Problem with tile cutting

[Vilx-]

I'm tiling my bathroom floor with some large ceramic tiles (33cm x 33cm aka 13" x 13") and I'm having difficulty cutting them. I'm using a simple glass cutter, because the tile cutter for such large tiles is too expensive, and an angle grinder with a diamond disk gave a pretty dismal result (not to mention an absurd amount of noise).

The glass cutter worked like a miracle - for the first tile that I tried to cut diagonally (corner to corner). After that, it's the same problem over and over again:



I've scratched a pretty deep line with the glass cutter (even faintly visible in the picture), and I've positioned the tile-to-be-cut on top of an already glued tile on the floor. The scratch line matches the tile edge. Then I hit the corner with my fist to break it. And the result is in the picture.

In the middle it breaks as it should, but closer to the edges it ignores the lines. This is still salvageable with tile nippers (I need the big piece), but it's annoying. What am I doing wrong?

[Spork]

Get at least a snappy tile cutter.   I just looked at homedepot.com.... You're talking $30 for a 21 inch cutter.

You'll spend that much in tile trying to do it the way you're doing it.

At one point I broke down and bought an inexpensive ($200) Home Depot brand wet tile saw.  Compared to the cost of the guy laying tile -- you still come out ahead.

[Vilx-]

Well, that's one way to solve it. :) But, I only need a few more tiles cut (1 more big one, then perhaps some 6 small corners), and I wanted to finish it today. Plus, the cheapest tile cutter of appropriate size I could find costs $50 (note, I'm from Latvia), so I'm still going to be ahead by keeping breaking tiles. :P

Is my method really unworkable?

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

Have you tried hitting those parts that are left with a rubber mallet?

[Bob W]

Well go to Home Depot and buy a real tile cutter (etcher) or go to Lowes.   Our Lowes will cut the tile for you for 25 cents per cut.  Just make sure to mark the tiles ahead of time.

Tile is more complicated than it looks.   I hope your are using your thin set appropriately and will consult you tube on grouting.   Good Luck!

[Vilx-]

Rubber mallet - no, but I tried once with the heavy metal tile nipper. :D That was a mistake though, and it broke way too much. Had to start over with a new tile. :P

[I'm a red panda]

We had excellent results with a snap cutter. It was under $30.

We also have a very small, portable tile saw.  It was under $100.  It is better for trickier cuts.

[kendallf]

(note, I'm from Latvia)

I don't know what the Latvian equivalent of Harbor Freight is (maybe "Harbor Freight" in Latvian?  Do you have an importer of inexpensive Chinese tools?)  For a long time I had a small wet saw that was $50.  It was small but just had a flat table and I was able to cut large tile with it perfectly (18-20").  No help for finishing this job but something to consider in the future.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-portable-wet-cut-tile-saw-69231.html

Looks like it's a whopping $64 right now.

[Vilx-]

I'll keep this in mind if I ever need to do more of these large tiles. I haven't heard of Harbor Freight but cheap Chinese tools are not uncommon.

[worms]

One of the few tool purchases that I regret was a cheap tile cutter.  It etches reasonably but the pressure is applied too centrally to give an even break on a large tile. I ended up using the tile cutter to etch then a suitable metal bar and mallet to give a broader pressure for the actual break.

I would suggest that you follow your current procedure but try placing a board along the side of the cut line and hit (or stand on) that instead of hitting the tile itself with your hand.

[paddedhat]

It's important to understand that the success of any type of score and snap method is highly dependent on the actual tile itself. I have worked on huge office buildings where the tile setters would do one floor tile with a tile score and snap tool, and do so very quickly and efficiently, sometimes ripping a 1/4" sliver of the edge of very big tiles. They then go to another part of the job, and a different tile, and have to wet saw every single cut. Personally, I have done thousands of square feet of floor tile work in porcelains, ceramics, and stone. I use an $88 wet saw that looks like a cheap, sorry assed Chinese table saw. It works great, and has paid for itself many times over.

[Beef Rindly]

If you truly only have a few times left to cut, you can mark where they need to be cut and take them into Home Depot and they will cut them for free (at my Home Depot at least) - on the other hand, if you have a large number to cut, but you can make all the marks ahead of time, go to Home Depot and rent a wet tile saw for a day.  They work fast and are amazingly straight.  Plus you won't have the wasted tiles that a score and snap cutter results in.  That's just my opinion though.  Good luck!

[NoNonsenseLandlord]

The only way to go is a wet saw.  Cheap, no dust, easy to cut angles and even round spots around a toilet.

[Vilx-]

In the end, when all methods were getting progressively worse (and the broken tile pile bigger), I finally decided to give the angle grinder another go. This time I also had bought some cheap earplugs. And boy, what difference did that make! All of a sudden the tool was entirely usable, and cut through the tiles like butter. The cuts were pretty clean too, unlike the first one a couple days ago which I botched up. So yeah, +1 for the angle grinder! When I get to the walls, I won't even consider anything else. :)

[NoNonsenseLandlord]

In the end, when all methods were getting progressively worse (and the broken tile pile bigger), I finally decided to give the angle grinder another go. This time I also had bought some cheap earplugs. And boy, what difference did that make! All of a sudden the tool was entirely usable, and cut through the tiles like butter. The cuts were pretty clean too, unlike the first one a couple days ago which I botched up. So yeah, +1 for the angle grinder! When I get to the walls, I won't even consider anything else. :)

An angle grinder is the same concept as a wet saw with a diamond blade..  Except absolutely no dust.

[BayIslandSaver]

If this is a one time thing, you can rent a tile cutter...or check out your local classifieds.  I sold my 24" cutter after finishing my project (bought for $120, sold for $80).  Worked like a champ (score and press type).