Electric tile cutter
Provided that the operation complies with all the rules, the “diamond” electric cutter can become quite serious equipment. The device allows you to make perfectly straight cuts with smooth or slightly rounded sides, which cannot be said about its manual counterparts, which leaves sharp and broken edges. After performing several cuts, it becomes clear for many novice craftsmen the best way to cut porcelain stoneware. over, the electric cutter has advantages Not only over the standard device, but also over other tools used when cutting tiles.
Figured cutting of porcelain stoneware
Nippers
Of all the cutting attachments, this is the simplest. It is sometimes very difficult to do without pliers when laying porcelain stoneware in residential premises. Most often, wire cutters are used for cutting porcelain stoneware with irregular shapes.
Glass cutter
In general, it is not the most popular tool for processing porcelain stoneware, however, with insignificant amounts of work, you can limit yourself to it. The tool is easy to use and cuts the tiles exactly where the hand will lead. Its use is justified in cases where it makes no sense to purchase a tile cutter for processing a small number of 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.
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 also sold on the market. In addition, the alignment of the device is quite difficult, which can deteriorate both the ballerina and the tiles.
how to cut porcelain stoneware with a manual tile cutter
We offer you a master class on cutting porcelain stoneware with a manual tile cutter.
How to make holes in porcelain stoneware
Sometimes situations arise in which porcelain stoneware does not need to be cut, but a hole must be made in it. In principle, you can solve this problem with a small angle grinder, but in this case the hole will not turn out very even. Consider the two most successful ways.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Angle Grinder
Among the advantages of using an angle grinder for cutting porcelain stoneware, the following can be distinguished:
- Availability: there is an angle grinder in almost every home, and if laying and cutting porcelain stoneware is NOT a professional activity, there is a need to purchase an additional tool;
- The ability to perform both straight and curved lines, cuts at an angle of 45 degrees;
- Ability to work with already glued porcelain stoneware.
- There is a lot of dust;
- Noise, which may become a prerequisite for the impossibility of using in apartment buildings;
- Injury risk.
General recommendations
Please note the restrictions on using the manual tile cutter:
- Only straight cuts through the entire tile;
- It is practically impossible to break off exactly a strip less than 6. 7 cm (depending on the thickness of the material);
- It is problematic, the slanting mowing line breaks with chips if the cut hits the ribs from the back.
- Work speed;
- Lack of dust and noise;
- Ease of operation.
For particularly neat lines, you can use the same technology as for the angle grinder. Draw a line with a retreat of 2-3 mm., And then polish to the desired size. Used only in visible places.
Hole saw
A hole saw or diamond core bit makes perfect holes in porcelain stoneware
The best tool for both curved cutouts and holes in tiles. Allows to cut porcelain stoneware of any thickness and hardness.
Electric tile cutter for cutting porcelain stoneware
In addition to the angle grinder and hand-held tile cutter, electric tile cutters can be used to cut the porcelain floor tiles. As in the case of an angle grinder, the cutting element of this tool is a diamond disc, the quality of which depends on the smoothness and evenness of the cut. When working, the angle grinder on dry for the operation of the electric cutter uses water, which is supplied to the disc during operation and cools it.
- No dust, virtually no noise;
- Lack of the human factor of “shaking hands”;
- Possibility of curly lines;
- Ability to cut from tile edge less than 0.6 cm.
- A good electric tool costs several times more than even the most expensive hand tool;
- If the work is carried out outside in the cold season, then if water gets on your hands, they freeze strongly;
- The constant need to replace the water in the tank;
- On some machines, water is strongly sprayed during operation.
Electric tile cutter for cutting small porcelain stoneware at home
For porcelain stoneware, it is better to use wet cutters with an upper disc feed, but among electric cutters there are also budget options with a lower feed, which many use at home when cutting porcelain stoneware.
In this case, lay the tiles with their front surface on the countertop.
To cut a stone with a small wet cutter, it will take much more time compared to using a manual device, but, despite this, performers with little experience prefer a wet cutter, since it is more difficult to cut with this tool, but better.
How to cut porcelain stoneware. 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 for cutting ceramic tiles. Manual 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. Lay it along the cut line and press firmly against the tile. The ruler will prevent the glass cutter from jumping to the side. During the cut, the tool must be pressed against the surface as hard 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 line of the break 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 at the intended mowing line.
Another variant. Using a manual tile cutter. This tool is similar in principle to a glass cutter. It also uses a roller or diamond to scratch the top of the tile. But the tile cutter is more convenient and efficient. Its working plane is covered with a material that does not allow the tile to slide, and the 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.
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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. Electric water cooled 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. Turn on the tool and place the porcelain stoneware on the work table so that the disc is opposite the marked line. 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. Her undoubted advantage. 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 slotted 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, but Do not install a larger disc and use glasses. A shard of porcelain stoneware can injure your eyes.