How To Cut Porcelain Stoneware Tiles With A Tile Cutter

3 ways to cut tiles at home Ways and tools for cutting and adjusting tiles with your own hands to the required size. How to use a manual tile cutter and grinder to cut tiles.

Tile cutter tongs

Tile cutting tongs are the cheapest (200,400 rubles), and they are only suitable for small volumes of work with thin ceramic tiles at home.

After notching, press down on the tile with a cracking pliers

Make markings taking into account all gaps and seams (5 mm).
Attach a metal ruler to the mowing line and slide the cutter along the line once. The pressure should be moderate to form a visible streak. Lead him from the far end towards you.
Place the tongs with their feet along the mowing line of the crowbar near the edge. The sponges should be on top of the glaze and the straight part on the bottom. The line of the break should be right in the middle between the edges of the upper lip.
Press gently on the handles to break off the tiles. At the same time, do not lift it high, otherwise it will break after falling.

We make a drink at 45 degrees

Ceramic pencil skirting is best for protecting the sharp outer corners of tiles

If you are using a professional electric tile cutter, the tilting platform there makes it easy to make a 45-degree angle on the tile bevel, but not everyone has such a tool. It is easy to make such an angle on your own using the same grinder by eye. The disc is guided along the cut line with the disc tilted slightly inward.

Cutting tiles with a manual tile cutter

How a manual tile cutter works

The tile is inserted into the tile cutter, and the markings on it are aligned with a special mark.
The handle is lowered and held away from you. It must be driven at the same speed and even pressure so that the roller cuts the glaze to the same depth. It will be enough to run the roller once. If you drive several times, the breakage can turn out to be of poor quality.
Next to the roller there are special paws that lower and break the tiles into 2 parts after a sharp push on the lever. Over, all tile cutters have a metal tubercle on their platform, and soft pads along the edges. When you press down on the edges of the tile with your paws, maximum tension will be created at the notch, if correctly aligned with the backing, and it will evenly break off.

It is difficult to explain this in words, so it is easier to look at which shows how to cut tiles correctly with a tile cutter:

High-quality tile cutters allow you to cut even 10 mm thick tiles without any problems. And it doesn’t matter at what angle you cut it: at least 45 degrees, at least 30.

Electric tile cutter

If you have a large amount of work, then the fastest and highest quality cut comes from an electric tile cutter. They use a diamond wheel and supply water to the cut to cool and remove dust. The cheapest types of the amateur class can be found on sale for 34 thousand rubles.

We cut the tiles with a grinder

Sometimes there are cases when you need to cut a narrow strip of 0.52 cm tile, and a regular tile cutter does not take it, because it has too wide legs.

In such cases, you need to draw an incision with a pencil and make a cut with a grinder with a diamond disc. But if you try to cut it off in one go, the narrow strip will break off in parts. Therefore, you need to smoothly and without pressure walk the grinder along the markings to get an incision about 2 mm deep. You need to walk along the mowing line with the disc, and not directly along it, then the width of the already narrow strip will not decrease.

Using the same method, running several times along the same seam will cut a narrow strip. The second and next time it will be possible to drive the grinder faster, but try to press it to the opposite side, then there will be no chips.

It is better to do this work by weight, so the vibration will go into the hands. When you already see that the strip will soon fall, it is advisable to put something soft so that it does not break.

Cutting tiles with a grinder with a special diamond-coated disc on tiles

Be sure to wear glasses when working with a grinder.

3 ways to cut tile at home

Any process of laying ceramic tiles is not complete without cutting it. There will be a lot of it especially if you use some kind of non-standard layout, for example, diagonally. In the last article, we talked about which layout is better to choose in order to get uniform and beautiful cuts everywhere. Now we will talk about how to properly cut tiles at home.

As you know, tiles are made of baked clay, which is covered with glaze on top. It’s hard to break it with your hands, but if it lies on any unevenness, then it easily cracks from a small load. To simplify this process and make the required break line, you need to loosen the top layer of the glaze, that is, cut it, and therefore make efforts to break.

There are 3 main ways to do this:

Special hand tool, electric tile cutter or special tongs.
Bulgarian.
Other handy sharp tools.

Let’s talk in more detail about each tile cutting method.

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How to cut a tile with the letter G

Since the tile cutter can only cut tiles straight, many have difficulty with L-shaped cutouts. The easiest option is to divide this tile into 2 rectangular elements, but then you get an extra ugly seam that will catch your eye.

But this can be avoided if the short side is cut with a grinder, and then the long one with a tile cutter.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make L-shaped cuts on tiles

The second method: by any method available to you, a cut is made on the glaze, and the excess is gradually broken off with pliers. Irregularities are sanded with sandpaper. This option will even allow you to get a rounded incision for abutting the risers.

How to choose the right disc by tile

For cutting, metal discs are used with diamond plating along its edges. But they are different: for concrete, brick, stone. Tiled discs do not have any holes, the soldering on them is uniform and smooth. Discs for concrete have slots on the solder, and will chip when vibrated. If you cut ceramic tiles with them, then these chips can fly into your face.

We cut the tiles with a grinder

Sometimes there are cases when you need to cut a narrow strip of 0.52 cm tile, and a regular tile cutter does not take it, because it has too wide legs.

It is better to do this work by weight, so the vibration will go into the hands. When you already see that the strip will soon fall, it is advisable to put something soft so that it does not break.

Cutting tiles with a grinder with a special diamond-coated disc on tiles

Be sure to wear glasses when working with a grinder.

3 ways to cut tile at home

There are 3 main ways to do this:

Special hand tool, electric tile cutter or special tongs.
Bulgarian.
Other handy sharp tools.

Let’s talk in more detail about each tile cutting method.

Fast navigation through the article

How to cut tiles without a tile cutter

If you only need to cut a few tiles, it doesn’t have to be spent on a tile cutter. You can use the tools at hand:

Glass cutter.
Drill. It should preferably be with a victorious tip, as it will scratch the tile better.
Nail.
Construction knife.

Attach a metal ruler to the notch and draw once with a glass cutter or drill. A deep scratch should remain on the enamel. If you use a knife, but you will need to carry out several times.

Place the tile at the corner with the cut and press down on the edges with a sharp motion. The cut will not turn out perfectly flat, unlike the tile cutter, but you will not have to spend additional money.

Cutting tiles with a manual tile cutter

How a manual tile cutter works

The tile is inserted into the tile cutter, and the markings on it are aligned with a special mark.
The handle is lowered and held away from you. It must be driven at the same speed and even pressure so that the roller cuts the glaze to the same depth. It will be enough to run the roller once. If you drive several times, the breakage can turn out to be of poor quality.
Next to the roller there are special paws that lower and break the tiles into 2 parts after a sharp push on the lever. Over, all tile cutters have a metal tubercle on their platform, and soft pads along the edges. When you press down on the edges of the tile with your paws, maximum tension will be created at the notch, if correctly aligned with the backing, and it will evenly break off.

It is difficult to explain this in words, so it is easier to look at which shows how to cut tiles correctly with a tile cutter:

High-quality tile cutters allow you to cut even 10 mm thick tiles without any problems. And it doesn’t matter at what angle you cut it: at least 45 degrees, at least 30.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a grinder without chips

Almost every home craftsman has an angle grinder, or grinder. Therefore, it is she who is most often cut porcelain stoneware. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to make such a cut without chips, but it is quite possible to minimize their number. For this, it is very important to choose the right disc. He must have:

High-quality diamond dusting;
Marking confirming that the device is intended for cutting porcelain stoneware;
The minimum possible thickness;
Continuous cutting edge.

The grinder is a potentially dangerous tool, so you should not neglect the safety rules. You should take care of the means of protection. The kit includes:

A respirator, since a lot of dust is generated when cutting.
Safety goggles to prevent possible exposure of disc fragments to the eyes.
Special clothing.
Ear plugs or ear muffs to protect your hearing from loud noise.

It is not recommended to neglect protective equipment, even if you plan to cut several plates.

Correctly cutting porcelain tiles with a grinder is quite simple if you follow the instructions:

Preparing a place to work. Lay a substrate on the leveled surface, which will protect the base. You can choose penoplex, polystyrene, etc.
We put the part face up on the base, mark the section of the cut on it. To make the chips less, we glue a strip of masking tape on it, draw the cutting line along it.
We put a metal corner on top of the tile along the cut path, fix it with clamps. This will allow you to make an accurate cut. This must be done when cutting products with a large thickness.
We start the grinder. We cut the part at a time, direct it away from ourselves. To get an even edge, cut off the fragment so that the line of the marking remains on the product. It will be removed during the sanding process, and the tile will retain the specified size.
We remove the masking tape, if necessary, grind the end of the part.

If the plate is thin or you do not need a perfectly straight cut, you can simplify your work. The grinder does not cut, but only cut. Then the fragment is broken off with a sharp strong movement.

How To Cut Porcelain Stoneware Tiles With A Tile Cutter

It is very convenient to use a grinder to cut porcelain stoneware tiles. First of all, because it is the most accessible of all the devices that can be used. They can make cuts of various shapes, including any curved. However, the grinder is traumatic, you need to work very carefully. It is very dusty and noisy.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a glass cutter

This is the easiest tool to use. It also gives a minimal effect. Using a glass cutter, you can cut off porcelain stoneware, but provided that its thickness is small. This is how the wall cladding is most often cut. The glass cutter cannot cope with floor tiles.

There are two types of tools: with a hard metal roller and with a diamond cutter. The latter option cuts better, but fails faster. Its cost is higher than that of a roller analogue.

With a glass cutter, you can make a straight or figured cut. In the latter case, you will also need special nippers. To cut the tiles along a straight mowing line, proceed as follows:

We lay the cladding on a flat base. Determine where the cut line will go.
We take a ruler, lay it along the future cut-off mowing line and press it with our fingers.
Gently, but with strong pressure, draw the line along the ruler with the tool. Trying to scratch a deep enough groove at a time. Otherwise, chips cannot be avoided.
We put the part on the edge of the table or workbench and press firmly on its edge. So that the liner splits along the intended mowing line.
Grind the edge if necessary.

If you want to make a curved cut, a line is drawn with a glass cutter. Then you need to take pliers and use them to remove sections of the tile. The closer the cut is to the mowing line, the smaller the pieces should be cut off. The edge with such processing will turn out to be sharp and not entirely even, so it must be sanded.

Tools for cutting porcelain stoneware

Before determining how and what to cut porcelain stoneware at home, it is worth understanding its features. It is a composite material that successfully combines the properties of natural stone and ceramics. It is made by pressing a mixture pre-fired at high temperatures. The result is a very strong and durable material. During the production process, it can be given a variety of colors and textures.

The surface of the ceramic can be matte, glossy, structured, etc. This should be taken into account when choosing a cutting method.

You can cut a tile fragment using various tools:

Glass cutter;
Electric tile cutter (aka wet cutter);
Mechanical tile cutter;
Grinder;
Device for waterjet cutting.

The latter method is not used in a home workshop, since it is assumed that special expensive equipment is available.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with an electric tile cutter

In the recommendations on how to cut porcelain stoneware tiles at home, you can read that it is convenient to do it with a wet cutter. This is the name of the electric type tile cutter, for which a diamond cutting disc is used. To cool it down, water is supplied to the part during the cutting process (hence the name of the device).

There are two types of equipment: with upper and lower supply of tiles. The first ones make the cut as accurately as possible and are more expensive. For household chores, budget devices are often purchased that feed parts from below.

Devices of any type make it possible to make cuts not only straight, but also curved. To cut a piece of porcelain stoneware tiles, do the following:

We outline the cutting line.
We fix the part on the bed using special clamps. If you have to make a curved incision, you will have to hold it with your hands.
We start the device. First, we select the minimum speed of the disk, so the part does not deform.
Increase the cutting speed gradually. Make sure that the element does not move from vibration.

The cuts made on such equipment are more accurate and better than on a mechanical device. It is especially appreciated by beginners because it is able to completely neutralize the so-called shaking hand factor. In addition, the device allows you to cut fragments less than 6 mm wide, does not generate dust or noise. The main disadvantage of the device is the high price of quality models.

How and what to cut porcelain stoneware at home: 4 proven methods

Cut off the plate without chips

Porcelain stoneware belongs to the materials of increased strength. There are practically no pores in it, it does not absorb water and does not crumble. It is very difficult to even scratch it. Therefore, home craftsmen have the question of how to cut off porcelain stoneware without chips and is it possible at all. It must be admitted that theoretically it is possible, but in practice it turns out very rarely. Often, small chips remain on the cut, which have to be sanded.

To keep them as small as possible, experienced craftsmen advise following these recommendations:

Cut the part from the top side. Most material chipping occurs where the cutter exits the plate.
The lower the thickness of the selected cutting disc for the grinder, the lower the chance of chipping.
Reduce torch speed at the beginning and end of the cut line.
When working with a mechanical tile cutter, apply more pressure to the lever than when cutting a regular tile.
Cut slightly to the right of the intended mowing line so that it stays on the cut piece. Then you can remove unwanted chips with a sander.

It is very important that the tool is of high quality and suitable for the material of choice. Otherwise, getting a beautiful cut without chips is almost impossible. If, nevertheless, they appear, which happens most often, the defects should be sanded down. You can use sandpaper or a diamond sponge.

The optimal version of the grinder with a special attachment. This is the so-called turtle or flexible diamond circle. They are distinguished by the diameter of the particles applied to the surface of the diamond coating. The turtle can only work with a grinder, the model of which provides for the ability to adjust the number of revolutions. If it is higher than three thousand per minute, the nozzle can fly off the axis.

How and how to cut porcelain stoneware floor tiles

It is best to cut your porcelain stoneware floor tiles using a grinder with a diamond wheel. However, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment against dust and noise.

Personal protective equipment when working with a grinder:

Protective gloves;
Glasses;
Headphones;
Respirator.

Experts give some advice for beginners when working with a grinder, if you need to cut porcelain stoneware floor tiles, because these tiles are thick. Place foam plastic under the tiles, laying it on a hard, even surface. To reduce the number of chips, in place of the cut on the tile on the front side, it is necessary to stick masking tape and apply the cut thread with a pencil on top of the tape.

With a large tile thickness, to control the accuracy of the cut, it is necessary to use a metal building angle, it is attached with clamps to the tile, on the front side, and thus it is possible to correctly cut the tile.

How to properly cut porcelain stoneware tiles at home

Porcelain stoneware is an excellent finishing material that combines the best qualities of ceramics and natural stone. The material is stronger than granite, wear-resistant and resistant to aggressive environments. The tile is produced by the industry in a variety of ways.

Types of porcelain stoneware:

Technical porcelain stoneware;
Glazed;
Matte;
Polished;
Structured or patterned porcelain stoneware;
Lapped;
Aged;
Slim slim.

Any shape and configuration can be cut from porcelain stoneware tiles at home. Porcelain stoneware tiles are often used in the design of the floor, steps of stairs, porch, walls and basements of the house. Although the material is very hard, it often leaves rough chips in place of the cut. Types of cutting porcelain stoneware tiles at home using a grinder with a diamond disc (diamond), tile cutter, glass cutter, jigsaw, waterjet cutting (only industrial cutting with professional equipment).

A grinder with a diamond wheel is often the only option to cut porcelain stoneware tiles. But when working with this well-known tool, there are some nuances. The fact is that when the tiles are cut, this work is associated with the release of a huge amount of harmful dust, an unpleasant burning smell and wild noise. Therefore, when working with a grinder, you must protect your eyes with goggles, and also wear a respirator.

It is necessary to work with the disc carefully, drive the disc along the mowing line, retreating behind the cut line 2-3 mm from the mowing line towards the chips. It is also necessary to press the tool hard and to guide it along the mowing line should be calm, with great pressure. If you make a cut in this way, then the cut will be neat, without chips. There is another tip when working with porcelain stoneware. The ceramic granite tile must be firmly fixed, clamped with clamps and screwed to a fixed surface, for example, to a table. The fact is that this must be done, according to safety precautions, because when cutting, you must press hard on the tool.

Cutting porcelain stoneware: 8 kinds of material

Simple cutting of porcelain stoneware with a tile cutter

It is necessary to find out what kind of tile cutters are. Types of manual and electric tile cutters (this is a stationary machine). Basically, the principles of electric and manual tile cutters are almost the same. But they differ in price.

An electric tile cutter has more convenience and quality in cutting tiles, compared to a manual tile cutter, but an electric tile cutter has a rather high price, no one leases it, and it has a high energy consumption. But the quality is, of course, excellent. During work, there is practically no dust from the tiles, since during cutting, water is supplied to the wheel and cools it.

The better to cut porcelain stoneware

Sizes of ceramic granite tiles (cm):

30×30;
45×45;
60×60
120×360.

The last tile size of porcelain stoneware belongs to the so-called thin porcelain stoneware, which is most often used in the renovation of residential premises. It is especially beautiful when decorating walls and plinths of facades of private houses. There is another way to cut porcelain stoneware tiles, but with small amounts of work, this is a glass cutter.

Complex shaped cutting of porcelain stoneware

Very often, it is necessary to cut curly sections in porcelain stoneware tiles. For example, for curved steps, holes in tiles for columns or pipes. How should this be done?

What way to choose to cut the porcelain stoneware tiles figuratively:

Hole saw;
Ballerina;
Bulgarian.

What is the advice of a specialist in these cases? The hole saw does an excellent job of making round holes in porcelain stoneware. But alas, it works slowly but accurately. The ballerina also copes with the task of sawing round holes in the tiles, but she does it very carelessly, the edges remain uneven and often have to be refined by hand, and trimming is inevitable. The grinder is the best option for curved cuts.

Thus, it is possible to correct the unevenness of the cut with a grinder. The grinder must be operated from oneself. All tile ends must be sanded with a grinder or sandpaper. Next comes the final processing of tile cuts, it is necessary to finish with a grinder, using flexible grinding wheels with a grain size of 80-100.

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