Cutting a panel out of tiles. Which tool, how...?

[ChrisR]

I have to replace a concealed shower mixer of unknown make, which means making a hole big enough, about 250 x 300mm.
It'll be a stud wall, possibly with cement render or tile-backer board, because it's a pretty good quality installation generally. Expensive house, curvy walls etc.

The panel of tiles will have to go back, neatly as poss.

The tesserae are about half inch square.

What's the best tool? Obviously it needs a fine kerf to go between the tiles. Fein vibrating thing? Diamond disc in a skil-saw shaped thing?
I reckon wooden guides gllued to the tiles would be good.
Cost and time are not important on this one.

Click it:



(nobody recognises the tiles, do they??)

How about one of these:
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=172966
or these:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/88020/Power-Tools/Tile-Saws/Hand-Held-Wet-Tile-Saw-230V

 

[big-all]

its not as easy as that

you need to free the panel to gain access to the pipework this usualy involves cutting along the studs and along a noggins
it may even be on a thick bit off ply

can you gain access to the back??

what am i saying your a plumber /gas fitter so you know all this

bosch 180e argos equivilent 20 less

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/s...langId=-1&q=MULTI+TOOL&pp=20&s=Relevance&p=21

 

[ChrisR]

On the basis that the "new" grout line is going to show, the cut-out will have to be symmetrical , I'll just have to re-support as necessary.

So what I'm after is the thinnest straightest kerf.

If it all goes t*ts up it can be covered with a piece of stainless steel, but that's the last resort.

(I've done that where a hob had to replaced in a granite worktop, but there was nothing available to fit neatly. If you do it with a bit o thought, rounded corners etc, it looks like a pan rest )