ideas for cutting a radius inside of a radius? - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums

Bri · 05-04-2002, 06:53 PM

Hi
I may be working on a VW dealership, that has 3 different coloured porcelain 12x12 tile, that have 3 intersecting circles...21,23,26 ft radius?radiuses?radii?..anyway..I was planning on cutting the first circle with the angle grinder after it was layed, but obviously I can't do that with the inside radius that abutts the first one. All joints must line up too...and maybe even a schluter trim between the the two. Sounds like a bit of work eh? Any tips or tricks you can pass along would be appreciatied.

John Bridge · 05-04-2002, 07:04 PM

How many millions of Canadian dollars are they going to pay you to do this?

I have never done that with an angle grinder. Can you really get that fine a cut?

In a car dealership (I've only done one) there should be a lot of floor area. Is it possible to lay out the bordering tiles for the second and third radii on the floor and then trace the arc with a long trammel?

I guess you could then cut the pieces with the angle grinder. I'd probably use biters to finish up with.

Bri · 05-04-2002, 07:07 PM

Hi
Cutting the circle with the angle grinder works great...nice way to get a perfect circle...bit dusty though!

John Bridge · 05-04-2002, 07:09 PM

Yeah, but how smooth is the cut? What kind of cutter/disc do you use?

Bri · 05-04-2002, 08:27 PM

Pearl super dry turbo diamond blade...nice clean cut..no chipping.

Bud Cline · 05-04-2002, 09:33 PM

Bri,

I'd say your on the right track. I've done these things just as you describe using a trammel.

I would set my diameter centers on the subsurface either by drilling a small hole or laminating duct tape, either would allow you to set your trammel point as many times as necessary at exactly the same location.

I then make my marks on the sub surface for a pattern. Dry lay tiles to my grid and trammel mark the tiles surface.

Remove the tiles to a work area and cut with a grinder. Soften the edges with a belt sander and silicone carbide belts.

Return the cuts to the pattern and again dry lay until I'm satisfied that all is well.

The big problem is that in my case every cut had to be made twice to allow for the grout line. A single cut will skew your pattern and blow your overall layout way out of proportion because everything wants to expand.

Big bucks my friend....super labor intensive.

Bri · 05-04-2002, 10:35 PM

Thanks Bud
I figured as much, time wise...job is in 3 stages, which may end up being a curse(trying to line up the 3 different sections)..maybe if I'm lucky, I won't get this one[

!].

Bud Cline · 05-04-2002, 10:52 PM

Sonnie Layne · 05-05-2002, 12:09 AM

good on you, Bri.

I'm no expert and don't know a damned thing about terrazo (but I ain't sceered). Get your day rate. This is one I wouldn't know how to get started bidding on.

Sonnie

John Bridge · 05-05-2002, 08:17 AM

I've never tried it on a large radius, but there ought to be a way to connect the grinder directly to the trammel.

On the second radius, for example. I would consider thin setting the tiles to be cut to the floor and allowing them to take an initial set. Swoop around with your grinder/trammel and then pry up the pieces and scrape them off. You would need a couple guys with shop vacs following the grinder.

Looks good on paper.

Bri · 05-05-2002, 08:48 AM

Except, the joints have to line up between the rings..if it were different size tile, that would be a good idea..but I think it would be easy to run off the joints?...now that I think of it, I'd only have to cut the first inside radius(by hand)(up to the first out side), and then cut the next out side with the grinder again, and then repeat the process for the next ring. Thanks Guys!..you've got my brain in gear now!

Ron · 05-05-2002, 02:08 PM

Hey Bri

I have access to a Montolit Slalom score and snap cutter.If this particular porcelain tile snaps cleanly then this tool would be ideal.It's never been used.I've tried it and it works beautifully.My father bought it on impulse for the store.No one has ever had a need to rent it though.

Since you are mostly a fine fellow

I'd let you borrow it N/C.Call or e-mail me if interested.

Bri · 05-05-2002, 02:26 PM

Hi Ron
I was just at their site...that's the coolest cutter I've ever seen...these pic's are exactly what I'm up against.

http://www.montolit.it/etag_pia/fotoslal.htm

I may have to give you a call...Thank You!

JC · 05-05-2002, 03:37 PM

There you go, I was just going to suggest one of those band saw like revolution wet saws..never tried one personally but anything has got to be better then trying to grind a job like that..especially the outside circles.

I can make some sweet looking drain cuts but something like that would be almost impossible for me to make look perfect with a grinder...trammel or no trammel..especially if you butt the two colors together without the grout joint.
Maybe you guys can do it but I would have a big pile of messed up pieces and barely acceptable grout lines..Don't think I would even attempt it.

The monolit looks like the ticket provided it will cut the time you are working with smoothly.

Heck with the money you should make from this job why not just buy them both and have fun.

Get us some pictures if you can thanks.

Bud Cline · 05-05-2002, 04:40 PM

Just bought a new Rubi that I saw demonstrated at Surfaces, in fact they had my five year old cutting tile while they took pictures.

The trick with all this is consistency of cuts and very time consuming. You also have the expansion due to grout lines to deal with. Double cutting (for grout line) would be very very difficult.

Also just so happens that the porcelain I'm using now won't be cut straight by this cutter for any reason.

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