How to cut porcelain stoneware tiles with a tile cutter

How to cut a tile with the letter “G”

Since the tile cutter can only cut the tiles straight, many have difficulty with L-shaped cutouts. The easiest option is to divide this tile into 2 rectangular elements, but then you get an extra ugly seam that will catch your eye.

But this can be avoided by trimming the short side with an angle grinder and then cutting the long side with a tile cutter.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make L-shaped cuts on tiles

The second method: by any method available to you, a cut is made on the glaze, and the excess is gradually broken off with pliers. Irregularities are treated with sandpaper. This option will even allow you to get a rounded incision for abutting the risers.

3 ways to cut tiles at home

Any process of laying ceramic tiles is not complete without cutting it. There will be a lot of it especially if you use some kind of non-standard layout, for example, diagonally. In the last article, we talked about which layout is better to choose in order to get uniform and beautiful cuts everywhere. Now we will talk about how to properly cut tiles at home.

As you know, the tile is made of baked clay, which is covered with glaze on top. It’s hard to break it with your hands, but if it lies on any unevenness, then it easily cracks from a small load. To simplify this process and make the required break line, you need to loosen the top layer of the glaze. that is, cut it, and therefore make efforts to break.

There are 3 main ways to do this:

• Special tool. manual, electric tile cutter or special tongs.
• Angle Grinder.
• Other handy sharp tools.

Let’s talk in more detail about each tile cutting method.

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Tile cutter tongs

Tile cutting tongs are the cheapest (200-400 rubles), and they are only suitable for small volumes of work with thin ceramic tiles at home.

After notching, press down on the tile with a cracking pliers

• Make markings taking into account all gaps and seams (-5 mm).
• Attach a metal ruler to the mowing line and run the cutter along the line once. The pressure should be moderate to form a visible streak. Lead him from the far end to you.
• Place the tongs with their feet along the mowing line of the crowbar near the edge. The sponges should be on top of the glaze and the straight part on the bottom. the line of the break should run right in the middle between the edges of the upper lip.
• Press gently on the handles to break off the tiles. At the same time, do not raise it high, otherwise after falling it will break.

How to choose the right disc by tile

For cutting, metal discs are used with diamond plating along its edges. But they are different: for concrete, brick, stone. Tiled discs do not have any holes, the soldering on them is uniform and smooth. Discs for concrete have slots on the solder, and will chip when vibrated. If you cut ceramic tiles with them, then these chips can fly into the face.

How to cut porcelain stoneware

It is believed that porcelain stoneware is the hardest material from which floor tiles are made. You can trim it in the same way as a regular tile.

Sometimes simple floor tiles are more difficult to cut than porcelain stoneware. There is a hardened tile, on which, after cutting with a tile cutter, the notch on the glaze is almost invisible. And even a diamond disc does not take it on an angle grinder. the notch turns out to be torn, like after a tractor. In such cases, you need to use an angle grinder, and file a groove 2-3 mm from the back side to mark the place of the fracture.

We make a drink at 45 degrees

Ceramic pencil skirting is best for protecting the sharp outer corners of tiles

If you are using a professional electric tile cutter, the tilting platform there makes it easy to make a 45-degree angle on the tile bevel, but not everyone has such a tool. It is easy to make such an angle on your own using the same angle grinder “by eye”. The disc is guided along the line of the cut, with the disc tilted slightly inward.

Undercut tiles at 45 degrees

Cutting tiles with a manual tile cutter

How a manual tile cutter works

• The tile is inserted into the tile cutter, and the markings on it are aligned with a special label.
• The handle is lowered and held away from you. It must be driven at the same speed and even pressure so that the roller cuts the glaze to the same depth. It will be enough to run the roller once. If you drive several times, the breakage may turn out to be of poor quality.
• Next to the roller there are special paws that lower and break the tiles into 2 parts, after a sharp push on the lever. At the same time, all tile cutters have a metal tubercle on their platform, and soft pads along the edges. When you press on the edges of the tile with your paws, maximum stress will be created at the notch, if correctly aligned with the backing, and it will evenly break off.

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

High-quality tile cutters allow you to cut even tiles with a thickness of 10 mm without problems. It doesn’t matter at what angle you cut it: at least 45 degrees, at least 30.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a glass cutter

This is the easiest tool to use. It also gives a minimal effect. Using a glass cutter, you can cut off porcelain stoneware, but provided that its thickness is small. This is how the wall cladding is most often cut. The glass cutter cannot cope with floor tiles.

There are two types of tools: with a carbide roller and with a diamond cutter. The latter option cuts better, but fails faster. Its cost is higher than that of a roller analogue.

With a glass cutter, you can make a straight or figured cut. In the latter case, you will also need special nippers. To cut the tiles in a straight line with the mowing line, proceed as follows:

• We lay the cladding on a flat base. Determine where the cut line will go.
• We take a ruler, lay it along the future cutting line of the cut and press it with our fingers.
• Gently, but with strong pressure, draw the line along the ruler with the tool. We try to scratch a deep enough groove at a time. Otherwise, chips cannot be avoided.
• We put the part on the edge of the table or workbench and press firmly on its edge. So that the liner splits along the intended mowing line.
• Grind the edge if necessary.

If you want to make a curved cut, a line is drawn with a glass cutter. Then you need to take nippers and use them to remove sections of the tile. The closer the cut is to the mowing line, the smaller the pieces should be chipped off. The edge with such processing will turn out to be sharp and not entirely even, so it must be sanded.

How and what to cut porcelain stoneware at home: 4 proven methods

How to cut a porcelain stoneware angle grinder without chips

Almost every home craftsman has an angle grinder, or an angle grinder. Therefore, it is she who is most often cut porcelain stoneware. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to make such a cut without chips, but it is quite possible to minimize their number. For this, it is very important to choose the right disc. He must have:

• high-quality diamond dusting;
• marking confirming that the device is intended for cutting porcelain stoneware;
• the minimum possible thickness;
• continuous cutting edge.

An angle grinder is a potentially dangerous tool, so do not neglect the safety rules. You should take care of the means of protection. The kit includes:

• Respirator, as a lot of dust is generated when cutting.
• Safety goggles to prevent possible exposure of disc fragments to the eyes.
• Special clothing.
• Earplugs or ear muffs to protect your hearing from loud noise.

It is not recommended to neglect protective equipment, even if it is planned to cut several plates.

Cutting porcelain stoneware tiles correctly with an angle grinder is quite simple if you follow the instructions:

• Preparing a place to work. Lay a substrate on the leveled surface, which will protect the base. You can choose penoplex, polystyrene, etc.
• We put the part on the base with the front side up, mark the section of the cut on it. So that there are fewer chips, we glue a strip of masking tape on it, draw a cutting line along it.
• We put a metal corner on top of the tile along the cut path, fix it with clamps. This will allow you to make an accurate cut. This must be done when cutting products with a large thickness.
• We start the angle grinder. We cut the part at a time, direct it “away from ourselves.” To get an even edge, cut off the fragment so that the marking line remains on the product. It will be removed during the sanding process, and the tile will retain the specified size.
• We remove the masking tape, if necessary, we grind the end of the part.

If the plate is thin or you don’t need a perfectly straight cut, you can make your job easier. The angle grinder does not make a cut, but only a cut. Then the fragment is broken off with a sharp strong movement.

It is very convenient to use a grinder to cut porcelain stoneware tiles. First of all, because it is the most accessible of all devices that can be used. They can make cuts of various shapes, including any curved. However, the angle grinder is traumatic, you need to work very carefully. It is very dusty and noisy.

Tools for cutting porcelain stoneware

Before determining how and how to cut porcelain stoneware at home, it is worth understanding its features. It is a composite material that successfully combines the properties of natural stone and ceramics. It is made by pressing a mixture pre-fired at high temperatures. The result is a very strong and durable material. In the production process, it can be given a wide variety of colors and textures.

The surface of ceramics can be matte, glossy, structured, etc. Consider this when choosing a cutting method.

You can cut a tile fragment using various tools:

• glass cutter;
• electric tile cutter (aka wet cutter);
• mechanical tile cutter;
• Angle Grinder;
• attachment for waterjet cutting.

The latter method is not used in a home workshop, since it is assumed that special expensive equipment is available.

Cut off the plate without chips

Porcelain stoneware belongs to the materials of increased strength. There are practically no pores in it, it does not absorb water and does not crumble. It is very difficult to even scratch it. Therefore, home craftsmen have the question of how to cut off porcelain stoneware without chips and is it possible at all. It must be admitted that theoretically this is possible, but in practice it turns out very rarely. often, small chips remain on the cut, which have to be sanded.

To keep them as small as possible, experienced craftsmen advise you to follow these recommendations:

• Cut the part from the top side. Most material chips appear where the cutter exits the plate.
• The smaller the thickness of the selected cutting disc for the grinder, the lower the likelihood of chipping.
• Reduce torch speed at the start and end of the line of the cut.
• When working with a mechanical tile cutter, push the lever harder than when cutting a regular tile.
• Make a cut slightly to the right of the intended mowing line so that it remains on the cut piece. Then it will be possible to remove unwanted chips with a sander.

It is very important that the tool is of high quality and suitable for the selected material. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to get a beautiful cut without chips. If, nevertheless, they appear, which happens most often, the defects should be sanded down. You can use sandpaper or a diamond sponge.

The best option is a grinder with a special attachment. This is the so-called turtle or flexible diamond circle. They are distinguished by the diameter of the particles deposited on the surface of the diamond coating. The turtle can only work with a grinder, the model of which provides for the ability to regulate the number of revolutions. If it is higher than three thousand per minute, the nozzle may fly off the axis.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with an electric tile cutter

In the recommendations on how to cut porcelain stoneware tiles at home, you can read that it is convenient to do it with a wet cutter. This is the name of the electric type tile cutter, for which a diamond cutting disc is used. To cool it down, water is supplied to the part during the cutting process (hence the name of the device).

There are two types of equipment: with an upper and a lower supply of tiles. The first ones make the cut as accurately as possible and are more expensive. For household work, budget devices are more often purchased that feed parts from the bottom.

Devices of any type make it possible to make cuts not only straight, but also curved. To cut a piece of porcelain stoneware tiles, do the following:

• We outline the cutting line.
• We fix the part on the bed using special clamps. If you have to make a curved incision, you will have to hold it with your hands.
• We start the device. First, we select the minimum disk speed, so the part does not deform.
• Increase the cutting speed gradually. Make sure that the element does not move from vibration.

An important point. The product should be stacked so that the cutter starts to cut the front of the product. That is, on equipment with an upper cutter, the part is laid face up. On a bottom disc appliance, place the tiles face down.

Cuts made with such equipment are more accurate and better than with a mechanical device. It is especially appreciated by beginners, as it is able to completely neutralize the so-called shaking hand factor. In addition, the device allows you to cut fragments less than 6 mm wide, does not generate dust or noise. The main disadvantage of the device is the high price of quality models.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a tile cutter

The principle of operation of the tool is somewhat similar to the glass cutter. There, too, there is a cutting roller that moves along the guides. In addition to it, there is a bed on which the part is laid, a lever and guides. It is very important that the diameter of the cutting element matches the height of the tile.

In addition, when choosing a device, pay attention to:

• The base of the device. The metal from which it is made must be thick enough so that the base does not vibrate or bend during the cutting process.
• Strength of guides and supports.
• Smooth movement of the carriage. It is desirable that this is ensured by special bearings.
• No backlash when advancing the carriage. If it is available, it is impossible to make a straight cut.

Tile cutters vary in length and it is best to choose a long model. This will make it possible to cut porcelain stoneware of different sizes, not only along the side, but also diagonally.

To cut off a piece of porcelain stoneware tiles with your own hands along a straight mowing line, you need to follow these steps:

• Place the tile cutter on a solid, level base.
• On the product we outline the line of the cut.
• We lay the part on the bed so that the trajectory of the roller goes exactly along the basting.
• We make an incision by pressing on the carriage and moving it away from us.
• We release the handle and break the part with strong pressure.
• We grind the cut to remove possible chips.

Working with a mechanical tile cutter is very simple, even a novice master can handle it. There are, however, some disadvantages to be aware of:

• A fragment already 6 mm wide cannot be cut in this way.
• Chamfering or making a curved cut with a mechanical tile cutter is also impossible.
• If the cut falls on the edge under the glue or the surface of the material is ribbed, there is a very high probability of chipping.

Preparation for work

Before you start sawing porcelain stoneware, glass or tiles, you need to prepare a working tool, and in some cases, adjust it.

Any tool is preliminarily inspected for external damage. For mechanical models, check:

• the condition of the roller. free rotation, presence of defects, sharpness, reliability of fixation;
• smooth movement of the carriage, the presence of backlash;
• the bed for contamination, removing them if necessary;
• defects on the handle;
• if there is a stop, then measure the value of the angle between it and the axis of the cut.

The cutting roller must rotate freely, be clean and of the correct shape (no potholes, dents). It should be sized to match the thickness of the tile being cut.

After preliminary checking and cleaning, a small amount of lubricant (machine oil) is applied to the guides and the cutter. Then, using a construction pencil, marker or felt-tip pen, markings of the mowing line are applied to the surface of the tile materials, along which the cut will be carried out.

If the modification is equipped with a stop and a measuring ruler, then marking is not necessary.

Before cutting the tile with an electric cutter, check the reliability of the fastening of the disc. A dirty disc is cleaned of adhering debris. If the power tool is equipped with a water cooling system, then the liquid is maintained in the correct amount. Dirty water is completely replaced so that the cutting site is well cooled.

For electrical equipment, the power cord must be complete and dry: only in this form is it allowed to insert the plug into the outlet. Also, during the operation of the device, the water circulating in the cooling system should not get on the cable. After the electrical equipment is working, you need to make sure that the fluid supply is continuous.

The power tool is normally adjusted at the factory, but the settings may be changed during transport. For this reason, it may be necessary to adjust the cutting angle and the length of the blade’s working travel. The adjustment of each model has its own characteristics. The process of setting up the used installation is described in the operating instructions for it. To set angles, you will need to use a protractor, goniometer or square.

The device and principle of operation of tile cutters

There are many tile cutter models on the construction tool market. All their variety according to the type of energy due to which the work is performed is divided into two main types:

• mechanical;
• electric.

With the help of a mechanical version, a straight or figured (curved) cut of a tile is carried out, holes are created in it. In this case, the thickness of the processed material is limited to 16 mm. Electric cutters are distinguished by their high productivity: they are able to cut tile material with a thickness of more than 16 mm.

The principle of cutting tiles with mechanical and electrical tools is different. But models of equipment of both types are used both in everyday life and in professional activities in accordance with their functionality.

Cutting tiles and porcelain stoneware with a mechanical tile cutter

In order to properly cut the tile with a tile cutter, it is recommended to pre-hold it in water for some time. this makes it easier to cut it.

Using a mechanical stationary tool, the tile material is cut in the following way:

• marking line is applied on the surface of the tile;
• lay the tiles on the bed so that the markings coincide with the trajectory along which the cutting wheel (carriage) moves;

• lightly pressing on the carriage, hold it once along the mowing line of the cut;

• the handle is set to the working position, then it is sharply lowered, breaking the tile along the cut.

In order for the edges of the final pieces to be neat, the cutting line should be at least one centimeter from the tiled edge.

The pressure on the carriage should be so strong that the wheel cuts through the tile enamel, and the tile does not break through. Do not carry out several times, because the edges of the fragments will turn out to be uneven. When the edge is uneven and chipped, it will need to be additionally sanded. It is possible to cut porcelain stoneware with a stationary type tile cutter only with a tile thickness of up to 15 mm. The process algorithm is completely similar to that stated above.

Hand-held roller cutters work in the same way as stationary attachments. In this case, only tiles of minimum thickness are suitable: such tools are not intended for professional use. Some beginners often have a question about whether it is possible to cut glass with a tile cutter. This can be done, but only with ordinary material. To cut hardened varieties, you will need a special power tool.

Tile cutters work as follows:

• the tool is brought to the edge of the tile, placing its wide part on the front surface of the ceramic, and the central part of the pliers is placed along the mowing line of the bend directly above the groove;
• then gently break off pieces of material.

With the help of nippers, you can make round holes, but to do the job well, you need to have the appropriate skills and be careful.

Working with an electric cutter

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

To properly use an electric type tile cutter, you must adhere to the following rules:

• before work, you must turn on the cooling system;
• pre-mark the surface of the workpiece;
• fix the tile to the desktop;
• after that, it is necessary to carefully advance the tile to the disk or vice versa (depending on the model of the unit being operated), constantly monitoring the pressing force;

• before the end of the line of the cut, reduce the force of impact to prevent the formation of irregularities or chips.

In addition to a straight cut, various shapes are cut with the help of electric cutters. In this case, the process occurs in the following sequence:

• markup;
• make cuts with an electric cutter, cutting off excess fragments and breaking them off with pliers;

• process the edges of the workpieces, for example, with a file.

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

How to use the tile cutter correctly

The tile cutter is a special tool designed for cutting ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, glass. These building materials are very common: finishing work is rarely done without the use of tiles, which are used for tiling the floors and walls of kitchens, bathrooms, hallways. At the same time, you constantly have to face the need to cut the material to the desired size, create holes in it, for example, for sockets or switches, pipes. But cutting the tiles with a tile cutter, like other materials, should be correct in order to reduce the number of rejects and get the best possible result. The technology of the workflow is determined by the type of equipment used.

Electric cutter device

Electric cutters are similar in design to a circular saw. They are divided into two types:

• manual models;
• machine tool (stationary) electrical equipment.

The main nodes of any model are:

• electric motor;
• a head with a diamond disc fixed on it;
• lever;
• power button.

The electric motor for network electrical equipment can be single-phase (operates on a voltage of 220 V) or three-phase (designed for 380 V).

There is equipment equipped with diamond band saws instead of discs.

Hand models have a support sole. Some products have special rollers on it so that it is convenient to move the power tool over the surface of the material.

Some of the electric cutters are equipped with stops, rulers, goniometers, as well as water tanks for cooling the cutting site. These structural elements are clearly visible in the photo below.

For dust removal, some modifications are equipped with a dust collector. There are options for devices with the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner, for example, as in the photo below.

Electric manual cutters can operate on batteries. Such models are supplied to the market by RYOBI (for example, LTS180 M) and Makita (4191 DWD, CC 300 DWE).

Machine-tool electrical equipment, depending on where the electric motor with the saw head is installed, can be of the following modifications:

• with the bottom placement of these nodes;

• console (the table with the workpiece moves, and the disk is stationary) and bridge (the cutting head moves relative to the material) with the upper arrangement of the electric motor.

A detailed design of a bridge electric cutter using the example of Elitech PE 1000 / 92P is shown in the following photo.

An electric tile cutter works on the same principle as a circular saw. When the power button is pressed, the electric motor starts to work, driving the diamond disc into rotation. It completely cuts the tiles laid on the table at different angles, not just 90 degrees.

Cooling consists in supplying water to the cutting area. At the same time, the liquid prevents the formation of dust, cleans the disc from tile particles.

Mechanical tool design

Mechanical tools are divided into hand-held and stationary (table-top) models. Manual tile cutters come in two varieties:

• in the form of nippers, the design of which is shown in the photo below;

• in the form of a roller cutter with the device shown in the photo below.

The device of hand models is very simple, but with their help you can only work with thin tile material.

Stationary products are represented by a large number of different modifications. But in all cases, the table-type tile cutter device has the following structural elements:

• a carriage with a cutting roller and a handle, moving along the guides;
• base (also called a platform, table or bed);
• a lever with which the cut tile is broken;
• tile fixing feet.

The guides are fixed to the racks. All considered details are shown in detail in the following photo.

Some models have a ruler, which allows you to cut without preliminary marking. If the mechanism has additional devices, such as ballerinas, you can use them to cut holes of different diameters.

With hand cutters and stationary models, the work is carried out according to the following principle:

• an incision is made with a roller in the material to be sawn;
• break the tiles along the mowing line of the cut.

With the help of a tile cutter, small pieces are bite off the tiles. This tool can only work along the edges.

Possible errors when using the tool

Errors when working with both mechanical and electric tile cutters are not only made by beginners. It is very rare, but there are mistakes among professionals. An inexperienced worker needs time to master the device being used and achieve a high quality tile cut.

The following are the most common mistakes when using tile cutters.

• Employees do not use personal protective equipment, the minimum set of which must include safety glasses with gloves.
• After the end of the work, the operated tool is not cleaned of various adhering debris, for example, from small pieces of ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware or mortar. With subsequent use, this affects the quality, safety, and also the efficiency of the cut.
• The slab material being cut is poorly fixed: as a result of accidental movement, the straightness of the cut is disturbed.

When operating mechanical equipment, the following additional errors are possible:

• for work, a device is used, the cutting element of which does not rotate freely, which leads to the formation of various defects (for example, potholes) along the edges of the cutting line of the cut;
• when cutting the workpiece, uneven pressure is exerted on the cutter, which causes damage to the tile enamel;
• if there is a special handle for breaking tiles, they do not use it, but do everything by hand inaccurately;
• carry out several times with the cutting element along the surface of the material, which leads to damage to the decorative layer and the curve of the mowing line of the break.

Working with an electric cutter among inexperienced users is also accompanied by errors, the main of which are as follows:

• for machine models, the replacement of the coolant (water) is untimely;
• the contact of the disc with the tiled surface is carried out not smoothly and easily, but abruptly;
• do not use headphones and a respirator;
• electric cutters are operated with signs of external damage or with other malfunctions;
• when sawing porcelain stoneware or ceramics, exert excessive pressure on the working tool, overloading it with this;
• include electrical equipment when the disc contacts the surface of the cut material.

Errors when using devices for cutting tile materials lead not only to premature wear of the equipment and its failure, but are also associated with injuries of varying severity.

To learn how to work well with an electric or mechanical tile cutter, especially their hand-held models, you need to practice in practice, constantly improving your skills. Before using the equipment, you should read the instructions for its use. It indicates the necessary measures for the periodic maintenance of the model, preparing it for operation, and initial configuration. Also, the operating instructions contain the necessary recommendations, the observance of which allows you to safely perform the work. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in injury. It should be borne in mind that a power tool is more dangerous than mechanical counterparts. When working with him, you need to be very careful.

How to cut porcelain stoneware tiles with a tile cutter

A tabletop or floor device for cutting all types of tiles is a small frame with rails installed at the top and a carriage with a carbide head. The carriage is driven by a lever or electric drive. Simple and convenient mechanism at home.

At home, the tile cutter turns out to be the most affordable tool for cutting porcelain stoneware.

Before cutting the porcelain stoneware, the tiles are laid on the frame and fixed with plastic or metal stops. This is to ensure that the material does not shift during the notching process. Next, we bring the head to the edge of the tile until it touches and push the lever away from you, the carriage with a diamond or carbide tip evenly passes over the surface of the tile, leaving a deep scratch behind.

It remains only to break the porcelain stoneware into two parts with a slight but sharp movement. One of the ways to cut porcelain stoneware with a manual tile cutter is shown on

• It is very easy and comfortable to cut porcelain stoneware at home, you can master the cutting technique even with minimal experience and qualifications;
• A minimum amount of dust is formed, which is very valuable at home, especially if you plan to lay porcelain stoneware tiles on a small area of ​​the floor or wall.

An electric tile cutter resembles a circular saw for processing and sawing wood in its structure. In order to cut porcelain stoneware, you just need to set the size of the cut strip, after which you can cut in unlimited quantities.

Home compact electric tile cutter

The disadvantages of the device include the fact that only material of a certain shape and size can be cut, for example, it is very difficult to cut a thin strip of porcelain stoneware or make an incision of a non-standard, curved shape.

A thin strip of porcelain stoneware is easier to cut with an angle grinder

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a jigsaw

Quite an unusual way of sawing porcelain stoneware slabs. Using an electric or hand jigsaw to cut very dense and hard material always raises some doubts among beginners. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to cut ceramics and porcelain stoneware with a jigsaw even at home, but only if certain requirements are met:

• The tool must be prepared for sawing porcelain stoneware. A thin, necessarily soft material is glued to the sole, you can use paper or rubber. This is done in order not to scratch or damage the front surface of the plate;
• The second step is to turn off the pendulum vibration-movement on the hacksaw blade feed mechanism, otherwise the saw will cut with chips on porcelain stoneware;
• A special type of diamond-coated hacksaw blade is used for sawing tiles.

In addition, the slab itself must be securely fixed on the countertop using clamps, and a rubber strip must be placed under the porcelain stoneware to reduce vibrations. The method for cutting porcelain stoneware is quite simple and does not require special skills, ideal for use at home. It is valuable that the curly cutting of porcelain stoneware is very easy to perform with a jigsaw.

You can also cut tiles with a hand jigsaw, sometimes there is simply no other tool at home, however, it will take several times longer, but it is possible to get a very accurate and high-quality cut. In this case, the side edges of the hacksaw blade are ground off, and emery powder is fed into the seam during the sawing process.

Curved cutting of porcelain stoneware

It is believed that this method is the cleanest of all mechanized options, which is especially important if you have to work at home, without a hood and vacuum cleaner.

Professional advice

Oddly enough, but the greatest number of problems arise not even with the drive or the tool used to process porcelain stoneware, but directly with the diamond disc. The main complaint about the diamond is the rapid loss of cutting ability. As a result, with an increase in feed and force, the edge of the wheel heats up and begins to lose diamond powder. If you try to cut at home in this mode for at least 10-20 seconds, then nothing will remain of an expensive disc.

In this case, before each cut, the edge is cleaned and restored; at home, this can be done on an ordinary red brick by performing several small cuts. This removes soft material adhering to the diamond strip.

Experienced craftsmen, before cutting porcelain stoneware tiles, soak the material in water for 10-15 minutes. Artificial granite absorbs moisture very poorly, but a small amount of water still remains on the edge of the slab. As a result, the first time the cutting edge touches the surface, a beautiful, chip-free entry hole is guaranteed.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a glass cutter

The technology of cutting tile material using a manual glass cutter is not much different from the previous method. The only differences are that instead of a carriage moving along the guides, you have to cut porcelain stoneware with a small tool held in your hand.

In fact, this is ideal if you want to cut material at home. Instead of a frame fixture, a regular table, a metal ruler and the glass cutter itself are used. In order to cut the porcelain stoneware, it is enough to lay a ruler on the mowing line of the marking and draw a diamond along the mowing line of the cut.

To break the material, the tiles are laid on the table so that the scratch line coincides with the edge of the table top, pressed on top with a board and with a sharp movement break the material into two halves. For home conditions, there is no simpler way, but in order to master the technique, you need to practice cutting on the waste of porcelain stoneware or glass.

The advantage of this method is the simplicity and the minimum amount of equipment required. It is easier to store a manual glass cutter with a diamond at home than a tile cutter. The disadvantage of this method is that it is necessary to learn how to draw a line with a diamond along the markings at a constant speed, and most importantly, to do it continuously, in one motion, while accurately measuring the force applied to the surface of porcelain stoneware.

In addition, it is very difficult to cut the material with a glass cutter without chips, therefore, if possible, it is best to use a diamond, and not a carbide roller.

How to cut porcelain stoneware tiles at home

In terms of technology, there are two main ways to cut porcelain stoneware. To do this, you can use various tools and devices, but, regardless of the number and type of technical equipment, porcelain stoneware is still cut in two ways:

• Mechanical sawing of a porcelain stoneware array. In this case, the cutting line is sampled with an abrasive tool;
• Injection method. A deep scratch is cut on the surface of the porcelain stoneware along the future mowing line of separation. Further, a bending or shear force must be applied to the porcelain stoneware, and the tile splits exactly according to the markings.

At home, you can use both methods, depending on the tool available, the amount of work and the thickness of the material. In addition, the complexity of the cut line configuration must be taken into account. For example, if you want to cut a tile that is large enough in size at home, which simply does not fit into a tile cutter, then you will need to look for a diamond cut-off wheel and an angle grinder. For cutting at home, this is one of the most reliable ways.

Having laid the tiles on a sheet of drywall, you can cut the porcelain stoneware angle grinder along almost any path, it is only important to take your time and evenly press the edge of the disc against the surface of the porcelain stoneware. Otherwise, you can easily overheat the tile at the cut point, which will lead to the formation of a pinch.

Water cutting of porcelain stoneware

The most efficient and at the same time accurate method of sawing very hard natural and artificial granites is considered to be the waterjet system. It allows you to cut out entire designs and 3D images. The system is powerful enough to cut porcelain stoneware up to 200 mm thick. At home, such equipment is not used for obvious reasons.

The diamond wheel, mounted on the rotor of the motor, is fed along the guides of the machine along the surface of the porcelain stoneware, the coolant is supplied from a special reservoir directly to the cutting zone. This method is considered the most harmless, since almost all dust is washed off with water and removed from the surface of porcelain stoneware. It is clear that you can cut the material in this way if you can find a separate room at home, for example, in a garage or in a barn.

Such machines have very high characteristics and cutting speed, therefore, if you plan to cut porcelain stoneware of complex shapes and sizes at home, then using a hydromechanical machine will be the best option.

Features of cutting porcelain stoneware

It should be noted that cutting a very dense and hard porcelain stoneware slab is sometimes even easier at home than in the case of ceramic tiles. Those who don’t believe can try to cut overheated ceramics made on old Soviet or Chinese equipment at home. In comparison, cutting porcelain tiles does not look so problematic.

It is quite possible to cut porcelain stoneware without chips, although some masters argue that it is impossible to achieve this in principle. If this were really the case, then most of the walls and steps tiled with porcelain tiles would be with wide seams, curves and unattractive.

It’s not even about the hardness of porcelain stoneware. The technology for the manufacture of artificial granite is such that as a result of pressing and deep firing, material is obtained practically without internal stresses, and this is the guarantee of high quality mowing line sawing.

In order to accurately and accurately cut porcelain stoneware at home, only two conditions must be met:

• Choose the right cutting mode, ensure constant and uniform pressure with the cutting tool on the line of the cut of porcelain stoneware;
• Choose the right tool for your specific cutting conditions.

It is clear that at home the possibilities of cutting the material are significantly limited, but even in an apartment it is quite possible to cut porcelain stoneware without a tile cutter, although initially the amount of dust generated when working with electric machines is frightening.

How to cut tiles with a manual tile cutter or glass cutter

The hand cutter for thin to medium hard ceramics and tiles is very easy to use:

• mark the tile surface and cut forcefully towards you. Keep the glass or tile cutter strictly at right angles. There should be a visible continuous strip on the front side;

• take your time, click and break along that mowing line like chocolate.

Soak a hot (hard) tile in water for half an hour or an hour. It will cut exactly along the intended cut and adhere well to the wall when laying.

There are two ways to break tiles.

• Align the notch with the edge of the table and press down on the overhang. Will break along the cut line.
• Place the already cut tiles on a glazing bead or a nail. Press down on both sides of the cut edge. Will break where it’s supposed to.

Life hack. How to cut a tile that “does not fit” into the machine
Cut non-standard tiles (more than 60 cm) with a hand cutter or glass cutter. The ruler will be the same tile cut.
– Line up and mark the edges of the cut.
– Cut off this section (you get a barely noticeable track).
– Place the tile vertically on your knee, grab the top edges and break. There will be perfectly smooth edges of the halves.

How to cut tiles with a mechanical (machine) tile cutter

The machine tile cutter easily “takes” even floor products of medium thickness (6 mm). Due to the large diameter of the cutting wheel, the groove is deeper and the cut breaks more easily. You can quickly cut pieces of the desired size with a minimum of scrap.

Advantage of a machine cut: the harder the tile structure, the easier it is to cut a narrow strip.

How to work with the machine tool:

• mark a segment on the front surface and place it on the plane of the tool so that the cutting wheel coincides with the marking;
• walk along the mowing line by operating the lever;

• fix the tiles on both sides of the cut border;
• lift the opposite edge of the tile (ceramics) and press the cutter handle;
• she will split.

Life hack. How to cut porcelain stoneware or tiles that are constantly chipping
– Insert into the machine, make a cut;
– Mark the boundaries of the cut and line the back side (a level or ruler is for help);
– Cut the angle grinder along the marked border, making a depression. From the inside, it will become thinner, and from the outside it is marked with a tile cutter;
– Cut on a lathe. There will be no chipping or chipping on the cut. You don’t even have to grind.

Watch a video review of the advantages of the Makita GA9010 and Makita GA9020 angle grinder

The best way to cut tiles: 4 proven ways

Let’s buy an expensive tile. rejoice! We start to work with a tile cutter. we get problems: it cuts poorly and gives chips. One of two things: either the video is dull, or you are doing something wrong.

How to cut tiles to get a perfect cut without chips

How to cut a tile without chipping with an electric tile cutter

The feature of the water-cooled electric cutter is a powerful diamond blade and water supply to the cutting site. With no dust and no special effort on your part, the tool makes cuts with smooth edges, even for porcelain stoneware with a thickness of up to 60 mm. In a matter of minutes, you can cut a lot and the desired size without spoiling a single one. Just remember to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris.