Cutting tiles.

[ajlelectronics]

I have some tiles from B&Q which are going onto the hearth. The size is 600 by 300 and 8mm ish thick.

The problem is that they will not break! I thought it was my tool's wheel that was blunt so bought another. Tested on some similar tiles in the bathroom which cut cleanly and easily. No matter what I do, they will not fracture along the scribed line. I do have a motorised cutter which I will have to resort to, but I wondered if this is a common problem when tiling?

 

[zzr1200]

What you really need is a cnc laser or water jet cutting table, it'll also cut metal buy dont tell the wife......

The wet tile cutter will work as well, but takes absolutely agessss....

 

[julianthegypsy]

Angle grinder.

 

[AndersK]

If you're cutting that close to the edge it will struggle to break, or destroy the tile when. Diamond wheel in a motor cutter or angle grinder as suggested will make it.

 

[ajlelectronics]

If you're cutting that close to the edge it will struggle to break, or destroy the tile when. Diamond wheel in a motor cutter or angle grinder as suggested will make it.

The test cut was 130mm from the end, across the width.

 

[gaz1]

you wont break that as i have the proper tile cutter for them

even ive resorted back to using the pliers to chip them off

yeah you could use a diamond wet wheel

 

[Blobber]

On some tiles I have resorted to using a hand scribe and straight edge to get a deeper score

 

[AndersK]

130 mm should be ok.

Last floor tiles I did was super hard. Took tremendous force to break

 

[gaz1]

The test cut was 130mm from the end, across the width.

what cutter are you using ?

as some tiles need a sharp jar to crack them

 

[GraemeVW]

They look like normal glazed tiles from here. Should score and snap easily enough with a good tile cutter.

Why the masking tape though?

 

[ajlelectronics]

They look like normal glazed tiles from here. Should score and snap easily enough with a good tile cutter.

Why the masking tape though?

because they are angled cuts and I needed a line to follow. This is a "character" property and there isn't a square edge in the place! The fireplace is trapezoid.

 

[GraemeVW]

because they are angled cuts and I needed a line to follow. This is a "character" property and there isn't a square edge in the place! The fireplace is trapezoid.

I just mark the size at each end and scribe between.
However, i used to teach tiling and in alot of things I always said there are many ways and the right way is the way that works best for you.

I was just wondering if the tape may be having an effect on how well it's scoring the tile. It may not though, I've never tried that.

 

[James1979]

Diamond disc and and angry grinder?

Someone has something in the sale section that would be just the job. @Pete. possibly?

 

[ajlelectronics]

I just mark the size at each end and scribe between.
However, i used to teach tiling and in alot of things I always said there are many ways and the right way is the way that works best for you.

I was just wondering if the tape may be having an effect on how well it's scoring the tile. It may not though, I've never tried that.

I did a test first on some similar tiles and found that the tape didn't interfere at all with the cut.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Diamond disc and and angry grinder?

Someone has something in the sale section that would be just the job. @Pete. possibly?

I have a proper motorised cutter but they are just so messy and I prefer not to if there is an alterative.

 

[GraemeVW]

I did a test first on some similar tiles and found that the tape didn't interfere at all with the cut.

That's good to know. On some tiles it can be very hard to see the marks of you can't find all your different marking tools!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Never had ceramic/porcelain not snap

Not snapping nicely is a different matter. Sometimes they just sheer off at an angle. Had a whole bathroom of porcelain like that last year.

Thankfully I've got this tucked away and saved the day. Makes a tidy job of cuts.

Bite the bullet and use your wet saw.

 

[Pete.]

Continuous rim disc in a mini grinder will cut it with a spry of water. If the disc gets blunt and starts to hamer just flip it around and go again.

You might get away with a segmented disc but you'll have to do a trial cut to find that out.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Continuous rim disc in a mini grinder will cut it with a spry of water. If the disc gets blunt and starts to hamer just flip it around and go again.

You might get away with a segmented disc but you'll have to do a trial cut to find that out.

When I've had to cut with a grinder I find using a cutting board helps kill vibration in the blade and slight pressure away from the good side of the cut reduces chipping

 

[zzr1200]

Never had ceramic/porcelain not snap

Not snapping nicely is a different matter. Sometimes they just sheer off at an angle. Had a whole bathroom of porcelain like that last year.

Thankfully I've got this tucked away and saved the day. Makes a tidy job of cuts.

Bite the bullet and use your wet saw.

View attachment 323052 View attachment 323053

That didn't come out of B&Qs end of line reduced stock....