Long Grinder Cuts? - TilersForums.com

[Drifterjoe]

Hi guys,

Is there a technique other than a steady hand to getting straight long cuts using a grinder. Also mitres I've seen a set up of a 45deg angle block and cut freehand but only on small cuts.

Trying to make a decision on whether to upgrade to a cordless grinder and batteries or to spend some money on a decent wet cutter? It would be nice to do away with the extention cables and wet mess.

Cheers

 

[Flintstone]

For me just a steady hand! Make a good clear mark you can see and get your stall set up so you can cut the first go in one pass and not have to stop to adjust yourself

 

[One Day]

I clamp an old straight edge to the tile and LIGHTLY make a first cut against that.
Just enough to get through the glaze.
Now remove the straight edge and use a steady hand and maybe 3 or 4 passes, going in just past the first cut.
This helps avoid chipping the glaze.
A Makita brushless grinder and a Marcrist akkumax blade make for very smooth cuts.

 

[Dumbo]

Sigma make a rail system where you can fix a bosch grinder to it but it would still mean cables

 

[Old Mod]

If you want to go down the machine route,
Montolit, Raimondi, Festool, all make systems that use grinders on a rail.
Long cuts freehand are much easier carried out if you pull the grinder through.
As long as your work piece is clamped to your cutting table you'll be able to have much more control as opposed to pushing it through, which is the most common way of doing it.
To do this all you need to do is flip the grinder over so that the cutting wheel is on your right side.
You'll also have to spin the guard around 180 degrees.
Cutting this way has an extra couple of advantages.
Sighting your line is easier, dust and debris is pushed away from you instead of towards you.
This is the way most full time natural stone fixers cut.