Cutting 4" hole in tile and cement board

[John_M]

This summer I will purchase a wood stove and do a new installation in my new house. I am now doing all the preparation work for the install and want to use outside air to feed the stove. The design I am using requires drilling or cutting a 4" hole in the elevated hearth to bring outside air within the footprint of the stove's pedestal.

What is the easiest way to drill or cut this hole? I can build the hearth, then drill the hole or I can drill or cut the tile and cement board before installing it. I have priced some diamond drill bits and saber saw blades but these seem awfully expensive for a single use.

All helpful hints will be most appreciated.

John_M

 

[sl7vk]

This summer I will purchase a wood stove and do a new installation in my new house. I am now doing all the preparation work for the install and want to use outside air to feed the stove. The design I am using requires drilling or cutting a 4" hole in the elevated hearth to bring air within the footprint of the stove's pedestal.

What is the easiest way to drill or cut this hole? I can build the hearth, then drill the hole or I can drill or cut the tile and cement board before installing it. I have priced some diamond drill bits and saber saw blades but these seem awfully expensive for a single use.

All helpful hints will be most appreciated.

John_M

Rough in that hole while you're building it..... Absolutely. Don't do it post facto. You'll inevitably crack some tiles.
Go to HD or Lowes and buy yourself a tile cutting jigsaw blade. This works great for cutting wall tile in a circular fashion, and for cutting a nice round hole in your durarock backer board.

This is the type of project that will require measuring 4 times, and cutting once.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

They make tile cutting jigsaw and coping saw blades.

 

[LLigetfa]

I would just use an abrasive wheel in an angle grinder but that's because it's what I have at hand.