Porcelain Tile Disc For Which Cutter Is Better

For those who are accustomed to do construction and finishing work with their own hands, who hope to save on the services of professionals, relying on their own abilities, when working with finishing materials the question arises of how to cut porcelain tiles at home. Variouss have been posted on the Internet with tips on what equipment is best to use when cutting porcelain tiles. However, it is not always clear what maximum thickness tiles can be cut by the proposed method.

To deal with all the nuances of home cutting of porcelain stoneware, we will consider all possible methods, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as which formats of porcelain stoneware it is possible to cut using one or another device. Often, many are interested in whether it is possible, in principle, to cut porcelain tiles with a tile cutter or an “angle grinder.” And is it possible to use a conventional diamond glass cutter for cutting such a tile?

Is there a special tool for cutting porcelain tiles? By and large. No. Usually they use the same devices that cut the tiles, however, special accessories in the form of diamond wheels for porcelain tile are installed on electrical appliances. They are characterized by the ability to cut more durable materials than tile.

Many are interested in which disc to cut porcelain tiles. So far, nothing unusual has been invented. The cutting of porcelain tile is carried out with the help of a diamond wheel intended for installation on a tile cutter or “angle grinder”.

We cut porcelain tiles with a tile cutter

Answering the question of how to cut porcelain tiles, many can say that there is nothing easier than using the proven method, and will offer to use a manual or electric tile cutter. Others are wary of devices designed for more fragile facing materials. Therefore, it is natural that the question arises whether it is possible to cut porcelain tiles with a manual tile cutter. The answer is clear: yes, you can. It should be noted that the thickness of porcelain stoneware during cutting can be 3-8 mm. Manual tile cutter cuts only straight strips. Their width can not be less than 0.6 cm, and you will have to modify the edges of the fracture of the tile.

The use of an electric device for cutting tiles will make it possible to cut any porcelain stoneware in thickness, if the condition is met. The height of the working edge on the diamond disk should be 3-5 mm greater than the thickness of the cut porcelain stoneware. This condition must be observed in order to achieve the perfect cut, otherwise making a high-quality cut will be an almost impossible task.

A diamond disk for porcelain stoneware for a tile cutter must be selected not only in accordance with the thickness of the tile, but also taking into account the cutting system and the surface properties of the porcelain stoneware. For glossy and glazed porcelain tiles, a very thin canvas (1.5 mm) is recommended. This will avoid chips on polished or glazed tiles.

Porcelain tile cutting modes:

  1. Dry. When dry cutting, it must be taken into account that the disk must have a self-cooling system, since cutting of heavy-duty materials is accompanied by a high temperature of heating the disk. To prevent premature failure of the consumables for the tile cutter, pause every 2 minutes to cool the diamond wheel. This is due to the fact that the sawing blade, consisting of a steel base and deposited diamond chips, can be destroyed under the influence of high temperature.It is best to use a segmented diamond blade as a consumable. During its rotation, the air passing through the slots makes up the cooling system of the rotating circle.
  2. Wet. This cutting method allows the use of absolutely smooth diamond blades, since the cooling during cutting is carried out by means of water. At the same time, the edge of the porcelain tile is accurate and smooth.

Porcelain Tile Disc For Which Cutter Is Better

Porcelain Tile Disc For Which Cutter Is Better

With a closer look at the electric tile cutter, we can say that this is, although expensive, but the most reliable tool related to professional equipment for cutting ceramic granite. It allows you to cut porcelain tiles of any thickness without chips and to the desired width. When using the electric cutter, safety precautions must be followed and the cutting technology must be strictly adhered to. This equipment cuts tiles not only in the forward direction, but also able to perform curly cutting, but for this it is desirable to have a cutting table. Therefore, sometimes you need to think that perhaps professional cutting of granite in the factory is more profitable than artisanal home methods. Especially when it comes to facing large areas.

We cut porcelain tiles with the usual “angle grinder”

In the absence of tile cutters, cutting porcelain tiles “angle grinder” is another affordable way. This power tool is common to equip with every “arm” host.

The advantages of this method:

  • It is possible to work with porcelain tile of any thickness and texture;
  • You can do a direct and figured cutting;
  • No need to purchase special equipment.

For work, you need a diamond disk for porcelain stoneware for the “angle grinder”. The size and density of diamond spraying are the main factors affecting the price of a consumable.

However, this method also has disadvantages:

  • When working, a large amount of dust is produced;
  • Deviation from the necessary cutting line is possible;
  • The process is quite traumatic and requires significant precautions;
  • The place of cut needs to be modified.

Therefore, before you cut the porcelain tile “angle grinder”, make sure that the dust does not fall into adjacent rooms, as well as on the surface to be lined. Otherwise, it will have to be cleaned before laying granite.

Now we will answer a common question, how to cut porcelain tiles “angle grinder” without chips? There is nothing complicated: you need to use a high-quality abrasive disk for stone instead of a diamond disk for porcelain tile. In the process of cutting, it is necessary to constantly perform at the place of cutting forward and backward movements to prevent melting of the edge of the granite, which will make it difficult to cut.

If you follow the above technology, the cutting line turns out to be of the same quality as it could be if the cutting of porcelain tile was carried out on a waterjet machine. But since most people do not have such equipment at home, an angle grinder with an abrasive disk for stone work is the best way to avoid chips when cutting porcelain tiles. Especially if this section is in sight.

Figured cuts on porcelain tile

The presence of sockets, switches, fixtures for sconces, fixtures and other elements make it necessary to cut square or round holes in the material. For someone who cannot boast of extensive experience working with porcelain stoneware or tiles, this process is a mystery covered in darkness. However, there is nothing abstruse here.

To cut round holes use either a “ballerina” or a hole saw. Among the “ballerina”, among the advantages, it is possible to single out holes of any diameter and low price, but the tool requires serious skills to work with it. Otherwise, there is a high probability of spoiling both the facing material and the tool. The circular saw can work with any grades of porcelain stoneware and makes an even cut, however it produces a lot of dust, costs a lot and makes holes of a certain diameter.

Square holes are made using a grinder, and figures of complex geometry are cut out in porcelain stoneware using a special hacksaw string with diamond spraying or a jigsaw using a file with a diamond cutting layer.