Cutting Ceramic Tile --

 Straight Lines

Cutting ceramic tile in straight lines uses mostly two types of tools. Least expensive, but often used is the snap cutter.

Snap cutters score the tile along the line to be cut and then the tile is broken along the line. Not all snap cutters are created equal. Some work better than others.

Also experience with a particular tool counts for something too. Broken tiles result from poor scoring marks and from poor technique. Practice makes perfect though and practice is accomplished with just any old pieces of tile.

Another way to cut tile in a straight line is to use a glass cutter and straight-edge. Score the tile with the glass cutter and then place the scored area over a dowel and then press down. This same principle works on the snap-cutter. The glass cutter trick just lets you use something you may already have to cut a tile or two. Whereas the snap cutter is the professional tool.

To cut a narrow piece almost requires a wet saw. Though you can work away a thin strip using tile nippers.

Wet saws for cutting ceramic tile work best in many cases. Especially for angle cuts, tile saws excel. Price ranges for tile saws vary from next to nothing to piles of money. More money gets you more rigid machines for more accurate cuts and longer life. However many inexpensive machines are more than adequate for home scale projects.

Lesser priced machines may be perfectly OK for all but day in and day out professional work...

Which brings to mind interior cuts...

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