How to Cut Tile Around Outlets (Easy Accurate Cuts!)

Рет қаралды 403,379

6 жыл бұрын

Here's the question: what's the best way to cut tile around outlets?
The Montolit Sqaudro is a great angle grinder blade with a 3 3/8" diameter, which makes it perfect for cutting outlets in tile.
If you're doing a bathroom remodel and need help, join one of Home Repair Tutor's online courses and make your project much easier at homerepairtutor.com/course-of...
Helpful Links:
FEIN WSG7 Angle Grinder -- tinyurl.com/ya2dklu3
Montolit Squadro Diamond Blade - goo.gl/TySLU6
Silica Dust Respirator --- amzn.to/2JlFw0u
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Most of the time we use 4.5" diamond blades to cut tile.
But that size blade makes cutting around outlets difficult.
The Montolit Squadro has a radius that allows it to easily cut the short side of an electrical box.
Always look at the angle grinder's maximum RPM and the blade's maximum RPM.
It's best to make sure the angle grinder blade's max RPM is more than the angle grinder's RPM.
For example, the Fein WSG7-115 is rated at 12,000 RPM.
The Montolit Squadro is rated at 18,000 RPM.
The angle grinder blade should line up with the arrow on the blade.
Tighten down the blade on the grinder while it's unplugged or without the battery.
Wear a respirator, hearing protection and eye protection.
Start the cut on the finished side of the tile and complete the cut on the opposite side of the tile.
Patience and a keen eye along with the Montolit Squadro will help make perfect cut tile around outlets.
Watch our video for all the details
• How to Cut Tile Around...

Пікірлер: 117

@waynelonealjr8049 3 жыл бұрын

Big handy tip here...the back side you can over cut all 4 corners. Don't go all the way through but you can go about half way or so as it can't be seen and it makes it much easier with less trim work using a 4.5 blade

@InvestorTheory 4 жыл бұрын

this blade comes in very handy, thanks i usually didnt bother switching to smaller blades but will now

@greenshield1 3 жыл бұрын

Bruh, this exactly what I needed to see. Thank you

@madcowusa4277 Жыл бұрын

Bought this blade after watching. It works excellent and I cut 15 outlet and switch boxes in ceramic tile before it started wearing out. Towards the end the blade began cutting slower, glowed orange and was staring to cause minor chipping. So consider it a consumable for a large kitchen back splash job.

@katylowe3504 2 жыл бұрын

Very useful video! Do you have a video that shows cutting the bottom off a tile that is attached on a wall? The bathtub tile has a finish column on each end of the tub surround that goes down beside the tub. Problem is, installers have that bottom tile so long it is flush with the concrete subfloor. I would like to trim an inch or so off the bottom of both 4” wide tub tiles so I can lay the new tile floor corrrectly. I will remove those two tiles to cut them then reinstall if necessary but was hoping to just cut them in place. Of course, I have to be real careful where they meet the tub skirt.

@motomartinski5672 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Got what I needed here - a little info not mentioned in narration... Montolit is an EU European (Italy) manufacturer. The smaller blade Squadro here seems to be their 85 mm diameter disc - as stated in the video notes that is approximately equal to 3 ³/₈ inches - sold in UK for around £28 and (pedantry alert) at 0:20 are you sure that the radius of a four and a half inch diameter blade is "two and two quarters of an inch"? ;-)

@kellywallace8447 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! You make it look easy peasy so I'm gonna go for it!

@HomeRepairTutor 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, just be safe with the angle grinder and use the wheel guard

@allenluu2837 3 жыл бұрын

it's really good idea. you're genius.

@Jubileejones 8 ай бұрын

Perfect!

@CharlesMarino-rr3zq Жыл бұрын

I purchased the combo the Fein grinder and the Montolit Squadro blade, I'm a little confused with the blade mounting in your video. The first blade in the video shows a blade with a brass washer mounted in the arbor hole, further in the video shows a blade without the brass washer which is the one I purchased. The oversized brass washer laying on the right side of your tile project is not mounted on the grinder when you made your cuts is it needed? If so does it go on the front of the blade or the back when I mount the blade? or do I just discarded it?? Thank you.

@BraxtlyTools 6 жыл бұрын

GREAT VID! And you could save time for multi outlet cutting with a template tool! Emmy Braxtly

@MrThebeanbag 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 👍

@justdissin7340 3 жыл бұрын

This is cool..ill do this a existing backsplash tile for a outlet add on..thanks bud

@synthesizerisking2886 3 жыл бұрын

I will be using MSI or Aspect tiles and a Dremel with a diamond blade and plastic shield. I love Dremels

@jeosua 5 жыл бұрын

Looks like a handy little blade. Definitely won't be using it for big tile. May be useful as a small backsplash blade on a 4 inch grinder. I only use 5 inch vs grinders with a 5 inch wheel for everything.

@426superbee4 3 жыл бұрын

This is where my dream Tool come in handy, With diamond blades

@Humility74 Жыл бұрын

Glad to find this as I am tired of waiting on cut outs for card readers every where I go. Im told the frames are cut in and box for readers are cut in. Drive 6 hrs out to find all I can do is rough in cables for access systems and install 80% - 90% of systems - card readers. Already got a frame jig from HES Asso Abloy why my company hasn’t just allowed me to do cut in for Readers too is unknown to me. Not Efficient to have to visit sites twice n sometimes three times a lady 😂

@evoscan1385 Жыл бұрын

still pretty messy cut really, even on the 2nd go. any tips to get it looking better? i.e. getting it squarer than that?

@DannyWinnVideo 5 жыл бұрын

Will this work on porcelain tile? I'm having a hell of a time cutting a square shape for the valve assembly in a shower with porcelain.

@HomeRepairTutor 5 жыл бұрын

yes, it should work for porcelain

@daliumangx 4 жыл бұрын

pre drill 4 holes in each corner than cut the edge.

@lisah4227 6 жыл бұрын

I bought an angle grinder to tile my backsplash - this is my first time doing it. I am using a ceramic tile also but when I went to do my first cut there were a ton of sparks. Does that mean I'm using the wrong blade? Thanks

@HomeRepairTutor 6 жыл бұрын

What kind of blade are you using Lisa?

@georgerivera9035 6 жыл бұрын

Dry blades will create sparks sometimes because of the composition of the clay and having nothing to do with the blade. You can wet the tile and it will decrease but not eliminate the fireworks. Don't be concerned with a few sparks. Do not use any electrical tool in explosive atmospheres.

@HomeRepairTutor 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks George for your tips, very appreciative

@barnsnoble3105 5 жыл бұрын

The_guy_that_brake_checks_ Jerkoffs plan plan plan, prep prep prep, make sure you have everything you need and the RIGHT tools and blades down to screws/caulking.

@justusdj 3 жыл бұрын

So if this is being done on tile that's already mounted (can't get to the back side of the tile), how would you complete the opening?

@atodaso1668 2 жыл бұрын

Use an even smaller tool like a Dremel with a blade for the tile.

@MoneyManHolmes 6 жыл бұрын

On my angle grinder, diamond blades rub on the safety guard. Is there some kind of spacer made for this purpose or can I just use a washer to bump it out a bit?

@HomeRepairTutor 6 жыл бұрын

What size angle grinder?

@V8cars2 5 жыл бұрын

Hi there. I had the SAME problem with my grinder. It sucks. But there is realy nothing to do. Maby the grinder manufacture has a different guard for this task. If so you are lucky. In my case i learned that i simply need to buy a new grinder. Like makita or bosch. Their grinder guards are built much better and not in the annoying angle like your grinder and mine. Just dont be tempted to cut anything with out the guard... buy a new one or borrow one - that what i did. I used a makita 5 inch grinder.

@460sw3 6 жыл бұрын

That's a cool Lil blade....I might have to pick one up and give it a try. Would this be ok for curved cuts (like a 4.5 mixing valve hole) or only straight cuts?

@HomeRepairTutor 6 жыл бұрын

I’d have to check on curved cuts. Typically they say no to any curbed cuts. But everyone does it. I’ll get you a solid answer

@460sw3 6 жыл бұрын

Home Repair Tutor yeah, usually only solid rim blades from what I understand....but this one isn't a mesh configuration and those ones are the ones everyone says absolutely no curved cuts

@HomeRepairTutor 6 жыл бұрын

Just got an answer from Montolit, the Squadro can't be used for curved cuts. Hope that helps. Still a great little blade for these outlet projects

@460sw3 6 жыл бұрын

Home Repair Tutor sure is! I'm gonna get one regardless....thanks for the answer Jeff

@irvingcrump2721 5 жыл бұрын

I see how to cut an outlet hole but I need to cut on tile that is on a installed on a wall. How do I do that since I cannot make the cuts on the back side of the tile like in your video. Irv

@grizzly8859 4 жыл бұрын

Easy!. Did you do it yet?

@Ha-kf6ge 4 жыл бұрын

Step one don’t install your tile over box then cut it out . Cut it first

@jordandaman903 3 жыл бұрын

Predrill the four corners will a small diamond bit

@PeleTeleBui 2 жыл бұрын

@@Ha-kf6ge lol RIGHT i see people commenting this question alot

@ramiyousif3029 6 жыл бұрын

I need to cut around my cabinets..I don't wanna remove the cabinets and I wanna replace the tile floor I have. What's the best tool for that?

@nickhoegerify 6 жыл бұрын

Good luck in your venture. Bill Carson!! I know exactly what you did and how you did it. People will not be able to rest until the truth is told. I hope you can sleep at night. God knows I wouldn't be able to. God bless the %50

@synthesizerisking2886 3 жыл бұрын

That is a great idea to use the wood blocks! A Dremel would make a much nicer cut than the bigger angle grinder!

@joe62845 9 ай бұрын

How can you do this if you already have tile on the wall?

@HomeRepairTutor 9 ай бұрын

Same method but very carefully, however, how long has the tile been on the wall?

@joe62845 9 ай бұрын

@@HomeRepairTutor the tile has been on the wall for maybe 3 years max. Should I try to take the tile off the wall and then cut it? I still have a few tiles as back ups just in case something broke.

@joe62845 9 ай бұрын

@@HomeRepairTutor thank you 👍

@HomeRepairTutor 9 ай бұрын

@@joe62845 if you just need to grind down the tile to make it fit better I have some other recommendations, you can send me some pictures of the tile at jeff@homerepairtutor.com

@joe62845 9 ай бұрын

@@HomeRepairTutor reply nah I wanted to add a new outlet. I meant to have it installed when I redid my bathroom but forgot about it. So now I want to do it myself. I have access to the wall behind the wall with the tile so I’ll run the wire through there but wasn’t sure how to cut the tile without destroying it.

@a1tung Жыл бұрын

How about cutting the same square for a tile that is already laid? Generally I would like to enlarge my drainage hole

@velarith 11 ай бұрын

They call him Big Turdz

@shervegas Ай бұрын

Can I do this cut with a multi tool?

@HomeRepairTutor Ай бұрын

I’ve never done it with one, only a grinder with the specialty diamond blade

@brittanypricelax5513 4 жыл бұрын

Outlet cover would cover the overcuts or small chipping wouldn't it?

@AllBayEveryDay 4 жыл бұрын

Brittany Price not always

@gracesunna2883 3 жыл бұрын

where is the final look

@DesignBySantaCruz 5 жыл бұрын

You should cut the backside first and then the frontside, that way you don’t get a chip on the face of the tile.

@pedrochapps8815 5 жыл бұрын

if he didnt knock it out with the spanner it would not have chipped.

@maggiebenson 5 жыл бұрын

Very late to the conversation. This is probably more of a physics question, but why is it that the RPM number needs to be higher (than what your angle grinder specifies) on the blade?

@00226886 5 жыл бұрын

You are correct that it's a physics thing. Like tires, blades are manufactured to work up to certain speeds of rotation before they become unstable and could fly apart. Can't use regular tires on a high performance sports car. The top speed of those cars generates a much faster tire rotation than regular tires can handle. Also there's a heat element as well. The faster the blade spins on the item being cut, the higher the temperature generated from the friction. Could cause damage & injury to the blade, the angle grinder, & especially to the user. Same goes for car tires. Driving too fast for the tire rating can start deforming the rubber on the tire due to the heat from friction (my brother knows this from personal experience, haha). The tire could blow out or fly apart when the centrifugal force on the tread area gets higher than the tire is built to handle.

@vlad_the_creator 4 жыл бұрын

Grinder spins at 12,000 RPM, the blade can take up to 18,000 RPM before it starts rendering useless and dangerous

@aaronbass456 5 жыл бұрын

Can i cut glass tile with that blade?

@thetruthisonlyperspective4872 5 жыл бұрын

You can, but you'd want to score it first so it doesn't chip... I wouldn't suggest it however, 300mph glass chips flying around can mess you up.

@grizzly8859 4 жыл бұрын

Would need a proper blade ment to cut glass. Water would be ideal as well.

@morphling337 3 жыл бұрын

Yes. But I'd keep it very wet while you cut.

@miraclesStation 2 жыл бұрын

amen

@lrc87290 5 жыл бұрын

Hit link for blade. Page not found. Error 404

@HomeRepairTutor 5 жыл бұрын

Sorry about that Tony, we decided to focus on our online courses moving forward. Tools 4 Flooring has it in stock at this url bit.ly/2ClF9RS

@JacanaProductions 4 жыл бұрын

So "the war department" wants to go with big tiles for the kitchen backsplash BUT I say little tiles are easier to install. We have 9 bloody outlets so that's a lot of hole cutting but this makes it look easy and the big tiles sure look nice - 24 inches by 8 inches. Is this a bad idea for someone who's never done tiling before. I'm a good (KZfaq) learner though and just installed an Ikea kitchen and countertops too :)

@lumsdot 3 жыл бұрын

So how did it go, ive got big tiles and am worried about cutting the holes for the sockets

@JacanaProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@lumsdot The sockets were the easiest part! Just use a diamond blade Italian made circular blade. Smaller is better. Cutting the big tiles was a bit problematic as I used a professional cutter with a water jet but the sled the tile sat on was not square so I had issues cutting a completely straight line. The tile cutter was a friends so I had it for as long as needed so this was a hug benefit vs hiring one from Home Depot for $20 a day. Get the biggest baddest cutter you can afford to rent, you won't be sorry especially for big tiles!

@lumsdot 3 жыл бұрын

@@JacanaProductionsthanks, that gives me hope. Im getting a small blade, so hopefully it will go well

@shoeknowme Жыл бұрын

I found if you're doing marble make sure the piece you're cutting out is not held up by gravity to prevent any chipping

@DampRaccoon Жыл бұрын

Broke my brain here..wtf does "held UP by gravity" (a downforce) mean?

@charleyberrier 2 жыл бұрын

#1. There are no 3” at the local big box hardware stores. #2. I had to buy the 4” or order online. #3 You will likely mess up your first couple tries. #5 Avoid the whole process if you can. #7. No, the cheaper ones that (high) for tile do not work.

@otsdjm 3 жыл бұрын

Didn't you insert the blade the wrong way round??

@tomviolett5775 2 жыл бұрын

You could have taped before grinding to prevent chipping

@jeanpascjeanpasc1444 Жыл бұрын

Good point for certain situations. To get a perfect line, a water saw is recommended. However, in this case, it doesn't matter since it will be covered. Nobody will see the chips.

@grizzly8859 4 жыл бұрын

The littl3 blade is not needed. I would do it with a 5 " blade

@rebecca2827 4 жыл бұрын

How would you keep from over cutting?

@grizzly8859 4 жыл бұрын

@@rebecca2827 cutti g from the back side..

@jordandaman903 3 жыл бұрын

Predrill the corners will a diamond bit

@Thrillowatt 6 жыл бұрын

he sorta looks like billy mays

@HomeRepairTutor 6 жыл бұрын

hmm, maybe a little...but not as energetic

@petemarquez8759 6 жыл бұрын

Home Repair Tutor not as "energetic"...I caught that, wink,wink.

@HomeRepairTutor 6 жыл бұрын

Lol, great minds...

@Thrillowatt 6 жыл бұрын

Home Repair Tutor lol

@carlosflores6641 3 жыл бұрын

Where can I get the small balde? I need one for tomorrow!!!, can you give me the hole name!, please

@HomeRepairTutor 3 жыл бұрын

It’s the Montolit Squadro

@alolipa 5 жыл бұрын

Why would you use a grinder?

@beeps7 3 жыл бұрын

Kinda hard to flip the tile over when its already on the wall. VIdeos not helpful for new work on existing tiled walls.

@PeleTeleBui 2 жыл бұрын

lol what?? if the tile is already on the wall why would you be cutting out a box for an outlet??? shouldnt the outlet be already on the wall before tile???.... and otherwise just chip the tile off the wall and replace it with a new tile

@levi.walton13 2 ай бұрын

@@PeleTeleBuiWe’re replacing our receptacles and the box is too small. So we have to replace the box and widen the opening in the tile all in place. Video is still helpful

@jcchapman7383 2 жыл бұрын

U r spending way too much time cutting a perfect line around an outlet, the outlet cover will cover up to a half inch of surrounding area around the cut

@firstname9987 3 жыл бұрын

In the thumbnail that right outlets definitely not accurate come on man

@vlad_the_creator 4 жыл бұрын

I have cut outlets with a 7” blade. Steady hand does it. Once the cover plate goes on it doesn’t matter if you have a small chip or overcut somewhere. Here’s the truth: everybody wants to make more money quicker. Same for the toilet flanges. Once the toilet goes on, it doesn’t matter. You may take your time and make the cut extremely nice, but does it really help you make more money? You may say Well my cuts are so nice and that means I care about the customer and about the other people who see my job. Any of them care about you? I do tile work to make money, not to make friends. And I do follow all of the TCNA guidelines. Here’s my thoughts on fancy nice cuts: if it’s in the open or it’s required for structural integrity, then yes, otherwise it doesn’t matter

@HomeRepairTutor 4 жыл бұрын

appreciate your point of view and completely agree, it's nice to know what tools make it a little easier just in case the cut needs to happen.

@vlad_the_creator 4 жыл бұрын

Home Repair Tutor Absolutely! I need to make a square cut on already installed floor porcelain tile. Any input would be appreciated.

@HomeRepairTutor 4 жыл бұрын

@@vlad_the_creator in that case we'd use a speed square to mark the location and use an angle grinder with diamond blade, but you probably knew that already. One tool we really like is Fein's dust shroud for angle grinders. That attached to a HEPA vac cuts down on dust a TON.

@vlad_the_creator 4 жыл бұрын

Home Repair Tutor yeah. Thanks for the tip. They should make a laser tile saw ;)

@HomeRepairTutor 4 жыл бұрын

@@vlad_the_creator was thinking the same thing a few weeks back, to have a laser attached to the angle grinder for easy cutting. They do it for other saws!