Tools and Techniques for
Cutting Ceramic Tile
Here are the basic tools you need for cutting ceramic tile. This is for straight or curved cuts, for hole drilling see the drilling ceramic tile page. They can be easily bought or rented. They are: the snap cutter, wet saw, glass cutter, nippers, rod saw and a tile rub stone.
The snap cutter is a simple device that allows you to score a straight line in the tile and then, with a quick tap, split it in two. Be sure to score the face (glazed side) and not the back. If you are going to be making the same cut in several tiles get one with a fence.
A wet saw is a power tool best used when cutting ceramic tile that is thick, long or especially hard. You can rent them in hardware and tile stores. They use water to cool the blade so expect to get sprayed. Since they are power tools they are noisy and they can be dangerous. Wear goggles, gloves and hearing protection when using one.
After making cuts with either of the above tools use a rub stone to smooth the edge.
Glass cutters are used to score tiles for curved cuts. The tile is actually removed with nippers or a rod saw. Nippers are used to chip away the waste tile bit by bit until you reach the cut line. Cutting ceramic tile with nippers is slow, difficult work and they never do a good clean job. When using nippers be sure the cut will be hidden by something, like an escutcheon.
For a curved cut you can't hide use a rod saw. Drill a pilot hole and thread the blade through it. You can hold the ceramic tile steady with your hand but it's better to use a vise. In that case use a couple of pieces of scrap wood to hold the tile so it's face isn't damaged.
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