Ceramic tile cutter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ceramic tile cutters are used to cut tiles to a required size or shape. They come in a number of different forms, from basic manual devices to complex attachments for power tools.

1 Hand Tools
2 Tiling Snips
3 Glass Cutter
4 Beam Score Cutters, Cutter Boards
5 Power Tools
6 Angle Grinders
7 Tile Saws
8 Gallery
9 See also
10 External links

[edit] Hand Tools

Mass produced ceramic tiles of medium to soft grades are cut easily with hand tools. The glazed surface of the tile is first scored with a tool that carries a hardened metal wheel. Then with a support directly under the score pressure is applied to either side of the cut and the tile snaps along the score.

[edit] Tiling Snips

Snips or nips are similar to small pairs of pincers, with part of the width of the tool removed so that they can be fit into small holes. They can be used to break off small edges of tiles that have been scored or nibble out small chips enlarging holes etc.

[edit] Glass Cutter

A simple hand held glass cutter is capable of scoring smooth surface glazes allowing the tile to be snapped.

[edit] Beam Score Cutters, Cutter Boards

The twin beam and single beam cutter boards have the following features:-

They simplify the scoring and the breaking functions.
Adjustable fences for angled cuts and square cuts.
Fence stops for multiple cuts of exactly the same size.
The beam(s) are height adjustable to handle different thicknesses of tiles.
The scoring wheel is easily replaceable.
They come in various sizes to accommodate tile sizes.

[edit] Power Tools

The harder grades of ceramic tiles like fully vitrified porcelain tiles, stone tiles, and some clay tiles with textured surfaces have to be cut with a diamond blade. The diamond blades are mounted in:-

[edit] Angle Grinders

A 100mm angle grinder is used for short, sometimes curved cuts. It can also be used for "L" shaped cuts and for making holes. It is used dry and more rarely used wet.

[edit] Tile Saws

Dedicated tile saws are designed to be used with water as a coolant for the diamond blade.
They are available in different sizes.
Adjustable fences for angled cuts and square cuts.
Fence stops for multiple cuts of exactly the same size.

[edit] Gallery

Simple glass cutter used to cut ceramic tile.	Sigma single beam tile cutter.	Close up of Sigma cutter and breaking handle.	Close up of Sigma tile cutter.
100mm (4") angle grinder with diamond blade, with tiling snips being used to cut holes in tiles.