Cutting outlets out of a backsplash?

[capital granite]

What is the best method for cutting an outlet out of a backsplash?
Thanks

Scott

[Stone Dude]

cutting it through the backside. tape it up mark out your lines, then cut through the back otehrwise you'll leave marks where you dont want them.

[Mark D.]

Use a 4" stone turbo blade or a continuous rim stone blade, make your straight cuts and carve out the corners.
I don't like cutting into a backsplash to install an outlet for a couple of  reasons:
In order to meet code the hole has to be big enough for the electrical box to come through it. So you have to use a cover plate. I think cutting a perfectly good piece of stone so you can put a plastic cover plate over it looks like crap. If you don't use a cover pate it will collect dirt and grime and become a breeding ground for bacteria, and you can't clean it well.
If you do this it is near impossible to polish the cutout properly, but then you can apply a color enhancing product like Ager to make it blend with the polished surface. This is an excellent idea if the stone is exposed as there will be a different look to the cut stone than the polished stone
Here is a better idea - if it is not a full height backsplash it is more aesthetically pleasing to get the electrician to move the box so you aren't cutting through the stone.

Just my $0.02

Mark

[TheStoneMason]

Tape the section that needs to be cut in front . Draw out the cutout on the tape , aswell as the back !. Make your first cuts in front ( this will help with any blow outs ) , once you've reached your max depth the blade can go without over cutting past your lines in front , turn the BS around and cut from behind. Always comes out A1 !

[capital granite]

do you use the 4 inch blade for the sides as well?

[got stone ?]

The best way we found is to drill 2 2" holes with in the box  outline and then just clean it up with the 4" grinder very efficiant

[Mark D.]

That way works great as long as you are using a cover plate.