Tiled surfaces such as countertops and backsplashes need a border to make the installation look finished. In some cases, this border is created with a row of bullnose tiles, which have three flat, straight edges and one slightly rounded edge. Ceramic and porcelain bullnose tiles are usually factory made, due to the glazed surface, but you can shape solid slate by hand instead of purchasing expensive slate bullnose. You can also straighten or smooth slate edges without creating a bullnose. Cutting into or grinding ceramic tiles exposes the unprotected material under the glaze, but shaping slate only exposes more slate.
Fill the water reservoir of a diamond-blade wet saw with the amount of water recommended by the manufacturer. In many cases, the reservoir under the saw’s platform has a mark to indicate the proper water level.
Press the button or flip the toggle switch to activate the saw.
Bring the edge of the tile against the diamond edge of the saw blade.
Hold the edge of the slate tile against the spinning diamond blade. Gently move the edge of the slate back and forth across the blade to smooth the surface. If you are creating a bullnose tile, tilt the tile as you move it back and forth to round the edge.
Move the tile away from the blade when you have created a finished edge and turn off the saw.
Turn on a handheld power grinder with a dry-use diamond blade.
Hold the grinder in one hand while holding the slate tile in the other.
Draw the grinder blade across the edge of the slate tile.
Check the tile edge after the first pass of the grinder as grinders can quickly cut away more material than a wet saw. Continue grinding the edge of the tile until you have achieved a honed edge.
Things You Will Need
- Wet saw with diamond saw blade
- Handheld grinder with dry-use diamond saw blade
- Safety glasses or tile-cutter’s face guard
- Paper face mask or bandana
- Heavy work gloves (optional)
- Power buttons and switches are often on the side of the saw housing.
- Most diamond blades are not completely coated with diamond particles. The coating is on the edge and continues approximately 1 or 2 inches back from the edge on both sides of the blade.
- Wet saws are sometimes more user-friendly than grinders as the blades are mounted on a stationary platform. Grinders can give you more control over the shape, but they require a very steady hand.
- Although a diamond blade does not have sharp teeth, it can still cut you when the blade is spinning.
- Most wet saws recommend the use of safety glasses. Some recommend a full face guard that resembles a welder’s mask. Safety gear is not optional because wet saws emit tile shards into the air as they cut.
- Wear a paper mask or bandana over your mouth and nose when using a handheld grinder to guard against inhaling slate particles. Wear heavy work gloves if you are not familiar with using a grinder.