Cutting marble

[joe-90]

I want to cut a couple of holes in some marble tiles. One is for a fused spur and the other for an extractor fan. Both are within 2 inches of the tile edge but I need to cut the holes out of the tile without breaking them. If they were ceramic tiles I'd use my little Rexon tile saw/grinder that is a grinder that looks like a circular saw. You just press the blade down where you want it and it cuts a slot. For the circular hole I'd go round the perimeter and then cut slots like segments of an orange. However, the marble is soft and crumbly. So what's the best way? The tools I have are the little rexon cutter, 4.5 grinder with diamond blade. 4.5 grinder with carborundum blade (much smoother than the diamond and doesn't break so much). Pillar drill with various diamond holesaws (up to 50mm) and various tile drill bits (spear shaped). The tiles are £5 each and aren't mine. Any advice anyone?

 

[gcol]

Any advice anyone?

Yeah, stop playing games.

 

[joe-90]

If you don't know - just don't answer.

 

[gcol]

 

[joe-90]

I'm a competent ceramic tiler but have little experience with natural stone. Just wondered how others would approach it. Drill a ring of holes?

 

[roughcaster]

In the past Joe, i have gone to our local monumental masons to get awkward or odd sized holes drilled in tiles and slabs. They have all the gear, plus it takes very little time to do. As all it cost me was 2 or 3 quid,, usually given to the man (with permission from the boss) who drilled the hole for me.

Roughcaster.

 

[joe-90]

Well I actually managed it without breaking any. I used a bog standard grinder with a carborundum blade and cut the square one out dead easy - just held the blade where I wanted the cut - then when it broke through to the other side turned it over and did same and square just dropped out. the round one I scored the perimeter then cut straight segments across like a star, turned it over and did same from rear and cracked the segments out. Then I put the 50mm hole cutter in the pillar drill and used it like a milling tool to clean up the hole. It worked well.

 

[roughcaster]

Good for you Joe

Roughcaster.