Slate tiles for window sill - how to cut & how to seal them?

[udaman]

Hi all

I have some slate tiles I am hoping to use for my kitchen window sill. They are around 8mm thick.

*****CUTTING
My dad has lent me a beefy angle grinder to use. The blade he has given me is a Norton Expert C30R - BF41. Very similar to this (which is a "42" rather than "41" - not sure of the difference but it look s similar):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NORTON-EXPERT ... 48468e3011

Will that do the job or should I get a different blade, and if so what?

Any tips when it comes to cutting? Should the tile me face down or up? Things like that.....

*****SEALING
Is sealing the tiles essential? We like the matt finish and the colour of the tiles as they are now. If we did not seal them, would they soon look awful and would they be impossible to clean if not sealed?


One other thing, I was going to lay them onto mortar. Does that plan sound ok?

Many thanks

Max

[Chop]

I've only just seen this so you've probably done it. If you can cut outside put the tile on the grass and gently hold the tile in place with our other hand or foot - don't push down too hard and you should be okay. i would cut the tile from the top, that you've a better chance of a neater finish on the 'right' side. I'm not sure about the mortar, maybe a tile adhesive might do it, I would seal the underside of the tile with a PVA to prevent possible staining.

A wipe down with a cloth regularly should eliminate the need for sealing the topside I reckon. I'm like you and prefer them in their natural state rather then a plastic looking gloss on them.