From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y


I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round the
edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the surrounding
tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and tiles in a lighter
shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I am
not expecting to get it out intact.

I will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.
(Ken Olson, president Digital Equipment, 1977)
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 24/02/2026 09:48, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round the
edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I am
not expecting to get it out intact.

-aI will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

I think I would look at an oscillating saw/multitool. I bought this one..

https://amzn.eu/d/02TgexjX

the blades are not much cop, but when I asked a pro who came to do some
work, he said they are all the same, the expensive ones are not much
better, and are much more expensive so I bought these:

https://amzn.eu/d/0bShMzA3

but they don't last long, so perhaps just get these and cut the tile flush

https://amzn.eu/d/09oO7zLj

I haven't tried these, but similar in my jigsaw worked well.
If you don't like Amazon, Screwfix have a similar multi-tool

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb892mlt-300w-electric-multi-tool-240v/154vv

and a blade for grout removal....

... all probably more than you wanted to pay, but may get the job done
without damaging adjacent tiles.

Dave



https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-60-grit-multi-material-removal-blade-71mm/5820p


Dave
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 24/02/2026 09:48, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round the
edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I am
not expecting to get it out intact.

-aI will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

1. grout removal. there are tow lines of possible attack here - physical assault with e,g an angle grinder with a diamond edged disk, or chemical warfare using something that will attack the grout - like acid of some
sort., Hydrochloric is probably best but keep it away from chrome...
2. Tile removal. As I discovered to my dismay when re fitting some 20
year old tiling, some waterproof tile cements are not cements at all,
but a loaded acrylic glue. And the only thing that got them do weaken
was paint stripper. Now this wont be easy to use on tiles still firmly
affixed in place. Mine were all falling off due to a failure of what
they were laid on, so it wasn't too much of an issue for me. It is
possible that more (careful) work with a diamond cutting disk would
break the tile up enough to be chipped out, or al least ground out with
a Dremel type tool with an appropriate bit..

Overall I think slow and careful is the watchword. I'd probably go for grinding with a mask on
--
rCLProgress is precisely that which rules and regulations did not foresee,rCY

rCo Ludwig von Mises

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round the
edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I am
not expecting to get it out intact.

-aI will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

It depends on the tools you have available. Simplest (on a solid,
modern'ish, wall) would be to use a hammer and punch near the centre of
the tile to start to break it and then work outwards. Alternatively,
drill some holes into the tile and then carefully break bits away,
working towards the edges. Slightly better (but messier) is to cut it
with an angle grinder. A multitool (with a suitable blade) can be useful
to remove the grout but it's easy to damage the edge of adjacent tiles, possibly better to use a grout removal hand tool.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 24/02/2026 12:08, No mail wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using
a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round
the edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the
surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and
tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I
am not expecting to get it out intact.

-a-aI will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile
stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

It depends on the tools you have available. Simplest (on a solid, modern'ish, wall) would be to use a hammer and punch near the centre of
the tile to start to break it and then work outwards. Alternatively,
drill some holes into the tile and then carefully break bits away,
working towards the edges. Slightly better (but messier) is to cut it
with an angle grinder. A multitool (with a suitable blade) can be useful
to remove the grout but it's easy to damage the edge of adjacent tiles, possibly better to use a grout removal hand tool.

Similar to what others have said, I would first remove the grout using a multi-tool with a grout removing part-circular blade. If you haven't got
one, a manual alternative is something like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/faithfull-tile-grout-rake-2-50mm-/831gc - but
it's not a 5-minute job! Only when you've removed all the grout can you
think about applying some brute force and ignorance to the offending
tile without too much risk to the surrounding tiles. I would then drill
some holes in the tile to be removed with a masonery or SDS drill and
then push a close-fitting round metal bar into each hole and try to
lever the tile out. Actually, gripping the integral soap dish with a
Mole wrench and exercising it up and down might also work.
--
Cheers,
Roger
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 24/02/2026 09:48, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round the
edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I am
not expecting to get it out intact.

-aI will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

I usually take out the grout with a carbide or diamond grit segment saw
in a multitool:

https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Oscillating_tools#The_Tools

Then you can smash the centre of the tile without risk to surrounding
ones. Chip off the remains, and level with a carbide rasp in the multitool.

(you could do it with a smooth rim diamond blade in an angle grinder -
but cut just inside the grout line to save damaging adjacent tiles).
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \=================================================================/
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 24/02/2026 09:48, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round the
edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I am
not expecting to get it out intact.

I will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

Dremel with small pointed tungsten carbide burr. Slowly remove grout,
keeping burr to the unwanted tile side so if it slips it will only
damage that tile.

This sort of thing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CoCud-Tungsten-Carbide-Rotary-Double/dp/B0DJ9MSKN8
--
Jeff
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 24/02/2026 in message <xn0pmeolxmsjjh8018@news.individual.net> Jeff
Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using a >hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round the
edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the surrounding >tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and tiles in a lighter >shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I am
not expecting to get it out intact.

I will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile stored >there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

Many thanks for all the replies :-)

I got a hand grout remover with diamond coated blades (about the size of Stanley knife blades) but this stuff is hard!

I have had a look at the oscillating tools that people recommended. Very
basic question - do they oscillate in and out like a pneumatic drill or
up and down? If the former I don't think one would make much progress, up
and down would be impossible to hold though?

That leaves me with something like an angle grinder with a very thin disk
that fits between tiles.

Any further thoughts?
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
That's an amazing invention but who would ever want to use one of them? (President Hayes speaking to Alexander Graham Bell on the invention of the telephone)
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 12:05, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 24/02/2026 in message <xn0pmeolxmsjjh8018@news.individual.net> Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using
a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round
the edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the
surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and
tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I
am not expecting to get it out intact.

I will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile
stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

Many thanks for all the replies :-)

I got a hand grout remover with diamond coated blades (about the size of Stanley knife blades) but this stuff is hard!

I have had a look at the oscillating tools that people recommended. Very basic question --a do they oscillate in and out like a pneumatic drill or
up and down? If the former I don't think one would make much progress,
up and down would be impossible to hold though?

That leaves me with something like an angle grinder with a very thin
disk that fits between tiles.

Think of the multi-tool as an angle grinder that does not rotate a full circle, at a very high speed. I think this is speeded up..

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/D1JLwkEkou8

.. but shows diamond blades on grout...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_fHqHeaZzrQ

this is actual speed

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LtkfyuJ3tAI

Any further thoughts?

Stop worrying.

Dave
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 12:05, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have had a look at the oscillating tools that people recommended. Very basic question --a do they oscillate in and out like a pneumatic drill or
up and down?

They oscillate by making very small rotations about their axis in their
own plane. So, when placed in the groove between two tiles, they
oscillate from side to side so that they cut into and sink into the
grout. Once you've made a start, you slowly move it along the groove,
removing the grout as you go.
--
Cheers,
Roger
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 24/02/2026 in message <xn0pmeolxmsjjh8018@news.individual.net> Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using
a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round
the edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the
surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and
tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I
am not expecting to get it out intact.

I will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile
stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

Many thanks for all the replies :-)

I got a hand grout remover with diamond coated blades (about the size of Stanley knife blades) but this stuff is hard!

I have had a look at the oscillating tools that people recommended. Very basic question --a do they oscillate in and out like a pneumatic drill or
up and down? If the former I don't think one would make much progress,
up and down would be impossible to hold though?

That leaves me with something like an angle grinder with a very thin
disk that fits between tiles.

Any further thoughts?

They are the same as the gizzmos that are used to cut through plaster
casts - they oscillate a few degrees and (usually) will not cut skin.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 in message <10ns21k$2fmdr$1@dont-email.me> David Wade wrote:

On 27/02/2026 12:05, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 24/02/2026 in message <xn0pmeolxmsjjh8018@news.individual.net> Jeff >>Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the >>>place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using a >>>hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round the >>>edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the surrounding >>>tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and tiles in a lighter >>>shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I am >>>not expecting to get it out intact.

I will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile >>>stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

Many thanks for all the replies :-)

I got a hand grout remover with diamond coated blades (about the size of >>Stanley knife blades) but this stuff is hard!

I have had a look at the oscillating tools that people recommended. Very >>basic question --a do they oscillate in and out like a pneumatic drill or >>up and down? If the former I don't think one would make much progress, up >>and down would be impossible to hold though?

That leaves me with something like an angle grinder with a very thin disk >>that fits between tiles.

Think of the multi-tool as an angle grinder that does not rotate a full >circle, at a very high speed. I think this is speeded up..

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/D1JLwkEkou8

.. but shows diamond blades on grout...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_fHqHeaZzrQ

this is actual speed

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LtkfyuJ3tAI

Any further thoughts?

Stop worrying.

Dave

Many thanks :-)

I haven't seen one of those but now I have I can see its uses, I want to
put a double sided bolt on a wooden gate and need to cut a slot for the
handle to slid in so it will do that as well.

For some unknown reason I am suffering a confidence drop at the moment, if
I can get these couple of jobs done OK it will help!

On order to arrive tomorrow the Workpro tool plus a set of grout blades :-)
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
It may be that your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others. --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 in message <n0dj95Fr37rU1@mid.individual.net> Roger Mills
wrote:

On 27/02/2026 12:05, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have had a look at the oscillating tools that people recommended. Very >>basic question --a do they oscillate in and out like a pneumatic drill or >>up and down?

They oscillate by making very small rotations about their axis in their
own plane. So, when placed in the groove between two tiles, they oscillate >from side to side so that they cut into and sink into the grout. Once
you've made a start, you slowly move it along the groove, removing the
grout as you go.

Many thanks, very neat tool :-)
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
Are you confused about gender?
Try milking a bull, you'll learn real quick.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 13:34, No mail wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 24/02/2026 in message <xn0pmeolxmsjjh8018@news.individual.net> Jeff
Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair. >>>
I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using
a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round
the edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the
surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and
tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I
am not expecting to get it out intact.

I will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile
stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

Many thanks for all the replies :-)

I got a hand grout remover with diamond coated blades (about the size
of Stanley knife blades) but this stuff is hard!

I have had a look at the oscillating tools that people recommended.
Very basic question --a do they oscillate in and out like a pneumatic
drill or up and down? If the former I don't think one would make much
progress, up and down would be impossible to hold though?

That leaves me with something like an angle grinder with a very thin
disk that fits between tiles.

Any further thoughts?

They are the same as the gizzmos that are used to cut through plaster
casts - they oscillate a few degrees and (usually) will not cut skin.

Yes, the idea is that they only cut which stay still - like plaster.
Flesh will oscillate with them and not get cut - supposedly!
--
Cheers,
Roger
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 14:17, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I haven't seen one of those but now I have I can see its uses, I want to
put a double sided bolt on a wooden gate and need to cut a slot for the handle to slid in so it will do that as well.

You need a wood cutting - or general purpose - blade for that. But take
it slowly - otherwise you'll get smoke and burn marks on the wood.
--
Cheers,
Roger
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Many thanks, very neat tool EfOe

They're not the tool you'll use the most, but are handy in certain cases
... they're not precision instruments though ...

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 12:05, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 24/02/2026 in message <xn0pmeolxmsjjh8018@news.individual.net> Jeff Gaines wrote:

I have a tile with a built in soap holder next to my bath just in the
place where my elbow bashes it if I am kneeling to wash or wash my hair.

I need to remove it while my elbow is intact. I was thinking of using
a hacksaw blade to try and cut through the grout and adhesive round
the edges. I then need to try and remove it without damaging the
surrounding tiles (it is a 1980's bathroom with Avocado suite and
tiles in a lighter shade to blend).

Any suggestions please? I think it's a question of gently bentley, I
am not expecting to get it out intact.

I will have to remove the bath panel to see if there's a spare tile
stored there but my elbow is more important at the moment.

Many thanks for all the replies :-)

I got a hand grout remover with diamond coated blades (about the size of Stanley knife blades) but this stuff is hard!

I have had a look at the oscillating tools that people recommended. Very basic question --a do they oscillate in and out like a pneumatic drill or
up and down?

Neither :-)

The oscillation is angular - they rotate a degree or so in one direction
then back again in the other. So with a disc style blade attached this
creates a sawing motion of the carbide disc, but without actually
rotating it continuously.

If the former I don't think one would make much progress,
up and down would be impossible to hold though?

That leaves me with something like an angle grinder with a very thin
disk that fits between tiles.

A diamond disc might do it - but way more dust as it is continuously
rotating and throwing stuff at speed, also less controllable as it is
fighting to "pull" the tool away from you.
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \=================================================================/
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 14:52, Roger Mills wrote:

On 27/02/2026 14:17, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I haven't seen one of those but now I have I can see its uses, I want
to put a double sided bolt on a wooden gate and need to cut a slot for
the handle to slid in so it will do that as well.

You need a wood cutting - or general purpose - blade for that. But take
it slowly - otherwise you'll get smoke and burn marks on the wood.

There is also a "knack" for plunge cuts in wood. If you try to just
plunge straight in, then there is no easy way to clear the sawdust, and
that makes burning worse. IME using a blade narrower that the final
width of cut helps, since you can slide it back an fourth to clear the sawdust, and then you can plunge deeper at slight angles so that you
have a corner of the blade engaged. That way it is ejecting new cut
material out into the already cut slot.
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \=================================================================/
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 16:56, Andy Burns wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Many thanks, very neat tool EfOe

They're not the tool you'll use the most, but are handy in certain
cases ... they're not precision instruments though ...

Yup, they are often the answer to the question that starts "How the heck
am I going to be able to cut that?"

precision is relative though - they will quite often have more finesse
than some of the tool alternatives that might be considered, like the ubiquitous angle grinder.
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \=================================================================/
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 14:48, Roger Mills wrote:

On 27/02/2026 13:34, No mail wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Any further thoughts?

They are the same as the gizzmos that are used to cut through plaster
casts - they oscillate a few degrees and (usually) will not cut skin.

Yes, the idea is that they only cut which stay still - like plaster.
Flesh will oscillate with them and not get cut - supposedly!

Fein are credited with the invention of the medical saw in 1967, it was
that which then inspired the tradesman's tool we now recognise.
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \=================================================================/
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 27/02/2026 in message <10ns21k$2fmdr$1@dont-email.me> David Wade wrote:

Stop worrying.

Just to say thank you to everybody :-)

I had to put the job off for a day waiting for decent safety goggles but I started at 10:30 today. The grout/cement is hard, it wasn't my
imagination! I used a half moon diamond grout removal blade and it it
finished the cut I had started manually very well, used the ends first
(one seemed better than the other) then switched to the centre, when the
dust colour changed from white to cement I knew I was deep enough. Did the other three sides then drilled several holes across about 1" from the top
and used the diamond blade to turn it into a slot. I ensure I continued
the slots to clear adjacent tiles.

One tap at the top on the sacrificial chisel (at least 40 years old) and
the top 1" strip just fell out. Tapped the bottom part and the rest fell
out in one! Finished at 10:47. The back is plaster, will scrape/sand it
(don't want to switch from bruising my elbow to slicing it to ribbons) and then have a clean up.

Really pleased, thank you very much again for all the help!
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
If you ever find something you like buy a lifetime supply because they
will stop making it
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 02/03/2026 11:00, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 27/02/2026 in message <10ns21k$2fmdr$1@dont-email.me> David Wade wrote:

Stop worrying.

Just to say thank you to everybody :-)

I had to put the job off for a day waiting for decent safety goggles but
I started at 10:30 today. The grout/cement is hard, it wasn't my imagination! I used a half moon diamond grout removal blade and it it finished the cut I had started manually very well, used the ends first
(one seemed better than the other) then switched to the centre, when the dust colour changed from white to cement I knew I was deep enough. Did
the other three sides then drilled several holes across about 1" from
the top and used the diamond blade to turn it into a slot. I ensure I continued the slots to clear adjacent tiles.

One tap at the top on the sacrificial chisel (at least 40 years old) and
the top 1" strip just fell out. Tapped the bottom part and the rest fell
out in one! Finished at 10:47. The back is plaster, will scrape/sand it (don't want to switch from bruising my elbow to slicing it to ribbons)
and then have a clean up.

The carbine rasps are good at smoothing / levelling plaster, tile
adhesive etc:

https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=File:Mm-carbide-rasp.jpg

or

https://www.saxtonblades.co.uk/product/saxton-78mm-carbide-rasp-blades-compatible-with-fein-multimaster-bosch-oscillating-multitool/

Really pleased, thank you very much again for all the help!

Glad it worked out :-)
--
Cheers,

John.

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