Need to cut installed tile.

[Wayne02]

My two car garage has a ceramic tile floor. The tile is set on the concrete floor which is on slab, no foundation.

I need to cut back the leading edge of the tile 1.5", across the width of the door opening where it transitions to the concrete driveway in order to fit a new garage door.

Can I put a tile blade on my circular saw, set the depth to the tile thickness or slightly less and cut straight across the tile? Then chip out the cut off part. Basically use the circular saw to score the tile and hope it breaks cleanly at the score with a chisel.

Somehow I don't think this is possible because the stationary tile saws I've used in the past have always turned very slowly, used an abrasive blade, and water cooling. I'm thinking the circular saw will be too high RPM's?

If not, can a portable tile saw similar to the circular saw be rented?

 

[Spotteddog]

Rent a concrete saw for an hour. Then do only the ends where the big machine can't reach with the hand unit. That way your doing less hands and knee's time. YMMV?

(EDIT) How the Hell did you marry well enough to afford a ceramic tiled garage floor? Or are you Jay Leno's car detailer in another life?

 

[thejestersgate]

I've installed professionally for eight years. What you need is a small hand held grinder with a diamond blade. Draw your line across the tile and then slowly score the line with your grinder. After the tile is scored slowly pass through the tile with the on/off switch down so peices shoot away from your face, not toward. And wear eye protection! Good luck!

 

[anglaispierre]

I've just finished tiling a new bathroom, but I can't get one car in, never mind two!!!

I agree with the advice about eye protection. Bits fly off in all directions at high speed. I felt them on my face, but my safety glasses did their job well.

 

[7003006]

I've installed professionally for eight years. What you need is a small hand held grinder with a diamond blade. Draw your line across the tile and then slowly score the line with your grinder. After the tile is scored slowly pass through the tile with the on/off switch down so peices shoot away from your face, not toward. And wear eye protection! Good luck!

Bingo .

 

[cubfarm1]

Tile

Another vote for the small 4" grinder with a small cutoff wheel If you do not have the grinder go to Harbor Freight and buy the cheap one. The tile dust is just as hard on the good ones anyway. Works well. Wear the glasses!!!!! A fan to blow away the dust cloud will be wanted, try not to breath much of the dust.

 

[Wayne02]

(EDIT) How the Hell did you marry well enough to afford a ceramic tiled garage floor? Or are you Jay Leno's car detailer in another life?

The guy that owned the house before us was a tile and masonry contractor. Everything from the mailbox post to the garage floor is tile or brick. I know many folks like tile, but I've pretty much had my fill of it at this point.

 

[sar4937]

Use a shop-vac to suck up the dust as you go.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Use a shop-vac to suck up the dust as you go.

+1. That was going to be my suggestion as I was reading down through the posts. I'll also second the 4" angle grinder. All the tile guys who install in the huge custom homes I used to trim, used that set-up.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'd go to Lowes and get a tile blade for the circular saw and a mexican. I think they are cheaper to rent than a concrete saw. That way you don't have to worry about the dust.

 

[Pitdog02]

Id use the grinder and a guide of some sort. I would also cut it back further than I need and then install a bullnose tile back to your desired location. This way you dont have a rough cut looking at you when your done.