Cutting tiles with an angle grinder without chips

Prevent Tile Chipping

Safety instructions for working with an angle grinder

To avoid injury when working with an angle grinder, the following rules must be followed:

• when working, use personal protective equipment. gloves, overalls, safety shoes, glasses, respirator;
• you can work as a grinder only with a steel protective cover installed on the tool;
• the length of the grinder’s electric cable must be at least 2 m, which reduces the risk of damage by a rotating disc during operation;
• cut in the direction “away from you”, holding the tool with both hands;
• the direction of rotation of the disc must coincide with the direction of the translational motion of the angle grinder;
• cut the material by immersing the grinder disc into the cutting line no more than one third of the radius;
• each material must be processed with the appropriate disc, that is, the ceramic tile must not be cut with a metal cutting attachment, and the stone cut-off disc is not intended for grinding ceramics (grinding with a steel “dry cutter” is possible);
• when working with an angle grinder, both extremely low and maximum high speed values ​​should be avoided;
• cutting with a grinder material immersed in water in order to reduce the amount of dust generated is prohibited due to the danger of electric shock;

Dust is explosive, so cut or grind the material with an angle grinder in a well-ventilated area.

Cutting rectangular holes in tiles with a grinder

Mark the cut contour with a marker and a ruler on the front side of the tile and drill holes with a diameter of 5-7 mm exactly in its corners, without going beyond the contour boundaries, with a carbide drill. Then, with an angle grinder, through cuts are made between the holes along the perimeter of the rectangular contour, the cut out fragment of ceramic is removed and the corners and the cutting surface are modified with coarse sandpaper or a file.

Cutting Tool Grinding Machine

Direct cutting of ceramic with an angle grinder

On the front side of the ceramic tile, a cutting line is applied with an alcohol marker. the angle grinder is turned on and given a couple of seconds to set the set speed.

The disc on the grinder must be fixed correctly. using a special wrench and in accordance with the direction of rotation indicated on it.

The optimum rotation speed of a disc with a diameter of 100-125 mm when cutting ceramic tiles is 6-8 thousand rpm. The tile is placed on a flat wooden surface, secured with a clamp through a rubber sheet gasket, or you can simply press it against the board with the sole of your foot (wearing special shoes!).

Cutting ceramic tiles can be straight and curly

Exactly along the intended mowing line, an incision is made with a depth of 1-5 mm, depending on the material and thickness of the tile. From the edge of the material, they begin to cut slowly, then the angle grinder is moved faster. this way the cut turns out to be smoother. After making a cut, the tile can be broken by placing a couple of nails under it opposite the beginning and end of the cut.

Cutting Bathroom Tiles with an Angle Grinder (Quick Tips).- by Home Repair Tutor

Stone discs

Stone discs are several times cheaper than dry cutters, but they wear out during operation and must be replaced with new ones. In addition, they are thicker than dry cutters, so the thickness of the mowing line for cutting with a stone nozzle is wider and, accordingly, more dust is generated during operation.

In the process of cutting with a stone nozzle, it is necessary to control the condition of its cutting edge. if a chip or burr forms on the edge, the disc must be replaced immediately, since such damage is fraught with destruction of the nozzle and causing injury.

Discs for cutting ceramics with an angle grinder

For cutting ceramic tiles with an angle grinder, stone or diamond-coated steel discs (dry cutters) are used. Dry cutters, in turn, are divided into solid and segmented. The more intense the diamond spraying on the dry cutter, the more efficient and durable the disc will be.

Shaped tile cutting with an angle grinder

If it is required to cut an oval shape from a ceramic tile, then short cuts are made tangentially to the outer contour of the figure with an angle grinder in order to cut off small fragments of ceramics to be removed. At the end of cutting, the surface of the cuts is refined with an abrasive tool until the lines are smooth and there are no chips.

When it is necessary to cut a figured hole in the tile, the material is cut with an angle grinder exactly along the contour, gradually moving away from it inward and increasing the depth of the cut. After cutting through the tile, the edges of the hole are finished with coarse sandpaper.

Angle Grinder Cutting Large Holes

The center of the circle is marked on the ceramics with an alcohol marker and a through hole with a diameter of 3-4 mm is drilled with a carbide drill exactly along the mark. Then, on both sides of the tile, a contour of a circle of a given diameter is applied. with an angle grinder with a disc, cuts are made 1-2 mm deep along the contour of the future hole on both sides of the tile, and then through cuts are made inside the contour and small fragments of ceramics are removed from it with nippers. The inner surface of the cut along the perimeter of the hole can be processed with coarse sandpaper or a file until there are no chips.

Tile cutting with an angle grinder is performed using a diamond grinding wheel

Direct cut on the tile with a grinder

On the front of the tile, a marker indicates the cutting line, then the angle grinder turns on, and when it picks up speed, you can start cutting. You need to start from the nearest edge and carefully at the risk to the other side of the tile. When the glaze is evenly cut, make a second pass. Slice until tiles separate from each other.

Important! Ceramic tiles are fragile, so you should not press hard, and the first cut is made to remove the glaze. If you start to cut straight from the edge, then at the end the tile may burst. Therefore, it is recommended to cut evenly from edge to edge in several passes.

Safety precautions when operating an angle grinder

This tool has its own hazard category for this reason, you must strictly follow the safety rules:

• To avoid direct exposure to debris or sparks, the tool must have a protective cover.
• For comfortable work and to avoid damage to the electric wire, the length of the cord must be at least 2 meters.
• It is not recommended to hold the angle grinder vertically during the cut, otherwise it may break out of your hands, cause injury and break the material.
• Cut tiles using protective equipment: respirator, goggles, gloves, headwear, overalls and sufficiently durable shoes.
• Hold the tool with both hands and cut the material by rotating the circle “away from you”.
• Do not press hard on the disc.
• Use the appropriate cutting wheel for each material. abrasive for metal, and diamond dry cutter for tiles.
• To avoid electric shock, do not cut material immersed in water.
• Sawing with an angle grinder is recommended in a ventilated area because dust is explosive.

A variety of cutting discs

Today there are many different cutting discs that are available for a specific material. Cutting tiles with an angle grinder should be done with a stone or steel disc (dry cutter) with diamond chips on the working edges. Dry cutters are divided into several types:

• Stone circles are much cheaper than metal discs, but they deteriorate faster and leave a wide cut on the tile. While working with them, it is necessary to constantly monitor the integrity of the working edge, otherwise the disc can prick the material, and then completely scatter and cause serious injury to the user. Therefore, you need to carefully cut ceramic tiles with such a nozzle.
• Metal dry cutters allow you to work without water cooling, but no longer than two minutes, after which it is necessary to cool by idling an angle grinder. It is more rational to purchase a disc with a continuous diamond coating on the working edge.

If, when cutting ceramics, a glowing trail of sparks appears, then it is necessary to fix the protective metal casing, it happens that it skews and touches the disc. If the problem persists, then it means that the steel is licking and you need to clean it on concrete or plaster. Otherwise, the dry cutter will become unusable from overheating.

Dry cutters are subdivided into two more types: solid and segmented

The solid disc of the dry cutter allows you to cut the tiles evenly and practically without chips. Due to the lack of detonation at the circle, you can freely clean the edges of the tile, even at an angle of 45 °.

The segmented disc got its name from the slots located from the center to the cutting edge, evenly along the cut-off wheel, while dividing the disc into equal parts (segments). Such a nozzle is perfect for cutting through porcelain stoneware and natural stone tiles, it is also suitable for cutting ceramic tiles.

Thanks to the slots, the disc is cooled, thereby protecting it from rapid wear. But due to increased detonation, chips remain on the material.

How to cut tiles with an angle grinder. avoiding chips, safety precautions

But before you learn how to cut tiles with an angle grinder, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with its parameters, as well as study the technique of safe operation.

A rich selection of models and a democratic price range makes the angle grinder available not only for specialists, but also for simple craftsmen. For household and small work, a small angle grinder with low revolutions and a disc of 100–125 mm is most often used. Some models have a power turnover regulator, which will be useful for cutting tiles with an angle grinder.

Important points when working with tiles

Before you start working, you need to figure out how to cut correctly so as not to spoil the finishing material in the future. The disc on the grinder must be tightened with a wrench, the tiles must be laid on a flat surface, preferably a board or plywood, in order to exclude vibration from which fragile ceramics can burst. If possible, then it is better to tighten with a clamp, if not, then it is good to press the tile with your foot.

Figured design for pipes

Many people wonder if it is possible to cut tiles with an angle grinder figuratively? Of course it is possible, and of various shapes: square, oval, circle, rhombus, ellipse. To do this, you need to read the article to the end and practice in practice.

What discs are used for cutting tiles

For cutting ceramics, special discs are required, which can be stone or metal with diamond coating. Stone ones are rarely used, as they are rather thick and quickly grind off, and during work they generate a lot of dust. The cost of stone discs is several times less than metal discs, but experts prefer to work last.

• solid;
• segmented.

It is preferable to process ceramics with solid discs. When working with such discs, there is a time limit: they cannot continuously cut for more than 1-1.5 minutes. Then let it cool down with the angle grinder running at idle speed.

Segmented for cutting paving stones, porcelain stoneware, natural stone or concrete.

The segments are designed for better cooling of the tool during operation.

Straight cut

It is not difficult to master it, at the same time the cutting line is clean and without chips. When performing the work, the tiles are securely fixed on a flat surface, marked with a pencil or felt-tip pen. The part to be cut should hang freely from the table. The cutting tool is at right angles to the workpiece. Carefully, without jerking, drive the angle grinder slowly along the marked mowing line. The tool should be moved towards you so that the marked line is visible.

Sawing paving stones with an angle grinder

Having a private house, it becomes necessary to lay paving slabs or paving stones, which must be cut to size. For this, a universal device is also used, which is available in almost every home. an angle grinder.

Paving stone processing has its own characteristics, but basically it is carried out in the same way as cutting porcelain stoneware. The main differences are that the work is done outdoors. Material processing should be carried out on a separate site: the resulting dust settles on the laid paving stones and can spoil its appearance. If this happens, you should immediately sweep it off with a stiff brush.

To cut the paving stones, choose a diamond blade for concrete processing. The angle grinder should be held at right angles to the workpiece and the diamond wheel should be moved exactly along the mowing line. It is necessary to cut the tiles to a depth of a little more than half, and then just break and trim.

Cutting tiles and porcelain stoneware with an angle grinder

Every master who is engaged in wall cladding with ceramic tiles knows that it is impossible to lay them without cutting. This is true both for wall cladding and for laying porcelain stoneware on the floor. But not everyone knows that you can use a regular angle grinder (angle grinder) for trimming. Let’s consider how to perform this operation correctly and without chips.

Cutting ceramic products

To cut tiles with an angle grinder, you need to master three cutting directions.

Angle 45 0

Docking is often necessary, which means cutting the material at an angle of forty-five degrees. This angle can only be obtained with a large workout. But you can use this technique: first, cut the workpiece in a straight line, and then gently process the edge at the desired angle with a disc, sandpaper or sharpening stone.

How To Cut Porcelain Tiles by Hand with Grinder without Chipping. Testing Diamond Blades 4 Tiling

How to get rid of dust when cutting tiles

Cutting tiles 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.