What’s the best tile cutter for cutting porcelain tile.

The best tile cutter in 2021

The rating of the best devices of such purpose in 2021, is made on several attributes, and the price component in the top 10, determining the best tile trimmer 2021, plays an important, but not the main role.

Those who are engaged in construction, repair or finishing works, know very well that to enter the top ranking requires an important set of components that determine the suitability for professional or home activities.

Mechanical tile cutter

This is the most popular tile tool exclusively. There are many variations, but the tile cutter for porcelain tile must be relatively powerful and sturdy. Consists of a frame, rail guides, cutting roller, and tile breaking feet. The machine (bearing or cylinder) with two guideways is widespread.

A handheld tile cutter is good for straight cutting ceramic, but it can’t make a curved cut. The L-shaped cut is an exception, but it is not the most convenient way.

• Mark the boundaries of the cut.
• Set the plate on the tool bed so that one mark corresponds to the center of the bed and the other to the cutting roller.
• Guide the roller evenly from one mark to the other.
• Gently press the paws on the cutting point.

Cheap tile cutters cut with chips due to roller backlash and poor pressure.

Carry out once, doing it again almost always results in a defect. The roller must be sharp, the slides lubricated, otherwise the process will be very difficult. Manual tile cutter has one serious disadvantage. over time, the guides have a backlash, leading to uneven trimming. Tightening the fastening bolts helps weakly, as a result, the tool is only good for trimming that will be hidden by wall tiles or baseboards.

We are talking about “standard”, popular, tile cutters with a relatively low cost. An inexpensive tool, especially a monorail tool, does not have this disadvantage. But for home work, for obvious reasons, it is not suitable.

The hand-held tool is good for quickly trimming a large number of tiles, the cutting point of which will later be hidden. In this it is much better than an electric tool. Considering that it comes with a template that helps you not get distracted by marking the ceramic when you cut equal pieces, it’s the best solution for a large and clean job. The video shows how easy it is to cut porcelain tiles with a manual tile cutter: http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=GTC9H3T_bLs

Cutting porcelain tiles at home

Mechanical tile cutter

Optimal for home conditions. a mechanical tile cutter. This is a device consisting of a bed, guides in the form of rails, a moving roller and special feet that hold the tile during work. With the help of a roller, a single cut is made, on which the tile is carefully broken. It is important that the roller is sharp and the slides are lubricated. In this case, it will be convenient to use the device, and the cut will turn out neat. It’s important to understand that this tool is not suitable for cutting embossed tiles and tiles covered with grill. chipping can occur, because the relief and grill do not allow you to cut the glaze in some places. Another disadvantage of manual tile cutters. over time there can be a backlash, which also leads to the formation of irregularities and chips on the cut line. But even then all is not so hopeless, an uneven edge can be hidden behind the skirting board.

Electric tile cutter

Electric tile cutter (wet cutter) is a serious equipment for a perfect result, even when cutting fine porcelain tiles. This unit consists of a frame (table), guides, diamond wheel, electric motor and water supply. Water is needed in order to avoid dust when working with the material. Depending on the tile cutter model, either water is automatically fed or the diamond disc is manually moistened. Water must be changed during the work so as not to spoil the diamond wheel, and the disc is thoroughly rinsed at the end of the work. Cutting porcelain tiles in a curved, but not circular pattern, such as a 90° angle, is possible with the wet cutter.

angle grinder

If you do not have a machine to cut porcelain tiles, you can use an angle grinder. However, it is worth noting right away that this method is not safe and requires skill. Angle grinder is good to trim the material, to cut it in non-standard sizes. porcelain tiles can only be cut with this tool if it is fitted with a diamond disc with a smooth surface and no holes. The inexpensive and practical tool is often used for shape cutting, but the risk of getting a poor-quality cut with microcracks is higher, which must be remembered. There are other features of cutting porcelain tiles with an angle grinder:

the material should be cut with an offset of 2-3 mm on the larger side (a circle “eats up” a few millimeters)

the disc is set in the direction of the mechanism

Thin porcelain tiles are cut in a smooth back and forth motion

Thick porcelain tiles are cut only in one direction

Waterjet, circular saw, jigsaw

the shape cutting on the professional level is performed only with the help of waterjet. Panels, wavy lines and patterns. all this is possible on a computerized machine.

A circular saw with a diamond disc is also often helpful at home. The cut is not perfectly straight, but imperfections can always be sanded down.

Another device for shape cutting porcelain tiles. jigsaw with diamond wire. The device requires skill and accuracy in the process of work: you need to constantly blow off the dust to see the trimmer wire for marking, and the tile itself must be moistened.

Whichever tool is chosen, experts advise to follow the general rules:

cut on the front side, because chips are most often formed at the exit of the cutter from the plate

use the thinnest possible discs when cutting

Reduce speed of the cutter at the beginning and end of the cut

A mechanical tile cutter requires more pressure on the lever than a simple tile cutter

Leave a small margin so that the edge can be corrected

There is no need to make a common marking for the entire tile

Working with an electric tile cutter

Owners of electric tile cutters can knowledgeably tell you how to properly cut porcelain tiles. This device increases the accuracy and speed of cutting by an order of magnitude.

Structurally, the electric tile cutter is uncomplicated and consists of two main parts. the working table and the electric drive. Despite the simplicity, there are a great many modifications of this tool. The performance of the device, therefore, and its price depend on the inclusion of additional mechanisms that increase the functionality of the tool. So, the power of the electric motor determines the size of the cutting disc. The larger diameter circle on the device removes, for example, the question of how to cut porcelain stoneware of increased thickness.

A special device will allow you to cut porcelain tiles at an angle

Trade offers a wide range of electric tile cutters models of any size, power and configuration. They are all divided into two subgroups.

The first is the mechanisms with a fixed electric drive. In this variant the material is fed under the cutting edge by hands, which requires maximum concentration and requires some experience in carrying out the work.

The safety guard prevents injury

The second group. these are devices with movable cutting tool, when the drive moves on a special guide. This is the safest way to cut tiles from ceramic granite.

If you carry out work with power tools at home, the main problem is not the noise (you can agree with the neighbors), but the huge amount of dust that accompanies the work of the angle grinder. A special tray for water, included with the electric tile cutter, eliminates the question of where to cut porcelain tiles, as all the dust is absorbed by the liquid during the cutting process.

The main advantages of electric tile cutters:

• The speed and ease of cutting allows you to master large quantities of tile laying in a short amount of time;
• No need for additional edge treatment, the cut is smooth and clean;
• A special swiveling mechanism with graduations fixes the blade position at an angle to the table plane, it is possible to cut porcelain tiles at 450 or other angles;
• A skilled specialist will cut segments of any shape, and even rectangular holes in the tile with this tool;
• There is a special high-strength porcelain tile for the floor. What to cut this material with? Only with an electric tile cutter.

Porcelain tiles for flooring can be cut both with an electric and a manual tile cutter

To the intricacies of working with this device can include the need to adjust the speed of the feed in different areas of the cut. Slow feed at the beginning and end of the tile, fast feed in the middle. This order of work helps solve the question. how to cut porcelain stoneware without chipping at the ends of the cut.

The electric option allows you to speed up repair work

While cutting, you should control your every move, hold a tile firmly against the table and use protective screen or glasses, splinters can fly out.

For some users the description of how to cut porcelain tile is not enough.

Need to make a hole for wiring in porcelain stoneware. Watch the video below to see how to cut this material

Cutting with a jigsaw

This method also requires a lot of effort, but it is more suitable for small amounts of tile to be cut. Unlike alternative methods, this option involves sawing ceramic granite. By the way, knowledge of how to cut porcelain tiles with a jigsaw will allow you to perform similar operations with a metal saw. In addition to patience, you should stock up on replacement cutting blades, which will certainly require working with dense material.

The first thing to do is to fix the saw. According to the marked line on the tile should be held with a jigsaw so as to form the most even cut. To exclude the possibility of overheating the tool, you must also moisten the material. This is how the electric model works, but there are also hand-operated jigsaws that, with the proper skill and effort, allow you to create precise and even curved cuts. Again, the main thing is to use saws or diamond wires that are suitable for the specific purpose. Of course, the sawing procedure will take a lot of time, but this is one of the best examples, demonstrating how to cut porcelain tile at home with maximum accuracy. This method is particularly useful if it is necessary to create curved cuts in the wall tiles for further installation of electrical appliances.

How a manual tile cutter is designed?

The tile cutter is a tool on the base of which there are slides (guides). on them moves the crown with a steel roller made of hard alloy. On this base and lay the tiles for cutting.

Models may differ in modifications. For example, there are tile cutters with an additional. That allows you to make circular holes.

Before buying, you should also ask the dealer what kind of tile cutter to choose for porcelain tile. The fact is that some models are only suitable for thin ceramic tiles.

A selection of handheld mechanical tile cutters, various in both price and characteristics, favored by professionals and do-it-yourselfers doing home repair.

Zubr 33193 80

Mechanical monorail tool, which is suitable for cutting both tiles and porcelain tiles from 5 to 16 mm thick, including at an angle. It is possible due to the cutting roller with diameter of 22 mm and sliding hole 6 mm.

Tools from domestic manufacturer. The special shape of the guide ensures the constructional rigidity necessary for cutting porcelain tiles, and the presence of bearings in the design ensures the smooth and easy running of the cutter.comes complete with carrying and storage case.

Enkor 3660

Mechanical dual-rail model designed for cutting ceramic tiles. The 15 mm diameter and 1.5 mm thick cutting wheel with a 6 mm arbor hole is capable of making cuts up to 6 mm in the tile.

Lightweight and inexpensive tile cutter. a great helper for do-it-yourself tiling.

Montolit masterpiuma 63p3

Mechanical monorail tile cutter with two millimeter rulers and side stops.

The professional tool from the Italian manufacturer.

Rubi star 61

Mechanical double rail tile cutter with side supports. Designed for tile. Interchangeable rollers from 6 to 10 mm, as well as pobedite roller 6 mm, allow for quality results. Maximum cutting length. 630 mm.

Biber 55521

Hand-held tile cutter made of stainless steel in pencil shape with breaker. Used for small tile undercuts. Suitable for both tile and glass. Approximate price of 100

Indispensable assistant for many finish trimmers when trimming “on the spot”.

Bars 87590

Mechanical monorail tile cutter with angled stops. The 22 mm diameter disc with a 6 mm hole allows you to cut materials up to 14 mm thick.

The maximum cutting length is 600 mm.

Cutting with angle grinder

Angle grinder (angle grinder) is a universal tool for cutting and processing a variety of materials. Not a specialist tool because of its versatility. In the home with an angle grinder you can solve many issues.

For cutting porcelain tiles, almost any angle grinder will do. No need for high power. A small, lightweight tool is even preferable to use. It is the speed that matters, not the power. A powerful tool will cut tiles faster, but just the speed here can have a negative impact. it will turn out less accurate.

The main issue is the selection of the cutting wheel. It is the choice of wheel that should be paid special attention to. And it’s not about the seating size (it goes without saying).

Choice of cutting disc

material can only be cut with diamond discs. Diamond discs are available in two types: solid and segmented. To get the best results it is recommended to try and make cuts with different cutting discs. For cutting porcelain stoneware there are special considerations when using both solid and segmented discs:

Solid bars are positioned by manufacturers primarily for “wet” cutting. Т.е. for cutting with water or special liquids cooling. And are not used for cutting without cooling, as they can fail quickly. However, when you want to get a cut with as few chips as possible, a solid disc may be a better choice. This is situational and depends largely on the specific material (quality, thickness, relief, etc.) being cut;

In addition to type, discs differ in a variety of parameters: the density of the diamond coating, the height of the cutting edge, disc thickness, etc. It is better to follow the recommendations of the manufacturers of the discs. The discs themselves usually indicate the purpose for which they are used.

Discs less than 2.0 mm thick are not acceptable for cutting with a manual angle grinder. The height of the cutting edge should be greater than the thickness of the tile (it affects the cut accuracy).

Advice! Check the condition of the disc before every cut. In case of any disc variation, change the disc, otherwise there is an increased risk of splintering.

Technology

• Apply the marking on the tile. It is best to use a construction marker for this.
• Position the tile on a flat surface. In some cases, it will be more convenient to secure the tile to the surface with screw clamps or fix it in a workbench.
• To get a straight cut, you can additionally use wire clamps to secure a metal strip along the cutting line. Afterwards, you should cut along it.
• Carry out the cutting from the front side, because in the output you get the largest number of chips. You can make a double cut. Make a small groove on the front side first, and make the main cut on the back side. This method will minimize damage to the face surface.
• If there are no strict requirements to the cut, it is possible not to saw up to the end. After making the cuts, break the slab with your hands.
• It is advisable to handle the tool starting from yourself.
• Additionally, grind the cut if necessary.

General recommendations

When using an angle grinder be sure to use protective equipment:

• Suit that covers legs and arms;
• Safety glasses (preferably a mask);
• Protective gloves or gloves;
• A respirator (mandatory in the case of heavy-duty work).
• It is possible to cut an element of almost any shape. For a shaped cut, you need good skills with the tool;
• The possibility of trimming tiles that have already been laid in place;
• Tool availability.
• injury hazard;
• It is very difficult to get geometrically accurate cuts;
• High labor intensity of getting a clean cut without chipping;
• low speed of work;
• A lot of dust and noise.

With an angle grinder it is not possible to get a perfect cut at the first time. To obtain accurate cuts without splintering cut with an indentation of 2-5 mm from the line. Then bring it to the correct size by grinding. This is quite a time-consuming operation and takes a lot of time, so it is recommended to conduct only with elements that will be in a prominent place.

Or use a trick, as in the video below:

Block: 3/5 | Number of characters: 4391

How to make holes in porcelain tiles

During construction and repair, it is often necessary to make a hole in the tile, for communications or installation of equipment. In this case the specialized tools come to the rescue

Ballerina

The device most resembles a compass. One leg rests in the center of the future hole, it is clamped in the drill chuck. The other can change its pitch by moving the horizontal bar. A carbide-tipped cutter is mounted on its end.

When the drill is turned on, the center foot is held in the center of the future hole, and the cutter foot, rotating, scrapes through the tile to a sufficient depth.

Then the notched circle must be knocked out with a hammer and the edges of the resulting hole must be grinded.

Diamond bits

The diamond-coated bit only cuts straight holes and does not require great force.

There is only one minus. You can’t make a hole of any diameter. Only available in defined sizes. The tool shank is also fastened in the drill chuck, with the center drill set to the marked point. Use the highest rpm possible.

Both the ballerina and the diamond bit should only be used on the face of the tile. Otherwise chipping is inevitable.