I want to trim 10 mm or so off the top of a handbasin pedestal. I assume a diamond disk in an angle grinder is the thing to use? I know that I will get some chipping of the glaze, but it's not visible except from floor level, and I would finish off the joint with a bead of silicone.
But the bottom is decorative. I don't think this one is hollow for the top few centimetres, the overall thickness there is only 11 mm. It's much thicker at the bottom.
Unless it's really quite old, i.e. probably pre 1950's, it will be dense fully vitrified porcelain. Cracks will run through it easily, almost certainly in directions you don't want. Cutting it will be slow even with a diamond disk. It will be like cutting vitrified porcelain floor tiles, nothing like soft wall tiles. While you may be lucky and successful, be prepared to have to go out and buy a new pedestal. Could you not consider recessing it into the floor? 10mm isn't that deep that you couldn't cut an appropriate groove. What's the floor made of? Wood should be fairly easy the chisel out, and even concrete wouldn't be that difficult.
I had to file out the holes on a cistern slightly (0.5mm) with a diamond file to clear an M8 stainless bolt. That was very hard going (took ages). Modern sanitaryware is damn hard stuff.
Yes, I can say that is indeed the case if its of the porcelain type. Also put tthe old tape around the cut site and you can often find not as much damage to the glaze occurs. Pity nobody makes telescopic pedestals! Brian
Thanks, useful observation on material properties. Although curiously David Lang seems to have found a softer one. I think I will have a go, and accept that I might wreck the pedestal. If that happens, I will probably fabricate a replacement in plywood (perhaps with storage space).
It's already fitted to a lath and plaster wall with very irregular studwork, and has tiles above which I am not going to move. (The pedestal is to make it more childproof).
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