Cutting ceramics with plasma

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Tried to cut ceramic tile with 20ga sheet metal on top. Does not really cut. Just heating the tile.Any experiences, thoughts?
Reply:I think the material would have to be conductive before a plasma would cut it.  Ceramics would be particularly difficult since most have a high melting point.  I've accidentally cut many wood blocks using the method you discribe.  "Cut" doesn't really describe it.  It's more like "holy ****, I'm on fire" Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:I've even seen some picture on Internet. They cut the glass.Is it possible that there are some kinds of conducting ceramics and glasses?
Reply:Why not try laying the ceramic on the metal,start on the metal at an edge, then across the ceramic.
Reply:Yes, there are such things as electrically conductive ceramics.
Reply:Originally Posted by BlueweldersWhy not try laying the ceramic on the metal,start on the metal at an edge, then across the ceramic.
Reply:What are you trying to do?.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWWhat are you trying to do?
Reply:If your anywhere near a Home Depot or Lowe's or even tile outlet/contractor have them make the cuts using their Wet Saw. Lowe's says they charge 25 cents per cut but I have never been charged and they have made up to 5 cuts.  Talk to the person in the flooring dept.Not sure I would ever try to cut a tile using a plasma cutter! I have cut thru steel on a concrete floor only to have the arc hit the concrete and have it explode piece of concrete back at me. After doing that just once you never do it again.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Get a 4-1/2" diamond tile cutting wheel from HD/ Lowes/ etc. $25, and you can cut concrete, tile, stone, granite rocks/ geodes. And that blade will last for a long time. For a cleaner cut, use a water bottle; drill a 1/8" hole in the cap. Squeeze water on the cut you are doing......it's perfect, cheap, and easy.Plasma and tile??? I guess it's possible? I tend to believe that Specter has the idea; you will wind up with tile shards in your skin......And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:yep and glazed ceramic tile when it shards will be like having razor blades flying at you. Pay the $.25 per cut at Lowe's and have it done rightCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Ok I thought that might be what you were attempting, but thought maybe it had to do with some other post I missed.Rojo nailed the simplest one. The 4 1/2" grinder and diamond wheel. Thats what I'll use most of the time if I only need one or two easy cuts. I've used the water trick with that also. I've cut very large 18" tile, with the wormdrive and a diamond blade. You can also buy carbide jigsaw blades. These work great for curved cuts and large holes in tile. I have a big wetsaw for lots of cuts in tile. You can also rent the scribe and snap tile cutters cheap. In a pintch I've also cut some tile with a glass cutter and snaped them with pliers, but its hit and miss sometimes that way. The also sell tile nibblers. They look like a heavy duty pair of end cutters. You just bite off chunks of tile. Not too bad for rough work curves that are  hidden..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by NomandFor another - cutting glass would be excellent for cabinet making or furniture in general for that matter...
Reply:Thank you guys all. And I'll probably will end up with something like this http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...le%252BSaw.jsp currently on sale...It's just eventually I ment to cut something "curly"... Under template... Like old barocco... And I had something like that on the back of my head when I was buying plasma cutter... And I have the biggest - 80A...I still love the cutter, but I guess I just have to shrug looking at ceramics....