How to properly cut an angle grinder ceramic tiles

Segmented dry cutters

The disc of this modification is also made of steel, but differs from the standard nozzle by the presence of slots. They are located along the edge of the product towards the central part and divide it into equal segments.

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Segmented dry-cut discs are used to process very durable porcelain stoneware and natural stone material. With segmented slots, the nozzle lasts longer than other models. Extends life and air cooling during cutting.

Features of cutting porcelain stoneware

To properly cut porcelain stoneware tiles at home, you must use a solid diamond disc. It will allow you to get a clean cut with a minimum of chips. It is necessary to choose a tool with a large thickness of the diamond layer. it is more efficient and heats up less. Let’s consider how to cut a porcelain stoneware angle grinder without chips:

  • the tiles are laid on a flat base, placing a thin foam or similar material under it, fixed with clamps.
  • Paste masking tape on the front side and draw a cutting line.
  • Cut away from you, guide the tool so that it remains possible to finish the edge.
  • Remove any remaining adhesive tape and sand the edge of the tile until the desired surface finish is obtained.

When cutting porcelain stoneware, increased chipping is possible, therefore, you should not neglect the sticking of masking tape along the mowing line of the cut. The most risky type of material in this regard is glazed tiles, which should be cut a couple of millimeters away from the intended mowing line in order to then clean up the edge and at the same time adjust the size.

Combined disc models

Tile cutting discs angle grinder got a similar name due to its ability to work both dry and wet. This is an intermediate option between segmented wheels and dry cutters:

How To Cut Tile With An Angle Grinder

  • cuts better than segment, but worse than solid;
  • works continuously more solid, but less dry cut.

Most often, combined circles are used in the field of cutting brick and concrete, but their use is allowed when carrying out facing work. The disadvantage of combi models is the tendency to quickly clog with dust.

What disc to cut ceramic tiles angle grinder?

There are at least 6 types of discs suitable for use with an angle grinder. The quality of work and the achievement of various results at the request of the master will depend on the choice of the nozzle.

Is it possible to cut tiles with an angle grinder?

Another tool for processing tiles is a tile cutter. But not every owner has this device in the arsenal, but with an angle grinder everything is somewhat simpler. In addition, the tile cutter cannot handle complex curly cuts with exact observance of the given geometry and parameters.

Another advantage of the angle grinder is the ability to use a variety of discs. They can be selected in accordance with the type of tile, its thickness and coating characteristics.

How to cut tiles with an angle grinder. basic rules of work, types of cutting

It is extremely rare in the process of facing the master deals exclusively with whole tiled elements. For finishing complex planes, outlining communications, joints and corners, it is required to trim the tiles to the specified parameters, including curly cutting.

Only an angle grinder can perform the most difficult tasks. How to cut tiles with an angle grinder, which disc is better, how to avoid chips and dust? Let’s figure it out together.

How to get rid of dust when cutting tiles

Tile cutting with an angle grinder is not very difficult, but it generates a lot of dust. There are techniques that can help reduce dust formation. Specialists use special tile cutters for this, but buying them for a one-time job is impractical due to the high cost. Therefore, when processing parts, the craftsmen act differently. First, a layer of glaze is cut through. it almost does not produce dust, the main dust appears when a layer of fired clay is processed. Then it remains to gently break the ceramic tile and process the edges with an abrasive material.

A common way to get rid of dust is to moisten the workpiece. To do this, water is constantly poured into the working area with a diamond wheel. After each pass of the tool, fill the seam with water or install a special device for supplying water to the working area. This device attaches directly to the protective cover of the angle grinder. As a result, the workpiece is processed without dust.

Cutting rectangular holes in tiles

Rectangular openings are recommended to be cut like this:

  • Having drawn the boundaries of the opening with a marker, steel plates are laid out along them outside. When moving the tool along the plate, it serves as a ruler, and the perpendicular to it limits the stroke of the angle grinder.
  • The plates are screwed with clamps or tied with tape.
  • Bypass the drawn contour of the angle grinder, first cutting the grooves, then gradually deepening.

How to cut tiles correctly with an angle grinder?

If the question of how to cut the tile with an angle grinder is being decided, a number of nuances should be taken into account so as not to damage the product. In the absence of other tools and equipment (tile cutter, glass cutter, electric machine for adjusting the finishing material), you can use an angle grinder (angle grinder). Its other name is an angle grinder. It is a compact multifunctional power tool that is often used to cut ceramic or porcelain tiles.

Wet cutting

If you plan to use water cooling, it is best to use a smooth cutting edge. This reduces the likelihood of chipping. Discs with serrated edges on the side of the cutting edge are also used. These protrusions also help cool the material. During wet cutting, water is applied to the cutting edge. The disc can be partially immersed in a container with liquid or a spray is directed at it from a spray bottle. All manipulations with water are performed after turning off the angle grinder.

Technique

Standard tile sizes are not always enough to realize your idea of ​​decorating a room. Often the shape of the product needs to be corrected, for example, if the last row is being laid or tiles need to be laid near the pipe. In this case, various techniques are used to obtain a circle or bend in a tile.

Contoured cuts and round holes

In order to cut ceramic tiles in waves (shape cutting), it is important to first make the markings. the mowing line of future cuts is applied on the front side of the product, then chips are formed from the inside out. When performing shape cutting, it is necessary to control the angle grinder so that the cutting edge follows the drawn line. If you need to get a hole, first, they also do the marking, draw an angle grinder along an arc of a circle. Then a notch is made inside the circle. a cross-shaped cut, which will allow you to remove sections of the tile in sections.

Features of dry cutting

In this case, a natural cooling system is provided. air. However, its efficiency is low, and with prolonged work it tends to zero at all. It is possible to use special segmented discs with holes provided to aid cooling during tile fitting. In any case, the material still heats up, so it is not recommended to work with an angle grinder for a long time. You need to take breaks. For dry cutting, a diamond-coated abrasive disc is used.

Cutting tiles at 45 degrees

Using a handy tool, you can chamfer at an angle of 45 °. If an angle grinder is used, the tile is fixed in an upright position. The tool is positioned so that the angle of inclination of the cutting edge is 45 °. The fit is carried out by weight. If you use a homemade tile cutter from an angle grinder, in this case the diamond disc is fixed in one position, so you need to chamfer the tile edge in another way. holding it at an angle next to the disc. Then the cut surface is sanded with sandpaper.

Diamond wheel

With this type of cutting edge, the thickness of the abrasive layer can vary. For working with an angle grinder in a domestic environment, it is recommended to purchase discs with a dusting of 2 mm thick. On machines, cutting edges are used with a sputtering of a smaller thickness. However, if you are cutting tiles with an angle grinder with such a diamond wheel at home, the chance of chipping increases. In addition, when working with discs of this type, there is an increased risk of knocks and jerks, which can damage the instrument.

Cutting rectangular holes in tiles

In this case, you need to prepare a drill to make holes along the edge.

Work progress:

  • Draw the contours of the hole with a marker.
  • Fix the tiles on a flat surface.
  • Drill holes in the corners of the marked rectangle.
  • angle grinder walk along the contours of the marked rectangle.
  • Remove interior.
  • Finish the edges with an abrasive.

Improvement of the angle grinder to the cut-off machine

To simplify the process of cutting ceramic tiles with an angle grinder, you should use a workbench. A metal sheet must be screwed onto its end, and a hole for a diamond-coated disc must be made in the center of it.

Install the angle grinder mount under the plate. It will be safer to weld it and then fix the angle grinder.

Curly cut or curly cut

This type of work is the most difficult. Therefore, it requires a certain skill for high-quality performance.

Work rules:

  • Before cutting the ceramic tile with an angle grinder, you need to make a marking with a marker.
  • Lay the tiles on a flat surface, fix them.
  • Next, make small vertical serifs, cutting off excess material.
  • At the end, there will be irregularities that need to be processed with an abrasive wheel.

Segmented dry cutters

This type of equipment differs in that its surface is divided into identical segments. And the cutting edge is diamond-coated.

Thanks to the slots, the disc has the ability to partially cool during use. This increases the duration of continuous operation up to 1.5 minutes. After that, it is necessary to allow the tool to cool down, taking it to the side and keeping it idling for 30 seconds.

Segmented blades are for dry cutting only

Is it possible to cut tiles with an angle grinder

The angle grinder can cut any kind of ceramic tile. The only problem is that this type of work is quite traumatic, and also requires a certain skill. over, this procedure will take longer.

Before making basic cuts, it is recommended to practice on the rough pieces.

How to choose the right drive

When choosing equipment for working with ceramic tiles, you need to take into account the complexity of the work and the thickness of the material. It is recommended to use diamond-coated steel wheels with form-fit. These types withstand increased stress and have a long service life.

To obtain an even edge when cutting ceramic tiles, choose discs with a thickness of no more than 2 mm, and with a cutting edge width greater than the thickness of the material.

Types of diamond-coated discs withstand increased stress

Steel rims

It is the most reliable and durable type of angle grinder attachment. The steel discs are diamond-coated on the edge. And their service life depends on its intensity.

Using a steel disc on the tile for an angle grinder, you can make straight and curved cuts without much difficulty.

Features of working with porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware material is particularly durable and reliable. After all, it is made of natural stone. To cut porcelain stoneware without chips, an angle grinder, like tiles, needs to use thin segmented discs up to 1.5 mm thick with intensive continuous diamond spraying. This will reduce the chance of overheating.

The cut of porcelain stoneware should be carried out in the same way as tiles.

We cut ceramic tiles with an electric tile cutter

This tool belongs to the professional category and is quite expensive. With its help, a significant amount of work is easily performed, it cuts any tile quickly, accurately and beautifully. Allows you to make a cut with a width of less than 5 mm, make cuts at an angle of 45 degrees, recesses and holes. It is used for curly cutting. The cut has smooth and slightly rounded edges. In some models, the edge of the blade is immersed in water, in others, only the surface at the cutting site is wetted. During operation, all dust settles in the cooling water tank.

In design, it is in many ways similar to a circular saw. Consists of a platform, a cutting disc fixed on it and an electric motor.

How to properly cut ceramic tiles with an electric tile cutter.

  • Water is poured into the container so as to overlap the edge of the cutting wheel by 2-3 cm.
  • Include tile cutter.
  • Press the ceramic tile against the machine and slowly move it under the disc, focusing on the marked line.
  • The blade is moved under the cutting element with a force depending on the strength of the tile. It is not recommended to apply excessive pressure on the knife, this may cause the tile cutter to stop.
  • To cut a corner, the tile is gently lifted, unfolded and repeated.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of the cutting edge of the disc, replace it in time. Diamond wheels are commonly used. Also regularly, as it gets dirty, they change the water in the bath.

How to cut ceramic tiles with a manual tile cutter

The tool allows you to cut strips from 5 mm wide, straight or diagonally.

It is used to cut durable floor tiles and porcelain stoneware up to 15 mm thick. By design, it is a base, on which the runners of the carriage with a cutting wheel are fixed. It is slightly larger in diameter than in a glass cutter, which allows for a greater notch depth. The minimum size of the wheel is 1.5 cm.It is also removable, it can be replaced after a cycle of work.

On the base of the manual tile cutter there is a strip of hard material, with the help of which, after the cut, the tile is broken. There is a T-shaped piece in front of the roller on the carriage, which exerts pressure on the two halves of the tile.

The tile is placed on the base of the tool, after marking the break line, tightly clamped., The clamping corners must be metal in order to cut the floor tiles; plastic is enough for the wall. Pull the carriage handle towards themselves, making an incision on the front surface of the tile.

The incision is made once. After the end of the cut, the handle is pressed and the tile breaks. Edges will also have to be processed if they fall on a corner. If grout is used, then it will hide all defects.

How to cut ceramic tiles

In any case, special tools will be needed for the work. The simplest of them is a glass cutter, a manual tile cutter has a higher performance, for professionals it is recommended to opt for electric tile cutters. Upon gaining a certain skill, the tile can be cut with an angle grinder, and a diamond string can be used for the manufacture of art products.

How to cut ceramic tile angle grinder

New wheels are used for dry cutting, diamond dusting or for work on concrete. an angle grinder is best used with adjustable speeds. At a rotation speed above 3.5 thousand rpm, the tile cracks, and the dust content increases significantly.

The angle grinder can be used to cut floor tiles, porcelain stoneware and wall tiles. With a certain skill, you can cut circles of 70 mm in diameter and make curly cuts.

The cut is made from the back of the tile, as small chips may remain on the surface. The canvas is placed on a solid and even surface, mark the fishing line with a marker, draw an angle grinder around it and break off the part that is longer. The cut surface can be trimmed with the same angle grinder.

Other ceramic tile trimmers

What is the best way to cut ceramic tiles if you need non-standard edge shapes? There are various devices for this.

  • Nippers. Used to bite off small pieces, corners and semicircles. Leaves behind an uneven edge that must be trimmed with an emery wheel.
  • Diamond string. It is fixed in an ordinary hacksaw for metal, used for curly cut. It cuts only wall tiles and requires a certain skill, since during jerks, chips are formed on the surface.
  • Crowns are used to make round holes in ceramic tiles for sockets and switches.
  • Ballerina. With the help of such a drill, holes of various diameters are made. The size is adjusted manually by changing the distance to the cutter. Up to 20 cuts can be made with one nozzle.

Glass cutter

This is the simplest and cheapest ceramic tile cutting tool. It has a different design:

  • cutting element. small diameter wheel;
  • stylus with a diamond tip;
  • roller glass cutter with oil reservoir in the handle. Grease flows down a narrow groove and facilitates notching.

Glass cutter cutting elements can be replaced as the edge is seamed. How to cut ceramic tiles with a glass cutter? On the front side, a cut line is drawn with a pencil or marker. Holding the ruler on the mowing line, draw a glass cutter in the direction from the far edge of the tile towards you. The goal is to draw a uniform depression that reduces the strength of the tile.

Then place the tiles on the edge of a table or other flat surface. the line of the cut should line up with the edge. Holding the edge of the tile on the table with one hand, with the other, gently press on the edge that is suspended. The tile should break at the notch. Its edges are sanded with a file for ceramic products.

The glass cutter is advisable to use for small amounts of work. It allows you to make straight cuts vertically and diagonally. Not suitable for cutting floor tiles, porcelain stoneware tiles and tiles over 5 mm thick. It is problematic to cut a strip with a width of less than 20 mm with a glass cutter.

How to cut ceramic tiles

When working with tiles, the question arises: what is the best way to cut ceramic tiles? The choice of tool is determined by the amount of work and the properties of the tile itself. There are several ways to cut ceramic tiles.

And a few little tricks.

  • It is recommended to soak the tiles in cold water for an hour before cutting.
  • To trim the edges, you can use a file, a carborundum block, or an electric sharpener. Grinding is carried out in the direction from the front side to the base. Fine roughness is compared with sandpaper.

For a complete understanding of how to properly cut ceramic tiles, watch the video.