Cutting Slate

Anything from making a cave, to building a fishroom, this is the place to post.
Post Reply
User avatar
Lucy
Groupie
Posts: 96
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 3:50 am
Location: Houston, Scotland

Cutting Slate

Post by Lucy »

I've got some slate tiles which are fairly thin that I thought I'd use for top & bottom of caves. I've also got some thicker slate for the sides & back - but what is the best way to cut it without it splitting? The local builder wasn't interested in helping.

Also what is the consencus of opinion: with or without bottoms for cleaning purposes (& to check on 'em)

And lastly, for this post that it!, what dimensions do you recommend - is it a good idea to have a variety of sizes up to a max, or does one size fits all?

Thanks for all & any help!!
Zoban
Groupie
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:45 pm

Post by Zoban »

Haven't got far enuff yet to making my own slate caves but standard Zebra Pleco Caves seem to be (1" H x 1.5" W x 5" long) internal dimensions.

There are a few good thread here on slate caves I know Husky Jim has a thread right below this one with great looking more natural look in slate.

He also has a couple pics that were included on the thread on PC that are not in this one that show the tools used..

Not trying to center ya out Husky, ya just made an impression I guess as it's a sweet cave. :)
[url=http://www.mentoria.on.ca/fish/images/HPIM0036.JPG]Zoban's Main Tank[/url]
a1fox
Forum Follower
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:18 am
Location: calgary alberta
Contact:

cutting slate

Post by a1fox »

I borrowed a wet saw to cut mine, not usually any loss or breakage that way, and everything comes out with edges you can put together. You can usually rent them for a few hours really cheap
pleco nut 4 life!
www.deemarkbettacanada.com
marcus
Groupie
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:39 am
Location: lincoln england
Contact:

Post by marcus »

hi.
i got a tile cutter from screwfix for about £30. it works well on roofing slate although you have to be really carefull not to rush the cut as roofing slate tends to splinter really easy
crazie.eddie
Obsessed!!
Posts: 272
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 6:15 am
Location: Illinois (US)

Post by crazie.eddie »

A wet tile saw will do the trick.
User avatar
husky_jim
Obsessed!!
Posts: 123
Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:43 pm
Location: Greece-Athens
Contact:

Post by husky_jim »

Zoban wrote:Haven't got far enuff yet to making my own slate caves but standard Zebra Pleco Caves seem to be (1" H x 1.5" W x 5" long) internal dimensions.

There are a few good thread here on slate caves I know Husky Jim has a thread right below this one with great looking more natural look in slate.

He also has a couple pics that were included on the thread on PC that are not in this one that show the tools used..

Not trying to center ya out Husky, ya just made an impression I guess as it's a sweet cave. :)
Thanks for the good comments.Tommorow i am planning to make 6 new caves because i set up 2 new breeding tanks (1 for Ancistrus and 1 for L134) so till night i will post a detailed description of the procedure and the tools used.
[b]Jim[/b]
[url=http://www.aquazone.gr][img]http://www.piranha-fury.com/pfury/uploads/1129493122/tn_gallery_1075_67_7031.jpg[/img][/url]
snr69
Obsessed!!
Posts: 122
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:27 pm
Location: West Sussex, UK

Post by snr69 »

I made some at the weekend :-)

I used a angle grinder with blade like this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/115mm-4-5-DIAMOND ... 0062521458

I wouldn't recommend unless you are used to handling power tools, have all saftey equipement.

This is clearly very dangerous...

Maybe a local tile shop would do it for you ? Worth a ring around....
User avatar
Lucy
Groupie
Posts: 96
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 3:50 am
Location: Houston, Scotland

Post by Lucy »

Thanks for all the suggestions.
I bought a wet tile cutter in the end - does a great job! :D

Lucy <><
Post Reply