What is the best way to cut porcelain tiles

How to cut porcelain stoneware at home: methods and necessary tools

If you have time and desire, many people prefer to do repairs on their own, as it helps to significantly save money and gain personal experience. When it comes to facing the room with porcelain tiles, many overestimate their capabilities relying on previous experience with regular tiles. As for the laying technique itself, the process is identical, but cutting porcelain stoneware requires a little more skill and knowledge of the peculiarities of the material from the master. In this article we will tell in detail, what to cut porcelain stoneware at home even without having experience, what materials are required for this and give some useful tips.

First you need to choose a cutting method based on the characteristics of the material, the area of the room, aesthetic requirements and personal experience. For example, if the area of the room is large, then the use of mechanical tile cutters or jigsaws is not justified, these tools are suitable for finishing apartment space. The use of an angle grinder is also not always suitable, because it generates a lot of dust, noise and the quality of the cut leaves much to be desired.

We are often asked if it is possible to cut porcelain tiles with a manual cutter? Of course you can try, but the result is unlikely to please you. The tool is not designed for this material and you will only ruin the tile. Below we will consider each of the methods in detail.

Cutting with a mechanical hand cutter

The use of a mechanical tile cutter is ideal for work with small amounts of tiling, bathroom, toilet, kitchen or hallway in apartments or private homes. The advantages of the device can include:

  • There is no dust and noise at work;
  • Does not require electricity;
  • Mobile and easy to service;
  • Relatively safe and suitable for both experienced craftsmen and beginners.

For your information. Among the disadvantages are the ability to make only straight cuts. Without the right experience, the cut can turn out with small chips. No chamfering and the cutting wheel wears out quickly when working with porcelain tiles.

Important! Before you cut porcelain tiles with a mechanical tile cutter, make sure the device is in working condition, stands on a level surface, all elements are securely fixed and have no backlash. If the tool is not an expensive model, it is necessary to lubricate the guide slides of the carriage before work. The more expensive models have bearings on the cutting carriage to ensure smooth operation.

Next, perform the work according to the step-by-step list:

  • Make a mark on the tile with a pencil or marker that can be wiped off after the cut;
  • Lay the material on the base of the appliance so that the trimmer line of the cutter corresponds to the markings on the base. If there is no marking, roll the cutter effortlessly along the marked line and make sure that it does not go sideways from the intended cut;
  • Next, with light pressure on the handle, make the cut toward you;
  • Then press the special paws on the tile to split it.

Important! Do not cut twice, or push the handle too hard, as it may cause chipping. When pushing on the tile to break it, make sure that the cutting wheel is outside the material and does not rest on the porcelain tile when pushing on it. For clarity we suggest watching a video material where a specialist shows the process of cutting on the machine.

Cutting porcelain tile with an angle grinder

Using an angle grinder for cutting porcelain tiles is not the best solution. From the obvious disadvantages of this tool can be noted noise, a lot of dust, an uneven cut with a lot of chips especially on glossy porcelain stoneware, increased danger of the tool. Of course, in the hands of an experienced technician angle grinder does a good job, but if you have little experience and the work is carried out in the apartment, it is better to buy a mechanical tile cutter.

Step by step instructions when working with an angle grinder is as follows:

  • Lay the porcelain stoneware on a flat surface, preferably with a foam pad or a piece of board underneath to avoid damaging the floor surface;
  • Using a spirit marker, pencil or chalk (depending on the type of surface), draw a line to trim the notch;
  • Secure the tile with a clamp or foot, previously wearing special safety shoes;
  • Turn on the angle grinder and make the cut in the direction from yourself to a depth of 2-4 mm;

Important! Only make one cut. It is not necessary to cut the tile to its full depth, this will lead to overheating of the cutting disc and its damage. If the angle grinder has a speed regulator, it is recommended to set the range from 6 to 8 thousand. RPM when using a 100-120 mm disc.

  • After you finish cutting, put the porcelain tile on a flat and hard surface, you can put nails, two screws or any other object that will serve as a fulcrum and raise the tile by a few millimeters under the trimmer line of the cut from both sides.
  • With a sharp movement, press on the opposite planes of the cut, and the tile will break along the line of the cut, as shown in the video below.

The edges of the break are likely to be uneven and you can use the same angle grinder or coarse grit sandpaper to grind them. The use of angle grinder is permitted for those cuts, which later on will be hidden or are located in little visible places. On our site you can read in detail how to choose a disc for cutting porcelain tiles and tiles with an angle grinder.

Safety precautions when cutting

Safety rules when working with cutting tools are as simple as possible, their observance is mandatory, because your health and even life depends on it. When using non-electric tools, the basic set of protective equipment are gloves and glasses. Gloves will help avoid cuts from sharp edges of the material, and goggles will prevent splinters and dust from getting into your eyes.

When working with electric tools, angle grinder or tile cutter, special attention is paid to safety:

  • Never change or clean the cutting wheel while the machine or angle grinder is plugged in. The equipment must be completely de-energized.
  • It is forbidden to drive the cutting disc into granite more than one third deep when cutting with angle grinder. When working with a tile cutter, the depth of the wheel is allowed not more than half.
  • Angle grinder must have a protective cover and the cut of the tiles is carried out in the direction from yourself.
  • Wear protective clothing that is thick and does not leave exposed body areas. When the cutting wheel is heated, the spray particles can bounce off and cause burns on the body.
  • It is important to use gloves made of thick fabric. Experience has shown that knitted gloves are not suitable and can cause injury. Often, if the tool is mishandled, the disc or locknut will catch the glove threads and can twist them.
  • There should be no dangling straps or clasps on clothing, and if you have long hair, it should be hidden in the headgear.

Since power tools create noise and often a lot of dust, goggles, headphones and a respirator are mandatory protective equipment.

How to cut a porcelain tile at home properly

Porcelain tiles are a great finishing material that combines the best qualities of ceramics and natural stone. Material is stronger than granite, resistant to wear and corrosive environment. Tiles are produced by the industry a variety of.

Before you start cutting porcelain stoneware, it is better to get acquainted with its kinds first

  • Technical porcelain tiles;
  • Glazed;
  • matte;
  • Polished;
  • Structured or patterned porcelain tiles;
  • lapped;
  • Aged;
  • Thin. slim.

It is possible to cut any forms and configurations from tiles of porcelain stoneware at home. Stoneware is often used for floors, stairs, porches, walls and plinths. Although the material is very hard, it often leaves not neat chips in the place of cutting. Types of cutting porcelain tiles at home. with an angle grinder with a diamond disc (diamond), tile cutter, glass cutter, jigsaw, waterjet cutting (only industrial cutting on professional equipment).

An angle grinder with a diamond wheel is often the only option to cut porcelain tile. But when working with this well-known tool, there are some nuances. The fact is that when the tiles are cut, this work is associated with a huge amount of harmful dust, unpleasant smell and wild noise. Therefore, when working with the angle grinder, you must protect your eyes with safety glasses, and also wear a respirator.

When cutting tiles, you need to know that the diamond wheel must be held straight, without shifting and clearly follow the line that is drawn on the back of the tile.

It is necessary to work with a disk carefully, to lead a disk on a line, having departed behind a line for a trimmer of a cut on 2-3 mm from a line in the direction of chips. And also it is necessary to press the tool strongly and guide it along the line calmly, with great pressure. If you make the cut in this way, the cut will be accurate, without splinters. Another tip when working with porcelain tile. Ceramic granite tile must be firmly fixed, you must clamp it with clamps and screw it to a fixed surface, such as a table. The thing is that it must be done, according to safety regulations. after all, when cutting, the tool must be pressed hard.

How to properly glue vinyl wallpaper on a paper base

Cutting with an angle grinder

Angle grinder (angle grinder). a versatile tool for cutting and processing a variety of materials. Because of its versatility does not apply to special tools. In the home with an angle grinder you can solve many issues. To cut porcelain tiles, practically any angle grinder will do. No need for high power. A small, lightweight tool is even preferable to use. It’s the rpm that counts, not the power. A high-powered tool cuts tiles faster, but just the speed can have a negative impact. the result will be less accurate.

The main issue is the selection of the cutting wheel. It is the choice of disc that you should pay special attention to. And it’s not about the fit size (it goes without saying).

Choice of cutting disc

The material can only be cut with diamond discs. Diamond discs are available in two types: solid and segmented. For best results it is recommended to try and make cuts with different discs. For cutting porcelain tiles there are peculiarities when using both solid and segmented discs:

  • Solid discs are positioned by manufacturers mainly for “wet” cutting. Т.е. for cutting with water or special liquids cooling. and are not used for cutting without cooling, because they can break down quickly. However, when the aim is to get a cut with as few chips as possible, a solid disc may be the best choice. This is situational and largely depends on the specific material (quality, thickness, relief, etc.) that is being processed;

In addition to type, discs are distinguished by a whole range of parameters: the density of the diamond coating, cutting edge height, disc thickness, etc. It is better to follow the recommendations of the disc manufacturer. The discs themselves usually indicate the purpose for which they are used.

For cutting with a manual angle grinder discs less than 2.0 mm thick are not acceptable. The height of the cutting edge must be greater than the thickness of the tile (this affects the cleanliness of the cut).

Tip! Check condition of blade before each cut. Change disc if it is in poor condition or there is a higher risk of chipping.

Technology

  • Draw a marking on the tile. It is best to use a construction marker for this.
  • Place the tile on a flat surface. In some cases it will be more convenient to secure the tile to the surface with clamps or fix it in the workbench.
  • In order to obtain a straight cut, a metal strip can additionally be clamped along the cutting line. After that you will have to cut along it.
  • Carry out the cutting from the front side, as the output is the greatest number of chips. You can make a double cut. First, from the front side, make a small groove, and the main cut should be made from the back side. This method will minimize damage to the face surface.
  • If there are no strict cutting requirements, it is not necessary to saw all the way through. After making the cuts, break the slab with your hands.
  • It is recommended to guide the tool starting from yourself.
  • Grind the cut additionally, if necessary.

General recommendations

When using an angle grinder, always use protective aids:

  • A suit that covers the legs and arms;
  • safety glasses (preferably a mask);
  • protective gloves or mittens;
  • A respirator (with a considerable amount of work is mandatory).
  • The ability to cut an element of almost any shape. For the shape cut, you need good skills with the tool;
  • The possibility of trimming the tiles already laid in place;
  • Tool availability.
  • traumatizing;
  • it is very difficult to obtain geometrically accurate cuts;
  • High labor intensity of obtaining a clean cut without splintering;
  • low speed of work;
  • A lot of dust and noise.

With an angle grinder can not get a perfect cut the first time. To obtain accurate cuts without chipping, cut with an indentation of 2-5 mm from the line. Then bring it to the right size by grinding. This is a fairly time-consuming operation and takes a long time, so it is recommended to carry out only with elements that will be in a visible place.

Or use a trick, as in the video below:

Steps in the cutting process

Finishing with porcelain tiles can be compared to tailoring. to create a beautiful and smooth surface the tile will have to be trimmed, adjusted to the format and size, taking into account the characteristics of the room. The material is distinguished from others by its increased hardness, strength, durability, so it is difficult to work with it independently. Each cutting method involves the use of certain equipment and has its own indications for use. The choice of technology is influenced by the following factors:

  • Technical characteristics. weight, dimensions, thickness of the tiles;
  • the type of work to be done. the planned volume, quality requirements;
  • type of cut. straight, shaped, molded, at an angle, internal sawing;
  • The financial capabilities of the master.

When there are no professional cutting, grinding and mitre-cutting machines, more affordable devices are used. They can be manual and electric. Each has a number of advantages and disadvantages:

  • Angle grinder (otherwise angle grinder) allows you to make complex cuts and process already laid tiles. But the process of working with the tool is long and time-consuming.
  • A manual tile cutter is used only for simple straightforward processing of thin (less than 12 mm) tiles.
  • The electric device is a quick, safe, precise way to cut. Suitable for thick or embossed porcelain tiles.
  • Use a construction marker to mark up.
  • Position the tile, aligning the trimmer line with the guide line.
  • Clamp the tile, press by hand.
  • Make the cut.

Allowed to cut and break. If you want to achieve a neat, even edge, the cut is not carried out strictly on the mark, and with a margin (2-5 mm), then make grinding the edge.

To reduce the amount of damage to the glazed surface, it is recommended to first leave a shallow groove on it, then turn it over and cut from the back side.

Possible errors

What can cause chipping and defects:

best, porcelain, tiles
  • Poor quality grinding disc. cracks, damage, poor sharpening.
  • Cutting wheel is installed on the wrong side or wrong choice. thickness or height of edge is too low, there is no diamond coating.
  • Mismatch between the blade of the roller and the marked line.
  • Insufficient fixation. in the process of cutting the tile vibrates and shifts.
  • The operation is performed in several steps, which increases the percentage of defects.
  • Powerful tools are used, quick, jerky movements, strong pressure.

The final result depends on the special skills of the craftsman and the proper selection of cutting tools.

Cutting porcelain tiles at home is carried out with the help of various devices. Let’s talk about them.

Possible errors

Which can be the cause of chips and defects:

  • Poor quality of the grinding disc. cracks, damage, poor sharpening.
  • The cutting wheel is installed on the wrong side, or it is selected incorrectly. the thickness or height of the edge is low, the diamond coating layer is missing.
  • Misalignment of the cutting wheel blade with the planned line.
  • Insufficient fixation. tiles vibrate and move around when they are cut.
  • The operation is performed in several approaches, which increases the percentage of defects.
  • Powerful tools are used, quick, sharp movements, strong pressure.

The end result depends on the presence of special skills of the master and the proper selection of cutting tools.

Cutting of porcelain stoneware at home is carried out with the help of various devices. About them and we will talk.

Unique characteristics of porcelain stoneware

Ceramic granite, also called kerogranite, is a finishing material of artificial origin, which in its appearance and performance characteristics little different from natural stones. It is used for finishing of residential apartments and public buildings, as well as for high-quality coating of facades of various buildings.

Originally, porcelain tiles were used exclusively as tiles for installing flooring on sites with heavy loads. It was installed in industrial workshops and in public places. In recent years, the scope of use of the described material has significantly expanded, thanks to its special properties. Ordinary consumers will appreciate the following unique characteristics of tiles made of ceramic granite:

  • antistaticity;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • external aesthetics;
  • frost and wear resistance;
  • hygienic;
  • durability of operation;
  • refractoriness;
  • high durability.

Ceramic granite tilesIn addition, granite does not crumble, does not fray during use, not scratched even under considerable stress. All these advantages stipulate and bold disadvantage of the material. it is very difficult to cut with your own hands, without resorting to the help of specialized companies.

Difficult does not mean that cutting porcelain stoneware in domestic conditions is completely impossible. Below we describe all the tools with which you can independently cut porcelain tiles to your desired geometric parameters.

Overview of porcelain tile cutting tools

With what to cut a tile made of porcelain tiles? Experts advise to choose a tool based on what goals you are pursuing. Let’s consider each one in more detail.

Glass cutter

Glass cutter is not designed for cutting porcelain tiles, but in the absence of other options, you can also use it

Not designed for cutting porcelain stoneware, but if there is no alternative, it can be used too, but only if you do a small amount of work.

A manual tile cutter

Simple and reliable tool for cutting porcelain tiles

A simple and easy to handle tool that allows you to cut even strips from porcelain tiles. The tile is fixed with special clamps, after which the lever with a cutting element makes the cut. As a result, the tile easily breaks in the place of the cut.

Electric tile cutter

Professional porcelain tile cutting

A professional tool that allows you to make nearly perfect cuts with straight or slightly rounded edges. The electric tile cutter is designed specifically for this purpose, so it has clear advantages not only over hand-held devices, but also over electric ones.

angle grinder

You can also cut porcelain tiles with an ordinary angle grinder

It is a universal tool that can also be used to cut porcelain tiles. True, in this case, the angle grinder must be equipped with a special “diamond” disc. The angle grinder is not a bad variant both for professionals and amateurs.

Pliers

The pliers are the easiest tool to use for making shaped cuts

The pliers are the simplest tool for cutting tiles in general and ceramic granite in particular. To be precise, the levers do not cut, but break off small pieces of tile, making it possible to obtain the required shape groove or curve.

“Ballerina”

Any hole diameter can be made with the ‘ballerina

This is the name of a special tool that can be used to make holes of different diameters in porcelain tiles.

Circular saw

Circular saw or diamond drill bit makes perfectly flat holes in porcelain stoneware

The best tool for making curved cuts and holes in tiles. Allows you to cut porcelain tiles of any thickness and hardness.

Ceramic tile cutting tool comparison chart

The tool Advantages Disadvantages Conclusion
Glass cutter Easy to use. Inexpensive.

Porcelain tile cutting technology

Let’s consider the most popular tools for cutting porcelain stoneware.

Hand held tile cutter

For all its simplicity, the manual tile cutter provides a fairly high quality of work. The tool consists of a support platform, two guides that make the cut perfectly flat, a lever with a cutting roller and clamps for breaking the tiles.

Some models of handheld tile cutters are equipped with a “ballerina”, which allows you to make round holes of different diameters in the tiles.

The handheld tile cutter is suitable for tile thicknesses of 8 mm, 1 cm, etc. д. (up to 12 millimeters). Keep in mind that the thicker the tile, the bigger the diameter of the cutting roller should be. Ideally the two should be identical.

Preparing the tile cutter for use

Before you start work, make sure that the cutting roller is not blunt and that its size corresponds to the thickness of the chosen tile. The roller can be replaced if necessary.

After fixing, the roller should rotate freely. If this does not happen, try a drop of oil on the fixing points.

best, porcelain, tiles

Determine the ease of movement of the tile cutter on the guide rods. If the cutting element is stiff or if it starts to chatter, you should check the bearings and clean the rails.

Cutting porcelain tile

  • After measuring, a pencil or marker is used to make the corresponding marks on the tile;
  • lay the tile on the platform of the tile cutter, align the cut trimmer line with the cutting roller;
  • To prevent the tile from shifting while cutting, it must be fixed by hand;
  • the roller is placed on the edge of the tile and, smoothly pressing on the lever, guide it along the entire line of the cut;

The smoother you move the roller, the better the finished cut will be.

IMPORTANT! To avoid chipping the cut, try to cut the tile “in one go”.

  • After the cut on the tile is made, it is fixed on the platform with fixing claws so that the line for the cut trimmer is between them;
  • on the part of the tile that protrudes from the platform, start pressing with your hand until the tile breaks.

When cut with a handheld tile cutter, the edges of the tiles are fairly even, but the appearance of small chips and irregularities is not excluded. In this case, the deformed edge should be sanded down.

We offer you a master class on cutting porcelain tiles with a manual tile cutter.

angle grinder

the angle grinder can cut a variety of materials, ceramic granite is no exception.

Preparing for work

To cut porcelain tiles on the angle grinder must be installed a special “diamond disc”. When installing the disc, make sure it is securely fastened and always wear safety glasses and gloves.

IMPORTANT! Since the angle grinder is a very dangerous tool, the use of all protective elements and the observance of safety rules are mandatory.

Working with the angle grinder

The technology of cutting porcelain tiles is not much different from cutting other materials.

In contrast to the manual tile cutter angle grinder can do not only straight but also shaped cuts.

  • Tiles are cut along the marked line with an angle grinder. To reduce the number of chips, try to cut the tiles “in one approach”;
  • When cutting porcelain tiles with an angle grinder small chips and cracks can appear on the edges and face of the tile, the end of the tile is mended with sandpaper or a sanding disc after cutting.

Electric tile cutter

While the previous two methods are considered “dry” cutting, the following technology refers to “wet” cutting. In other words, during the process, water is supplied to the tile cutter, which protects the cutting element from overheating. An almost perfectly even and smooth cut is thereby assured.

Electric tile cutters are of two kinds: with a movable and stationary disc. In the first case, the cutting unit slides along the tile on special guides, while in the second case, the tile is fed to the disc with a platform or simply by hand.

IMPORTANT! When working with stationary tile cutters, you must be especially careful to follow safety rules.

In addition to the platform and the cutting unit, most electric tile cutters are equipped with a container of water in which part of the cutting disc is immersed. This allows you to protect the disc from overheating, and also greatly reduces the amount of dust during operation.

Preparing for work

Before starting work, you should check the reliability of attachment of the disc and the presence of water in a special container.

If the tile cutter has already been used, it is necessary to clean the cutting disc and change the water, because the porcelain chips that have got into it prevent the cooling process.

Tile cutting

Professional tools allow you to cut porcelain stoneware almost perfectly

The very technology of cutting on an electric tile cutter is very simple: a pre-determined line for the cut trimmer is combined with the cutting disc and a special lever moves it along the tile or feeds it to the disc.

In the case of manual filing of tiles, it is not recommended to press both halves of the tile, as there is a high probability of tile twisting on one side, which can adversely affect the quality of the cut.

Since the cut edges on electric tile cutters are almost perfectly straight, they do not need any further work.

An overview of tools for cutting porcelain tiles

With what to cut tiles from porcelain tiles? Experts advise to choose a tool on the basis of what goals you are pursuing. Let’s consider each one in more detail.

Glass cutter

The glass cutter is not designed for cutting porcelain tile, but in the absence of other options, you can also use it

Not built for cutting porcelain tile, but if there is no alternative, it can be used too, but only if you do a small amount of work.

Hand held tile cutter

A simple, reliable tool for cutting porcelain tile

A simple and easy-to-use tool that allows you to cut even strips from porcelain tile. The tile is fixed by special clamps, after which the lever with a cutting element makes the cut. As a result, the tile breaks easily at the point of cut.

Electric tile cutter

Cutting porcelain stoneware on a professional level

The professional tool that allows you to make nearly perfect cuts with straight or slightly rounded edges. The electric tile cutter is designed specifically for this purpose, so it has clear advantages not only over handheld devices, but also over electric ones.

angle grinder

Porcelain stoneware can also be cut with an ordinary angle grinder

This is a universal tool, with the help of which you can also cut tiles from porcelain tiles. However, in this case, the angle grinder must be equipped with a special “diamond” disc. The angle grinder is a good option for professionals and amateurs alike.

Pliers

The pliers are the easiest tool for making curved cuts

Pliers. the simplest tool for cutting tiles in general and porcelain tiles in particular. To be precise, pliers do not cut, but break off small pieces of tile, allowing the result to be a groove or a bend of the desired shape.

“Ballerina

With the ‘ballerina’ you can make holes of any diameter

This is the name of a special tool that can be used to make holes of different diameters in porcelain tile.

Circular saw

Circular saw or diamond drill bit makes perfectly flat holes in porcelain tiles

The best tool for making curved cuts and holes in tiles. Allows you to cut porcelain stoneware of any thickness and hardness.

A comparative table for cutting porcelain tile

The tool Advantages Disadvantages Conclusion
Glass cutter Easy to use. Inexpensive.

Technologies of porcelain tile cutting

Let’s look at the porcelain tile cutting technologies with the most popular tools.

Hand held tile cutter

For all its simplicity, the manual tile cutter provides a sufficiently high quality of work. The tool consists of a support platform, two guides that make the cut perfectly flat, a lever with a cutting roller and clamps for breaking tiles.

Some models of handheld tile cutters are equipped with a “ballerina” which allows to make round holes of different diameters in the tiles.

The handheld tile cutter is suitable for tile thicknesses of 8mm, 1cm, etc. д. (up to 12 millimeters). Note that the thicker the tile, the larger the diameter of the cutting roller must be. Ideally, these two values should coincide.

Preparing the tile cutter for work

Before you start, please make sure that the cutting roller is not blunted and that its size fits the thickness of the chosen tile. If necessary, the roller can be replaced.

Once attached, the roller must rotate freely. If not, try a drop of oil on the fixing points.

Determine the ease of movement of the tile cutter on the guide rods. If the cutting element runs tightly or, on the contrary, is loose, it is worth checking the bearings and cleaning the guides.

Cutting porcelain tiles

  • After measuring on the tile with a pencil or marker make appropriate marks;
  • the tile is placed on the platform of the tile cutter, align the cut trimmer line with the cutting roller;
  • to prevent the tile from shifting while cutting, it must be fixed with your hand;
  • the roller is placed on the edge of the tile and, pressing smoothly on the lever, guide it along the entire line of the cut;

The smoother you move the roller, the better the finished cut will be.

IMPORTANT! To avoid chips in the cut, try to cut the tile in one step.

  • After the cut on the tile is made, it is fixed on the platform with the fixing feet so that the line for the cut trimmer is between them;
  • on the part of the tile that is sticking out from the platform, start pressing with your hand until the tile breaks.

When cutting with a manual tile cutter, the edges of the tiles are quite even, but the appearance of small chips and irregularities is not excluded. In this case, the deformed edge must be grinded off.

We offer you a master class on cutting porcelain tiles with a manual tile cutter.

angle grinder

The angle grinder can cut all kinds of materials. porcelain stoneware is no exception.

Getting ready to work

A special “diamond disc” must be installed on the angle grinder to cut porcelain tiles. When installing the disc, make sure it is securely fastened and always wear eye protection and gloves.

IMPORTANT! Since the angle grinder is a very dangerous tool, the use of all protective elements and observance of safety rules is mandatory.

Work with an angle grinder

The technology of cutting porcelain stoneware itself is not much different from cutting other materials.

In contrast to the manual grinder angle grinder can do not only straight but also shaped cuts.

  • The tile is cut along the marked line with an angle grinder. To reduce the number of chips try to cut tiles “in one approach”;
  • Since cutting porcelain tiles with an angle grinder can leave small chips and cracks on the edges and face of the tile, the end of the tile is grinded with sandpaper or a sanding disc after cutting.

Electric tile cutter

While the previous two methods are regarded as “dry” cutting, the following technique is regarded as “wet” cutting. In other words, during the process, water is supplied to the tile cutter, which protects the cutting element from overheating. A nearly perfectly smooth and even cut is thereby assured.

Electric tile cutters are of two types: with a movable and a fixed disk. In the first case, the cutting unit moves along the tile on special guides, while in the second case, the tile is fed to the disc with the help of a platform or simply by hands.

IMPORTANT! When working with fixed tile cutters, particular care must be taken to follow the safety rules.

In addition to the platform and the cutting unit, most electric tile cutters are equipped with a container of water, in which part of the cutting disc is immersed. This helps to protect the disc from overheating, and also greatly reduces the amount of dust during work.

Getting ready to work

Before starting work, you should check that the disc is securely fastened and that there is water in a special container.

If the tile cutter has already been used, the cutting disc should be cleaned and the water changed, as chips of porcelain tile in the water interfere with the cooling process.

Tile cutting

Professional tools allow you to cut porcelain tiles almost perfectly

The very technology of cutting on an electric tile cutter is very simple: a pre-determined line for the trimmer of the cut is combined with the cutting disc and a special lever moves it along the tile or feeds it to the disc.

In the case of manual feeding of tiles, it is not recommended to press on both halves of the tile, as there is a high probability that the tile will be twisted on one side, which can negatively affect the quality of the cut.

Since the cut edges on electric tile cutters are almost perfectly flat, they do not need any further work.

How to get rid of dust when cutting tiles

Electric jigsaw. this is an indispensable tool in the case when it is necessary to cut tiles in a curved line, and the required curves are steep enough. However, it is very difficult to use an electric jigsaw for cutting in porcelain tile, this method is only suitable for ceramic tiles. Naturally, it is not just an ordinary saw for fiberboard, but a special diamond saw for a good quality jigsaw, because the tiles have an increased strength. A circular saw is more suitable for cutting porcelain tiles.

Before making an inside cut with the jigsaw, it is necessary to drill a hole with a diameter slightly larger than the width of the diamond saw. To drill it, step back from the cutting line inward a few millimeters more than the radius of the drill so as to give a reserve for possible chips when drilling.

Block: 4/8 | Number of characters: 832

Cutting with angle grinder

The angle grinder (angle grinder) is a universal tool for cutting and processing a variety of materials. No special tools because of its universal applicability. In the home with an angle grinder you can solve many problems.

Almost any angle grinder will do for cutting porcelain tiles. There is no need for high power. A small, lightweight tool is even preferable. Speed is more important than power. A powerful tool will cut tiles faster, but just the speed can affect negatively. you will get less accurately.

The main issue is the selection of cutting disc. It is the choice of wheel that you should pay special attention to. And it is not about the seating size (it is a matter of course).

Choice of cutting disc

Only diamond discs cut the material. Diamond discs are available in two types: continuous and segmented. For best results, it is recommended to try and make cuts with different cutting discs. For cutting porcelain tile there are peculiarities when using both solid and segmented discs:

    Solid discs are positioned by manufacturers mainly for wet cutting. Т.е. for cutting with water cooling or special fluids. And are not used for cutting without cooling, because they can fail quickly. However, when the aim is to produce a cut with as few chips as possible, the solid disc may be the best choice. This is situational and depends a lot on the specific material (quality, thickness, relief, etc.) that is being processed;

In addition to the type, discs differ in a whole set of parameters: the density of the diamond coating, the height of the cutting edge, the thickness of the disc, etc. It is best to follow the recommendations of the disk manufacturers. The discs themselves usually have an indication of what they are used for.

Discs less than 2.0 mm thick are not acceptable for cutting with a manual angle grinder. The height of cutting edge should be bigger than the thickness of the tile (it affects the cut accuracy).

Tip! Check the blade before each cut. In case of any deviations the disk is changed, otherwise there is an increased risk of splintering.

The technology

  • Make a marking on the tile. It is best to use a construction marker for this.
  • Place the tile on a flat surface. In some cases it may be more convenient to secure the tile to the surface with clamps or to fix it into a workbench.
  • In order to obtain a smooth cut, you can additionally use wire clamps to secure a metal strip along the cutting line. Afterwards, you have to cut along it.
  • The cutting is carried out from the front side, as the output is the largest number of chips. It is possible to make a double cut. Make a small groove first on the face side, and make the main cut on the back side. This method will minimize damage to the face surface.
  • If there are no strict cutting requirements, it is possible not to saw all the way through. After making the cuts, break the slab with your hands.
  • It is advisable to guide the tool starting from yourself.
  • Additionally sand the cut if necessary.

General recommendations

When using an angle grinder must use protective equipment:

  • Suit that covers legs and arms;
  • safety goggles (a mask is better);
  • Protective gloves or gloves;
  • respirator (with a considerable amount of work is mandatory).
  • The ability to cut an element of almost any shape. For the shape cut, you need good skills with the tool;
  • The possibility of trimming tiles that have already been laid in place;
  • Tool availability.
  • risk of injury;
  • it is very difficult to obtain geometrically accurate cuts;
  • It is very labor-intensive to obtain a clean cut without splintering;
  • Low speed of work;
  • High amount of dust and noise.

It is not possible to achieve a perfect cut with an angle grinder the first time. For accurate cuts without splintering cut with an indentation of 2-5 mm from the line. Then bring it to the right size by grinding. This is quite a time-consuming operation and takes a lot of time, so it is recommended to carry out only with elements that will be in a prominent place.

Or use the trick, as in the video below:

Block: 3/5 | Number of characters: 4391

Recommendations for work

The technology of cutting porcelain tiles depends only on the tool that you will use.

Cutting tiles for the floor with an angle grinder involves several sequential operations:

  • Before starting the work, the material should be secured firmly on a flat surface. This can be a special bed or a wooden board. It is important that the product does not slip, as it is dangerous, and will not allow the operator to saw evenly.
  • Ceramic tile should be cut slowly, consistently moving the angle grinder along the marked line. If a lot of dust forms, you can sprinkle the place of the cut with water. This will also slightly reduce the temperature of the saw, and increase its service life.

Cutting material with an electric tile cutter is carried out almost the same technology as the processing of the angle grinder. Here too the tile is fixed on the machine, but the carving is only made in a shallow depth along the entire cutting line. After that the product is taken out and simply broken up.

Working with an electric jigsaw, you should adhere to these specific recommendations:

  • The first thing to do is to draw the contours by which the cutting will be done. It is desirable to moisten the porcelain stoneware slightly with a small amount of water. After that, you need to slowly start destroying the tiles, constantly watching the condition of the wire.
  • During the work, it is advisable to blow off the dust, which not only covers the marks, but also clogs the thread. This allows you to better control the motion operations of the working body.
  • If the thread reaches the end or edge, it is important to control the load on it. It is better to reduce the speed a little to keep the tool in one piece, and to get a smooth cut.

If you decide to use a circular saw for machining, then there are also a few nuances here:

  • The tile should only be placed on the bed. Cutting by weight is not permissible, as this can cause injury to hands or other organs.
  • Move the workpiece along the previously marked line in the direction of travel of the disc. It is important that the blade goes into the material, not out of it. Otherwise you will have difficulty holding the sheet and the quality of the cut will be severely reduced. You have to hold both sides firmly with your hands so that the material does not slip out.

Always follow all safety guidelines for circular saws.

Particular attention must be paid to facing. For such purposes special automated machines are used which are able to process an edge at an angle of 45 degrees.

For cutting, the material is simply inserted on the bed and fixed with special clamps. After that, the rollers feed it to the knives, where they remove the bevel. It is difficult or nearly impossible to obtain such a thing at home. But you can try to do it with an angle grinder, which can remove the ends.

Tips from the Professionals

Getting a quality cut at home is practically possible.

For these purposes, you should simply follow a few rules of experienced craftsmen:

  • Cut porcelain stoneware should only be from the front side of the material. This minimizes the appearance of chips. If you perform this procedure the other way around, the saw will simply tear the decorative layer and make it look ugly when it comes out.
  • After cutting, it is desirable to treat all the ends with a professional grinder. This allows you to get rid of small chips, which are not always needed on the surface of the product.
  • Correctly cut should be done only with the application of little physical effort. Otherwise, it could lead to splitting of the material or a large number of large chips.
  • Use only quality saws and other cutting tools. This will not only allow you to cut more pieces, but also reduce the risk of cracks during the work.
  • When there is a need to cut an “L” shaped workpiece out of porcelain tile, then it is advisable to use resilient materials as a backing. Such a base will not allow the product to crack in the corner, where the risk of crack formation is highest.
  • The best way to shape holes is to use diamond bits or special ballerinas. They allow you to get a hole with straight edges and a precisely defined size. If you do not have this tool, then you can try to cut the hole with an angle grinder. But this approach requires skill in working with this tool.
  • Be sure to wear protective clothing that minimizes exposure to dust or other unforeseen factors on the body.

Cutting porcelain stoneware is a complex process that requires compliance with all the nuances of working with this material. Use only quality and serviceable tools when working with this product. Only in this way we can get an even and beautiful cut that will fit into the interior of the room.

Learn how to properly cut ceramic granite with a handheld tile cutter from the following video