I‘m installing 13 x 13 cermic tiles. We‘ve laid the tile to try to configure the best layout. However, the one with the best layout with the easiests cuts leaves one very complicated one. The tile lies directly on the air duct, with the cut being a large rectangular hole in the middle of the tile. If we adjusted the layout to have 2 tiles lay over the duct, it creates more complicated cuts everywhere else.How do you suggest I cut this tile?We have only a wet tile saw.
you can use a diamond tip drill bits for drilling holes for tiles. or you can try this trick i've learned from my workers. place masking tape over the tile and mark the spot to drill. set your drill on drill (not on hammer) using a new (sharp) masonry drill slowly drill through the tile. use a tile cutter to cut your way through the hole. this will take some time but you'll save money, time if your only doing 1 tile, however if your going to do lots of drilling better get a diamond tip drill bit. you can also use the angular grinder with diamond disk cutter for 2 or bigger holes. again cover the tile with masking tape. use safety quipment for this. wet saw tile is ok for the layout, go for aesthetic or visual outlook of the tile not the complicatedness of installation, it must look good for you to be satisfied.
Get a ceramic tile drill bit and a coping saw with a diamond encrusted blade. Drill a hole in the tile. Slip the coping saw blade through the hole and attach it to the saw. Cut out the rectangle for the air vent.
I would go with the one that falls with one tile on the vent. then, go to Lowe's and pick up a ceramic tile drill bit. they have a bit that is specifically made for drilling through glass and ceramic tile, a masonry bit will crack the tile. they are relatively expensive for a drill bit because they have a relatively flat diamond coated tip. using this bit you can outline the cut with bit holes. if you drill enough holes, you can simply break the center out of the tile. just take your time and drill plenty of holes or you will crack the tile. I think that it would look cool if the duct came directly out of the center of a tile.
If you want to try to cut the tile out using only your wet saw it can be done but you have to be careful. You can slowly lower the tile down onto your marks being careful to keep you fingers out of the way and to stay on your lines. Gently move the tile to your desired marks the pop out the interior and clean it up with nippers and a file. It would probably be safer to use the grinder like the previous writer suggested.
