How To Cut Porcelain Stoneware With A Tile Cutter

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 an electric type tile cutter, for which a diamond cutting disc is used. To cool it, 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 more 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 disk speed, so the part does not deform.
• Increase the cutting speed gradually. Make sure that the element does not move from vibration.

The cuts made with such equipment are more accurate and better than with a mechanical device. It is especially appreciated by beginners because it is able to completely neutralize the so-called shaky 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 to cut porcelain stoneware with a tile cutter

The principle of the tool is somewhat similar to the glass cutter. There, too, there is a cutting roller that moves along the guides. In addition to it, there is a bed on which the part is laid, a lever and guides. It is very important that the diameter of the cutting element matches the height of the tile.

In addition, when choosing a device, pay attention to:

• The base of the device. The metal from which it is made must be thick enough so that the base does not vibrate or bend during cutting.
• Strength of guides and supports.
• Smooth movement of the carriage. It is desirable that this is ensured by special bearings.
• No backlash when moving the carriage. If it is available, it is impossible to make a straight cut.

Tile cutters vary in length and it is best to choose a long model. This will make it possible to cut porcelain stoneware of different sizes, not only along the side, but also diagonally.

To cut off a piece of porcelain tiles with your own hands along a straight mowing line, you need to follow these steps:

• Place the tile cutter on a solid, level base.
• On the product we outline the cut line.
• We lay the part on the bed so that the trajectory of the roller goes exactly along the basting.
• We make an incision by pressing on the carriage and moving it away from us.
• We release the handle and break the part with strong pressure.
• Grinding the cut to remove possible chips.

Working with a mechanical tile cutter is very simple, even a novice master can handle it. There are, however, some disadvantages to be aware of:

• A fragment already 6 mm wide cannot be cut in this way.
• It is also impossible to chamfer or make a curved cut with a mechanical tile cutter.
• If the cut falls on an edge for glue or the surface of the material is ribbed, there is a very high probability of chipping.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a glass cutter

This is the easiest tool to use. It also gives a minimal effect. With the help of 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 will not 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 cutting line of the cut 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 in one go. 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 cut 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.

How and what to cut porcelain stoneware at home: 4 proven methods. How to cut a porcelain stoneware angle grinder without chips

Almost every home craftsman has an angle grinder, or an angle 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 smallest possible thickness;
• Continuous cutting edge.

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

• Respirator, as a lot of dust is generated when cutting.
• Safety goggles to prevent possible exposure of disc debris to eyes.
• Special clothing.
• Earplugs 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.

Cutting porcelain stoneware tiles correctly with an angle 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, Styrofoam, etc.
• We put the part face up on the base, mark the section of the cut on it. So that there are fewer chips, we glue a strip of masking tape on it, draw a cutting line along it.
• We apply a metal corner over 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 angle 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 angle grinder does not make a cut, but only a cut. After which the fragment is broken off with a sharp strong movement.

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

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 this 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 chips appear where the cutter exits the plate.
• The smaller the thickness of the selected cutting disc for the grinder, the lower the probability of chipping.
• Reduce torch speed at the start and end of the cut line.
• When working with a mechanical tile cutter, push the lever harder than when cutting a regular tile.
• Cut slightly to the right of the intended mowing line so that it remains on the cut piece. Then it will be possible to 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, it is almost impossible to get a beautiful cut without chips. If, however, they do appear, which happens most often, the defects should be sanded down. You can use sandpaper or a diamond sponge.

The best option is a grinder with a special attachment. This is the so-called turtle or flexible diamond circle. They are distinguished by the diameter of the particles deposited on 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 may fly off the axis.

Manual tile cutter

A simple and handy tool that allows you to cut off excess parts from tiles. The porcelain stoneware element is fixed in the device itself, after which a cutting wheel passes through it. as a result, the tile breaks into two halves.

Figured cutting of porcelain stoneware

Angle Grinder

An angle grinder also does a good job with straight cutting, which is capable of making a series of curved cuts and parallel cuts. But since this is a handheld device, cutting deviations are indispensable. Sometimes even edges with a jagged surface remain, which is impossible when working with an electric tile cutter.

To understand how to cut a porcelain stoneware with an angle grinder, it is worth noting that this cutting technology does not differ from the use when processing other materials. But in most cases, a diamond blade for dry cutting in relation to porcelain stoneware can only be used as an option for "rough" processing, although if perfectly straight edges are not needed, then in terms of cutting speed, an angle grinder will come out on top in processing ceramic granite.

How and what to cut porcelain stoneware?

Porcelain stoneware as a facing building material allows you to embody various design ideas: it is used to lay tiles on terraces, mount the surfaces of steps, decorate facades, walls and floor coverings with it. over, the possibility of combining various textures and colors in porcelain stoneware allows you to create real masterpieces in the interior. However, in most cases, when working with porcelain stoneware, preliminary processing is required, in particular cutting.

Since porcelain stoneware is a hard building material, its processing technology requires the use of special tools. At the moment, there are two directions in cutting porcelain stoneware: straight and curved cutting. In connection with this classification, cutting technologies are divided, and, consequently, the means of its implementation. To determine how to cut porcelain stoneware, you need to know the features of the use of existing tools that are used to solve such problems.

Ballerina

This tool specializes in rounded holes in porcelain stoneware. The main advantage of the ballerina is that the characteristics of the planned hole can be different, since the parameters of the cutters are adjusted manually. But the ballerina cut usually comes out uneven and curved, therefore, when processing tiles, it is not often used, although special nozzles for porcelain stoneware are sold on the market. In addition, the alignment of the device is quite difficult, which can deteriorate both the ballerina and the tiles.

Hole saw

If you need to cut porcelain stoneware into straight mowing lines, then the choice is quite wide, and with curly cuts it is a little more difficult. The scope of use of the hole saw equipped with a carbide tip also extends to porcelain stoneware. It is also used to create rounded holes in hard materials such as cement tiles and stone. The hole saw can cut any quality of porcelain, whether soft or hard, but cutting glazed tiles is slow.

Cutting porcelain stoneware by hand

If you decide to put porcelain stoneware in a small hallway, it is not advisable to purchase a professional tool. The strength of this material depends on the specific manufacturer, some varieties lend themselves to hand tools.

The simplest, most versatile and inexpensive tool used to cut ceramic tiles is a hand-held glass cutter. It can be roller or diamond. The latter cuts more accurately and better, but wears out faster.

To work, you need a ruler or flat rail. Place it along the cutter line and press firmly against the tile. the ruler will prevent the cutter from slipping to the side. During the cut, the tool must be pressed against the surface as much as possible in order to scratch the top layer of the tile deeper. Try to do this in one pass, otherwise porcelain stoneware may crack unevenly.

Now the tiles need to be broken. To do this, place it on the edge of the table so that the break line protrudes slightly beyond its plane. Press firmly and firmly on the edge of the tile. If the furrow was deep enough, the porcelain stoneware should break along the intended mowing line.

Another option is to use a manual tile cutter. This tool resembles a glass cutter in principle. it also uses a roller or diamond to scratch the top surface of the tile. But the tile cutter is more convenient and efficient. Its working plane is covered with a material that prevents the tiles from sliding, and a lever moving along the guides helps to create a sufficiently large force.

Cutting porcelain stoneware with a tile cutter is easy. Draw a line of cut with a marker and lay the tile on the work surface so that the cutter wheel runs exactly along the line. Pressing on the handle of the tool, make a cut and break the tile using a special stop on the working part of the tool.

How to cut porcelain stoneware. Articles

• How to cut porcelain stoneware
• How to cut a mosaic
• Choosing an electric tile cutter

Cutting porcelain stoneware with a power tool

If you need to cut large quantities of porcelain stoneware, it is much more convenient and productive to use an electric tool. One of the most convenient options is a water-cooled electric tile cutter. Its diamond blade easily cuts through even the toughest porcelain stoneware, while the water cools the blade and significantly reduces dust.

Start by marking the tile with the line of the future cut. Switch on the tool and position the porcelain stoneware on the work table so that the disc is opposite the line you have drawn. The workpiece must be fed onto the disc smoothly, holding it with both hands.

Despite all the convenience of an electric tile cutter, it is difficult to call it a universal tool. Therefore, many people prefer to cut porcelain stoneware with an angle grinder, which has many uses. Its undoubted advantage is the ability to make curved cuts.

To cut ceramic tiles, you will need a dry diamond blade. Be prepared for a lot of dust. After marking the workpiece, lay it on a sheet of plywood or chipboard so as not to damage the surface of the table or floor. It is advisable to fix the tile so that you can hold the tool with two hands.

Do not try to cut the tile in one pass, or you may damage it. First make a shallow cut in the top layer. The resulting groove will prevent the disc of the angle grinder from jumping off and will simplify the work, playing the role of a guide. Be sure to observe safety precautions when working with an angle grinder! Do not remove the protective cover, do not use a larger disc and use glasses. a shard of porcelain stoneware can injure your eyes.

Where to cut porcelain stoneware tiles

Oddly enough, but it is precisely the smallest ceramic dust formed when cutting artificial ceramic granite turns into the main problem. At home, it is most convenient to cut the material directly at the place of its laying.

If you plan to cut tiles with a tile cutter, then you can cut out porcelain stoneware in any place suitable for this. The amount of shavings and dust in this case is formed insignificantly, but the productivity at home is relatively small.

For curly cutting or cutting sufficiently thick slabs of porcelain stoneware, you will have to use an angle grinder or machine. You will have to work at home either in the courtyard of the house, or you will have to sacrifice a bathroom or a toilet.

Cutting porcelain stoneware tiles at home

Anyone who prefers to make repairs or do minor work with their own hands must have had to cut porcelain stoneware at home. In the first trials, cutting of porcelain stoneware tiles is more difficult than in the case of cutting tiles. It turns out a lot of scrap, but in general, the process itself is not much different from working with high-quality ceramic tiles.

The line of the cut should be marked with an allowance for finishing

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a circular saw

Porcelain stoneware tiles can be cut and cut without any problems using a more powerful cutting tool, such as a hand-held circular saw. Engine speed and power allow you to cut almost everything at home, from wood to metal profiles.

In order to cut porcelain stoneware, the tool must be equipped with:

• First, a standard carbide-tipped saw blade must be replaced with a diamond disc;
• Secondly, a ring-bandage is placed under the disk mounting, thanks to which it is possible to damp vibrations and uncontrolled bending of a thin and flexible diamond wheel.

Alteration of the saw for porcelain stoneware

The process of cutting material is not much different from working on an electric tile cutter, the only difference is that the engine power is noticeably higher. Therefore, you need to carefully control the supply of the diamond wheel with minimal effort, otherwise the porcelain stoneware quickly overheats and splits.

If you want to cut large quantities of porcelain stoneware, then there is no better option than an electric machine

This method of sawing porcelain stoneware is considered the most productive, but at home it is used for short-term cutting of a small amount of material. You can work only in the yard, in the garage, in the shed, but in no case inside the dwelling. The amount of dust that is generated when cutting even a small amount of material is about an order of magnitude higher than all other cutting methods. The only indisputable advantage of this option is that with the help of a circular and a diamond wheel, you can cut porcelain stoneware at 45 degrees.

How to cut porcelain stoneware with a jigsaw

Quite an unusual way of cutting porcelain stoneware slabs. Using an electric or hand jigsaw to cut very dense and hard material always raises some doubts among beginners. Nevertheless, cutting ceramics and porcelain stoneware with a jigsaw is quite possible even at home, but only if certain requirements are met:

• The tool must be prepared for cutting porcelain stoneware. A thin, necessarily soft material is glued to the sole, you can use paper or rubber. This is done in order not to scratch or damage the front surface of the plate;
• The second step is to turn off the pendulum vibration-movement on the hacksaw blade feed mechanism, otherwise the saw will cut with chips on porcelain stoneware;
• A special type of diamond-coated hacksaw blade is used for sawing tiles.

In addition, the slab itself must be securely fixed on the countertop using clamps, and a rubber strip must be placed under the porcelain stoneware to reduce vibrations. The method for cutting porcelain stoneware is quite simple and does not require special skills, ideal for use at home. It is valuable that curly cutting of porcelain stoneware is very easy to perform with a jigsaw.

You can also cut tiles with a hand jigsaw, sometimes at home there is simply no other tool, however, it will take several times more time, but it is possible to get a very accurate and high-quality cut. In this case, the side edges of the hacksaw blade are ground off, and emery powder is fed into the seam during sawing.

Curved cutting of porcelain stoneware

It is believed that this method is the cleanest of all mechanized options, which is especially important if you have to work at home, without a hood and vacuum cleaner.

Water cutting of porcelain stoneware

The most efficient and at the same time accurate method of sawing very hard natural and artificial granites is the waterjet system. It allows you to cut out entire designs and 3D images. The system is powerful enough to cut porcelain stoneware up to 200 mm thick. At home, such equipment is not used for obvious reasons.

You can cut with water using a hydromechanical machine. The use of water or water emulsion can significantly reduce the heating temperature of the tool and the porcelain stoneware itself. The result is less wear and better surface quality. The emulsion is applied to the edge of the wheel, but not to the surface of the ceramic.

The diamond wheel, mounted on the rotor of the engine, is fed along the guides of the machine along the surface of the porcelain stoneware, the coolant is supplied from a special reservoir directly to the cutting zone. This method is considered the most harmless, since almost all dust is washed off with water and removed from the surface of porcelain stoneware. It is clear that you can cut the material in this way if you can find a separate room at home, for example, in a garage or in a barn.

Such machines have very high characteristics and cutting speed, therefore, if you plan to cut porcelain stoneware of complex shapes and sizes at home, then using a hydromechanical machine will be the best option.

How to cut porcelain stoneware tiles with a tile cutter

A tabletop or floor device for cutting all types of tiles is a small frame with rails installed at the top and a carriage with a carbide head. The carriage is driven by a lever or electric drive. Simple and convenient mechanism at home.

At home, a tile cutter is the most affordable tool for cutting porcelain stoneware.

Before cutting the porcelain stoneware, the tiles are laid on the frame and fixed with plastic or metal stops. This is to ensure that the material does not shift during the notching process. Next, we bring the head to the edge of the tile until it touches and push the lever away from you, the carriage with a diamond or carbide tip evenly passes over the surface of the tile, leaving a deep scratch behind.

It remains only with a slight but sharp movement to break the porcelain stoneware into two parts. One way to cut porcelain stoneware with a hand-held tile cutter is shown in:

• It is very easy and comfortable to cut porcelain stoneware at home, you can master the cutting technique even with minimal experience and qualifications;
• A minimum amount of dust is formed, which is very valuable at home, especially if you plan to lay porcelain stoneware tiles on a small area of ​​the floor or wall.

An electric tile cutter resembles a circular saw for processing and sawing wood. In order to cut porcelain stoneware, you just need to set the size of the cut strip, after which you can cut in unlimited quantities.

Home compact electric tile cutter

The disadvantages of the device include the fact that only material of a certain shape and size can be cut, for example, it is very difficult to cut off a thin strip of porcelain stoneware or make an incision of a non-standard, curved shape.

A thin strip of porcelain stoneware is easier to cut with an angle grinder