3 ways to cut tiles at home Ways and tools for cutting and adjusting tiles with your own hands to the required size. How to use a manual tile cutter and an angle grinder to cut tiles.
Electric tile cutter
If you have a large volume of work, then the fastest and highest quality cut comes from an electric tile cutter. They use a diamond wheel and supply water to the cutting area to cool and remove dust. The cheapest types of the amateur class can be found on sale for 34 thousand rubles.
How to cut tiles without a tile cutter
If you only need to cut a few tiles, it doesn’t have to be spent on a tile cutter. You can use the tools at hand:
- Glass cutter.
- Drill. It should preferably be with a victorious tip, as it will scratch the tile better.
- Nail.
- Construction knife.
Attach a metal ruler to the notch and draw once with a glass cutter or drill. A deep scratch should remain on the enamel. If you use a knife, but you will need to carry out several times.
Place the tile with the cut at the corner and press down on its edges with a sharp motion. The cut will not turn out perfectly flat, unlike the tile cutter, but you will not have to spend additional money.
3 ways to cut tile at home
Any ceramic tile laying process is not complete without cutting it. There will be a lot of it especially if you use some kind of non-standard layout, for example, diagonally. In the last article, we talked about which layout is better to choose in order to get uniform and beautiful cuts everywhere. Now we will talk about how to properly cut tiles at home.
As you know, tiles are made of baked clay, which is covered with glaze on top. It’s hard to break it with your hands, but if it lies on any unevenness, then it easily cracks from a small load. To simplify this process and make the required break line, you need to loosen the top layer of the glaze, that is, cut it, and therefore make efforts to break.
There are 3 main ways to do this:
- Special hand tool, electric tile cutter or special tongs.
- Angle Grinder.
- Other handy sharp tools.
Let’s talk in more detail about each tile cutting method.
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Required tools and materials
Cutting ceramic tiles is a laborious process that requires maximum concentration. The difficulty is largely due to the fact that the tiles are made of durable material. Dust-free tiles can be cut and sawed down with a tile cutter, but such a tool is not cheap. This is almost impossible with conventional cutters and saws, and the cut will most likely be uneven and unattractive. A regular angle grinder is best suited, with a cutting wheel that allows you to neatly cut tiles even at home.
Despite the fact that this process is relatively difficult, if you get the hang of it, it does not take much time and does not require much effort. This task can be handled by an ordinary homeowner who has not dealt with such work and can even cut off a hog without the help of a tile cutter.
You can cut tiles using the following tools:
- Special tile cutter;
- Diamond tools;
- Angle Grinder.
For cutting ceramic tiles, those that are diamond-coated are suitable. Their use minimizes the formation of cracks and chips. It is forbidden to use discs used for metal work, as they will only damage the tile. Even if you manage to cut with such a circle, it will be uneven and of poor quality. This is due to the sliding of the disc on the tile, due to which the presence of small cracks is inevitable. At the same time, when it comes to home surface finishing, you can ignore these damages, since they will surely disappear during subsequent processing.
Be sure to carry the following attributes with you:
- Glasses;
- Mask;
- Thick gloves.
Please note that the selected angle grinder or grinder must have a speed regulator, since many modern inexpensive tools do not have this function. Such models operate at the highest speed, which is why it is impossible to cut tiles with their help.
How to cut tiles with an angle grinder?
When doing renovations, many homeowners find it necessary to cut ceramic tiles that can be done using an angle grinder. This tool allows you to do this work at a high level, with minimal risk of chips or cracks. In this article, we will show you how to cut ceramic tiles using an angle grinder.
We cut the tiles correctly
When using tiles for wall decoration, a situation will surely arise when you need to cut off part of the slab so that it fits into the remaining space. over, a similar procedure will be required regardless of which type of tile you choose. Cutting is required most often when unique patterns are created on the walls or various decorative objects are formed using tiles.
If you have already prepared all the attributes you need for work, you can consider how the tile should be cut correctly. An angle grinder is an excellent assistant in this matter, since with its help you can create not only straight cuts, but also curly cuts. Next, we will look at how to cut tiles in various ways.
A straight cut is as simple as possible:
- First, you need to fix the tile on the plane so that it does not slide or ride on it.
- The part of the tile that needs to be cut must remain in weight. The surface line will be the guideline for the notch mowing line;
- Take an angle grinder so that you can see the cut line. If you hide it from yourself, you will not be able to make an even cut.
- You need to direct and move the blade towards you, not away from yourself. This is the mistake many newbies make. Hold the tool firmly and level so that it does not walk in different directions, otherwise the cut will be ugly. Holding the angle grinder crooked can damage the disc, as it can fly off.
A round hole is made as follows:
- Initially, you must use a marker to draw the required hole. Draw on the glossy side of the tile.
- Then you need to determine the center of the circle. This can be done using straight lines drawn crosswise.
- Gently file the tile with an angle grinder from the inside in a circle until we go deeper.
- The angle grinder must be turned so that the blade gradually fits into the outlined circle.
- When the cut is deep enough, you need to cut the drawn cross along the drawn lines, after which you carefully take out the resulting 4 sectors of the circle.
You need to cut the tiles only on the front side, since this is the only way to get a cut without various defects. Consequently, all possible damage will be concentrated on the back of the tile, which will be hidden with tile adhesive.
It is best to measure and mark the tiles to be cut from the start.
To cut at a 45 degree angle, follow the instructions below:
- It is important to note that cutting the tiles obliquely is more difficult than making a straight cut. However, this is much easier than creating curly elements. You need to start by doing.
- The angle grinder must be turned so that the disc is at the angle you need, while you must carefully drive the blade, removing excess, so that at the end an even angular cut is obtained.
- Perfectness can be achieved by using ordinary sandpaper, which is best fixed on a block.
Used attachments
Tile cutting with an angle grinder is performed using a diamond grinding wheel. This attachment can be made in several variations. Basically, for this type of work, a fine diamond wheel is used for dry cutting. Of course, there will be a lot of dust, but this way you can make a neat cut.
If you plan to work for a long time, a wet wheel can be used to prevent overheating of the tool. In this case, you will need to additionally equip the water supply. This can be done manually, using a spray bottle, or simply by dipping the disc into water.
To protect against possible breakage of the nozzle, before starting work, you need to carefully inspect the tool and securely fasten all its parts. In addition to the protective cap for the angle grinder, use goggles, a mask and gloves to protect against dust and sharp discs.
Diamond wheel for angle grinder can be used in both dry and wet cutting
Features of working with the tool
In the process of performing facing work, you will inevitably face the need to correct the size of the tile. In order to make an incision, tile cutters are usually used in various variations, as well as improvised tools. If a glass cutter is enough for wall tiles, thick flooring material is much more difficult to break. Can an angle grinder cut such ceramic tiles?
The angle grinder is one of the most popular tools that, in addition to its direct task of sanding surfaces, can also perform other functions. With its help, metal, ceramic tiles, stone and other durable materials are cut.
Even thick, durable porcelain stoneware can be cut with a special angle grinder
As far as tiles are concerned, working with an angle grinder has its own characteristics. In order to complete the task, you will need a special nozzle and a tile fixer. The tool will do the rest for you.
How to cut tiles
Now let’s go directly to the process itself and consider how to work with the tool in order to make an incision without chips and with a minimum amount of dust. In relation to this nuance, three areas can be distinguished:
- Straight cut. This kind of work is the easiest. In order to cut the ceramic tile of the angle grinder along a straight line of the mowing line, first of all, it is necessary to fix it on a flat surface so that the edge remains suspended along the mowing line of the cut. You need to hold the tool so that you can see the cutting direction, that is, the circle will move towards itself. In this case, it is important to follow the safety regulations.
- At an angle of 45 degrees. Cutting tiles at an angle is somewhat more difficult. In order to make a bevel cut with an angle grinder, you first need to cut the tile at a right angle. Then the diamond wheel is guided in such a way that it can be used to remove excess material at an angle. You can bring the edges to perfection with sandpaper.
- Hole in the tile. This type of work is only suitable for making large diameter holes. In order to cut out its angle grinder, you must first draw the contours of the circle on the front side with a marker. Then, with straight fishing lines, located crosswise at right angles to each other, designate the center point. Then proceed to sawing. The angle grinder must be guided at an angle so that the wheel makes a small indentation around the circumference of the hole on the inside of the basting line. Move gradually, cutting the tiles evenly. When you are deep enough, cut straight lines of the mowing line. It is necessary to carefully remove 4 sectors of the circle one by one.
Tile cutting options with an angle grinder
A prerequisite for preventing chipping: you need to work exclusively on the front side of the tile. So you will damage the top layer less, and the defects on the back side will be hidden by the grout during installation. After making the cut, the edges of the tile are processed with sandpaper stuffed onto the block, so make sure you can grind off some of the facing material in advance.
Cutting paving slabs
Technically, such a tile consists of concrete filled with crushed granite. Therefore, to cut paving slabs correctly and evenly, you should use a segmented or combined diamond blade designed for hard materials. Paving stones generate a lot of dust, so cut outdoors.
It is recommended to allocate a site at some distance from the place of storage or laying of paving slabs so that the settling ardor does not spoil the color of the material and does not require cleaning. You should also ensure that you have appropriate clothing and protective goggles and a respirator. The cutting process itself is not very difficult, using the usual technique of solid cutting or notching and then splitting (if the thickness of the tile is too thick for through cutting).
Execution method
The cutting technique depends on the material, thickness and cut configuration. The easiest way is to split the tiles in two in a straight line. To make curved, closed or open cuts, you will have to strain and perform more laborious procedures.
Let’s consider how to cut a tile angle grinder in a straight line:
- The cutting line is marked on the front surface with a marker.
- The tile is fixed on a flat, rigid surface so that the cut line runs over the edge of the base. This will help break off a portion of the tile after making the cut to the desired depth.
- Switch on the angle grinder, wait a couple of seconds to reach the maximum rotation speed.
- Carefully make an incision by sliding the angle grinder towards you. The disc touches the surface from the outside so that the thickness of the tool does not reduce the width of the tile.
- Hold the tool firmly and do not allow it to vibrate or swing from side to side. This will ensure a smooth, clean cut without chipping.
It is often necessary to make a slant cut in order to close the surfaces tightly when facing the outer corners of the walls. Consider how to properly cut ceramic tiles at an angle of 45 at home with an angle grinder:
- Mark the line of the cut with a marker.
- Fix the tile on an even and rigid base so that the cutting line is outside the table.
- Cut the tiles in a straight line.
- Rotate the angle grinder at an angle and carefully finish the edge to the desired bevel.
- Finally, bring the edge to the desired state with a grindstone (bar).
In order to make a curly cut, you must:
- Draw a cutout shape on the tile surface.
- Fasten the tiles so that the cut-out is free.
- The angle grinder carefully make several cuts along the contour of the figure. Alternatively, make a deep cruciform cut along the central axes and gradually trim the inner part, approaching the edges.
- When the shape of the cut is as close as possible to the required state, the final revision is made using a file or sandpaper with a large grain size.
Large openings (for sewer pipes or other communications) are performed as follows:
- The center of the hole is marked and a hole with a diameter of 3-4 mm is made using a special drill.
- A circle is outlined on the front and back sides, which must be cut.
- On both sides, cuts are carefully made along the contour of the future hole. The depth of the cuts is 2-3 mm. It is not recommended to do more, as there will be a threat to go beyond the border of the circle and spoil the edges.
- Through cuts are made in the central part of the hole, after which pieces of tile are carefully broken off with pliers along the cut mowing line.
- Finishing the edge of the hole is made using sandpaper rolled into a roll.
Open cutouts in tiles are easiest to make with a fixed angle grinder. The technique resembles working on a grinder, the disc rotates in a vertical plane, the tile is fed onto the tool and cuts are made along the edges. After that, the central part of the cut is removed and its inner edge is cleaned.
Choosing a cutting blade
Choosing the right tip will determine how clean the tile edge will be.
All discs are capable of cutting material, but the quality in each case will be different.
Let’s consider the possible options:
- Stone discs. Inexperienced people choose them because of the low price. The result is a large amount of dust, a sloppy cut with a lot of chips. The thickness and degree of roughness of the stone disc do not allow to obtain a clean and even edge; they require laborious rework, which takes a lot of time;
- Steel discs (dry cutters). Experienced craftsmen unanimously recommend choosing diamond-coated metal discs. They are thin, give a clean cut without excess dust. Steel discs allow you to work without cooling, but the duration of the process is limited to 1-1.5 minutes, after which you need to let the tool cool down at idle (without turning off the angle grinder). They are divided into segmented, solid and combined samples;
- Segmented dry cutters. This is a type of metal disc, the working surface of which is divided into several segments. They are used for cutting hard materials of paving stones, concrete, porcelain stoneware or natural stone. Segments allow for more efficient cooling of the disk during operation;
- Solid dry cutters. Used for processing ceramic tiles. They need periodic cooling. When a solid red spark line appears, it is necessary to run the disc over a concrete or other abrasive surface a couple of times. They give a clean cut, with the side side you can additionally process the edge of the tile;
- Combined discs. Their working surface is wavy, and the cutting edge is interrupted. Combined (turbocharged) discs are considered versatile, designed to handle any material with or without water cooling. Due to the wavy shape of the cutting line, the disc thickness is increased, which contributes to increased dust generation.
The choice of the nozzle is determined by the type of material and the amount of work to be done. Experienced tilers use solid dry cutters, explaining this by the high quality of the cut and the ability to additionally grind the edge. If a dense and hard material of porcelain stoneware, natural stone is to be laid, the use of segmented or combined samples of cutting tools will be the best choice.