How To Cut Porcelain Stoneware Without Chips

How To Cut Porcelain Stoneware Without Chips

How chipboard gets dusty without chips.

We recently bought a coffee table, the price is inexpensive, but there is a “but”. The height of the table for our interior is too big. It would be nice to reduce the height by 10 centimeters. As they say, we are NOT looking for easy ways, I decided that

I can do it myself.

I remembered that on our site there is a specialist asoleg, who made a computer desk with his own hands, of course, I’m far away from him, but some recommendations can help. I contacted him, explained the problem and he kindly shared his secret. With his permission, I publish his technology for cutting furniture chipboard without chips.

Everything turned out to be corny and simple. Marking the cutting line. Then with a clerical knife, along a ruler, cut through the top layer of chipboard. Just run the knife several times with little effort along the mowing line of the cut. (I recommend practicing on the unnecessary part of the chipboard) If it presses very hard, then the decorative layer will begin to swell and it will not turn out very nice.

Further Departing 1-2 millimeters from the intended mowing line towards the rough part, cut with a jigsaw or a suitable file with teeth directed towards the saw handle. We make a wash on the opposite side of the cut, so that there is no chipping at the end of the cut. And we saw through to the end. Dust should be done carefully, not in a hurry. Then, with a sandpaper of medium grain, fixed on a bar, the butt of the part is cleaned. If necessary, remove the millimeter that we retreated. My cut turned out to be almost perfect, after processing with sandpaper there were no scuffs at all. The photo shows the difference between the left and right sides of the cut. Well, and, accordingly, if both parts of the chipboard are needed, we cut it with a knife on both sides of the cut. We measure the thickness of the cut of a jigsaw or saw, add 2 millimeters. It turned out the distance that should be between the slots made with a clerical knife. Cut exactly between THESE lines. Then there will be no seizures on the other side. Naturally, you need to use a sharp tool, I use a tool sharpening machine.

How chipboard gets dusty without chips.

We recently bought a coffee table, the price is inexpensive, but there is a “but”. The height of the table for our interior is too big. It would be nice to reduce the height by 10 centimeters. As they say, we are NOT looking for easy ways, I decided that

I can do it myself.

I remembered that on our site there is a specialist asoleg, who made a computer desk with his own hands, of course, I’m far away from him, but some recommendations can help. I contacted him, explained the problem and he kindly shared his secret. With his permission, I publish his technology for cutting furniture chipboard without chips.

Everything turned out to be corny and simple. Marking the cutting line. Then with a clerical knife, along a ruler, cut through the top layer of chipboard. Just run the knife several times with little effort along the mowing line of the cut. (I recommend practicing on the unnecessary part of the chipboard) If it presses very hard, then the decorative layer will begin to swell and it will not turn out very nice.

Further Departing 1-2 millimeters from the intended mowing line towards the rough part, cut with a jigsaw or a suitable file with teeth directed towards the saw handle. We make a wash on the opposite side of the cut, so that there is no chipping at the end of the cut. And we saw through to the end. Dust should be done carefully, not in a hurry. Then, with a sandpaper of medium grain, fixed on a bar, the butt of the part is cleaned. If necessary, remove the millimeter that we retreated. My cut turned out to be almost perfect, after processing with sandpaper there were no scuffs at all. The photo shows the difference between the left and right sides of the cut. Well, and, accordingly, if both parts of the chipboard are needed, we cut it with a knife on both sides of the cut. We measure the thickness of the cut of a jigsaw or saw, add 2 millimeters. It turned out the distance that should be between the slots made with a clerical knife. Cut exactly between THESE lines. Then there will be no seizures on the other side. Naturally, you need to use a sharp tool, I use a tool sharpening machine.

Cutting porcelain stoneware with an angle grinder: how to saw off without chips

Everyone who has had to cut faience, ceramics, porcelain stoneware with a cutting disc knows perfectly well that the problem is not to spray. Such an operation is not particularly difficult. The problem is learning how to cut a porcelain stoneware angle grinder without chips. At the same time, control the process at any stage, otherwise expensive material will go to scrap.

It is best to cut porcelain stoneware with the introduction of a guide bar as a support for the case of an angle grinder

How does the porcelain stoneware dusty angle grinder without chips

There are two ways to cut porcelain stoneware tiles. The first is to draw a line with a depth of 1-2 mm around the mowing line, and then split the porcelain stoneware into two halves as it is done on a tile cutter. The method is quite risky, it requires a good eye and accurate dosing of effort. The advantages include an order of magnitude higher performance of cutting material. The disadvantages include the unpredictability of the result and a large percentage of defects.

The second method is the classic cutting of porcelain stoneware to the full thickness of the tile. It turns out a lot of dust, the process takes a long time, but as a result we get a very high-quality and fairly even cut.

In any case, when using an angle grinder, the seam is uneven. Visually, the line looks perfectly straight, but as soon as the cut plates are turned over and applied to the factory edge or metal ruler, all the irregularities will immediately become visible. An example of cutting porcelain stoneware with an angle grinder without chips is shown on:

What disc to cut porcelain stoneware angle grinder

Sawing of porcelain stoneware tiles can be done in two ways, it all depends on the thickness of the material and on how complex the seam is to be cut. Since porcelain stoneware is still not granite, but just an artificial imitation of it, two types of discs can be used for cutting:

  • Vulcanite discs based on synthetic superhard ceramics. With such a circle, you can cut thin grooves, corners, trim the edges. In order to cut expanded clay, an angle grinder over a length of more than 10 cm, they are not suitable, but they are quite suitable for small jobs;
  • Diamond cutting wheels. With this tool, you can cut seams of unlimited lengths. The only drawback of diamond is the rapid grinding of the cutting edge, which will need to be restored and cleaned periodically.

The optimum wheel diameter for an angle grinder is 115 mm, in which case the tool is easier to control by holding the body with both hands. A larger diameter blade will require a more powerful tool, such as a circular saw.

Diamond cutting wheels themselves are quite an expensive and capricious tool, therefore they try to do most of the work with vulcanite discs, only the most delicate operations, such as trimming and adjusting the plane, are performed with diamond powder.

In addition, the discs for cutting porcelain stoneware angle grinder must have a solid edge without a notch or tortoiseshell profile. Such a tool cuts well natural granite, rubble stone, but with the slightest attempt to cut porcelain stoneware tiles along the cut mowing line, a huge number of enamel chips appear on the front surface.

If there is no specific preference for a well-known brand of cutting disc manufacturer, then it is best to buy discs from leading hand tool manufacturers. Simply put. bought an angle grinder made by Makita, buy cutting discs with attachments manufactured by the same company.

Is it possible to cut the porcelain stoneware angle grinder

Of course, an angle grinder can cut anything you want, with the possible exception of glass or particularly complex ceramic products. But it is not so easy to cut the porcelain stoneware with an angle grinder so as to achieve a perfectly flat mowing line.

Of all the reasons that interfere with high-quality cutting of porcelain stoneware, the most important are distinguished:

  • an angle grinder is a hand tool, and often it is necessary to cut the material, as they say, by weight, as a result, the disc deviates from the cutting plane, this leads to the formation of chips and sometimes cracking of porcelain stoneware;
  • The cut-off wheel is not selected correctly. In the first experiments, beginners are trying to cut porcelain stoneware with cut-off vulcanite discs on stone and concrete. With this material, you can cut off a small part of the tile, but most often the result is negative;
  • Incorrect cutting mode or no cooling of the cut line. The desire to cut off faster leads to excessive pressure on the tool, as a result the circle and the tile itself breaks, it does not already mean that the entire line of the cut remains covered with chips and microcracks.

In theory, cutting porcelain stoneware is NOT more difficult than any other facing material, you just need to choose the right mode, cutting speed, pressing force and choose the right cutting tool.

If you cut an angle grinder by weight, then chips must appear

Cutting an angle grinder on weight is possible only for those who have strong enough hands. If the dust has a length of at least 20 cm, then even in experienced and strong craftsmen, hands get tired very quickly, the circle begins to deviate from the vertical plane, as a result, the seam begins to wag, and chips appear.

Sole-based cutting

Direct cutting of porcelain stoneware

It is considered correct to dust the porcelain stoneware slab on a table or workbench. The material is laid on the table top, fixed with clamps with rubber tips. The cut line should be outside the table surface. In this case, you can cut porcelain stoneware with a very small angle of inclination, only 15-20 in. The master simply pulls the angle grinder towards himself, only lightly resting his hand on the stand.

Cutting Option Pull Angle Grinder

Why this method is good:

  • The minimum load on the hands, if you need to spray a long enough seam, it will NOT be difficult to do this;
  • The cutting line turns out to be even, it seems that the cutting was carried out NOT by an angle grinder, but by a tile cutter.

The only drawback of this method is that most of the dust escaping from under the disk falls on the floor, and the largest parts fall into the face and hands of the worker. Therefore, porcelain stoneware dusting is necessary in goggles and with the introduction of devices for collecting dust.

How to get rid of dust when cutting porcelain stoneware angle grinder

If the tiles are cut on a table, then, before starting work, a small piece of loose fabric must be pulled under the cutting line or a polypropylene bag must be hung. In this case, most of the dust flies down from the disk, so the amount of work on cleaning the room is reduced several times.

If you cut porcelain stoneware on a substrate directly on the floor, then the best solution would be to use a regular vacuum cleaner. The tip of the hose is attached along the mowing line of the angle grinder movement at a distance of 10-15 cm. It turns out NOT too convenient, since the nozzle has to be rearranged, but the dust is removed quite effectively. Immediately after completing the work, you need to blow out the angle grinder and collect part of the dust remaining on the surface of the porcelain stoneware.

Useful Tips

Various models of angle grinder attachments are on sale, some of them provide connection of the vacuum cleaner nozzle to the tool’s protective casing. At first glance, the thing is quite convenient, but it is better not to use such devices, since the hose greatly interferes with the work and often only worsens the quality of the seam.

In addition, it is necessary to cut porcelain stoneware, be sure to hold the body of the angle grinder with both hands, while the left hand should rest on the stand or guide rail, and the right hand should directly move the tool. This method provides not only partial relief of hands, but also allows you to more accurately align the position of the cutting disc in the vertical plane.

Regardless of which disc and how to cut the porcelain stoneware, after the completion of the work, the edge must be rubbed with hand or tape emery. In this case, you just need to slightly align the lower edge of the porcelain stoneware and in no case touch the upper front edge with an abrasive, otherwise chips will appear, and the quality of the seam will noticeably deteriorate.

How To Correctly Cut Highly Raised Angle Grinder

Most beginners and DIYers prefer to dust porcelain stoneware with a tool with a very large angle of inclination to the plane of the tile. The angle can be 45-60 in.

The tool can only be lifted high if there is a supporting surface on the cover

In this case, the angle grinder must be held with both hands and at the same time perform small oscillatory movements with the cutting disc. It is as if the porcelain stoneware had to be cut with a hand saw. This is not very convenient, but the method really improves the quality of the cut and prevents the formation of chips.

On the one hand, with such a movement, the angle grinder is easier to control the cutting line, on the other hand, the tool is in an unstable position when marking, which negatively affects the quality of the straightness of the seam.

Cutting a porcelain stoneware angle grinder without chipping is not so difficult, in order to get normal quality, you need to have a good disc, a powerful tool and a little preliminary practice. Even experienced craftsmen resort to trial sawing, as this allows you to determine the quality of the disc and the density of porcelain stoneware.

Continuous dryers

Solid dry cutters are used for wet or continuous cutting of tiles. Their design does not provide for special cuts for the generated heat, therefore, during operation, they will need to be cooled with water. You can work without cooling only for 10-15 seconds. Then let the disk run for 30 seconds in idle mode. If you do not follow this technology, the diamond coating will very quickly be erased from the surface of the disc, and it itself is deformed due to the high temperature. As a result of its use, the cut line will be more accurate than when using segmented dry cutters.

Tile cutting angle grinder: how to cut without chips?

Combined discs

This type of cutting equipment can be used for both dry and wet cutting. The variant is considered intermediate between segmented and solid discs. Their cut quality is better than that of a segmented disk, but worse than that of a solid one. The operating time is shorter compared to segment, but longer than that of a solid.

Combined discs are the quickest to get dirty with dust. In order to clear a solid disc or a disc with segments, they only need to be returned 180 degrees. In the case of combined, this technique is unacceptable. To clean it, they also need to cut a brick of silicate or concrete. If the cut is dry, do not cool the tool with liquid. This can lead to cracking and subsequent breakage.

How to cut tile (porcelain stoneware) angle grinder without chips and dust

In order to minimize the number of chips as much as possible, you need:

  • It is necessary to start the cutting process from the front side;
  • The maximum number of cracks occurs when the cutter comes out of the tile. At the beginning of work and at the end, the disc rotation speed is reduced. Cutting is carried out in one pass. The more approaches, the more cracks on the tile will be.

How to cut tiles with an angle grinder without dust:

  • Make a shallow cut and break the ceramics;
  • Water is poured into the cutting area, as mentioned earlier;
  • Residual dirt is removed with an industrial vacuum cleaner.

Curly cutting

In cases where it is necessary to cut the tiles along a non-linear path (semicircular pipe) using an angle grinder, make a series of cuts along the previously outlined mowing line, leaving some of the material for trimming. Then the excess is removed using nippers, a sanding attachment or sandpaper.

Tile cutting discs

There are also special types of cutting discs for working with different types of material. The following types of cutting discs are used to cut tiles with an angle grinder without formation:

  • Stone discs are characterized by an affordable price, but at the same time they are quickly worn out. Due to the significant width, the cut will also be wide. For these reasons, they are rarely used;
  • Steel discs have a longer service life and are thinner. Diamond-coated discs are the most expensive. They are designed to work with the toughest ceramics and other types of tiles. This tool is divided into several types, which are determined by the method of spraying diamond chips and the purpose (dry cutters, for wet cutting, combined). Accordingly, their cost will be different. The optimal version of a disc of this kind of work. with a width of NOT more than 2 mm (to obtain the most even cut line of the mowing line), the thickness of the disc edge should be greater than the thickness of the tile.

Hole cutting

The formation of round and oval openings is carried out as follows:

  • The marker outlines the contours of the future opening and two mowing lines, which are perpendicular to each other in the center of the figure;
  • the angle grinder cuts along the delineated border, remember to leave material to trim;
  • Bypassing the entire contour, cuts are made along the lines. The resulting sectors are knocked out;
  • Using a drill with a grinding attachment or sandpaper, the edge is leveled.

Cutting rectangular holes in tiles

Rectangular openings should be cut as follows:

  • Outline the boundaries of the opening with a bright pencil;
  • Steel plates are laid out on the outlined fishing lines;
  • Move the tool along the plates (they serve as a ruler, and the perpendicular to it is a stop for the cutting tool)
  • Steel is attached with clamps or special tape;
  • The angle grinder cuts the finished contour. First, the grooves are cut, gradually increasing the depth of cut;
  • Having made an opening, its edges are leveled and corrected using a grinding attachment.

Trimming tiles with an angle grinder

Tile cutting with an angle grinder is the most popular way to perform this type of work. In order to cut the tiles in a certain way, a tile cutter is used. The tool is presented in two types: manual and mechanical. But its price is quite high. It is purchased mainly by professional finishers for permanent use. In ordinary people, a tool such as an angle grinder is more popular. It is considered a multifunctional tool and helps to solve many everyday tasks. It can be found in almost any home. If the owner of the room is engaged in the installation of the tiles, it is more advisable to use this particular tool. Unlike any tile cutter, the angle grinder allows you to make even round holes in the absence of a special drill bit (crown).

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 for beginners. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to cut ceramics and porcelain stoneware with a jigsaw 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 with 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 a second 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 sprayed 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.

Features of cutting porcelain stoneware

It should be noted that the spraying of a very dense and hard porcelain stoneware slab is sometimes even easier at home than in the case of ceramic tiles. Anyone who does not believe can try to cut overheated ceramics made on old Soviet or Chinese equipment at home. In comparison, the spraying of porcelain stoneware tiles does not look so problematic.

It is quite possible to cut porcelain stoneware without chips, although some masters argue that it is impossible to achieve this in principle. If this were really the case, then most of the walls and steps tiled with porcelain stoneware tiles would be with wide seams, curves and unattractive.

It’s not even about the hardness of porcelain stoneware. The technology for the manufacture of artificial granite is such that as a result of pressing and deep firing, material is obtained practically without internal stresses, and this is the guarantee of high quality mowing line sawing.

In order to accurately and accurately cut porcelain stoneware at home, you need to fulfill only two conditions:

  • Choose the right cutting mode, ensure constant and uniform pressure with the cutting tool on the line of the cut of porcelain stoneware;
  • Choose the right tool for your specific cutting conditions.

It is clear that at home the possibilities for cutting the material are significantly limited, but even in an apartment it is quite possible to cut porcelain stoneware without a tile cutter, although initially the amount of dust generated when working with electric machines is frightening.

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 tests, spraying 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

Where to cut porcelain stoneware tiles

Oddly enough, but it is the smallest ceramic dust that is 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 insignificant, but the performance at home is very 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.

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.

Cutting with the introduction of water can be done on a hydromechanical machine. The use of water or water emulsion can significantly lower 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 it is possible to cut material in this way if at home it is possible to find a separate room, 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 glass cutter

The technology of cutting tile material with the introduction of a manual glass cutter is not much different from the previous method. The only differences are that, instead of a carriage moving along the guides, you have to cut porcelain stoneware with a small tool held in your hand.

In fact, this is ideal if you want to cut material at home. Instead of a frame fixture, a regular table, a metal ruler and the glass cutter itself are used. In order to cut porcelain stoneware, it is enough to lay a ruler on the mowing line of the marking and draw a diamond along the mowing line of the cut.

To break the material, the tiles are laid on the table so that the scratch line coincides with the edge of the tabletop, pressed on top with a board and with a sharp movement break the material into two halves. For home conditions, there is no easier way, but in order to master the technique, you need to practice cutting on the waste of porcelain stoneware or glass.

The advantage of this method is the simplicity and the minimum amount of equipment required. It is easier to store a manual glass cutter with a diamond at home than a tile cutter. The disadvantage of this method is that it is necessary to learn how to draw a line with a diamond along the markings at a constant speed, and the main thing is to do it continuously, in one motion, while accurately metering the force applied to the surface of porcelain stoneware.

In addition, it is very difficult to cut glass cutter material without chips, therefore, if possible, it is best to use a diamond, and not a carbide roller.

Professional advice

Oddly enough, but the greatest number of problems arise not even with the drive or the tool used to process porcelain stoneware, but directly with the diamond disc. The main complaint about a diamond is its rapid loss of cutting ability. As a result, with an increase in feed and force, the edge of the wheel heats up and begins to lose diamond powder. If you try to cut at home in this mode for at least 10-20 seconds, then there will be nothing left for an expensive disc.

In this case, before each cut, the edge is cleaned and restored; at home, this can be done on an ordinary red brick by performing several small cuts. This removes the soft material adhering to the diamond strips.

Experienced craftsmen, before cutting porcelain stoneware tiles, soak the material for 10-15 minutes in water. Artificial granite absorbs moisture very poorly, but a small amount of water still remains on the edge of the slab. As a result, the first time the cutting edge touches the surface, a beautiful, chip-free entry hole is guaranteed.

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, the tile cutter turns out to be 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 necessary so that the material does NOT move during the cut. Next, bring the head to the edge of the tile to touch and push the lever away from you, the carriage with a diamond or carbide tip travels evenly over the tile surface, leaving deep scratches behind.

There remains only a slight, but sharp movement of the fracture of 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 saw 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

How to cut porcelain stoneware tiles at home

In terms of technology, there are two main ways to cut porcelain stoneware. To do this, you can use various tools and devices, but, regardless of the number and type of technical equipment, porcelain stoneware is still cut in two ways:

  • Mechanical spray of ceramic granite massif. In this case, the cutting line is sampled with an abrasive tool;
  • Injection method. A deep scratch is cut on the surface of the porcelain stoneware along the future mowing line of the division. Further, a bending or shear force must be applied to the porcelain stoneware, and the tile splits exactly according to the marking.

At home, you can use both methods, depending on the available tool, the amount of work and the thickness of the material. In addition, the complexity of the cut line configuration must be taken into account. For example, if you want to cut a tile that is large enough in size at home, which simply does not fit into the tile cutter, then you will need to look for a diamond cutting wheel and an angle grinder. For cutting at home, this is one of the most reliable ways.

I laid the tiles on the drywall lettering, you can cut the porcelain stoneware with an angle grinder in almost any trajectory, it is only important not to rush and evenly pressing the edge of the disc to the surface of the porcelain stoneware. Otherwise, you can easily overheat the tile at the cut point, which will lead to a pinch.

Professional tool

In this they say: “Iron and jelly cuts.” If the volume of work is hoo, it is pointless to suffer with a glass cutter. It will become dull after a dozen tiles. Better to make it easier for yourself with tools specifically designed for cutting. They will be discussed below.

Cement tiles: material and cutting features

It is more expensive than porcelain stoneware. 13-20 mm thick, the painted layer adds another 3-5 mm. Strength is not achieved by firing (like ceramics), but under pressure. A mixture of sand, cement, stone and colored pigments is poured into molds and compressed under a hydraulic press for several hours. Then the products dry and gain strength for another 28 days.

Cement tile is a stubborn material. In the hands of an inexperienced tiler, clerks can also crumble, and the edges of the cuts can chip and crack.

  • If you use wire cutters, the cut is rough. We’ll have to cut to smooth the jambs.
  • A hacksaw for metal is better. If she’s with a diamond string, she’ll cut the skater.
  • Using an angle grinder is a thankless task. She is dusty and noisy.
  • Tile-cutting tongs. difficult and time-consuming.
  • A mechanical cutter is easier, the edges are more beautiful, but you need to get a handle on it to adapt.
  • The electric cutter does NOT generate dust, does not make noise, it processes a lot of tiles without chips, notches and roughness. Ideal variant!

Porcelain stoneware: how and how to cut it better

Strong as a rock. It is not surprising: porcelain stoneware is a composite material, taking the best properties of natural stone and ceramics. It does not crumble, it does not absorb water and does not even scratch. Work with it in the same way as with tiles, but it won’t work, but you can adapt.

A mechanical or electric cutter and an angle grinder will help out. The procedure is standard: we put the part on the bed → outline the cutting line → and act depending on the tool:

  • To cut with a machine tile cutter, press on the carriage, move it away from you → release the handle → break the tiles along the mowing line;
  • The electric tool simplifies the work: we start the unit at low speeds → gradually increasing the speed and not shackles: on the unit with the upper location of the cutter Lay the tiles facing up; with the bottom disk location. down;
  • an angle grinder is even easier: we put a metal corner over the tile and fix it with clamps. for a precise cut. We start the grinder → direct it “away from ourselves” → grind the end. Or we simplify: we make a cut, not a cut, then break the tile with a sharp movement.

Ceramic tiles: features

We are happy! Expensive ceramics are not affordable for everyone. Now to do the styling without unnecessary scrap. and it’s in the bag. And there are no problems with this, because burnt clay is thin and medium in hardness.

It is enough to soak the ceramics for an hour or two, it is cut evenly. Adheres to surfaces like a native. NOT a job, but a song. Especially when the arms are growing out of the right place and there is something to hedge.

Curly Breaking / Cutting

Rolling pliers or pliers will help. The technology of curly breaks is painstaking, although there is nothing special in it. the tent cutouts and breaks away from the mowing line of the break. precisely, at a distance of 5 mm. It is more difficult with curly variations if they start from the edge of the tile. You will first have to cut a hole, then crumble, squeezing the tool and sharply turning the figure according to the ideas.

It is better to crumble, rather than hurrying, in small pieces. Otherwise, if you hurry, you will make people laugh. If you break off a large fragment, all efforts are wasted: fragments often fall off along the intended cut.

  • The pieces are full length, and even narrow, it is better to break out sharply, clamped the pliers along the markings made by the glass cutter.
  • Sharp protrusions are best crumbled and sanded.

Angle Grinder

Networked or rechargeable, small or large. it doesn’t matter. The angle grinder is more likely to do rough work because jagged edges remain on the cut line. But you can contrive to work clean if the cut is successfully masked when laying.

This is a tool for all occasions: suitable for curved and straight cutting, you can make a hole in the tiles of the desired diameter. The main thing is to choose a suitable cutting wheel diameter. Diamond coated. tougher and cuts slightly deeper than carbide. It is better to nail the product with a clamp to the tabletop or fix it in a vice, placing plywood under the bottom so as not to spoil the table.

3 steps to properly cut ceramic tiles that often chip.

  • Marking the tiles along the entire length on the front and back sides.
  • Make a surface cut up to 3 mm in one pass from the outside, then underneath.
  • Repeat Until goals are ripe.

There will be a lot of dust, noise and flying debris. Therefore, DO NOT neglect glasses, headphones and a respirator, otherwise you are more expensive.

Round holes: how to make tiles

Drill and feather drills help! And it is better to take for work on concrete. that with victorious tips.

  • In the first, the sharp points are harder than the glaze, so they DO NOT slide off the surface.
  • The second can be recessed holes with a diameter of 3-12 mm.

First you need to make a mark on the tile. Attach a dowel to it and chop it off with a hammer. it will be easier to fix the drill in the mark. Then, at low speeds, make a hole or screw in self-tapping screws with self-drilling tips.

If you need a hole for a socket on an already tiled wall, it is better to use crown ones with a centering drill, and you will not find it. It’s easier to work with such. I nailed the contours, installed the drill and. to the point. Deepened. drilled with a crown.

It is worse if it is not centered. Then you have to circle and drill at a low start. You will have to grind the grooves along the contour, then brings the work to the end. Just do not be zealous: the crown heats up quickly, it must be periodically cooled in water so as not to burn out.

And if you are impatient to cut when laying, there are many options. See in the table:

How to cut ceramic tiles: 4 hacks for cutting without chips. at an angle, and in a semicircle

Walked the glass cutter on the tile and break it. The split will go exactly along the barely visible strip.

Tile cutters “take” porcelain stoneware and cement floor tiles with a thickness of 6 mm. What’s remarkable: the harder the material, the easier it is to work with. On cutting tools, you can cut a narrow strip in a straight line or at an angle without chipping. No chipping to you. love to watch.

How to properly cut ceramic tiles and other material. in the article. Here are just the cases when all means are good.

Electric cutter

The more powerful, the more hardy and filigree the cut. 800 W motor is an option. The diamond disc cuts like clockwork, only the crumbs fly.

Dust-free (but noisy), you can cut many pieces of the desired size, and not spoil a single one. You will NOT have to make any special efforts, and the exhaust is effective.

  • Most models have a 0 to 45 ° angle scale on a solid surface.
  • The device is stable as it is equipped with anti-slip feet.
  • For precise control of the cut at an angle, a parallel stop with a scale of 45 ° / 45 degrees is provided.
  • The built-in water tank is of great service. Water cools the saw blade in a timely manner.

This instrument produces flawless cuts with smooth edges. You can cut the tiles into tiny pieces, rather than being limited in width. Of course, an electric cutter is NOT a cheap device (it costs from 100), but it quickly pays for itself if you take it for work.