Encyclopedia

of Home Improvements

*Cutting Tile & Stone*

Tile Saw

A wet tile saw actually grinds a cut through the tile or stone. The circular blade with Diamond chips are mounted on a circular blade that grinds its way through the tile or stone. A submersible water pump sits in a water pan. Whenever the saw's motor turns on, a submersible water pump provides a stream of water that cools and lubricates the spinning blade.

Tile saws are operated very similar to a table saw. The tile is gently pushed past the spinning blade. Because you are grinding and not cutting keep an even gentile pressure on the tile or stone as you cut. Eye protection is a must!!!!

Like most tools you need a little practice get a good feel for how they really work.Take a few scrape pieces of the tile or stone your cutting and practice several cuts.Many manufacturers have different blades that they recommend for cutting marble, granite brick or tile. Unless you are having a hard time cutting a certain material, an all-purpose blade should work fine. Make sure that the pump is always working. Cutting tile or stone with a dry blade will ruin it in a matter of minutes.

Tile Nippers

Tile nippers are used to make irregular cuts in ceramic tile. They can also be used to make straight or angled cuts although you will find it much easier to use a tile cutter or wet saw to make these types of cuts. Don't forget your eye protection!!!

Scoring Tile With A Single Rail Ceramic Tile Cutter

We recommend that you practice a few times with some scrap tile before starting your project. Straight ceramic tile cutters are designed to score fired clay ceramic tiles that have a thin porcelain coating on their surface (glaze). Stone, fully vitrified porcelain tiles, and some types of unglazed clay tiles may not cut properly with this type of cutter. You will need a quality wet saw to make these types of cuts.

Align the marked tile with the arrow on the tile cutter. Place the guide into position and tighten securely to hold tile in place. You can keep the guide in place if you need to make multiple cuts of the same size.

Hold handle firmly and place scoring wheel on outermost edge of tile. Push down slightly and pull the handle towards you until the entire length of the tile has been scored. In other words, the ceramic tile should have an unbroken scratch from one edge to the other.

Pull handles forward to top edge of tile and press down on handle. The tile should break along the scored marking.

Cutting Holes

Core bits for drilling the faucet-mounting holes in counter tops, vanities and general slab drilling. Diamond hole saws cut clean, smooth holes through all ceramic tile, marble, porcelain and glass.

Grinding Wheel

With a diamond chip blade this tool can take on small cuts in almost any masonry product. It is lightweight and powerful. With the different blades available it is hard to find something you can't cut with it.

Back to Topics Page

Contact