I use my tile wet saw to cut cups, bowls, vases in half, and both sides are saved. I go behind the tray that pushes your tiles into the blade, and w/both hands, hold the cup under the blade. Works like a charm. Everybody keeps talking about the Dremel. Wish someone would give me the exact name, number and all that stuff cuz there's lots of Dremels, and I don't know which one to buy. I want it to grind off the foot of the plate too, or to smooth out some edges on my rough cuts.

Ok, but only one side of the cup has a handle-right? I bought my husband a dremel several years ago ( I have yet to use it myself, so am flying blind here) and he said he has a grinder attachment that would work - I am envisioning a huge mess that way with dust and flying pieces,tho.

I've used my rotary tool on smaller things. I just grind into a tall wastebasket.

Slowmedown. I have a Sears craftsman rotary tool I got off ebay. I had a cordless one that died, so I had the case and attachments. So, depends if you want cordless, or corded ( I went with the cord this time - I just have no luck with cordless things). They come with various amounts of attachments, so that influences the price. I got a big attachment set off Amazon for $16 not too long ago. I think some come in one speed and others are variable ( that's what I have). Ok, that's all I know

Maria

I researched them a couple of months ago and the new Dremel 400 Series XPR was the one I had decided on but never did buy it. Wal Mart had the best price on it also that I found. Prices vary because it will come in a kit with different attachments. How well does it grind on china?

Depends on the china. Some are harder than others! It's a little bit slow going, even on glass.
I haven't really checked it out, but there may be a better grinder bit than the one it came with. (Haven't really checked out my big attachment set either).

Maria

Don't guess a bench grinder would work huh?

Think I'll just wait on that grinder. I DON'T need more tools.

I would go for the grinder! I had this and it works for now, until I can get some $$$$s together. I just want SO MUCH glass first!!LOL

Hope I get a big tax refund ;-)

Maria

I bought a dremel last summer when I was working on my edgers. I wanted to make the ceramic tiles look like flower petals. The dremel didn't work or it would have taken forever & I was going to take it back & DH said to keep it. Ha!

I went back & bought a grinder $30 at Home Depot when making sand cast cement leaves. They have different grinding wheels for whatever you are grinding. I bought a wheel for cement for $5.00 & used it all summer on my cement leaves & it's still going strong. A grinder would definately take off the footers with no problem because it is powerful. Wouldn't take but a minute. I even would hold a leaf & use the grinder with my other hand. You would love this tool. Grinders come in different size wheels. I bought the 4" wheeled grinder.

DH gave me a safety lesson before I was allowed to use the grinder. I have to wear the safety glasses & gloves when I use the grinder. I use the glasses but not always the gloves.

Yes it would get dusty. I do my leaves outside on the ground.

Somewhere someone sold my name. I am getting all kinds of tool magazines being sent to me. I had one that wanted me to test tools for them, do a survey, & then I get to keep the tools. Of course I said yes! ROFL!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Tools

The Dremel I have is the XPR400 that was mentioned earlier.

Not only do I use it in my mosaics, but a multitude of other things. It is really a multi purpose tool.

In mosaics I have used it to make plates flat, drill holes, smooth edges, etch, shape, etc. You just have to make sure you get the correct attachments for glass, tile, porceline.

CACBEARY: That's the one Bill Vincent recommended several months back. Thanks for that. Also, HRSG, I've seen the Dremel you mentioned advertised on t.v., and might have to get that one as well as the grinder. Oh, no, more tools in the future, I can tell. Thanks for the info.

I've actually had pretty good luck just using a wheeled nipper to cut a cup in half. I think I put the wheel a little further down, not at the very edge. When I squeezed, the cup came apart almost perfectly in half, like it was originally made with a "seam". Unfortunately, it didn't happen every time but I got good results about 4 out of 6 times.

I've had a Dremel tool for years, but always just used it to sand down dog nails. Maybe I should put it to real use, eh?

cacbeary, thank you soooo much for the information on the hand-held grinder. I had no idea they even made such a thing, let alone that they have different types of grinding wheels. Way cool!

Nancy

Ok if I bump this up? I just searched "grinders" and this is the first thread to come up.

A question: When you use a 4" grinder (CACBEARY??) do you put the grinder in a vise, or your glass piece, or hold them both? Can you grind very small pieces this way, or resort to the Dremel? (We have one of those around here somewhere...maybe two of them!) Thanks for the input!

Veronica

I want to say I use my Dremel for every thing I just cut rebar (steal) in half with it .There is a new attachment that has diemen wheel that will cut those cup in to It works great .I have had two I would not trade for it .Do get dif. speed.

I haven't looked at this thread in the past and now I'm kicking myself. I have a Dremel AND a bench grinder.

I can always grind when DH is at work so if it doesn't work properly I don't get the "I told you so" look . . .

DIYtrying, I have used my wheeled nippers (Lepps) to cut cups in half and you're right on the money; about 80 percent of the cups are perfectly snapped in half.

I won't even go into the time I didn't look at the bottom of the cup before snapping it and it turned out to be Corel ware. My family ALL came running at the sound that made!