How to use the manual roller tile cutter

Recommendations: how to properly cut tiles with a tile cutter

The instructions for the tile cutter do not contain special instructions on which professional training should be, and the work is carried out quickly and easily. However, it is worth following the recommendations from the manufacturer so that even such a simple moment as a tile cut is as correct as possible and without oversights.

manual, roller, tile, cutter

Instructions:

  • The tool must be placed on a flat, stable surface. She must be solid.
  • It is imperative to check how sharp the cutter is, as well as the fastening strength of each element.
  • When cutting tiles, the order of work must be followed. Namely, on the front side of the tile, a fishing line is initially drawn along which the cut will be made. It is enough to use a pencil or marker and a ruler.
  • The tile is installed on the base of the tile cutter.
  • The tool must be set perpendicular to the working surface. To do this, you need to place a strong emphasis on the far corner of the device, and then correct the position of the canvas, be sure to take into account the mark made earlier.
  • It is important to remember that the reference point is taken on the central line located on the working surface of the unit.
  • Next, using the handle, the cutter is brought to the tile.
  • It should be installed on the edge of the product, the one that is closer to the master.
  • Then the handle is pressed firmly so that the cutter touches the tile surface. Thus, it will be sandwiched between the metal part and the rollers in the equipment.
  • To make a cut, it is enough to make a sharp and clear movement. Through it, a small groove is made from oneself to the opposite edge of the canvas.
  • After that, in order to break off the cut part of the tile, you need to press its handle and the blade will be broken along the previously drawn mowing line.

Thus, you can cut a tile and get two even parts of the product. the cutting line will be clear and without chipping, which will allow you to carry out repair work efficiently and without defects.

Instructions: how to use a tile cutter, 3 main rules

How to use a manual tile cutter

How to work correctly during construction and finishing work with ceramic tiles?

Need to:

  • Be neat;
  • Think carefully about every step;
  • Use special cutting attachments.

You need to cut the tiles with a special tile cutter, a feature of which is the presence of a sharp cutter. As a rule, it is installed diamond, as it is a more durable and wear-resistant material. In order to cut, it is necessary to lay the blade on the base of the device so that the blade does not stagger during cutting, and the cut is not made according to a previously drawn mowing line.

Due to the fact that working with the tool is not too difficult, it is often used in construction and finishing work.

over, the device is perfect for home use. It is worth noting that handheld equipment has a number of advantages over an electric tool. It is small and much easier to handle. In addition, it is considered the safest.

Safety rules when working with the tool

Each tool has its own safety, which must be observed in order to exclude unpleasant consequences, such as deformation of the phalanges of the fingers and the like.

Safety regulations:

  • Before direct work, it is imperative to conduct a thorough inspection of the tool for malfunctions, since this can cause both breakage and accidents.
  • Before cutting the tiles, you need to make a couple of idle movements to make sure they are smooth and free of jolts.
  • Pay attention to the tubular guides, which should be as clean as possible. It is especially important that they are free of dirt. If there are contaminants, then it is necessary to eliminate them, as well as traces of the solution with which the treatment is carried out. To make the operation of the device as efficient as possible, it is worth doing the processing of parts with machine oil.
  • It is necessary to inspect the cutting disc itself, since it should be in perfect condition, not bent, but rotation without fluctuations and along one axis. There should be no difficulties and obstacles in rotation, as well as additional whistle.
  • To avoid injury, you should wear special glasses and gloves.
  • Experts recommend checking the water supply to the disc before work, which will ensure quick work.

Cutting starts only after the blade reaches maximum speed.

Rules: how to work with a tile cutter and why you need one

Some people think that using a roller tile cutter is possible without preliminary preparation and even trivial reading of the instructions.

What are the consequences:

  • Illiterately cut part of the tile.
  • Security breach.
  • Damage to health, in particular to the upper limbs.

If we consider in more detail the moment for which a tile cutter is needed, then at first glance it is the simplest device, which is not difficult to use and does not require professional special education. Hand tools are considered more convenient for use at home, since electrical ones are too difficult to work with.

It is especially problematic to work with electrical equipment, since it can fail at the most unnecessary moment or even cause problems with the system with the electrical network.

Electric and manual tile cutters have the same names, but different purpose and method of operation. The only exception is the final result. An electric tool has a sharper incisor and cannot simply make a groove, as it cuts quickly and sharply. Electric tile cutters are either mains or battery powered, and some may resemble circular saws in appearance. In addition, when working with a power tool, there is the possibility of significant injury, since the diamond blade has too high a rotation speed.

How to use a manual tile cutter

A manual tile cutter is used much more often than an electric one, and we are talking not only about domestic conditions, but also about industrial ones. At first, the process of cutting tiles may seem complicated and almost impossible, but in reality it is only required to research the instructions and safety recommendations. There are many nuances in functioning, but all of them are not difficult to remember and one should not forget about them when working. Safety rules are considered to be especially important, and even more than the observance of the stage-by-stage work.

What is a tile cutter and why is it needed

Many people have no idea what a tile cutter is or why such a tool is needed at all. If we consider this issue in more detail, then this is the most common apparatus that allows you to quickly and accurately cut ceramic tiles. Today, both manual and electric tools are actively used in construction. It is worth noting that it is easy to cope with the operation only if a manual tile cutter is used, but some difficulties may arise with the electric option.

Even if we consider that both types of instruments have the same name, they are not alike at all. The only exception, of course, is the final result of the tool. In order to be able to use a manual tile cutter, you need to make grooves with it (the unit has very sharp incisors), and then break the tile. In turn, the electric type of tile cutter works with the help of a battery or from an electrical network, and in its appearance and in the principle of operation, it can slightly resemble a circular saw. The tiles are cut using a very sharp diamond blade that has an incredibly high rotation speed.

Devices and principle of operation of a manual tile cutter

The most important feature of this tool is that it has an incredibly sharp incisor. As a rule, a diamond cutter is used, which has the same principle of operation as a simple cutter. For correct and complete operation, it is necessary to install the processed tile directly on the base of the device. To ensure that the tile does not wobble and can be easily and evenly cut, there is a clamping part at the bottom of the manual tile cutter, which allows you to firmly fix the tile.

On this clamping part of the tool, a cutter and several rollers are located, which allow the tile cutter to move along the surface of the material. There is also a small handle on the carriage. It is she who is responsible for the different force of the onslaught on the tile and directly on the displacement of the cutter during operation.

Due to the fact that during the use of the tool there are no difficulties, it is very often used both in construction and in repair work that is carried out at home. A manual tile cutter has the advantage when compared to an electric tool, because it has a small size, in a short time the tool allows you to make an exceptionally straight cut on the tile.

If you consider that you need to cut very durable materials or too much tile, then in such a situation, a hand tool may not be enough. Of course, a huge role in this situation is played by human skills and directly by the manufacturer of this or that instrument.

How to properly cut tiles with a manual tile cutter

In order to start using a hand tool, you do not need to take any courses or receive any special training. First of all, you need to place the tool on a perfectly flat surface and, very importantly, a hard surface. Then it is necessary to check the sharpness of the cutter and how firmly all the main elements of the operated tool were fixed.

So, the tile needs to be cut according to the following instructions. At the same time, it is very important to follow the order in order to get the job done efficiently and quickly. How to use the tile cutter, you can also learn in more detail from the video on this topic posted on our website.

  • On the front side of the tile, you need to draw a cut line. To do this, use a sharp pencil or marker, do not forget about the ruler.
  • After that, you need to bring the tile to the surface of the manual tile cutter, which is called the working.
  • Align the instrument clearly perpendicularly. To do this, you need to rest hard enough on the far side of the tile cutter, and then carefully adjust the position of the tile used, taking into account the marks that you made on its surface in advance. At the same time, one should not forget that it is necessary to focus on the central line, which is located at the base of the tool.
  • Use the handle to guide the cutter to the tile. It must be installed at the very edge of the product on the side that is closer to you.
  • After that, you need to press down hard enough on the handle so that the cutter can touch the tile. Thus, the tile must be pressed down with the metal part and the rollers of the tile cutter.
  • Then, with just one movement, which should be quite sharp and clear, you need to draw a small furrow from you to the outer edge of the tile that you are cutting.
  • In the end, in order to break the tile being processed, you need to press the handle a little and the tile will break directly along the mowing line that you cut.

Thus, with the help of a manual tile cutter, you can get two pieces of tiles of the size you need, which will have perfectly even and incredibly neat edges at the break.

How to use a manual tile cutter

In order to perfectly cut ceramic tiles, in most cases a hand tool is used as a tile cutter. Mostly, in order to use it, you do not need to have professional skills, respectively, the tool can be quite successfully used at home.

The manual tile cutter has a lot of positive points, which include simple use, as a result, a very clear cut is obtained. The handle additionally also performs the function of a lever allowing to reduce the applied forces to a minimum.

At the same time, it was not about Bosch without some negative aspects. For example, a manual tile cutter cannot be used very close to the edge of the tile (the allowable distance for work must be at least five millimeters).

Before starting work, you must carefully learn how to use the manual tile cutter. If you have any difficulties in this matter, then on our website you can find a video where all the details and nuances are indicated.

Safety rules when working with a tile cutter

In order to use a manual tile cutter it was as safe as possible and at the same time the result of the work was of high quality, you need to follow some safety rules, namely:

  • Before starting work, it is imperative to inspect the tool used so that you can identify all breakages and irregularities in the guides in time, then find and eliminate visible damage to the tile cutter.
  • You need to walk a couple of times on the tile with no load, and at the same time all movements must be smooth, without any jolts.
  • Do not forget to additionally check the tubular guides. they must be perfectly clean, free of dust and dirt. Remove pieces of tiles, traces of mortar from them and, as a result, to improve performance. lubricate with a small amount of machine oil.
  • In addition, you also need to pay attention to the cutting disc itself. Its condition should be ideal, in no case bent, and rotation around the axis of the attachment should take place without any difficulties. It should be noted that during the operation of the manual tile cutter, there should also be no extraneous sounds.
  • In order not to get any injuries, it is best to work with special glasses and gloves.
  • Some experts also recommend testing the water supply on the disc, which makes the job easier.
  • It is necessary to start work only after the disc picks up those revolutions that can be called maximum.

Manual tile cutter. many people have been asking how to use it correctly lately, but in fact there is nothing complicated in this process. Every inexperienced beginner will be able to cope with the work. If, nevertheless, you cannot cut off the piece of tile you need, then on our website you will find a video with the most detailed instructions that will allow you to find out all the details and nuances of this type of work. Do not forget about the safety rules, because your health and, of course, safety largely depends on this.

Features of the use of nippers for cutting tiles

This is a hinged-pliers version of the tile cutter, which is distinguished by its small size and the ability to make curly non-standard recesses. A typical example of this type of instrument is the STAYER 3352 with a 200mm plastic sponge. The design of the model allows you to create neat cutouts in tiles, ceramics and glass. How to use the STAYER 200 mm manual tile cutter? The principle of operation is similar to that of conventional wire cutters. The workpiece is fixed in a vice or with a free hand is pressed against a stationary structure, after which it is necessary to grip the target section of the tile with the other hand and perform a break.

Organization of the workplace

It is advisable to process the tiles in a room where good lighting is provided, and there is also enough space for laying blanks with fixtures. You should also take care of a securely fixed workbench. It should have a metal base that is cut-proof. By the time of direct processing, all unnecessary consumables and workpieces are removed from the table. Even a small part falling under the roller can cause injury or material damage. Another question is also important. how to use a manual tile cutter so that less dirt remains? This nuance is also thought out before the start of work activities. During the cutting process, after each operation, the fragments should be removed into a special on the workbench. In some models, it is already present in the basic design. But this should be done carefully so as not to get hurt. It is impractical to carry out dust cleaning during work, but it is advisable to get rid of large waste immediately so that they do not become an obstacle.

Tile cutter maintenance

After each working session, the tool should be cleaned of dust and dirt, check the reliability of fasteners, rollers and other functional elements. With regular use, once a month, you should revise the rails that may buckle under high loads. How to properly use a manual tile cutter to maintain an accurate fit holding the platform workpiece? To do this, when making a cut, it is necessary to outline the line of movement without interference and deviations. The hand must freely perform the operation in the given direction. Otherwise, the deflected movement can not only displace the line of the guides, but also deform their structure.

Sequence of work steps

First of all, it is necessary to mark the mowing line of the cut, and then fix the workpiece on the working platform. In the future, the instruction prescribes the following operations:

  • In accordance with the marked risk, the cutting roller is installed on the edge from which the cutting will be made.
  • The wheel and guide frame are pre-lubricated with technical oil or, in extreme cases, are moistened with water.
  • Grasping the handle, you need to cut. And here it is worth paying attention to the following question: how to use a manual tile cutter. on your own or on yourself? That is, in which direction is it easier to direct the cutting line? As practice shows, it is more convenient to work “to oneself”, since in this case a higher pressure force is provided and physical control of risks is improved.
  • At the final stage, a break is performed along the cutting contour.

Is there an alternative to a tile cutter?

The closest replacement option is an angle grinder (angle grinder). The main advantage of this tool is its high productivity, which makes it possible to work with workpieces of different thickness over 15-20 mm. How do I use my STAYER 500 mm hand-held tile cutter to get the same cut? Even this powerful professional version is nominally designed to handle workpieces up to 16 mm thick. Raising this bar is possible only in the case of a double cut on both sides. The complexity of the operation will consist in ensuring the convergence of the two cutting lines and performing the subsequent even spall.

Instrument device

The manual cutters feature an optimized design with a lever that cuts. The functional part is based on a metal platform installed on a flat surface. This is a kind of bed that ensures a stable working process. On the platform there are guide rails, a spring block for secure fastening of the workpiece and grippers. Cutting is performed by a roller, the movement of which is controlled by the user himself. That is, the quality of the result will largely depend on the skill of the performer. This is how a typical design works for standard operations, but how do you use a hand-held roller tile cutter if you need complex true shape cuts? Firstly, an oblique cut allows you to get the simplest budget models with a rotary functional part. It is enough to initially tilt the working body relative to the platform and make the desired dissection. Secondly, models with a ballerina should be used exclusively for holes. In a way, this is an integrated drill, which also acts on given guides, but most often has an electric drive.

How to use a manual tile cutter: step by step instructions

The tile material remains one of the most popular floor and wall coverings in private homes and commercial spaces. It has a practical to maintain, aesthetically pleasing and durable surface, which is an advantage over other types of decorative finishes. At the same time, physical resistance is not only an operational advantage, but also a barrier to obtaining non-standard tile sizes. The solid base makes it difficult to process the material, which makes it necessary to use a special tool. A tile cutter may be the best solution. It has a simple device and accessible mechanics of action. How to use a manual tile cutter at home? To do this, you need to carry out a number of preparatory measures, set up the tool and perform cutting with a functional element of the cutter. Now it is worth considering each stage separately, having previously figured out the design of the tile cutter.

Preparing the tool for work

The most important thing at this stage is to check the integrity of the structure and the operability of the functional organs. All chips and irregularities during the workflow can affect the quality of the result. Fasteners such as flange nut and rail clips are checked separately. It is necessary to calculate the cutting parameters, which will depend on the dimensions of the workpiece and the characteristics of the tool itself. A model with a small grip will do well with small-format segments, but a version with a strong rail base will be required for thick and large elements. And in the second case, there will be some nuances of operation. For example, how do you use the Dexter 730mm manual tile cutter, which is considered one of the most productive in its class? It is very important for him to ensure reliable fastening of the workpiece, and it is better to cut off large parts in small segments. So, when processing a porcelain stoneware slab with a thickness of about 14-16 mm, it is advisable to cut off a piece of 30 cm in two approaches in equal parts.

Top tool makers

Tile cutters are widely represented in the STAYER, Bosch, DeWALT and Fubag lines. Under these brands, durable and reliable models are produced, suitable for professionals and DIYers.

In the Russian segment, the best manual tile cutters are represented by the companies “Enkor” and “Zubr”. For example, to create a high-precision cut, the specialists of the first company offer a functional modification “300mm 1/6 3657” on bearings, the cost of which is only 700 rubles.

How to Use a Manual Tile Cutter

How to use an electric hand-held tile cutter?

This is a special category of tools for processing tile material, which combine the advantages of mobile portable units and machine tool electrical equipment. At the first stage, the marking is carried out with the indication of the cutting contour, after which the machine is placed on the target workpiece. But the further course of work will be different.

How to use the manual cutter with an electric motor after completing the preparation and marking:

  • The tool is connected to the mains, the power plant starts up, and the operator begins to plunge the saw element to the working surface.
  • Cutting is carried out with a diamond blade, which is under the direct control of the performer. But unlike mechanical manual tile cutters, electric models still have a more stable bed, which minimizes the risk of rejects.
  • The user guides the cutter along the originally installed guides. Some modifications provide for adjustment of the angles and cutting depth, which does not allow you to accidentally move to the side or make the wrong cut. That is, the operator will be required to adjust the force with which the cutting will be performed.

Tile post-processing

Regardless of the type of tool used, sometimes additional processing of the material is required. This can be a rough correction of the cut in order to change the size, and a light finishing sanding.

Angle Grinder fitted to a sliding tile cutter

In the first case, it is recommended to use grinders with coarse abrasives. By changing the attachments, you can switch to point correction with fine edge finishing. Surface and pinpoint corrections are usually performed with sandpaper, a file, or a grinding stone. In order to minimize the amount of work at the final stage, conditions should be created to obtain smooth edges.

How do I work with a manual tile cutter to keep my line clean and smooth? First, the risk should be done as deep as possible through punching. In this case, the line of the cut will be maintained, and chips will not appear on the surface. Secondly, the cutting part in the form of a roller or disk should be in optimal condition by the time of operation. A dull element is more likely to leave a defect.

Preparation for work

You should start processing the material only after checking the tool for the integrity of the structure, its serviceability and functionality. To be sure, it will not be superfluous to test the tile cutter on unnecessary blanks and construction waste.

Next, a workplace is organized:

  • the cutting line must be clearly visible, therefore rich all-round lighting will be a prerequisite for obtaining a high-quality result.
  • Equipment for measuring procedures is also being prepared, but in the process of work it is removed to the side, like consumables.
  • The next question is also important. how to cut with a manual tile cutter, so that the slightest probability of foreign objects getting under the saw blade is excluded? It is advisable to remove not only fragments, but also dust with crumbs after each approach. That is, at the end of the next operation, all garbage is removed from the desktop.

This will guarantee not only high-quality cutting, but also the safety of the performer.

Tool accessibility. what to consider?

If you plan not only to carry out straight cutting, but also holes (for example, for switches and sockets), then you cannot do without a “ballerina”. How to cut tiles with a manual tile cutter with this addition?

It is enough to fix the device on the target area, adjust the radius of the circle to the required dimensions and start the operation. The force for cutting the hole is fed through a separate handle, which must not only be pressed, but also rotated, as is the case with classic hand drills.

To increase the stability and reliability of the position of the tile cutter, a more massive platform with a reinforced frame can be provided. Under high loads, it remains stable, eliminating the risk of accidental displacement of the cutter.

Cutting process

The operation is performed in two stages:

  • At the first, the risk should be applied along the originally planned contour. This will be the final cut line, so you need to be especially careful in this part of the work.
  • The next stage involves cutting directly along the specified mowing line. This is an equally important stage, the quality of which largely depends on the reliability of fixing the tiles on the working platform. Experienced liners also recommend lubricating the tool roller and target area of ​​the workpiece with oil. This measure reduces the risk of slipping of the functional organ and minimizes the likelihood of a crooked cut.

We cut the tiles with a manual tile cutter so that during the entire operation the wheel converges with the transverse line. It is the mechanical support of the straight cut that is important here. The roller is lowered by force using the lever handle and is driven to the end with sufficient pressure.

How to Use a Manual Tile Cutter Beginners Guide

Again, this action should be trained in advance, since a straight and straight cut can only be obtained with a single pass. Experts perform this procedure as a single blow of optimal strength, but for this you need to have a good feel for the tool and the hardness characteristics of a particular material.

How to choose the right tile cutter model?

The main criterion is the size of the tool. They determine both the way the tile cutter is located on the surface, and the thickness of the material that can be processed. For example, small desktop versions can handle workpieces measuring 10-15 mm. Massive floor cutters with a length of more than 600 mm successfully work with thick paving slabs.

There is also a separate category of small tile cutters. Their design is oriented towards making small breaks. Some models gently adjust the edges to be ready for the final finish, eliminating the need for abrasives.

Safety when working with a tile cutter

Hand tools are less traumatic, but with it it is worth remembering the safety rules. The user must wear protective goggles when cutting so that splinters and the resulting dust particles do not enter the eyes.

On the contrary, it is not recommended to use gloves for hands. the clamping mechanism can also lead to injury in case of grasping material.

From a safety point of view, the question of how to use a manual tile cutter for large volumes of work is also important. In-line operations leave a lot of fine dust. Even careful periodic cleaning will not remove small particles. Therefore, work should be done in a respirator or mask that protects the respiratory system.

Design features and preparation for use

A manual tile cutting tool is similar to an electric one and consists of the following parts:

  • frame. a powerful base on which other components of the mechanism are attached;
  • carriage with a built-in roller for cutting a tile surface;
  • guides necessary for the movement of the carriage;
  • an emphasis on which you need to press so that the trimmed tile cracks in half.

Before you start cutting the tile with a tile cutter, you need to properly prepare the tool for work:

  • Make sure that there is no damage, pay particular attention to the roller of the manual cutter. If it is bent, there are jags or it has stopped moving freely, you need to replace it with a new one.
  • Clean the tool, not forgetting about the guides and the surface of the bed.
  • Inspect bolts and nuts, tighten them more tightly so that they do not dangle.
  • If the carriage does not drive well, lubricate the tool guides with oil.

If everything is in order, you can start cutting the tiles.

How to use a manual tile cutter

Ceramic tiles are one of the most popular wall and floor coverings in kitchens and bathrooms. The high demand for decorative material is associated with its durability, economy and wide design variability. But it is impossible to ideally calculate the tile so that it lies entirely everywhere and does not have to be cut. Let’s figure out how to use a manual tile cutter.

Using a tile cutter

Unlike a manual tile cutter, wire cutters are required to cut shaped pieces. For example, you cannot do without them if you need to properly fit wall tiles to fit around taps, door frames, or floor tiles to fit around the base of the toilet. They can also be used to cut small strips from the edges of tiles along a groove previously made with a manual tile cutter or glass cutter.

After the break line has been made, you can start using the wire cutters. They need to bite off in small pieces, making sure that unnecessary cracks do not form. When cutting with a tool, burrs and irregularities may appear, therefore, at the end of the work, the edges of the tiles are well sanded.

Terms of use

The task of how to properly cut a tile with a tile cutter will cease to cause difficulties if you do everything in stages:

  • Soak the tiles for an hour and a half in cold water, you can put it in a bucket or cover with a wet rag. According to the assurances of experienced tilers, soaking will make the ceramics more pliable and reduce the likelihood of crumbling at the edges.
  • The ceramic surface must be wiped and the line of the future fracture must be drawn with a marker.
  • The tile is installed on the cutting surface of the tile cutter, the break line should be exactly under the roller. If the tile is too large and wide, then you can put something under its edges so that it does not wobble and lie flat.
  • The cutter is located on the edge of the tile at the very beginning of the drawn strip.
  • The roller moves abruptly along the surface, cutting the glaze. It is imperative that you make an effort. The deeper you cut, the easier it will be to break the material in half.
  • After that, you need to press the handle and the tile will break exactly along the mowing line.

Naturally, the question arises, how to cut a tile with a tile cutter and in which direction to move the carriage? Some argue that it is correct to move the roller towards you, since in this case you can easily apply the required effort to cut evenly and deeply. Others find it more convenient to push away from themselves, so you can try both options and choose the most convenient and effective one. If the groove is not deep enough, it is undesirable to try to walk with the roller of the manual tile cutter again, in which case the edges will begin to crumble and will be sloppy.

Despite the fact that many craftsmen claim that cutting porcelain stoneware is a difficult and ungrateful business, it is necessary to cut it with a manual tile cutter in the same way as tile. The only difference is that for porcelain stoneware you will need a manual tile cutter with a large bed and a special roller, on which a diamond coating is applied.

Cutting tiles with a tile cutter is not always ideal, in most cases you need to additionally process the edges using a grinder or sandpaper.

We cut with other tools

We figured out how to use a manual tile cutter, but what to do if you only need to process a couple of tiles and there is no desire to buy a special tool?

You can use the following methods:

  • With the help of a glass cutter, the breaking line is drawn, the tile is placed on the tool so that it is located exactly along the groove. Then we press on the opposite edges and the material cracks in half.
  • Using a victorious drill, we scratch the ceramic surface with the cutting tip of the tool with pressure, put the tile on the drill or pencil, press on the edges and break it in half.
  • With an ordinary clerical knife, we make a furrow by tracing it over the surface several times. We break it in the same way as in the two previous methods.

Cutting the tiles with a manual tile cutter yourself at home is not as difficult as it seems. If you choose the right tool, take care of it and follow the instructions, then it will last for many years and cut more than a dozen ceramic and porcelain stoneware tiles.

How to work with a roller tile cutter?

The simplest, but not always convenient, way to cut tile material is using a roller tool. It is completely unsuitable for working with hard and dense tiles, but does an excellent job with softer materials.

The principle of operation of the roller tile cutter is as follows: the cutting line is applied to the surface of the tile material using a soft pencil. After that, the tile is placed on a flat surface (board, plywood) and carried out with the device, making one cut. To do this, you need to gently press on the tile cutter and run it along the entire length of the tile, forming a sufficiently deep groove along which you need to divide the material into two parts. To do this neatly, all you need to do is put the tiles on the nails and press lightly.

The use of a hand-held roller is only justified if several tiles have to be cut. This is due to the fact that the process is quite lengthy, and the risk of damage to the building material is much higher than when using a stationary or electric tool.

Homemade tile cutter option

How to use the tile cutter?

With inexpensive and compact tile cutting pliers, small jobs can be done with ease. They are designed for making simple cuts in small quantities of ceramic.

At the beginning of work, you also need to mark the tiles on which the cutting element of the tool will move. The tongs-shaped tile cutter is equipped with a roller, the diameter of which is slightly larger than that of other devices. This allows you to make a deeper cut in the ceramic tile. To make an incision you need:

  • Slide the tongs over the edge of the tile.
  • The wide part of the tool should be located on the face of the ceramic, while the center of the pliers is positioned along the mowing line of the bend above the made groove.
  • Press gently on the tile, gently breaking off unnecessary parts.

Tongs for cutting ceramics are more convenient to use than a manual roller tile cutter, but it is still inferior to a stationary device in terms of the quality of the cut obtained and the speed of work.

The advantage of the pliers is that they can be used to make rounded cuts in tiles, for example for a pipe in a bathroom or around a toilet in a bathroom. Making a cut like this requires care. First, a circle is drawn on the tile, along the mowing line of which the tiles are carefully cut with tongs. After that, with pliers or pliers, they bite off pieces of excess material to the mowing line of the cut. Sharp and uneven edges are processed with a file or coarse coarse sandpaper.

Advice! If you have to use a manual tile cutter for the first time, then it is recommended to practice on debris or old tiles. Such actions will help to acquire the necessary skills and prevent damage to new tile material.

Electric tile cutter

The device and principle of operation of a stationary manual tile cutter

The most popular tool used to cut ceramic and porcelain tile material is the manual stationary tile cutter. It is widely used by both professional workers and beginners who decide for the first time to independently make repairs in the house.
The tool consists of several parts:

  • beds. the base of the tile cutter;
  • carriage equipped with a cutting wheel;
  • lever.

Not everyone knows how to use a manual tile cutter, but the technology of working on it is extremely simple. Its principle of operation is similar to that of a glass cutter and consists in cutting the glaze of the tile material. During cutting, the tiles must be firmly clamped in the tool body. After a cut is made on the surface of the glaze, it breaks evenly along the furrow. In order to obtain a perfectly even cut, after clamping the tile in the tool, guides are set along which the cutting line is drawn.

Before starting work with the tool, you need to check its integrity and serviceability, the component parts must be without visible damage, and the movement of the cutting wheel is not impeded. When examining a tile cutter, you need to pay attention to the following points:

  • the roller for cutting the tiles must not have dents and burrs;
  • you need to make sure that the cutting wheel is securely fixed and has the correct rounded shape;
  • the carriage of the tile cutter normally moves smoothly, jerking and jamming is unacceptable, as this will lead to an uneven cut or damage to the tile material;
  • there should be no dirt and debris on the bed and the handle, if there is, be sure to clean the device.

Important! The quality of the tile cut depends on the condition of the working tool and the normal functioning of all its parts. That is why at the end of work, as well as before storing the device, you need to take time to clean and check the tile cutter.

After checking the tool, you can start working. To begin with, markings with a pencil are made along the mowing line of the proposed cut. After that, the tile is placed on the bed so that the markings coincide with the trajectory of the cutting roller. The handle of the tile cutter is moved along the guides under slight pressure. It is very important to create such pressure so that you get a groove, the depth of which will allow you to evenly break the tile, while you cannot overdo it, so as not to crush it at all.

It should always be remembered that the movement to cut the tile material can only be done once. If the mowing line is repeated, the cut edge will be uneven. After the line of the cut is made, the handle of the tile cutter must be switched into an active state, which allows you to break the tile along the drawn strip with a quick and confident movement. Master tilers with extensive experience can perform this operation with a single clap of the palm, it is enough just to correctly calculate the impact force. It is important to know that the cut-off part of the tile must be at least 1 cm wide, otherwise an even edge will not work.

Tile cutting process with manual tile cutter

How to work with a manual tile cutter

Ceramic tiles are the most common building material, which is widely used both in private housing construction for decorating bathrooms and kitchens, and for interior decoration of public places. She can be seen in hospitals, shopping centers, office buildings. Such popularity of the tile is explained by its strength, durability, economy, ease of maintenance and a variety of choice of colors and patterns.
To make the cladding with ceramic tiles, you need to be able to use a special building tool. a tile cutter, since there will certainly be a need to trim individual elements, fit in corners or steps, cut diagonally. Sometimes you just need to trim the tiles a little to reduce their size.

Types of tile cutters

The use of a special tool for cutting tiles is the simplest and most effective way of high-quality and fast preparation of tile material. Working with a tile cutter does not require professional training, is practically noiseless and eliminates excessive dusting of the room, with its help even an inexperienced worker can cut tiles in high quality at home.

Facing the floor and walls with ceramics very rarely does without trimming it. The master tiler always keeps a tile cutter close at hand and can use it at any time. The building materials market today offers a wide selection of various tools, among which it is necessary to choose the most convenient and high-quality ones, capable of fully fulfilling their functional purpose.

With the tool, tile material can be cut in several ways: curved, straight and figured. Depending on the type of mechanism underlying the functioning of the tile cutters, they are divided into two types:

  • manual, among which there are stationary, roller and gable-shaped;
  • electrical or mechanized.

Important! Before purchasing a tool for cutting tiles, you must first study the instructions for its operation and learn how to use the tile cutter in order to prevent excessive consumption of building material.

Advantages and disadvantages of manual tile cutters

When comparing electric and hand tools, the latter have the following disadvantages:

  • it is impossible to quickly process a large amount of tile material;
  • the edge of the cut is sharp;
  • you cannot cut the tiles evenly if you need to reduce their size to 1 cm.

Among the advantages of hand tools, one can single out noiselessness, compactness, availability, they are not hazardous to health and have a low cost.
A manual tile cutter is an indispensable tool not only for the master tiler, but also for the novice builder who decides to make repairs in the house with his own hands. With its help, you can quickly and efficiently perform all the work, cutting off the tiles exactly to size. As a result, the surface will turn out to be even, and the tiles will fit snugly together.