Is It Possible To Cut A Tile With A Glass Cutter
How to cut tiles with a glass cutter
Is it possible to cut a tile with a glass cutter and how to do it correctly. In this article, we will tell you which glass cutter for ceramic tiles to choose and what other tools can be used for this task.
Angle Grinder
Quite effective, but not the highest quality way to cut tiles. The fishing line is chipped and requires further processing with sandpaper. The work requires a diamond disc (not segmented), and of course an angle grinder.
The principle of action is extremely simple. We put the tiles on a flat surface, outline the line and make a cut, slightly leaning the disc against the surface of the tile. It is not necessary to cut through the tile completely, it is enough to get an even hollow and make a break along it. To reduce dust, moisten the tile with a wet cloth before use.
Which glass tile cutter to use
Smooth tile cutting can be performed not only with a professional tool, but also with devices aimed at working with other materials. One of these devices is the good old glass cutter. Please note that when it comes to purchasing a special tool for working with tiles, it is best to take a tile cutter. If we are looking for a replacement, and there are several types of glass cutters in our construction arsenal, then you can use one of them to complete this task. Let’s find out which glass tile cutter to choose if you don’t have a tile cutter on hand.
The most common glass cutters used in everyday life are roller and diamond cutters. The principle of operation of these tools is reflected in their names, and consists in cutting glass with a diamond or carbide roller. Diamond-tipped glass cutters are great for working with thick glass, but practically unsuitable for the more porous structure of tiles. Roller types of devices, on the contrary, easily bite into the tile material, leaving a neat cut of the mowing line.
If you want to use a glass tile cutter, we recommend choosing the roller type, preferably oil fed. This device will be able to cut tiles with a glossy surface, up to the second level of wear resistance on the PEI scale (this indicator is indicated on the package). For tighter tiles, a roll cutter will not work.
Hacksaw
A budget and quite neat way to cut tiles. Can be used to produce straight lines and curly cuts. The disadvantages include the low speed of work. All you need is a hacksaw and a tungsten carbide or diamond coated thread.
Sawing tiles with this device will not be difficult even for novice finishers. We tighten the thread in the hacksaw and start cutting. If it is necessary to make a circle inside the tile, then first we drill a hole in it, then we thread a thread into it, fix it in a hacksaw and saw from the inside.
Cutting tools
For this type of cutting you will need:
- The glass cutter itself
- Marker
- Meter
- Metal ruler
- Flat plane
Features of glass cutting
Of course, you don’t have to use a glass cutter to cut tiles, the following tools can help you:
- Manual tile cutter
- Electric tile cutter
- Angle Grinder
- Nippers
But what if there is nothing but the aforementioned glass cutter?
Then we will cut them!
Further. In general, you first need to figure out whether it is possible to cut your tile with a glass cutter. Previously, it was no problem, but now manufacturers produce so many ceramic tiles, which will be difficult to cut even with a manual tile cutter, and what can we say about a glass cutter! Therefore, it will not be superfluous to practice on broken tiles. In general, will your tile take your chosen tool?
How to cut tiles yourself and carefully with a glass cutter
For the installation process, you will definitely need to trim the tiles. Let’s then figure out how to cut a tile with a glass cutter.
Cutting tools
For this type of cutting you will need:
- The glass cutter itself
- Marker
- Meter
- Metal ruler
- Flat plane
Is it possible to cut tiles with a glass cutter
For the installation process, you will definitely need to trim the tiles. Let’s then figure out how to cut a tile with a glass cutter.
Benefits of tile
The tile has many advantages. It does not burn, does not emit toxic substances, it is resistant to temperature changes and chemicals, and does not conduct electric current.
Quite often, tiles are used for interior and exterior decoration of premises. This is due to the fact that it is a highly durable material. Correctly laid tiles are able to withstand a pressure of about 30,000 t / m², which makes them even more durable than reinforced concrete. Consequently, the tile is practically not subject to deformation. Another important advantage of the tile is its hygiene, ease of maintenance, dirt is easily removed from it, its surface does not contribute to the development of bacteria. The tile is not afraid of moisture. That is why it is often used to decorate bathrooms, showers, toilets.
Tiles are non-flammable, do not emit toxic substances when heated, and do not undergo destruction upon contact with highly toxic chemical elements. The tile is resistant to different weather conditions. Snow, rain, direct sunlight. This makes the tile an excellent material for exterior decoration of premises. A particularly significant advantage is that it does not conduct electric current, so its use is safe in any conditions.
The disadvantage of tiles, perhaps, is their high thermal conductivity, making them cold when touched. It is unpleasant to walk on a tiled floor with bare feet. However, this drawback can be easily corrected by combining tiles with a warm floor.
Cutting tiles with a glass cutter in 3 steps
Before starting repairs in the bathroom or in the kitchen on your own, it is better to learn how to cut tiles with a glass cutter, because this is a very simple and cheap way. After all, resorting to the help of a master is expensive, as well as purchasing special equipment for cutting tiles. Therefore, with a small front of work, it is better to do everything yourself and with a simple tool. The only thing that is necessary in this case is to be careful not to chip the edges of the ceramic product with a glass cutter, and everything will work out.
Stage 1. Preparation for work
If the necessary technology for cutting ceramic tiles is not followed, you can get ugly chipped products. Therefore, you should carefully prepare for work. You should also take into account the factor of future marriage and purchase additional 5 tiles in reserve in case a high-quality cut does not work out and the processed tiles burst crookedly.
Before you start cutting tiles, you need to take care of the availability of the necessary tools in advance. For cutting you will need:
- Glass cutter;
- Metal ruler or corner;
- A pencil for drawing a mowing line marking;
- Sandpaper or emery stone for polishing chipped edges;
- Work gloves to protect hands from damage from sharp tiles.
The glass cutter comes in two variations:
- Roller;
- With a diamond tip.
A diamond tool is not suitable for separating ceramics, therefore, only a roller should be used. The tool must be of high quality. A bad cutter will not cut a groove of the desired thickness into the tile, and the product will break unevenly.
To prevent the tiles from cracking during the cutting process, they must first be soaked in plain water. Moisture will fill the porosity inside the clay product, and it will become more flexible and lose its fragility. The minimum time for such “water procedures” is 1 hour, but it is optimal to hold it for 3-4 hours, especially if the tile is large.
To successfully cut a tile, you need to correctly calculate its future size. Take into account the distance between the tiles and the gap in front of the wall by 3 and 2 mm, respectively. Therefore, from the distance from the edge of the last laid canvas and the wall, you need to subtract 5 mm. This will be the required width of the future product.
On a tile soaked in water, you must measure the desired size of the future product with a ruler. On the glossy side, where the glaze is applied, it is necessary to outline with a pencil or felt-tip pen, which can be easily removed, the marking of the future incision. It should be noted that you can only break off the edge of the tile, which is not less than 1 cm. Otherwise, you can easily split the ceramics not along the mowing line of the cut. Therefore, in such a situation, it is better to grind off the excess with an emery stone.
Stage 2. Performing cutting of ceramics
Cutting a tile with a glass cutter is similar to cutting glass with the same tool. The soaked and marked ceramic sheet should be placed on a flat hard surface with the glossy side up. It is best to wear work gloves to avoid injury to your hands. On the mowing line, the markings are required to be drawn with a glass cutter, pressing on it. For the accuracy of the mowing line, it is best to use a ruler, angle or template as a guide. It is recommended to guide the cutting tool from the far edge of the ceramic towards you. The pressure on the cutter should be of medium force in order to both cut the tile and not crush it.
When cutting ceramics, the main thing is to cut through the strong outer layer. You will get an even, thin line of the groove, weakening the strength of the tile. For a thick plate, you need to make a groove on the back. The groove from the glass cutter remains shallow, it is impossible to cut the tile with a glass cutter. Therefore, a refined clay product must be broken into two parts along the mowing line of the cut.
In order for the tile to be of high quality after cutting, without cracks, it must be able to break correctly. There are several ways to separate pieces of a clay plate:
- Position the tiles on the table so that the notch line and the edge of the furniture match. With one hand, you need to hold the edge of the tile left on the countertop, and with the other hand, gently press on the free part of the ceramic. Thanks to such manipulations, the tile should gently break along the mowing line of the groove.
- Place a match or a small nail along the mowing line of the cut under the tiles and lightly press on both sides with your hands. If the cut is made correctly, the tile will split along the groove mowing line.
- If it becomes necessary to break off a narrow strip of tile, then it is better to disconnect it with pliers.
To break evenly, you need to evenly distribute the force over the entire mowing line of the cut. When separating the parts, do not raise them high, otherwise they may fall and break. If irregularities have formed after cutting, then they can be broken with carpenter’s scissors. If necessary, cut the tile not straight, but in a circle, you need to make a marking with a pencil, make a notch with a cutting tool and carefully bite small pieces with pliers, forming a depression.
At the end of the work, it is advisable to grind the cut point with coarse sandpaper or a grinding stone. You will get a beautiful smooth surface, the cut will look neat and aesthetically pleasing.