Type of Tile Cutting Methods
- Cutting Tile With Wet Saw
- Cutting Tile With a Snap Cutter
- Cutting Tile With an Angle Grinder
1) Cutting Tile With Wet Saw
This is one of the most versatile for any pro, which can cut all of the materials mentioned above: natural stone, porcelain and ceramic, and glass. The only caveat is that if you will be cutting glass tile, you’ll need to switch out your blade for one specifically designed for cutting glass.
A wet saw is a saw with water in the reservoir. Water is pumped up through a hose and drips it out onto the blade, keeping the blade cool so that your tile can get smooth cuts all the way through. The blade stays in place, and you slide the tile through to make cuts.
Top Tips for Cutting Tile With a Wet Saw
- After turning on the machine, let the blade come up to speed before you begin.
- Apply constant pressure as you push the tile through using two hands.
- Always use appropriate protective equipment to cover your ears and eyes when using a wet saw.
2) Cutting Tile With Snap Cutter
The only tile you cannot cut on a snap cutter is natural stone. Snap cutters are very versatile tools, because they are relatively lightweight and easy to carry around, set up and break down, and you can work with virtually no dust—or mess—right next to your job site.
There are many different versions of snap cutters on the market, but all of them have virtually the same components: they’ll have a cutting wheel, rails (usually two, but sometimes a single rail), and a handle so you can apply pressure.
Top Tips for Cutting Tile With a Snap Cutter
- Hold the tile with firm downward pressure
- Start your cut at the very edge of the tile
- Apply even pressure all the way through until the wheel rolls off of the tile
- Make sure pressure legs are flat when they come into contact with the tile
3) Cutting Tile With a Angle Grinder
The third and final method covered in this article is an angle grinder. When using an angle grinder to cut tile, you want to make sure that you are using a diamond blade.
L World Tiles recommend using an angle grinder to cut ceramic and porcelain only.
There are glass blades for angle grinders available on the market for cutting glass tile, but it’s extremely difficult. And while you can cut natural stone with an angle grinder, you need to apply a water source to prevent chipping, so it takes a higher level of skill.
Top Tips for Cutting Tile With an Angle Grinder
- An angle grinder is very loud, very powerful and generates a lot of dust. Perform your cuts outdoors, wear a face mask, and protect your ears and eyes.
- As you cut, pull the grinder toward you in a straight line. Don’t twist your wrist or try to go left or right.
