We are starting a bathroom remodel and the tile that needs to go around the tub has a curvature to it that makes my contractor nervous and want to steer toward a smaller mesh backed tile in that location to make the cuts easier I guess. If I can cut the curves on my Shapeoko and hand him the tiles it may work better.
I realize that a water jet or at least water cooled system is desireable for this but is it even possible without destroying the tile and/or the machine?
You really need a better contractor if he can’t cut a tile to fit. I’ve had at least two bathrooms built with tile that goes around round things.
Tiles are really hard and would be murder on bits. I cut decoration into tile, but with a laser. There’s no way my laser would cut through a tile.
Ha. Had 6 out here to look at the job and only 2 bothered to even quote. I guess the economy isn’t that bad.
You’re probably not going to have much luck with this. I know people who have done some light engraving (drag or rotary) on ceramic, but cutting through tiles is gonna eat up a ton of bits and be a pretty nasty/stressful thing to attempt. If you live somewhere near a business that does custom countertops or something, they may have a waterjet and be willing to help for a nominal fee.
Best case, you could use the Shapeoko to ‘score’ the surface of the tile with an etching bit. This helps to define & limit how the tile chips away when then using an angle grinder/wet saw with a diamond grit blade.
I can sympathize with your contractors - custom tile cuts eat up time & therefore money. Both of which can become highly variable on such projects.
Ok. I won’t attempt it. But I think his price is high enough to cover the time. I am sure he has a different opinion 
so while cutting ceramic tile is likely a problem…
… you can cut certain type of kitchen backplash and then inlay it 
Looks great. What is that certain type?
this was metal-on-foam-on-glue type
Hmm. Probably can’t sell the boss on that.
Unless you have a LOT of tile to cut it’s going to be more cost and time effective to do it by hand.
You can cut it close enough with the diamond tile saw and then to clean things up I would use a diamond round over bit in either a trim router or a dremel.
Personally I would go with the trim router with the tile secured to the edge of a work surface.
Use a sponge to get some water on the tile and diamond.
Wear PP gear. And please NO gloves!
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