jolieo Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 Is it possible for to cut kiln shelves w a tile saw? Thanks Jolie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 When I purchased a test kiln I thought the shelving kit that you could buy with it was on the pricey side. So I bought a rectangular shelf and cut it up on our cheapo Harbor Freight tile saw and ended up with 5-6x6 tiles and a couple of half tiles. The set I could buy had 4 shelves and was $60 and shelf I bought was $20, this was 15 years ago. If you don't own a tile saw maybe someone who does will cut it for you or a tile store will for a small charge. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 The classic "it depends" answer. If the kiln shelves are silicon carbide, unless the tile saw has a diamond blade.......... nope... not really. Masonry blades and SiC shelves are about the same hardness. They wear each other out . Even then, silicon carbide takes its toll on diamond tipped blades too. The large water cooled Harbor Freight BRICK saw with diamond tip blades will do the job on SiC.... but at a "price" in blades. If the shelves are high alumina, or corderite..... yes. They are like cutting brick (but with thinner cross section). But it will 'chew up' anything except diamond tip blades, so if it is a lot of cutting, you might have to replace more standard "masonry" blades if that is what you are using. best, ....................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolieo Posted September 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 Thanks we own a tile saw w masonry blade. I saw some 1" shelves for sale. I doubt the person knows what they are made out, but either way, the masonary blade is a cost too if it wears out, so the savings might not be there.thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 If they are black or dark grey, they are silicon carbide. Anything that is yellowish or cream, etc. can be cut with a masonry blade. I've cut them with a masonry blade on my circular saw with no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 If the shelves are like Neil said are yellowish or cream they will cut fine with wet saw. Most electric kiln shelves are this color and softness.. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 If there are any narrow strips left they are good to cut up for short kiln posts for when you just need to add a little height. 1" shelves seem so much heavier loading into and out of the kiln plus they slow the firing down, not sure if I would go for them unless you just have a small kiln. But then again if you have a small kiln then it's more wasted space having the thicker shelves. (unless you fire to cone 10) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenk Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 Denice, Thanks, After reading your post I went to my barn, prepared my Harbor Freight tile saw and cut two large half kiln shelves to sizes I can use. The shelves were light yellow in color. Took it slow and made sure the blade and shelf were drenched with water as I cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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