Festool sander to bullnose tile

[Kodi Crescent]

Hi.  I'm working on a tile job (porcelain) and I'd like to bullnose the edges on particular tiles.  Has anyone used any of their Festool sanders for this?  I have a RAS, Rotex 150, Rotex 90, ETS 150, and ETS 125.  Anyone tried it?

 

[bkharman]

I would use a cheap grinder outside or rig up some sort of box as a dust collector. If you want a new tool, I get it, but none of those fit the bill well.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cheese]

I've not tried grinding porcelain, however I'd think a diamond wheel on the RAS would work.

I have punched holes in porcelain tile with diamond core drills/diamond hole saws.

 

[Peter_C]

I have a wet polisher which works great for polishing tile/stone. Came with a round over bit and a bunch of polishing pads. I have used an RO150 to finish polish and remove swirl marks in marble though, but that is about all they are good for.
https://www.amazon.com/Hardin-H38WV...0?ie=UTF8&qid=1488248855&sr=8-10&keywords=wet+polisher

 

[rst]

I used Milwaukee and Makita band sanders with carbide belts to round over tile and glass.  Especially with glass the trick is not to let the material heat up too much or rapidly.

 

[Peter_C]

I used Milwaukee and Makita band sanders with carbide belts to round over tile and glass.  Especially with glass the trick is not to let the material heat up too much or rapidly.

I am sure someone superior to me can get a perfect round over along a 10 ft length of tile, but I am sure not capable. Thankfully you can buy a diamond bit that cuts a near perfect bullnose every time.

A wet polisher is superior for keeping the heat down, and removing the debris. They really are not very expensive. Mine was paid for on the first job. Why not use the right tool for the job? *shrugs*

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I'll consider the wet polisher.  I may have one or two other tile jobs in the house I can do.  I need to take a look at my tile and see if it is capable of accepting a decent bullnose.  The tile has a pattern on it that may interfere with this.

 

[Holmz]

Some tiles are fired with a glaze.
Would the bullnose be like grinding through the enamel of a tooth then exposing the softer core?

It seems easier to try and find some edging that has a good presentation... But I have only done a few tiling jobs and the earliest needs as the subfloor is now water damaged from a renter.

 

[w802h]

I've used a belt sander to do some shaping on tiles.  Holmz is right you are displaying the core, which is sometime a very different color.  There are trim pieces like Shluter that you can buy to finish an edge.  I almost always use a quartzlock grout and have applied it to the edge of a tile with a chamfer, since not all tile is available with a full selection of bullnose options.

 

[Cheese]

If you're now considering wet polishing, take a look at Braxton Bragg, they have everything.
http://www.braxton-bragg.com/?gclid=CIawi5SzttICFRG5wAodd34Oug

 

[Peter_C]

I will agree on the Schluter edging for ceramic tile and even some porcelain tile. Usually when doing bullnose I do it with natural stone and it looks great when completed. The cost effective Hardin polisher I bought and linked to above has served me well for years.

Some tiles are fired with a glaze.
Would the bullnose be like grinding through the enamel of a tooth then exposing the softer core?

It seems easier to try and find some edging that has a good presentation... But I have only done a few tiling jobs and the earliest needs as the subfloor is now water damaged from a renter.

Not sure what you mean by renters and subfloor being damaged, but if you are not familiar with Schluter Systems "Ditra" have a look at some videos. When banded properly it is 100% waterproofed. It also disconnects the tile from the subfloor.

 

[live4ever]

Are you using a wet tile saw?  If so, just get a profile wheel for it.  Kind of like putting a dado stack on a tablesaw.  The polishing can be done with a Rotex or RAS (+diamond pads), but it's the profile which is important to get consistent and accurate.

 

[rizzoa13]

If there's any metal accents in the room (faucets) and you can't get a factory bullnose piece just buy a matching schluter rondec profile. Most of the time a round over on a full sized tile looks like garbage anyway.

 

[Kodi Crescent]

Are you using a wet tile saw?  If so, just get a profile wheel for it.  Kind of like putting a dado stack on a tablesaw.  The polishing can be done with a Rotex or RAS (+diamond pads), but it's the profile which is important to get consistent and accurate.

I have a Dewalt wet saw.  I asked the local tile supplier about these blades and he said that most of the local pros aren't using them.  They can't quite get a consistent look from them, so they sell them very infrequently.  He said they are using sanders and polishers instead.

I may use the Schluter profile if I elect to use tile for the baseboard.