Isculpt Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I know it sounds kind of brutal, but I'm wondering if there is a way to saw off part of a fired ceramic piece? What has me wondering about this is a mishap at a show last weekend that left me with a broken sculpture. I was wrapping it for a customer when it fell and a section broke off near the bottom. If I could saw off the bottom third of the piece, I could at least keep the upper part for myself. The piece was made from raku clay (range 06 to 8), fired at cone 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 A portable grinder with a diamond bit wheel can cut through it. You will need to use water to keep it cool. And go slow... Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 A dry blade diamond saw blade (made for dry cuts will cut it as well (harbor freight used to sell them and may still) You can get them for a skill saw 7 1/4 inch . Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Depending on the size you need to cut, a tile cutter wet saw might be what you need. Contact a tile installation person.I have my own tile saw, but if you don't, find someone who does. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 The cheapest tile saw is the one we paid between 30 and 40 dollars at harbor freight, we have bought several. I use them a lot and my husband is always lending the tile saw to someone and they tend to ruin them. Handy to have around just don't lend them to people. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Thanks, everyone. I have a big ol' tile saw, since I tiled my entire house and my new studio, but never thought to use it for anything else. Duh. I'm afraid the clearance in the jaws isn't enough for the sculpture, but I'll bet it will come in handy some other time. I have a portable grinder that I've cut tile with, but I must have used the wrong kind of wheel on it when I tried to cut an earthenware piece, because it just chipped instead of cutting it. I'll check out Harbor Freight and see what they have for my skill saw and my grinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayjay Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I'll check out Harbor Freight and see what they have for my skill saw and my grinder. For the grinder you need a diamond coated blade with a continuous edge, not a toothed edge, some are for wet cutting and some are for dry cutting. The problem with a small grinder will be the depth of cut, 115mm blade gives about a 30mm cut. It might also be possible to do it with a hand tile saw, (or finish off a cut started with the grinder). They are similar to coping saw or fret saw but with a totally different type of blade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Thanks, Ayjay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 would it help to first cut a line with a stick type glass cutter before trying the saw? cutting tiles that way is safer if you do not have a saw and have to chip tiny bits off so maybe it would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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