How to cut tile

Tile is a building material that is used for cladding various surfaces for decorative purposes, so it has a fragile structure and must be treated with extreme care. When working with tiles, there is almost always a need to cut it. This process can be carried out by several methods. In addition, each method involves the use of different tools. Below is described in detail how to cut tiles on the basis of ceramics. It is useful to know the features associated with the implementation of this procedure.

The device tile cutter.

Ways of cutting tiles

First you need to find the tools. In the selection process should be borne in mind that each method involves a different amount of work to be done. In addition, the device for processing wall tiles is not always suitable for cutting floor tiles. If you are faced with the task of radial cutting of building materials, here you will need to use a special cutting technology.

The tile is often used for wall cladding. This type of tile has a more relaxed structure, so its cutting causes less difficulty compared to dense varieties of tiles that are used for flooring.

How to cut tile tile cutter?

Cutting tile pattern with a glass cutter.

This tool is most often used for cutting tile, since handling it is quite simple. The roller glass cutter is ideal for cutting tiles in small quantities, since all work with it can be completed in the shortest possible time.

Before starting work, you need to decompose the tile on a flat surface and mark the desired areas with a marker. Take a glass cutter in your hand just as you would hold a simple ballpoint pen, and gently roll it towards you, gently pressing down on its base. The successful result will be indicated by a noticeable strip left on the marked line. Then you need to put a tile on the tubercle (a match or a nail) and gently break the smaller fragment, holding most of the other hand.

Using an oil-type glass cutter, it is much easier to cut a tile, since a small container is embedded in its handle, where a mixture of technical oil and kerosene is added. During the processing of building materials, the fluid flows to the base and softens the interaction of the tool with the tile surface.

The advantages of a glass cutter:

• high cutting speed;
• low tool cost;
• ease of operation and maintenance.

The disadvantage of the tool is the difficulty of cutting a huge amount of tile, because each tile must be carefully cracked after processing. In addition, it is not adapted for frequent use and can quickly fail.

Method of cutting tile with manual tile cutter

Diagram of tile cutting grinder.

If you are faced with the task of processing a large number of tiles, the manual tile cutter will become an indispensable tool in this matter. It is a base with core tubes and a cutting element.

To cut the tile, you need to push it under the profile tube and, exerting a little pressure, push the element for cutting away from you. For the most effective result, you should try to observe a stable level of pressure on the handle. At the end of the cut tile will need to press on the handle and break the tile.

Advantages of manual tile cutter:

• comfort during work;
• the handle reduces the need for physical force;
• tile is cut with high precision.

Among the shortcomings should be noted the limitedness of the tool: with its help it is impossible to cut fragments less than 5 mm wide. In some cases, the edges of the cut area are uneven, but this can be corrected by manual grinding.

How to cut floor tiles?

This type of tile has a high degree of hardness, so the floor tile requires a special approach. When choosing a suitable tool, it is recommended to pay attention to the options that are discussed below.

Electric cutting method

For productive and high-quality cutting electric tile cutter is well suited. It is a special machine that is powered from the power grid, which includes a motor and a platform where the tile cutting element is mounted. Material processing is carried out thanks to a diamond-coated cutting wheel and a reservoir of water.

Certain models imply partial immersion of the circle in water, but most often the edge of the cutting element only touches the edge of the water. This is required to reduce the likelihood of dust formation and protect the tool from cracking, which significantly prolongs its service life.

The electric tile cutter is considered to be a professional equipment for cutting tiles, therefore it is universal. With it, you can cut the tile of any degree of hardness. The cuts are perfectly straight and smoothed. The tool is able to cut fragments less than 5 mm wide. It is well suited for making small holes, and the cut can be carried out at a 45 ° slope.

The only disadvantage of the electric hob is the high cost. It should only be purchased for permanent use.

Cutting tiles grinder

If you are not well versed in how to cut tiles, it is recommended to resort to the use of grinders. This tool is considered household, so it is ideal for people who do not have professional knowledge and experience in cutting tile.

Tools for laying tiles.

It is very easy to cut a tile with a grinder: you need to connect the device to the power grid, start it with the power button and wait until the circle has reached the required speed. Cutting should be carried out in the direction away from you without any extra effort. Do not forget to pre-mark the desired areas on the surface of the tile.

For sawing tiles, it is recommended to purchase a tool that provides adjustment of the speed of rotation of the circle. When working with tiles, the rotation speed should not exceed 3.5 thousand rpm. If the speed goes beyond this value, there is a risk of chipping on the tile surface. At the same time, a lot of shavings and dust are formed within the radius of work, as they fly away over a long distance at high speed.

When selecting a circle, you should focus on the cutting elements intended for processing concrete surfaces (diamond). The use of wheels for processing metal structures is unacceptable.

The Bulgarian is great for work related to sawing tiles, because it has a low cost and the simplest principle of operation. At the same time, this tool has its drawbacks. As mentioned above, in the process of work a large amount of debris and dust is formed. In some cases, the edge of the cut-off fragments turns out to be uneven, so it needs to be ground manually with an emery paper and a file, removing the sharp protrusions with the help of the nippers.

It is worth remembering that working with a grinder implies extremely careful and careful handling of the tool, since it represents a danger to human health.

To eliminate the possibility of harm to yourself and others, it is recommended to use safety glasses, work gloves and a respirator.

In addition, in the process of cutting tiles, the grinder needs to be held tight. Make sure you have enough free space to not harass yourself while working.

The guide discusses the most effective and popular methods of cutting wall and floor tiles. After examining all the nuances, choose the most appropriate way.