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Finally got through a full week of tile without a single cracked corner.
I had a job laying 12x24 porcelain in a kitchen remodel over in the West End. The homeowner picked a tile that felt brittle right out of the box. By Wednesday, I was sure I'd be ordering more. But I slowed way down, mixed my thinset a little wetter, and back-buttered every single piece. Finished the last cut Friday afternoon and didn't have to replace a thing. Anyone else have a go-to method for fussy tile?
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coleman.karen1mo ago
Oh, isn't that always the way with the fancy stuff? That diamond blade trick your uncle used is a lifesaver, but honestly, for something that brittle, I think slowing down is the real secret nobody talks about. People get in a hurry and crank up the speed on their saw, but that just heats up the tile and makes it crack easier. I've found that using a continuous rim blade and letting the saw do the work, not forcing it, makes a huge difference. Also, a little rubbing alcohol on the cut line helps keep the blade cool and clean. It's like the tile needs to be babied more than rushed.
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gavinperez2mo ago
My uncle's bathroom reno had us snapping three tiles before we switched to a diamond blade.
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