving a 4" grinder and a diamond wheel.

   Using no water means it will be very, very, very dusty... using water will keep the dust down, but it will be very messy.

   Maybe a Rotozip tool would work.

   Could take the vanity top to a shop with a waterjet cutter :) 

   If there is an easy way to do this, maybe someone else knows.

1. 
   fatboy2 | Mar 16, 2009 08:20pm | #2

   Of course there is an easier way-just remake thevanity top. Don't know of many things easier to make than a vanity top, and gives the opportunity for new, prettier tile.
   Stef

2. 
   Scott | Mar 16, 2009 08:21pm | #3

   Use a mini grinder with diamond blade; have a helper hold a 2.5" vac hose by the blade; wear a dust mask; be prepared to vaccuum the dust out of the room when you're done. With a good vaccuum it's not that bad.

   Scott.

3. 
   levelone | Mar 16, 2009 08:47pm | #4

   Thanks for the speedy answers.

   Is there a diamond grit blade that would work in a jig saw?

1. 
   theslateman | Mar 16, 2009 08:53pm | #5

   Mark the outline and drill 1/4" holes spaced close together then just break out the inner tiles then cut the substrate.

   How much lip for the new bowl ?

1. 
   levelone | Mar 16, 2009 10:15pm | #7

   I'm told there is a fairly large lip, so the drill method may work well.

   Thanks.

1. 
   levelone | Mar 16, 2009 10:17pm | #9

   Thanks to all.  I appreciate the replies and the various options presented.

   I always learn a lot here.

1. 
   andybuildz | Mar 17, 2009 01:19am | #10

   If youre cutting through porcelin tile no jig saw with a tile blade is gonna work well.

   I tried those blades. They're OK for regular tile I suppose.

   What WILL work 100% on any tile is a $40 straight diamond bit for a roto zip. I imagine you can use it in a drill as well. It's  a very fat bit and has diamond chips all over the top and sides. Ease it in on an angle first to puncture the tile then work it around your circle pulling it up and down so as not to wear out one piece of the bit.

   I use a water bottle spritzer and spray it as I go along so as not to burn the bit out.

   I just used it and made 5-8 pretty big cuts and the bit is still in good shape...and my tile was THE hardest tile I ever  had to cut through for some reason.

   If no one here is familiar with it...well you are now and it works like a dream!

   Home Depot carries it in the took crib with the roto zip attachments. It's $40 and worth it's weight in diamonds!!!!! You can thank me later : )

    

    

    

   http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

   http://www.ramdass.org

    

2. 
   fingersandtoes | Mar 17, 2009 05:28am | #11

   Sounds like a great way to cut holes for taps and spouts. Thanks.

3. 
   andybuildz | Mar 17, 2009 06:29am | #16

   and for all 5/16" holes which are for all screws/plugs for towel rods..toilet paper holders etc...use the hollow diamond drill bits. Ridgid makes the best ones Home Depot sells (they sell two types)...and ALWAYS keep spraying with water and rotating the bit around a little rather then just drilling stright in.

   In the tool crib they have all different sized hollow diamond drill bits. I just noticed it the other day. The tile department just has one and it has the shid one to boot there.

    

    

    

   http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

   http://www.ramdass.org

    

4. 
   Jer | Mar 17, 2009 01:38pm | #18

   Hey Andy! Thanks! I was going to suggest the 4" grinder with a spritzer bottle like I always do ( I too cut a lot of tile in place), but I will DEFINITELY check out that bit. I also have a diamond bit for a drill like the granite guys and that works good too. A set of them is big $$$.

5. 
   DonCanDo | Mar 17, 2009 02:26pm | #20

   what kind of blade do you use?  Diamond? 

   I just experimented with a 4-1/2" angle grinder and metal cut-off blades.  I was not able to keep the tile cool enough even with lots of water. 

6. 
   andybuildz | Mar 17, 2009 03:33pm | #22

   Jer...carborundum is worth about as much as they cost. they're fine for soft tile and the like but far from what I want in my tool box as a pro. I've tried them and...well...homeowner stuff. The diamond bits are THE way ta go. At first when I saw the $40 price tag at HD for one bit I had sticker shock and bought 2-3 other things b/4 I broke down and shelled out the forty bucks. After using it I thought..."that was ONLY forty dollars"? lol. I was really shocked how well it worked and how long it's lasted me.

   I was totally freaking when I first went to cut large holes in the tile I installed. NOTHING would go through it. It was hands down the hardest tile I EVER had to cut through. I started thinking they made a mistake when they made it....lol.

   That $40 bit I actually hardly had to use any water with but the water definitely helps prolong the life of the bit. It's not a fast process but it WORKS!..and thats all I care about....it's not like it takes all THAT much time all things considered.

   And those hollow diamond bits were also a life saver and I was shocked how long they last. the reason they're hollow is because you HAVE TO use water with them. I burnt the first one out in 2 seconds by not using enough water. the 2nd bit I sprayed lightly as I went along and I probably cut over a dozen and a half holes and the bits still good. Only cost aboy $12 too. In the tool crib they have lots of sizes unlike in the tile dept. Different brands too. The Ridgid was the best hands down for a few pennies more.

   Well..back to the same job today...lots of expensive trim to install there. they were so happy with that trim I fabricated for the bathroom they want it all over the entire upstairs now  : )

    

    

    

   http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

   http://www.ramdass.org

    

   Edited 3/17/2009 8:40 am ET by andybuildz

7. 
   levelone | Mar 17, 2009 05:39am | #12

   Thanks Andy.

8. 
   back2work | Mar 17, 2009 06:01am | #13

   Any chance of just removing the tiles in the cutout line, cutting the individual tiles like usual, then resetting them? Wonder if he has any extra tiles. Might get a couple "pieces" out of one...Maybe this would be more work, don't know.

9. 
   andybuildz | Mar 17, 2009 06:14am | #14

   with the bit I told him to get he won't need to remove the tile : )

   I cut a lot of my tiles in place

    

    

    

   http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

   http://www.ramdass.org

    

10. 
    andybuildz | Mar 17, 2009 06:17am | #15

    All these tiles I cut with that bit and a bunch more besides these. The cuts came out PERFECT!

    Pics of this bathroom http://picasaweb.google.com/andybuildz/KAYLINMASTERBATH?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeRvIurhaPE3gE&feat=directlink

    View Image

     

     

     

    http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

    http://www.ramdass.org

     

    Edited 3/16/2009 11:19 pm ET by andybuildz

11. 
    levelone | Mar 17, 2009 07:41am | #17

    Mmmm, that is a low flow shower head right?

    Nice tile work!

12. 
    andybuildz | Mar 17, 2009 03:37pm | #23

    Mmmm, that is a low flow shower head right?

    Nice tile work!

     

    It's a $1200 shower head...lol. ain't my house...I just do the work..even with the water saver an awful lotta water comes down from it. 18" diameter.

     

     

     

     

    http://www.cliffordrenovations.com

    http://www.ramdass.org

     

13. 
    Jer | Mar 18, 2009 03:32am | #24

    It's a "rain shower" head. They're nice I suppose, but you just don't get the pressure you're usually used to in a shower with them.

14. 
    Piffin | Mar 17, 2009 02:29pm | #21

    Thanks for that info, Andy.Ya know, when I first starting reading this thread, I was thinking he had ceramic on the floor and was adding an extra vanity, so I was going to just say a hammer and cold chisle. good thing I read for context, eh? 

     

    Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Mar 16, 2009 09:58pm | #6

   Yes there is, and I used it to cut a big hole in a 12" tile.  You still have to feed it alot of water to keep it sharp and cool.  A condiment squirt bottle with water would work.  Make sure your jigsaw is in a GFI protected plug!

   Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

   Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

3. 
   iluvgear | Mar 16, 2009 10:15pm | #8

   Lowes carries a "Remgrit" blade for jigsaws.  Bosch and Hitachi make a similar blade.  If you are cutting tile and a wood substrate you may go through two or three blades.  You will still need to hold the vac  but it is less dusty than a grinder.  Great for cutting Haddie.

4. 
   Piffin | Mar 17, 2009 02:25pm | #19

   There are carborundum blades for jigsaws, but it would take about a dozen of them to cut this size hole, and the vibrations would be likely to knock a bunch of the tiles loose 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   chairmon | Mar 18, 2009 07:07am | #25

   I agree with andy that the rotozip diamond works well. If you dont have that setup. a 4" diamond wheel on any small grinder just cut through the tile, break it up and jig out the substrate. Hold a vac next to it while grinding and you will be fine.

   Thanks Craig