How To Cut Tile Tiles With A Tile Cutter

Preparation for work

To cut porcelain stoneware, a special “diamond disc” must be installed on the angle grinder. When installing the disc, check that it is securely fastened, and be sure to wear protective glasses and gloves.

How and what to cut porcelain stoneware at home (tile cutter, angle grinder, etc.)

Porcelain stoneware tile is a versatile facing material. It can be used to finish both walls and floors, and it is used both indoors and outdoors.

Naturally, as when working with any facing material, when laying porcelain stoneware, you cannot do without trimming it.

And if a regular glass cutter is suitable for a tile or ceramic tile, then with porcelain stoneware the issue is somewhat more complicated.

Since porcelain stoneware tiles are much harder and stronger, special tools are required to cut them, and certain rules must be followed when working with them. So what and how is the best way to cut porcelain tiles?

How to cut a tile with an electric tile cutter

In all respects, the best way to cut all kinds of tiles. The electric tile cutter is able to quickly cope with a significant amount of work, leaving a smooth, high-quality cut. Cutting tiles at 45 degrees is quite a trivial task for this for him.

There are two main types of construction. In one of them, the cutting wheel is fixed motionless, and the platform is able to move towards the circular disc.

Or vice versa, the base platform is stationary, and the blade moves along the guides that are located above the platform. The diamond-coated cutting wheel is partially immersed in a bath of water or the liquid can be fed directly to the cutting site.

Thanks to this, the cutting surface is cooled, and the cut remains smooth and even.

Brief instructions on how to properly cut tiles with a tile cutter:

• outline the cut line;
• place the tiles on the platform;
• make sure that the beginning of the markup coincides with the cutting edge of the disc;
• start the tile cutter;
• holding the tile with both hands so that it does not deviate from its original position, cut the tile.

Also among its advantages is the fact that it allows you to cut thin strips less than 5 mm wide. And he has only one drawback. a rather high cost.

We offer you a master class on cutting porcelain stoneware with a manual tile cutter.

How to cut porcelain stoneware

The processing methods for this material are primarily divided into two types. Each of them has its own indications for use.

“Ballerinka”

With the ‘ballerina’ you can make holes of any diameter

This is the name of a special tool with which you can make holes of different diameters in porcelain stoneware.

How to cut ceramic tiles

A useful tip for a start. Before you start cutting ceramic tiles, soak them in water for at least half an hour, or preferably an hour. Then draw the line of the intended cut with a marker on its surface. If the tile is tiled, then it is better to do it on the front side covered with enamel.

Among the most budgetary tools among those that can be used to cut ceramic tiles with your own hands is a conventional roller glass cutter. Run it along the intended mowing line, trying to apply force as evenly as possible.

But the effort must be sufficient to leave a groove on the enamel surface. After that, under the tile, in order to raise it, you need to put a match or a toothpick. And then gently push the tile on both sides.

If the edge of the fault is not very even, then you can walk along it with a sanding block with coarse sandpaper.

In addition to this method, all the tools described below are successfully used for ceramic tiles.

Manual tile cutter device

The device of manual tile cutters is the same, there are only a few differences regarding functionality. The following working parts are distinguished:

• base, which serves as a platform for the location of all working elements;
• tubular guides along which the carriage with a cutting wheel moves;
• carriage. in addition to the cutting roller, it is equipped with a special concave foot for breaking off the cut part of the tile;
• cutting element. carbide roller rotating on an axis;
• handle with which the carriage moves.

How to properly cut tiles with a tile cutter

Experienced craftsmen, before cutting the tiles with a hand-held tile cutter, recommend holding the tiles in warm water for a while. It will become slightly softer, which will reduce the likelihood of cracks and chips. To reduce friction and improve cut quality, it is advised to drip machine oil directly onto the line or the cutter wheel.

Advantages and disadvantages of manual tile cutters

Like any other tool, the manual tile cutter has positive and negative qualities that you should definitely consider when choosing a tile cutter.

Among the advantages are the following characteristics:

• independence from electrical networks;
• the ability to use at any temperature and humidity;
• compactness;
• light weight;
• low cost.

The disadvantages include the following qualities:

• cannot cope with a large amount of work;
• does not allow cutting a strip of tile less than 1 cm;
• cuts particularly hard material with difficulty.

How to use a manual tile cutter correctly

To use the manual tile cutter correctly, you should be guided by the following technology:

• On the face of the tile, use a marker or felt-tip pen to apply the marking line.
• Fix the material with special clamps, while the line should be located exactly under the cutting wheel.
• Place the cutting element at the beginning of the markup and press it lightly.
• Grasp the handle and gently move the carriage away from you along the cutting line. The pressure must be strong enough to cut the glaze. With great force, it is possible to break the tile or damage the glazed layer at the cut. Insufficient pressure will not allow breaking the hard surface and then breaking the tile.
• Move the handle to the middle, lower the lever (if included), then press it or hit it sharply. In the absence of a lever, the tile is placed on the edge of the table along the mowing line of the cut and broken by pressing on the part protruding from the edge.

If everything was done correctly, the tile should break neatly exactly along the mowing line of the cut. Some models are equipped with a built-in ruler and a rotary base for cutting tiles at an angle of 45 degrees. Read more at

How to properly cut tiles with different tile cutters?

Every craftsman should know how to cut a tile with a tile cutter so as not to spoil a rather expensive material. Any facing work with ceramic tiles is not complete without cutting, when you need to get fragments of the required size and shape. For a good appearance, it is necessary that the cut is even and neat, and after grouting, a sharp uneven edge does not stick out.

Classification of manual tile cutters

For cutting tiles in small quantities, you can use a hand tool. Cutting tiles in large volumes is much more convenient using electric devices.

Based on the design features, the following types of manual tile cutters are distinguished:

• Roller. The simplest device in which a carbide roller is used as a cutting element.
• Mechanical. The tool is equipped with a rigid carriage, thanks to which you can cut with great precision.
• On bearings. The softness of the cutting stroke is determined by the presence of bearings on which the bushings are installed.

Cutting of tiles can be done both with a hand tool and with an electric tile cutter, an angle grinder, wire cutters, and a glass cutter. This can even be done with a jigsaw, but it is better to use specially designed devices for this, since they allow you to achieve the desired cut quality.

How to work with a roller tile cutter

The roller tile cutter is the simplest tile cutter, but its options are limited. They can cut soft material, but they cannot cut hard and dense tiles. This tool can only cut a few pieces, since its performance is low.

Along the applied mowing line, the cutting roller makes a groove from edge to edge of the tile. If the cut is deep enough, then the element is easily broken along the mowing line of the cut. To do this, you can put the tiles on the edge of the table or on a large nail and press.

How to cut floor tiles. stone cutting machine

Before starting work, the tiles must be well fixed. Then the cutting line is applied, and then trimming is performed on a machine that has a disc consisting of high-strength steel with a special diamond abrasive. To obtain a better result, the lower part of the disc is dipped into a bath filled with water so that there is not too much dust (wet cutting of tiles).

How to cut tiles. tools and methods

The history of the appearance of tiles is rooted in the distant past and has many millennia. Suffice it to mention the fact that it was used to decorate the magnificent palaces of Ancient Rome and Greece. Since that time, the masters have mastered various methods of applying mosaics (the progenitor of tiles), creating amazing works on the walls of temples.

It is known that even then the masters knew how to correctly make and make a mosaic of a certain shape, but what tool they used to cut it is not known for certain.

Only one thing is absolutely clear, the method of making tiles has not undergone practically any changes over many centuries. It is still produced today from clay with the addition of sand, and further firing.

How to cut tile

Cutting ceramic tiles. methods and technology

The main types of ceramic tiles

Tile, a fairly durable material, consists mainly of natural components, and therefore is rightfully considered an environmentally friendly material. It also has several other good qualities, one of which is resistance to high temperatures, and, if it is a facade tile, then also to weather changes.

Today the industry offers a fairly large selection of ceramic tiles.

Types of ceramic tiles:

• Bicottura, it is made using double firing and under the influence of the pressing process;
• Monocottura, the production technology of this tile is similar to the previous one, the only difference is that this type undergoes a single firing;
• Porcelain stoneware. this is one of the most famous types of tiles, it also goes through the stages of firing and pressing, but after that it undergoes additional mechanical processing.

Using Tile Nips To Cut Ceramic Tiles

How to cut tiles. tile cutting tool

Very often, such a situation occurs in the process of laying ceramic tiles, when there are pipes in the repaired room that are not so easy to get around. This is where the need arises to cut the tiles to the desired size. Let’s move more specifically to the question: how can you cut tiles? Let’s start with what tool you can use for this:

• glass cutter;
• stone cutting machine;
• special nippers;
• electric tile cutter;
• electric drill;
• angle grinder.

How to cut tiles with a glass cutter

This is perhaps one of the easiest ways to cut tiles. But you need to remember one important rule. Before starting work, the tiles must be soaked in water for at least one hour. Then, on the surface of the tile, apply a fishing line along which the cut will pass.

The tile should be on a flat surface so that the cut is as even as possible. The cut itself is made smoothly, without sudden movements, and also without strong pressure on the glass cutter. The tile is laid along the table along the cut line of the cut, the cut is made, and then a slight pressure is applied on the cut line, and the second part should break off. This method is great for working with wall tiles.

How to cut a tile with a tile cutter

With an electric tile cutter, you can cut very thin strips of tiles up to 5 mm. And the principle of the tile cutter is practically the same as a stone cutting machine. The tile is cut with a circular saw, which must also have diamond dusting, and a bath of water is placed under the saw. You can cut relief tiles in the same way.

How to cut tiles with a tile cutter

Tile Cutting Angle Grinder

For the manufacture of rounded surfaces on tiles, a grinding machine is used, which must be equipped with a special grinding wheel.

Tile Cutting Angle Grinder

over, tiles are a versatile material, convenient, easy to clean, practical, and most importantly, relatively inexpensive. And working with tiles is a pleasure.

Winning drill

A difficult way that there is no reason to use it unless absolutely necessary. Take a drill with a victorious tip (diameter 6-8 mm), grind with a diamond-coated disc (the main thing is not to damage the soldering). After that, the pointed end is rounded. The corners between the faces, if any, also need to be rounded.

This modified rig is used to create a groove in the tile. One or more passes are made, the workpiece breaks off.

disadvantages

• To competently cut ceramic tiles with a tile cutter requires skill and physical effort.
• The tool is focused on products of standard dimensions, with too large or small dimensions problems may arise.
• There are situations when a small part needs to be cut off from the workpiece. It takes experience to cut less than 3 cm from the edge clearly and evenly.
• The design of the device involves cutting a flat plate. It will not work with embossed blanks.
• There are thickness restrictions. The outer tile is denser, the device may not cope with it.

What else to consider when choosing

• What the structural elements are made of. It is worth overpaying for high-quality components if you are not planning to work with tiles for the last time.
• The cutting element is loose. Cheap assembly will lead to backlash, which will reduce machining accuracy.
• Whether it is completed with a “ballerina”. a device for creating radial holes. Such cuts will be needed to lead pipes for heating or water supply into the room.
• Which tile is used with. Pay attention to whether the dimensions of the device correspond to the dimensions of the plates that you are going to lay.

Cutting instruction

• Mark the area to be cut with an industrial marker or pencil.
• Make a cut.
• Secure the tool with the tabs along the marked mowing line close to the edge. The rectangular segment should be at the bottom, the jaws at the front.
• Evenly, slowly begin to press on the handle. Part of the slab will break off.

Markup

• Find a pen that will make a noticeable mark on the workpiece. The color preferably contrasts with the product. this will keep the markings in the field of view. There are special industrial markers, carbide marking pencils, crayons.
• Using a pen and a ruler, create a line along which the cut will be made.
• Place the ceramic piece so that the line is evenly under the guide, clamp the plate.

Instrument preparation

Before cutting the tiles with a tile cutter, examine the condition of the device:

• Understand if the tool has visually noticeable defects.
• Inspect the cutter wheel for wear. Signs of wear and tear are chipping and distortion. The equipment must be replaced.
• Clean any dirt from the rails and platform. This is necessary so that the stroke is smooth and smooth, and the workpiece is held securely. Remove debris, large debris.
• If the stroke is uneven, lubricate the carriage with a lubricant.
• Tighten the fasteners.
• Make sure the bed is in a stable and level position with enough space around for comfortable work.

Glass cutter

A compact (the size of a ballpoint pen) tool, which is a roller on the handle. For a longer service life, we recommend choosing a model with a diamond-coated cutting base.

You need to cut from yourself or to yourself?

There is no single answer, this is individual. Try different options, the most convenient way will be right for you.