How To Cut Porcelain Tiles

Tools for cutting porcelain stoneware

Before determining how and what 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. During the production process, it can be given a wide variety of colors and textures.

The surface of the ceramic is 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 (also known as wet cutter);
  • Mechanical tile cutter;
  • Angle Grinder;
  • Attachment for waterjet cutting.

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

How To Cut Porcelain Tiles

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 an electric type tile cutter, for which a diamond cutting disc is used. To cool it, water is supplied to the part during the cutting process (hence the name of the device).

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

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:

  1. We outline the cutting line.
  2. 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.
  3. We start the device. First, we select the minimum disk speed, so the part does not deform.
  4. Increase the cutting speed gradually. Make sure that the element does not move from vibration.

The cuts made with such equipment are more accurate and better than with a mechanical device. It is especially appreciated by beginners because it is able to completely neutralize the so-called shaky 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 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 safety rules should not be neglected. 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 debris to eyes.
  • Special clothing.
  • Earplugs or ear muffs to protect your hearing from loud noise.

It is not recommended to neglect protective equipment, even if you plan to cut several plates.

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

  1. Preparing a place to work. Lay a substrate on the leveled surface, which will protect the base. You can choose penoplex, polystyrene, etc.
  2. We put the part face up on the base, 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.
  3. We apply a metal corner over 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.
  4. 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 line of the marking remains on the product. It will be removed during the sanding process, and the tile will retain the specified size.
  5. We remove the masking tape, if necessary, grind the end of the part.

If the plate is thin or you do not need a perfectly straight cut, you can simplify your work. The angle grinder does not make a cut, but only a cut. After which 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.

How and what to cut porcelain stoneware at home: 4 proven methods. How to cut porcelain stoneware with a tile cutter

The principle 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 cutting.
  • Strength of guides and supports.
  • Smooth movement of the carriage. It is desirable that this is ensured by special bearings.
  • No backlash when moving 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 tiles with your own hands along a straight mowing line, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Place the tile cutter on a solid, level base.
  2. On the product we outline the cut line.
  3. We lay the part on the bed so that the trajectory of the roller goes exactly along the basting.
  4. We make an incision by pressing on the carriage and moving it away from us.
  5. We release the handle and break the part with strong pressure.
  6. Grinding 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.
  • It is also impossible to chamfer or make a curved cut with a mechanical tile cutter.
  • If the cut falls on an edge for glue or the surface of the material is ribbed, there is a very high probability of chipping.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a glass cutter

This is the easiest tool to use. It also gives a minimal effect. With the help of 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 will not cope with floor tiles.

There are two types of tools: with a hard metal 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 along a straight mowing line, proceed as follows:

  1. We lay the cladding on a flat base. Determine where the cut line will go.
  2. We take a ruler, lay it along the future cutting line of the cut and press it with our fingers.
  3. Gently, but with strong pressure, draw the line along the ruler with the tool. Trying to scratch a deep enough groove in one go. Otherwise, chips cannot be avoided.
  4. 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.
  5. Grind the edge if necessary.

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

Cutting porcelain stoneware by hand

If you decide to put porcelain stoneware in a small hallway, it is not advisable to purchase a professional tool. The strength of this material depends on the specific manufacturer, some varieties lend themselves to hand tools.

The simplest, most versatile and inexpensive tool used to cut ceramic tiles is a hand-held glass cutter. It can be roller or diamond. The latter cuts more accurately and better, but wears out faster.

To work, you need a ruler or flat rail. Place it along the cutter line and press firmly against the tile. The ruler will prevent the cutter from slipping to the side. During the cut, the tool must be pressed against the surface as much as possible in order to scratch the top layer of the tile deeper. Try to do this in one pass, otherwise porcelain stoneware may crack unevenly.

Now the tiles need to be broken. To do this, place it on the edge of the table so that the break line protrudes slightly beyond its plane. Press firmly and firmly on the edge of the tile. If the furrow was deep enough, the porcelain stoneware should break along the intended mowing line.

Another option is to use a manual tile cutter. This tool resembles a glass cutter in principle. It also uses a roller or diamond to scratch the top surface of the tile. But the tile cutter is more convenient and efficient. Its working plane is covered with a material that prevents the tiles from sliding, and a lever moving along the guides helps to create a sufficiently large force.

Cutting porcelain stoneware with a tile cutter is easy. Draw a line of cut with a marker and lay the tile on the work surface so that the cutter wheel runs exactly along the line. Pressing on the handle of the tool, make a cut and break the tile using a special stop on the working part of the tool.

How to cut porcelain stoneware. Articles

  • How to cut porcelain stoneware
  • How to cut a mosaic
  • Choosing an electric tile cutter

Cutting porcelain stoneware with a power tool

If you need to cut large quantities of porcelain stoneware, it is much more convenient and productive to use an electric tool. One of the most convenient options is a water-cooled electric tile cutter. Its diamond blade easily cuts through even the toughest porcelain stoneware, while the water cools the blade and significantly reduces dust.

Start by marking the tile with the line of the future cut. Switch on the tool and position the porcelain stoneware on the work table so that the disc is opposite the line you have drawn. The workpiece must be fed onto the disc smoothly, holding it with both hands.

Despite all the convenience of an electric tile cutter, it is difficult to call it a universal tool. Therefore, many people prefer to cut porcelain stoneware with an angle grinder, which has many uses. Its undoubted advantage is the ability to make curved cuts.

To cut ceramic tiles, you will need a dry diamond blade. Be prepared for a lot of dust. After marking the workpiece, lay it on a sheet of plywood or chipboard so as not to damage the surface of the table or floor. It is advisable to fix the tile so that you can hold the tool with two hands.

Do not try to cut the tile in one pass, or you may damage it. First make a shallow cut in the top layer. The resulting groove will prevent the disc of the angle grinder from jumping off and will simplify the work, playing the role of a guide. Be sure to observe safety precautions when working with an angle grinder! Do not remove the protective cover, do not use a larger disc and use glasses. A shard of porcelain stoneware can injure your eyes.

Cutting porcelain stoneware by hand

If you decide to put porcelain stoneware in a small hallway, it is not advisable to purchase a professional tool. The strength of this material depends on the specific manufacturer, some varieties lend themselves to hand tools.

The simplest, most versatile and inexpensive tool used to cut ceramic tiles is a hand-held glass cutter. It can be roller or diamond. The latter cuts more accurately and better, but wears out faster.

To work, you need a ruler or flat rail. Place it along the cutter line and press firmly against the tile. The ruler will prevent the cutter from slipping to the side. During the cut, the tool must be pressed against the surface as much as possible in order to scratch the top layer of the tile deeper. Try to do this in one pass, otherwise porcelain stoneware may crack unevenly.

Now the tiles need to be broken. To do this, place it on the edge of the table so that the break line protrudes slightly beyond its plane. Press firmly and firmly on the edge of the tile. If the furrow was deep enough, the porcelain stoneware should break along the intended mowing line.

Another option is to use a manual tile cutter. This tool resembles a glass cutter in principle. It also uses a roller or diamond to scratch the top surface of the tile. But the tile cutter is more convenient and efficient. Its working plane is covered with a material that prevents the tiles from sliding, and a lever moving along the guides helps to create a sufficiently large force.

Cutting porcelain stoneware with a tile cutter is easy. Draw a line of cut with a marker and lay the tile on the work surface so that the cutter wheel runs exactly along the line. Pressing on the handle of the tool, make a cut and break the tile using a special stop on the working part of the tool.

Tip 1: How to cut porcelain stoneware. A circular saw

How else can you cut porcelain tiles at home? If you are the owner of a summer house or a private house, you probably have your own workshop. One of the most essential tools in this case is a circular saw. It is a toothed disc machine. Since the work is related to the processing of porcelain stoneware, you need to change the attachment to a diamond blade for dry cutting.

After the preparation is completed, the line of the cut is outlined, you can start working. Press the tile against the table and gently push it forward with both hands, taking care of your fingers. This option is suitable for large amounts of work with a straight cut.

Manual tile cutter

Simple and reliable tool for cutting porcelain stoneware

A simple and easy-to-use tool that allows you to cut straight strips from porcelain stoneware. The tile is fixed with special clamps, after which an incision is made with a lever with a cutting element. As a result, the tile breaks easily at the notch.

Material features

Porcelain stoneware gained its popularity due to its unique properties, however, these advantages complicate the process of cutting tiles at home.

The following features of porcelain stoneware should be highlighted:

  • Strength;
  • Wear resistance;
  • Frost resistance;
  • Refractoriness;
  • Aesthetics;
  • Durability;
  • Environmental friendliness;
  • Hygiene;
  • Antistatic.

Due to the almost complete absence of pores in the structure of the material, porcelain stoneware is super strong, it does not scratch, abrade, does not crumble, but that is why it is very difficult to cut it yourself. How to be in such a situation?

Porcelain stoneware is a very durable material

How to cut porcelain stoneware

What tools are used

So, how to cut porcelain stoneware tiles at home? Hand tools are ineffective in this case. You should generally forget about the glass cutter. But there is a way out. First of all, it is worth mentioning such a tool, which is available in the arsenal of almost every real owner and craftsman. This is an angle grinder. With its help, you can successfully perform both a straight cut and a curly cut.

Do not use a glass cutter to cut porcelain tiles.

Another tool is a tile cutter. It is of two types: manual and electric. Since we are talking about porcelain stoneware, it is better to use the electric option. Of course, it will take up more space than an angle grinder or its manual alternative, but the efficiency is impressive.

You can use a device similar to an electric cutter, since you already have nothing suitable. Replace the saw blade with a diamond blade on a circular saw and you will get a good tool for working with porcelain stoneware.

If you intend to cut a large amount of porcelain stoneware, you can ask for help from special firms that provide this kind of service. They have all the necessary equipment for any kind of work. For curly cutting, the method of waterjet cutting is used, but this service is quite decent.

A circular saw

How else can you cut porcelain tiles at home? If you are the owner of a summer house or a private house, you probably have your own workshop. One of the most essential tools in this case is a circular saw. It is a toothed disc machine. Since the work is related to the processing of porcelain stoneware, you need to change the attachment to a diamond blade for dry cutting.

After the preparation is completed, the line of the cut is outlined, you can start working. Press the tile against the table and gently push it forward with both hands, taking care of your fingers. This option is suitable for large amounts of work with a straight cut.

Material features

Porcelain stoneware gained its popularity due to its unique properties, however, these advantages complicate the process of cutting tiles at home.

The following features of porcelain stoneware should be highlighted:

  • Strength;
  • Wear resistance;
  • Frost resistance;
  • Refractoriness;
  • Aesthetics;
  • Durability;
  • Environmental friendliness;
  • Hygiene;
  • Antistatic.

Due to the almost complete absence of pores in the structure of the material, porcelain stoneware is super strong, it does not scratch, abrade, does not crumble, but that is why it is very difficult to cut it yourself. How to be in such a situation?

Porcelain stoneware is a very durable material

We cut porcelain stoneware tiles at home

When working with porcelain stoneware at home, the question often arises. How to cut porcelain stoneware tiles? This material is in some way very similar to ordinary tiles, but for the most part it has a number of striking differences. In this regard, most of the tools that are successfully used for cutting tiles, in this case, are not at all suitable.

Due to the high strength of the material, not all tools are suitable for cutting porcelain tiles.

Tile cutter

The tile cutter used for adjusting the shapes and sizes of heavy-duty materials is used in the electrical version. It looks like a machine with a diamond disc. In this case, it is recommended to use the wet cutting attachment. On the machine, you can conveniently fix the tile, thus preventing its displacement in the process.

The powerful professional electric cutter will quickly handle large tile volumes

How to cut porcelain stoneware tiles with a tile cutter:

  1. Fill the tray with water. This will ensure cleanliness during operation. You need to change it often enough in the future so that the accumulated particles do not get on the disk and damage it.
  2. Place the tiles on the cutting surface of the cutter.
  3. Hold the porcelain stoneware with your hands, preferably on both sides, if possible.
  4. Press lightly and guide material towards the blade.

From time to time it is necessary to clean off plaque from the disk so as not to reduce the efficiency of the tool.

Angle Grinder

The angle grinder is the number one tool that can easily cut porcelain stoneware tiles. To do this, use a diamond-coated dry cutting nozzle.

The all-round helper for porcelain stoneware tiles. The angle grinder

In order not to mow the cut line and not damage the tile, you must first outline the contours with chalk, pencil or marker. Then fix the porcelain stoneware to a stable surface. The disc is installed in the direction of travel angle grinder.

Get to work after checking that the attachment is secure. Step back a little from the line mowing line and start working. Move smoothly, slowing down at the edge. The disadvantage of using an angle grinder is a high percentage of the likelihood of chipping, that is, marriage. This is especially true for glazed tiles. Therefore, it is better to consider the option using a tile cutter.

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