When tiling, you’ll need to cut some tiles to size and may also need to make cutouts for things like pipes or corners. There are various methods you can use for this. What are the useful tools, and how do you achieve a smooth, scratch-free finish?
Cutting tiles with a tile cutter
A tile cutter is suitable for cutting tiles either straight or diagonally. This simple tool comes equipped with a cutting wheel and a breaking foot. With the cutting wheel, you can scratch a line into the tile through the glaze layer. Once the wheel is off the tile, pull the handle of the breaking foot over, and you have a tile cut to size. For a clean finish, you can optionally sand the cut edge. A tile cutter can be used for tiles with a thickness of up to approx. 10 mm, making it suitable for most wall tiles. For heavier floor tiles, a tile saw is the recommended tool.
Cutting tiles with a multitool
A multitool, as the name suggests, is a jack-of-all-trades. You can use this tool for many different tasks. With the right accessories, you can sand, saw, cut, mill, drill, and grind. There are two types of multitools: an oscillating multitool makes a vibrating motion, while a rotating multitool makes a rotating motion. For cutting tiles, you’ll need a rotating multitool equipped with a diamond disc to effortlessly cut through the ceramic tile material — best done at a low speed. Let the tool do the work calmly without forcing or exerting pressure. You can smooth minor irregularities with sandpaper or a file. The big advantage over a tile cutter is that you can also cut out shapes other than straight lines, such as round cutouts for pipes.
Cutting tiles with an angle grinder
Like a multi-tool, an angle grinder is ideal for cutting out round shapes. For long straight cuts, this machine is less suitable. Always use a diamond cutting blade with a continuous edge for a smooth cut. The correct method is as follows: start with a notch and slowly pull the angle grinder along the cutting line. The harder the tile material, the more cuts you’ll need. It’s better to cut several times than to force things, risking breakage or damage to the tile. Working with an angle grinder generates a lot of dust, so protect yourself with safety glasses and a dust mask.
Cutting tiles with tile pliers
With tile pliers, you can size small tiles where the joints will not be visible. Using the jaws of the pliers, nip off small pieces to get the right shape. Work carefully to prevent removing too much material or shattering the tile. You can also use tile nippers to adjust a tile after cutting it with a tile cutter.
