How to cut floor tiles with a tile cutter. Design of mechanical tools

Features of the material

Porcelain tiles are made by pressing a mixture of clay, quartz sand, feldspar and other minerals, followed by high-temperature firing.

The result is a dense material with a negligible number of pores and the highest hardness. 7. 8 units on the Mohs scale.

To compare: corundum has the same hardness (this kind of minerals include sapphire and ruby), only diamond and some other materials have higher hardness.

This peculiarity makes porcelain tiles hardwearing even under the most intensive loading, but at the same time very difficult to work with.

The problem is aggravated by the fragility of the material: Chips appear on the face side if careless actions are taken. That’s why the question of choosing a tool for cutting porcelain tile is very important.

Cutting tiles with a hand held tile cutter

This is the most popular option, used by professional and amateur tilers alike. You can find it in stores, at starting at 300 or more, depending on the size, quality and additional features, like a rotating base and a built-in ruler for easy cutting tiles at a 45-degree angle. At the same time, it is better not to buy the cheapest models, they will often break tiles incorrectly, due to poor pressure on a flimsy base.

• The tile is inserted into the tile cutter, and the marking on it is aligned with the special marking.
• The handle is pulled down and away from you. It should be driven with the same speed and even pressure, so that the roller cuts the glaze to the same depth. It will be enough to spend 1 time with the roller. If you move the handle several times, the cut might not be as good as it should be.
• Next to the roller, there are special feet that come down and break the tile into two pieces, after a sharp push on the lever. At the same time, all tile cutters have a metal bump on their platform, and soft pads on the edges. When you press on the edge of the tile with the legs, it will create the maximum tension in the place of the notch, if it is properly aligned with the pad, and it will break off evenly.

It is difficult to explain this with words, so it is easier to watch the video, which shows how to cut tiles with a tile cutter correctly:

High-quality tile cutters allow you to cut even tile with a thickness of 10 mm without problems. And it does not matter at what angle you will cut it: even if it is 45 degrees, even if it is 30.

How to cut a tile with an “L”

Since the tile cutter can only cut tiles straight, many people have trouble with L-shaped cuts. The easiest option is to divide this tile into 2 rectangular elements, but then you get an extra ugly joint, which will be conspicuous.

But it can be avoided if the short side is trimmed with an angle grinder, and then the long side with a tile cutter.

Instructions on how to make L-shaped cutouts on the tiles

In the same way you can cut the outer corners. When marking them you need to take away about 4-5 mm for the seam for grouting 1,5-2 mm and a small indentation from the wall.

The second way: any method available to you makes a cut on the glaze, and the excess gradually broken off with pliers. The irregularities are treated with sandpaper. This option will even allow you to get a rounded notch to join the risers.

How to cut porcelain tiles

It is believed that porcelain tile is the hardest material from which floor tiles are made. It can be cut in the same way as regular tile.

Sometimes a simple floor tile is more difficult to cut than porcelain tile. There are some hardened tiles which after cutting them with a tile cutter do not show any notches in the glaze. And even a diamond disc on an angle grinder doesn’t cut it. the notch turns out jagged like after a tractor. In such cases, you need to use an angle grinder, and file a groove of 2-3 mm from the back side to mark the place of the break.

Rules of Use

The task of how to properly cut the tiles with a tile cutter, will cease to cause difficulties if you do everything in stages:

• Soak the tiles for an hour and a half in cold water, you can stick it in a bucket or cover it with a wet rag. On the assurance of experienced tilers soaking will make ceramics more pliable and reduce the likelihood of crumbling at the edges.
• The ceramic surface should be wiped down and a line for the future break trimmer should be drawn with a marker.
• The tile is placed on the working surface of the tile cutter, the break trimmer line should be exactly under the roller. If the tile is too big and wide, you can put something under its edges to keep it from wobbling and lie flat.
• The cutter is placed on the edge of the tile at the very beginning of the drawn stripe.
• The roller moves sharply across the surface, sawing the glaze. Be sure to apply force. The deeper you cut, the easier it will be to break the material in half.
• After that, you must press the handle and the tile will break exactly along the line.

Naturally the question arises, how to cut a tile with the tile cutter and in what direction to move the carriage? Some argue that it is correct to move the roller on itself, because then you can easily apply the required effort to cut evenly and deeply. Others are more convenient to push from themselves, so you can try both options and choose the most convenient and effective. If the groove is not deep enough, it is undesirable to try to pass a roller manual tile cutter again, in this case the edges will begin to crumble and will be sloppy.

Despite the fact that many masters say that cutting porcelain tiles is a complicated and thankless task, it is necessary to cut it with a manual tile cutter just like with a tile. The only difference is that for porcelain tiles you will need a manual tile cutter with a large bed and a special roller with a diamond spraying.

Cutting a tile with a tile cutter is not always perfect, in most cases you should use a grinder or sandpaper to finish the edges additionally.

Working with an electric tile cutter

Electric tile cutters of different types work the same way, so the technology of cutting tile materials with their help is similar. Working with an electric tile cutter is not particularly difficult, but you must be careful and attentive. Manual models are more difficult to handle: the evenness of the cut depends mainly on the skills of the worker.

To properly use the electric tile cutter, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:

• Before the work it is necessary to turn on the cooling system;
• Preliminarily put a marking on the surface of the workpiece;
• fix the tile on the working table;
• After that, it is necessary to carefully move the tile to the disk or vice versa (depending on the model of the operated unit), constantly controlling the force of the pressing;

In addition to straight cutting, cutting of various shapes is performed with the help of electric plate cutters. The process takes place in the following sequence:

The use of a power tool allows you to cut tiles into thin strips a few millimeters wide, and the cut is even.

Should the tiles be soaked?

Soaking the tiles in warm water before cutting is a useful procedure: the material softens and therefore crumbles less, the cut is smoother.

The soaking time is 40-50 minutes. No more is needed. your tiles will be ruined.

Do not soak porcelain tile. only tile.

If the tile is large, and there is no large container at hand, it is wrapped in a wet rag.

Design of a tile cutter

The device of a handheld tile cutter

On the fixed tile a line is marked for the trimmer of the cut, along which the wheel of the tile cutter is drawn. Then lower the lever, and the material breaks along the marked line. This work takes no more than 1 minute.

Rules of use of the handheld tile cutter:

• Before using a tile cutter, it’s a good idea to put a drop of oil on the guide frame and the wheel to put a risk. Make sure the wheel is securely fastened. It should not slide sideways, otherwise you will get a crooked line to trim the notch. If the cutting wheel wears out, it is worth replacing it by buying a similar one from a building supply store.

Cutting tile edges with cutters

• Before starting the process, it is worth first trying to make a few experimental cuts of the desired curvature. If you can not make the required cut with a handheld tile cutter, it is worth using the automatic, or make a few notches and break off the tile in small pieces with wire cutters.

Cutting tiles with a tile cutter

How to cut a tile with a glass cutter and a nail

There is a category of tiles that, even with a thickness of 6 mm, are quite easy to cut. The denser the material, the easier it is to work with.

For tiles and ceramics, you need to choose the correct force of the lever

If the lever presses too hard, the cutter will make too deep a groove in the tile. The tiles will have chips on the decorative layer. They have to be sanded afterwards.

Cut on tiles and ceramics do only one. Repeatedly with the accuracy of the cutter will not work. Two cuts or wiggling lines are formed on the workpiece. The break will be sloppy with a crumbling edge.

If the force is chosen correctly, the tile will easily break in two parts. Grind the edge in any case with a file or angle grinder.

Finisher’s tips. how to professionally cut different kinds of tiles

Tiling. the work is not easy for beginners, requiring thoughtful preparation. It is also important to find an individual approach to the variety of material in order to reduce waste and, consequently, the customer’s financial costs.

The formula for cutting tiles without damaging the material

Considering the topic of how to properly cut a tile, professional tilers rely on general principles.

The material must be thoroughly cleaned. There should not be any traces of tile adhesive or dust on it.

The work involves the formation of dust, so it is advised to wear eye protection goggles.

Using a manual tool, you can’t overdo it. Otherwise, the breakage of the tile is guaranteed. Choosing a power tool, you need to act confidently, clearly, but accurately.

For a spectacular resolution of the problem of cutting tiles at home, the construction environment offers different modifications of tools.

What’s the most important thing about operating different units related to tile cutting?

The best way to work with a glass cutter. expert opinion

Answer, to cut tile, first select a suitable glass cutter. It is available on the market in three variations.

Glass cutters with a roller cutter are the most commonly used. The advantage is a thin, clear line for a trimmer.

The oil-type model works in a similar way, providing a cut without damage. Thanks to the oil, the task can be done quickly and easily.

The diamond glass cutter is more for the experienced craftsman, as there is a risk of getting jagged edges. You’ll need a “hard” hand in the business.

Competitive technical advantage of the tool is the possibility of cutting not only in a straight line, but also shaped cutting of tiles is quite aesthetic. Glass cutter is used when working with tiles, ceramics.

Recommendation! For porcelain stoneware, hand-held glass cutters, jigsaws are best avoided. They can be used as an additional tool.

The tile should be placed on a geometrically flat surface, removing small particles of dirt, glue. When making the line it is necessary to make an effort. Remove the outlined edge with the cutters.

Tip! Approaching the line marked with the glass cutter, the cutters must grasp the small pieces. If you use the pliers “big step” in the separation of almost cut off part, there is a risk to go beyond the edge of the line and spoil the appearance of the product.

There is an important point: to cut ceramic tiles, you must fully embrace the glass cutter and keep it strictly perpendicular. Sometimes it is difficult for the craftsman, so often such tools are more used by professionals and for thin types of tiles.

At the construction site, where deadlines are pressing, rushing foreman, faster cutting of ceramic tiles by the angle grinder. But even with it you need to know some tricks.

The basic ways of cutting with an angle grinder porcelain tile

This type of tile is among the hardest. It is hardwearing, suitable for public areas. Deciding to cut porcelain tile should be based on two methods.

The evenness of the line when using an angle grinder depends on the properly selected disc. There are two possible ways of choosing the discs.

Solid discs are applicable in the case of “wet” cutting with water to cool the tool and reduce dust. They are appropriate to use in the work with tiles.

Deciding to cut porcelain tiles at home, it will be appropriate to appeal to the segmental disc, which implies a “dry” method of treatment. But cutting for more than 2 minutes is not recommended. You need to take a break.

Using a standard angle grinder, the representatives of the construction industry are not advised to buy discs with a thickness of less than 2 mm. Before each procedure to check the condition of the disk to reduce the appearance of chips to zero is mandatory.

The specialist marks out the future cut with a marker, placing the tile on the prepared flat surface. It is better to fix it on the workbench. Cutting is performed from the front side. In some cases it makes sense to make a double cut. On the “face” side, the workpiece is lightly pressed with a trimmer line; on the face side, the main cut is made. This secret answers the question of how to cut a tile with an angle grinder without chipping, without damage to the owner of the room.

Proven tile cutting methods with a tile cutter

Common bathroom ceramics, for example, is also cut with an angle grinder. Although a hand-held tile cutter is often more appropriate at home.

Minimizing dust, imperfections on tile.

The tool is lightweight and contains a cutting roller that performs the task relatively quickly. The probability of faults is reduced many times over, even in comparison with an angle grinder. By placing the tile under the foot on the metal platform of the design, with one movement it is possible to quickly perform the cut. There are several types of manual tile cutters.

The roller variants are simple enough, suitable for standard tiles.

For harder types of ceramic tiles, a mechanical tile cutter with a rigid carriage is advised.

For particularly hard material up to 16 mm thick, a bearing-mounted model is the optimal solution.

To perform a large amount of work, this tool with an air and water cooling system will come in handy. What are its advantages?

Can cut tiles at a 45 degree angle for wall corners.

Capable of cutting stone, porcelain tiles.

The depth of incision plays a role in the process. The recommended value is 3 cm. Length of the cut, 50 cm, is important. and motor power. Before you start, make sure that the wheel is locked in position by checking its degree of wear.

What useful tips should still be considered?

The end of the tile material is sometimes cut at an angle. Applying an angle grinder, you should choose a solid disc, designed for tile. Qualitative cutting of tiles under 45 degrees will turn out when the product is placed on the edge, starting to grind the back of the clay part. Having detected irregularities, it is allowed to repeat the operation.

To get a smooth edge is convenient to turn to the diamond “turtles” or sandpaper. Also, professionals advise using an angle grinder with adjustable speeds to avoid burning the edge.

A trick from the pros! For maximum aesthetics of the corner is not recommended to reach the glazed part of about 1 mm. The filigree of craftsmanship is determined by the experience of the operator. Passing over the glaze with the tool, not a very nice edge comes out.

Electric jigsaw. quick sawing on a curved line

Jigsaws. tools specifically designed for shaped cutting of materials. Electric jigsaw is convenient to use when it is necessary to make a curved cut in the tile, which cannot be done with other tools.

Using the jigsaw for tile sawing.

To work with an electric jigsaw on tiles, you buy saws for cutting glass and ceramics. Electric jigsaw with ceramic saws can make a curved cut of wall and floor tiles, they can cut internal holes of different shapes.

Ceramic tile file.

When cutting tiles, the pendulum motion of the jigsaw must be turned off, as this can greatly affect the quality of the cut.

Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to cut tiles with an electric jigsaw:

Marking.

Cut lines are marked on the surface with a marker. If an inner cutout is made in the tile, then a small hole is pre-drilled, into which the saw is inserted. Then a curved cut is made inside along the marked line.

Fixing.

While working with a jigsaw, the material to be cut should be placed on a flat, horizontal surface. It can be clamped or held in place by hand.

Slit.

The cut is made in the backward direction with standard jigsaw strokes.