cutting travertine - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

jimmy495 · 17-03-2008

Hello to every one need some advice please I am new to working with stone the job I am just about to start is in travertine will it cut with a snap cutter or will it need to be cut with a wet cutter and is it best to seal before I put then on the wall or will it be ok to seal after fixing
many thanks jimmy

**Dave** · 17-03-2008

hi jimmy...

Afraid they are wet cutter only...... and you can fix and seal if you so wish....just make sure they are clean first before sealing.....

jimmy495 · 31-03-2008

Hi to all just a quick question about travertine what is the best colour adhesive to use also when applying the adhesive do I need to back skim the stone so you don’t see the ribs in the adhesive socking in to the stone and seeing lines in the stone

**MICK the Tiler** · 31-03-2008

Hi Jimmy,

You will need a wet saw for trav, but cut it dry If it is unfilled trav (Lots of little holes and air pockets) the dust will need to be blown out with compressed air before you fix. Same with honed trav it just stayes cleaner. Cutting it dry will lessen water staining and slurry becoming embedded into the pores of the stone.

I use a off white or white floor adhesive even on walls use a 10-12mm notched trowell and trowell the wall no need to back butter but wipe the back of the stone with a damp sponge first to remove excess loose dust.

I always seal stone after i've grouted.

**sibs** · 31-03-2008

[quote=MICK the Tiler;69896]Hi Jimmy,

You will need a wet saw for trav, but cut it dry If it is unfilled trav (Lots of little holes and air pockets) the dust will need to be blown out with compressed air before you fix. Same with honed trav it just stayes cleaner. Cutting it dry will lessen water staining and slurry becoming embedded into the pores of the stone.

I use a off white or white floor adhesive even on walls use a 10-12mm notched trowell and trowell the wall no need to back butter but wipe the back of the stone with a damp sponge first to remove excess loose dust.

I always seal stone after i've grouted.

[/quot

Hi Aussie Mick can you clear up a couple of quieries for me -
When you say dry cut it do you mean don't put any water in the well of the wet cutter? If so doesn't it create issues with the blade becoming hot?

Also I thought you were supposed to seal filled/ honed trav before you grout to prevent it from staining the stone or can you do it either way round? Which is the best/safest (so as not to damage the trav) way of doing it?
I have seen travertine in topps that looks like it has been filled with resin - looks very beautiful and unusual. Would you seal this kind before or after grouting?
Thanks Mick - any other imput also welcome

**Sir Ramic** · 31-03-2008

Sibs, there are diamond wheels designed for dry cutting and for wet cutting. Using a wet wheel without water will indeed add heat which in turn can shatter a tile. It will also do the wheel no good too.

Droopy · 31-03-2008

I can cut 600X400X12 travertine on my Sigma, no problem.
It is a 63B with a KlickKlock handle fitted to it.

**sibs** · 31-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Ramic

Sibs, there are diamond wheels designed for dry cutting and for wet cutting. Using a wet wheel without water will indeed add heat which in turn can shatter a tile. It will also do the wheel no good too.

Oooooooo I seeeeeeeeeeee..... can you tell me where I can aquire one of these blades? My wet cutter is a plas plugs master tiler

Droopy · 31-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sibs

Oooooooo I seeeeeeeeeeee..... can you tell me where I can aquire one of these blades? My wet cutter is a plas plugs master tiler

B&Q used to sell the dry cutting blade for the smaller plasplugs saws.
You could try there or plasplugs' internet site.

**sibs** · 31-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew Peacock

B&Q used to sell the dry cutting blade for the smaller plasplugs saws.
You could try there or plasplugs' internet site.

Good idea! Are their blades any good?

Droopy · 31-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sibs

Good idea! Are their blades any good?

Not as good as a top quality Marcrist or the like, but they do the job.
Trav is very soft, remember. So if you cant get your hands on, or don't want to splash the cash on, an expensive wet/dry blade, the plasplugs one will do fine.

**sibs** · 31-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew Peacock

Not as good as a top quality Marcrist or the like, but they do the job.
Trav is very soft, remember. So if you cant get your hands on, or don't want to splash the cash on, an expensive wet/dry blade, the plasplugs one will do fine.

Ok cheers Drew