Reducing Thickness of Porcelain Tile

Nothing comes to mind that's easy.

Maybe a belt sander?

You need a wet sander!

Is it just one tile that needs the treatment?

I see someone makes a tile saw/planer for commercial use. You might be able to send out the tile(s) to a professional tile shop to have this done as renting or buying this type of equipment is not likely.

The other idea is some form of a resaw machine for tile. You might start calling commercial businesses that specialize in stone and tile. I know these shops cut their own stone and tile for counter tops and other tile/stone installations. They would most likely be your best resource.

Thanks I do have a belt sander. I wonder if it will be effective on porcelain.

Angus

It will eat belts, no doubt.

No easy way.

You might try a diamond file or a diamond circular saw set for the needed depth of cut.

Angle grinder and a diamond grinding wheel...

http://www.diamondtoolstore.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

Thanks ....I have an angle grinder and a diamond cutting wheel that I bought to cut marble. But I do not think this it is the same thing as a diamond grinding wheel. ?

Angus

No the grinding wheel is surfaced with grit on the side....

Thanks; yes that would the case now that I think on it. Wonder if you can buy one locally?

Angus

If you have a decent with at least 1/2" of diamond on the side of the rim you'll do just fine with what you've got- hold it at about 20-30 degree angle without much pressure (you can warp the wheel otherwise) & run it like a sanding disc. I've shaved concrete lots of times this way.

JNB; the tile is made of porcelain so it is tougher than concrete.

EMIL

Know any rock people? If so one of them might have a lapping machine, preferably horizontal, with a fine grit wheel.

What method to adopt will entirely depend on the number of tiles to be worked on.

I would consider finding and identifying the highest spot scheduled for tile surface and increase thinset to the lower elevations of the plane (wall?) to match the high spot.

Or are we already past that? This obviously only works when done in a specific order.

YEA!!! ANGUS IS BACK!!!!

I think that the angle grinder equipped with diamond encrusted wheel will work just fine IF you're very careful not to apply too much pressure. Hopefully you don't have many to grind down, otherwise it's going to be a long haul.

You can rent an angle grinder, or purchase a good used one on Ebay or Craig's List. You can find the grinding wheels at any Big Box store or online (cheaper).

yes; Captain! I have a 4 1/2" angle grinder so I have to find a diamond grinder for the tile. I only have one tile that is a little out of plane. I would like to remove 1/6" and wonder it that can be done. The trouble is that it is porcelain tile.

Angus

I have, on a number of occasions when necessary, taken a tile and thinned it out on my wet diamond blade tile saw. I simply hold the tile at about a 45 degree angle with one end on the table and pass it over the high point of the blade moving it laterally and repeating this all across the tile in rows until the tile is thinned or at least until the section that I want thinner is thin enough to allow the tile to fit over the obstruction.

I do have a 7" tile saw and I cannot hold the tile at 45 degrees so that will not work for me.

EMIL

First thank you for your reply: this is application not on the floor. It is on a wall. I have altered the wall backing as much as I can.

Porcelain (ceramic) tiles are easy to grind with a normal corundum bench grinding wheel.

I have done it many times to bevel edges on tiles for external corners. Actually done it not dreamed about it.

Whatever you are using to grind the concrete will grind your tile just as easy if not easier.

This sounds promising. I think you mean carborundum. I wonder what other folks on the group think of that approach. I do not have one at the moment.

Angus

carborundum=silicon carbide

corundum=aluminium oxide (sapphires and rubies are corunda.)

Both real hard and used as abrasives

Corundum is the one you most probably have on your bench grinder. That's what the label on mine says.

Just try it on a scrap piece of tile, you won't hurt your grinder.. There will be dust. Use appropriate PPE.

Wal: Thank you for the correction. I do not have a bench grinder so I do not know what grinding wheels are provided. I like the idea. I have dust masks and a respirator. I wonder if some one could comment on bench grinders and grinding wheels available here in the US.

ANGUS

No bench grinder...I see.

Rub the back of the tile on a concrete step then. Slow but achievable.

You said you were grinding a concrete surface in your OP. Use the same tool.

Yes; I have a small diamond grinding wheel 2 1/2") and I tried this out. It did work somewhat but was very slow. Porcelain is much tougher than ceramic. Right now I am trying to get a diamond grinding wheel for my angle grinder locally but have not been successful.

Angus

I am really perplexed. By grinding the tile you also weaken it.

Why is it impossible for you to take 1/4" off the surface of the wall?

Vince

That is what every body does. It is elementary. The thrill is in doing it differently!

I have already done that and I cannot take anymore off. it is at a shower corner at the jpoint o fthe front curb and wall.

Angus

Another old trick is to make that one tile a decorative tile if it is centered on the wall. You can get something unique or make a raised border where the tile goes and fit in some tile that is ornate.