[ATM] tile tool

[Mike Coslo]

On 3/28/2011 5:15 PM, Jerry Hillman wrote:
> I know this has been answered but when I tried to find it in the archives I came up with 100's of posts about tile tools.  I can't find what I need.
> The tile tool that was supplied with my mirror blank was made with textured tiles.  After two hours of grinding the glaze is coming off the tiles in the center but I can still see the texture everywhere else.  Is this a problem or should I throw it away and make a new tool. Or continue as i am until all the roughness is ground off. I am worried that I will destroy the curve.
> Jerry B.
You're going to get a lot of replies about this, but here's one from a 
guy that is totally wrong.

There is no way that I would use glazed tiles for a tile tool. porcelain 
is the only way I roll.

There are some reasons for this - also wrong.

1. Basic tiles are quite soft. They wear quickly. I can't think of a 
good reason to have the tiles wear down at a fast rate. Ideally The 
tiles should be the same hardness as the glass (there's another 
possibility for the tiles)

2. That glaze? It's glass. Excellent stuff to have  rolling around on 
your mirror.

3. What exactly is the composition of that glazed tile? Are there any 
inclusions in it? What is the hardness of the inclusions?

Even in porcelain, I recommend basic white. It's a higher quality,  
material and you don't have to worry about if the speckles are of a 
different hardness.