Bathroom Tile on mud Removal - could a circular saw cut through ???
 

A friend is looking at removing tile from 2 walls of bathroom
from door to about the bathtub. Each tile section is about
4' high, The tile is cemented to a cement and wire backing.

Rather than smashing the tile and wall to pieces we
were wondering if anyone has ever used a circular saw to cut
through a tile on mud wall and what type of blade would be
used.

Following a crout line, with the depth of the saw set to
the approximate thickness of the tlle and backing material
(add a healthy fudge factor to avoid hitting any studs which
will be marked in advance). Is it possible to cut out larger
sections at one time ?? Has anyone ever tried this ???

(Definitely eye protection would be used and dust masks worn
plus heat registers and bathtubs will be covered.)

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations !!!

Peter

Yes this totally doable.

I used a Porter Cable "Saw Boss" (small diameter circular saw) with a
segmented dry diamond blade. It cuts through tile & tile grout like
butter. Very dusty operation; eye, ear & dust protection needed (not
those silly white ones but real one). I used a small shop vac with a
HEPA filter on the dust port of the saw.

Just recently I knocked down & cut up a 8' x 25' stucco garage wall.
Removed the studs & top plate from the inside of the wall dropped it
onto five 2x4 sleepers. Made five vertical cuts & two horizontal
(through the stucco & wire) so I had easily handled
pieces. Once the studs were removed & the wall pushed over; it took
about 20 minutes to do the cuts & a few more for a couple of guys to
toss the chunks in a truck & away they went


The diamond saw works fine on tile & grout but just burns the wood. I
would err on the side of not deep enough & just crack the cement if
need be. The important issue is to get through the wire.

cheers
Bob

On 21 Jul 2005 21:02:49 -0700, "BobK207" wrote:



Yes this totally doable.

I used a Porter Cable "Saw Boss" (small diameter circular saw) with a
segmented dry diamond blade. It cuts through tile & tile grout like
butter. Very dusty operation; eye, ear & dust protection needed (not
those silly white ones but real one). I used a small shop vac with a
HEPA filter on the dust port of the saw.

Just recently I knocked down & cut up a 8' x 25' stucco garage wall.
Removed the studs & top plate from the inside of the wall dropped it
onto five 2x4 sleepers. Made five vertical cuts & two horizontal
(through the stucco & wire) so I had easily handled
pieces. Once the studs were removed & the wall pushed over; it took
about 20 minutes to do the cuts & a few more for a couple of guys to
toss the chunks in a truck & away they went


The diamond saw works fine on tile & grout but just burns the wood. I
would err on the side of not deep enough & just crack the cement if
need be. The important issue is to get through the wire.

cheers
Bob


Thanks !!! Your detailed answer is very much appreciated !!

It sounds like knocking out the garage wall was more fun than
work. Guess that's what happens with the right tools!!

Thanks again !!!

Peter.

"BobK207" wrote in message
ups.com...


Yes this totally doable.

I used a Porter Cable "Saw Boss" (small diameter circular saw) with a
segmented dry diamond blade.

OK - let's throw in another variable. My bathroom counter (ancient) has
regular 4.25" tiles on the surface. It meets the wall behind it, which has
the same tiles. The counter has to go soon, but I want to leave the wall
tiles in place. Maybe etch the grout junction by hand or with a skinny
Dremel bit, to separate the two surfaces?

Doug Kanter wrote:
"BobK207" wrote in message
ups.com...


Yes this totally doable.

I used a Porter Cable "Saw Boss" (small diameter circular saw) with a
segmented dry diamond blade.


OK - let's throw in another variable. My bathroom counter (ancient) has
regular 4.25" tiles on the surface. It meets the wall behind it, which has
the same tiles. The counter has to go soon, but I want to leave the wall
tiles in place. Maybe etch the grout junction by hand or with a skinny
Dremel bit, to separate the two surfaces?



That'd work for the grout. But if the deck and splash are mudset you're
glong to have cleanly cut through to the cabinet base to seperate them.
Not easy thing but doable with proper tools.

Use ear protection too! I have tinnitus (constant ringing in the ear),
it can be a pain in the ass sometimes.

"G Henslee" wrote in message
...
Doug Kanter wrote:
"BobK207" wrote in message
ups.com...


Yes this totally doable.

I used a Porter Cable "Saw Boss" (small diameter circular saw) with a
segmented dry diamond blade.


OK - let's throw in another variable. My bathroom counter (ancient) has
regular 4.25" tiles on the surface. It meets the wall behind it, which
has the same tiles. The counter has to go soon, but I want to leave the
wall tiles in place. Maybe etch the grout junction by hand or with a
skinny Dremel bit, to separate the two surfaces?

That'd work for the grout. But if the deck and splash are mudset you're
glong to have cleanly cut through to the cabinet base to seperate them.
Not easy thing but doable with proper tools.

That's what I figured - cut all the way through. Once the wall is safe from
impact, have fun with a hammer on the deck. This whole nightmare stems from
the fact that the sink was dropped into the counter, and then the tiles were
installed over the edges. The sink's unbelievably ugly. It has to go. Next -
the wallpaper in the shower. That's as stupid as putting wallpaper on your
driveway.

Doug Kanter wrote:
"G Henslee" wrote in message
...

Doug Kanter wrote:

"BobK207" wrote in message
groups.com...


Yes this totally doable.

I used a Porter Cable "Saw Boss" (small diameter circular saw) with a
segmented dry diamond blade.


OK - let's throw in another variable. My bathroom counter (ancient) has
regular 4.25" tiles on the surface. It meets the wall behind it, which
has the same tiles. The counter has to go soon, but I want to leave the
wall tiles in place. Maybe etch the grout junction by hand or with a
skinny Dremel bit, to separate the two surfaces?

That'd work for the grout. But if the deck and splash are mudset you're
glong to have cleanly cut through to the cabinet base to seperate them.
Not easy thing but doable with proper tools.


That's what I figured - cut all the way through. Once the wall is safe from
impact, have fun with a hammer on the deck. This whole nightmare stems from
the fact that the sink was dropped into the counter, and then the tiles were
installed over the edges. The sink's unbelievably ugly. It has to go. Next -
the wallpaper in the shower. That's as stupid as putting wallpaper on your
driveway.



I wouldn't beat on that top a whole lot. Actually if you make one of
those deep cuts on the deck the length of the top, getting as close as
you can get to the backsplash thereby freeing it from the splash, you
should then be able lift up the deck in one piece with a flat bar.