Setting Out: How to cut mosaic tiles? & setting out question

[davemul]

Hi all, two for one today!

What is the preferred method to cut mosaic tiles? They are tumbled marble. Each mosaic tile is 3cm x 3cm on a mesh backing

I have a big clinker manual tile cutter and some ebauer wet blade cutter

also, bit unsure with setting out this particular circumstance..

To keep a full floor tile up to the mosaics, I will have to bring the mosaics out to reach the floor tile

This means that when the shower screen ends, there will still be 2 or 3 rows of mosaic going past

is this acceptable? or should I end the mosaic when the shower screen ends and cut a floor tile to meet the mosaic?

am I making sense? need a pic?

thanks
Dave

[Mike]

a picture would be good dave, what happens if you move the field tile towards the wet area? will this create a small cut at the other end? i prefer to use a grinder with a quality disc for mosaics, that big clinker won't cut them and if you wet cut them the mosaics may come off the mesh.

[davemul]

Hi Mike, I can do pictures

Where the spirit level is, is where the shower screen will end... as you can see the mosaics go past the screen by three rows, but meet a full floor tile

if I cut the mosaics to line up with the screen, I will have to cut a floor tile to meet... pic should make sense I hope

just unsure if its 'acceptable' to have the protruding mosaic? or if this circumstance will require a cut tile

I cant move the field tile to the shortened mosaic as im setting out from the doorway and would then have to cut that whole row as the tiles come up on the left side

[craigdon]

With tumbled marble mosaics I would cut using the grinder. Wear a mask, and if possible cut outside.

I don't like to advise on setting out, as only you have seen the room and can decide what will look the best. It will always be a judgement call, either by you or the customer when you give them the options.

[Mike]

i seen your other pictures dave, i would have had a full tile to the edge of the wet area, it would mean a smaller tile near the door but i think it would look better that way. too late now i see. i think it just depends on how you think it looks best, a cut tile to the mosaics on the edge of the wet area or the mosaics coming out to the full tile

[davemul]

Thanks craig & mike, I have a grinder somewhere. Are there specific marble / mosaic discs?

Never fear Mike, no tiles are actually set.. im just dry laying (ooh eerr)

[craigdon]

A good quality diamond tipped wheel is all I ever use when dry cutting. Nice steady hand, mask n goggles and just watch the fingers when you're cutting mosaics

[Mike]

well you have the option of moving all the field tiles to the edge of the wet area then dave, as craig says, a good (not a £2 silverline disc) diamond disc. make sure you hold the tile down on the bench tight as movement/vibration will break the tile. i cut them on cardboard over the workbench and find that works well.

[blocko]

Second the grinder......on cardboard too.......... has always worked for me

[MissTiler]

When using a grinder use a grout float to hold the sheet steady rather than your hand incase you slip. Also you can put a strip of masking tape along the sheet so you can draw a cutting line on it rather than mark the stone, the tape also protects it.

If you end up with a gap, when setting out, that isnt too big you can always open up a sheet to get rid of it and so you end up with no cuts and it looks nicer. With mosaics that size it wont be too fiddly.

cheers

missyT

[davemul]

something like an Erbauer Stone Cutting Discs 230 x 3.5 x 22mm Pack of 5

should do the job? thats all that screwfix seem to sell

[blocko]

I personally rate marchrist discs.......most tile giants sell them. Have you looked on tradetiler?

[davemul]

Hey up bud

Need it first thing tomorrow mate as im 'working from home' again!

gonna get the floor tiled and the walls set out!

having a right mare deciding how to set out the walls... but dont want to start YET another thread! people will start to get WORD REMOVED off with me!

[davemul]

However, this blade looks like it will fit my wet cutter and I need to make a few L cuts with it on the wall tiles.....

Marcrist CK850 180mm

Possibly could cut my mosaics too!?

[blocko]

having a right mare deciding how to set out the walls... but dont want to start YET another thread! people will start to get p*ssed off with me!

No chance......everybody likes a challenge (thats why we are tilers ).

The ck850 should be fine.......are you not using the angle grinder then?

[davemul]

The ck850 should be fine.......are you not using the angle grinder then?

Well, I have a wet cutter that I will have to use for the L cuts on the wall tiles (for around TV, niches etc..)

Its only an ebauer one and I used it for the kitchen so the blade (std one) will be past its best. So i will have to get a new one

was thinking two birds one stone type thing?

Ill post my setting out dilemma in my project thread mate, be great to get your expert opinion mate if you have time

[blocko]

Ill post my setting out dilemma in my project thread mate, be great to get your expert opinion mate if you have time

More of a novice really mate , but I admire your honesty when it comes to asking for advice from the experts that are on here. They have saved me many a time. Look forward to seeing the dilemma. Dont forget....we all love photos & measurements to get the grey matter working!

As for the cutter.....fair enough mate, you have spent enough already on the toilet flush mechanism & TV!!!

[davemul]

Just an update, the CK850 arrived yesterday and I stuck it in my wet saw..

it went through the ceramics like a hot knife through butter! Am deffo going to try it on the mosaics later this week.

Mind you.. £70 on a blade! its more expensive than the machine it was fitted to!

[Mike]

the mosaics will be a lot harder to cut dave as they look like porcelain, the mat won't slide through the cutter so well and the mosaics may come off the mat when wet

[davemul]

Thats it Mike.. kill it for me!

[Mike]

Thats it Mike.. kill it for me!

sorry dave, just giving you some advice. it's due to those reasons i use my grinder on the mosaics

[karlm98]

get a small no load grinder..115mm or 125mm max, the marcrist 180mm on a wet saw is a good choice as well i used the marcrist blades on my Rubi nd200 works great

[davemul]

Mike I'm only joking mate, I appreciate the advice. I wouldn't be at this stage without guys like your good self!

[davemul]

Can't quote on this poxy iPhone but hi Karim. I have a grinder from some previous DIY! Just need to check the size of disc it takes. Then will hit screwfix! Again!

I am not exaggerating, I have at least 30 invoices from these guys. I'm sure they know my postcode better than their own!

[davemul]

Edit, Karl not Karim... sorry! bit worse for wear this eve.. been out after work on the vodka