[JoeBlowofIdaho]

I would like to make an access door in a cast iron tub. Can I use a diamond blade on a skillsaw or a grinder with a diamond grinding disc?

[massplumber2008]

Hey Joe:

I would opt for the grinder with diamond blade, I would wear goggles and face mask... and would be very careful.

NOW..you know I have to ask...WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?? ;)

Get back to me... thanks... Mark

[ballengerb1]

I too am very curious about the need for a door. This will not look very nice and will not be water tight. What's up?

[massplumber2008]

Hi Bob... yes, me too... first for everything I guess.. ;)

I can't wait for answer!

[JoeBlowofIdaho]

We have a need for a "handicap accessible" tub. The expense of purchasing one is not in my budget, so being a carpenter, I thought I could cut an opening in the tub and fill in the void between the walls of the tub itself with 2x4's to conform to the opening, held in place with adhesive. My next thought was to finish that off with fiberglass. (I need to do research on this application of fiberglass on porcelain)

My opening was just going to be 16" wide and about 4" above the bottom of the tub to keep in the water for shower use only. I also thought that just a shower curtain would be sufficient to keep the water in the tub. :) :)

p.s. I'm a former Bostonian myself. (Irish type) Go RedSox!

[massplumber2008]

GO IRISH! And SOX! Hoo ahhh!!

Hey, I understand your need for a handicap unit... I see many families that need them but can't afford to do things the right way.

Here is just a thought....

You could rip out that tub, and then replace with a custom shower... BEAR WITH ME NOW... ok?

You would need to rip tile out about 1 foot off the tub... then... remove tub

Then I would have you install a premolded shower floor 60" x 32" is most common.. see pic. This particular premolded floor is made to swap out EXACTLY for a tub... the drain is even on the end as your tub is. Cost is about $255.00 for this (and you will need to convert drain to match the drain, but we can talk you through that)!

Then install 1/2" hardibacker on wall and tile wall. You are a carpenter and most of this job requires carpenter skills.

Tile does not have to match... and should be able to use old tub/shower valve if necessary (just plug the tub off under valve).

Just a thought for you... and I think this will be less work than cutting cast tub and trying to build so can use.

If you dare to , and want still cheaper....click on this link for a complete custom shower... you can build your own pan with a LINER and pour cement and go from there.

How to Build a Shower Pan

Great pics. Available at that site.

Let me know what you think... We have a few tricks we will go through if you decide to pursue this... ;)

Mark.

If this answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you

.

[JoeBlowofIdaho]

I appreciate your suggestion, and I actually have installed a shower pan/surround in the past, but I wanted to avoid the expense of tiling and taking the tub out completely.

Thank you again for recommending the grinder with the diamond blade. I'm going to go with plan A first, and if it doesn't work I'll implement your plan of using the pan. I'll get back with you on hooking up the drain if need be.

Thank you very much. :)

[KISS]

The grinder will make a real mess.

The tool below, which I own, should do a much more accurate job with the diamond blade, but the tool and blade will probably be out of your budget. The tool oscillates rather than rotates and creates very little dust.

C. & E. FEIN GmbH - Der FEIN MULTIMASTER