Cutting ceramic/porcelain?

This isn't really a restoration question, but I thought it the most appropriate place to post for any advice.

Here's my idea (like most people I have tons of ideas, not enough time to act on them and sometimes even less initiative to make them happen.;);))

I travel a hefty chuck of my state for business which gives me opportunity to pop into antique shops along the routes looking for razors and hones. I have not yet started stopping at old school small town barber shops for the same reason........yet. Unlike an antique store that I have no qualms about leaving without buying anything if there's nothing that interests me, I wouldn't want to just pop into barber shops asking if they have old straights or hones to sell.

SO..........I thought it would be cool and inexpensive for me to assemble a decorative shadow box with a vintage straight, cheap bristle brush and......a mug. I would then TRADE the shadow box for razors/hones. It would be a win win and the barbers would probably like to hang a bit of history on their wall as a conversation piece.

In theory, it would work the best to actually cut a mug in half and be able to place half a mug in the shadow box.

Is something like that possible without much expense or hassle? Thanks.

Chris L

I've never tried this, but in theory a wet saw (for cutting tile) would be the simplest way. You'd probably want to build a jig to hold the round mug steady while cutting.

...and further to that, only cut one side at a time (I know that seems pretty obvious, but I've done some stuff that seemed obvious with hindsight as a guide!).

Mark

If you've got mugs to spare, I'd experiment with some dremel stuff. I'm sure they've got something to cut ceramic. Then take it to a sander to even the surface.

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Originally Posted by Philadelph

If you've got mugs to spare, I'd experiment with some dremel stuff. I'm sure they've got something to cut ceramic. Then take it to a sander to even the surface.

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Good idea, Alex. I think I'll try this. Thanks.

Chris L

I'd go with the wet saw idea, those saws have diamond blades. They can slice granite,why not a coffee cup?

Would putting tape on the the cup to help prevent chipping work, Or are the forces at work too great?

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Originally Posted by Chady

Would putting tape on the the cup to help prevent chipping work, Or are the forces at work too great?

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Good idea to try the tape.

Chris L

I reported Weiwei already for spamming.

As a dental tech I grind and cut porcelain almost every day, although in much smaller dimensions. I use a diamond disk on my hand piece (kind of a Dremel, just smaller, faster, and less vibration), at medium speed, with as little pressure as possible applied. Don't forget to wear safty googles and a mask! The dust is very unhealthy! Don't put your mug on some surface, but keep it in your hand while cutting. This way you can compensate for the vibration and prevent cracks in the porcelain. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Chrisl

In theory, it would work the best to actually cut a mug in half and be able to place half a mug in the shadow box.
Is something like that possible without much expense or hassle? Thanks.
Chris L

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Cutting a mug in half is a tedious, half-risky business, and diamond saw blades are NOT cheap.
Since you're not using vintage mugs, why not just make your own half-mugs? Either do it yourself, or post a WTB. I suspect there are some members here that do this. (Might even make a scuttle.) Lots of places (community colleges, for example) offer short courses in ceramic making, at nominal cost. (Which gets you time in their kiln, which is the reason you need them!) And mugs are easy learning projects. You could even embed some wire hooks or threaded studs in the back edges for mounting.

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Originally Posted by fritz

Cutting a mug in half is a tedious, half-risky business, and diamond saw blades are NOT cheap.
Since you're not using vintage mugs, why not just make your own half-mugs? Either do it yourself, or post a WTB. I suspect there are some members here that do this. (Might even make a scuttle.) Lots of places (community colleges, for example) offer short courses in ceramic making, at nominal cost. (Which gets you time in their kiln, which is the reason you need them!) And mugs are easy learning projects. You could even embed some wire hooks or threaded studs in the back edges for mounting.

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Not a bad idea, Fritz. Thanks for the advice.

Chris L