Top Tile Cutting Tools

Getting the most out of any do-it-yourself home project requires having the right tools of the trade in order to minimize the possibilities of frustration and problems. Proper tools especially count when attempting to cut tile, because the wrong approach may lead to many broken tiles and thus to higher project costs (not to mention frustrations). Fear not, however, because there are many options for the handy person looking to install tile in their home and listed below are some of the best tools for making clean tile cuts, no matter your skill level. As well, remember to always wear safety glasses/goggles while working to prevent injuries. Tile nippers (also called tile biters) are terrific for those who are trying to lay tile because it can break away small bits at a time so that specific shapes can be made out of the edges of the tile. This is ideal for situations like smoothly fitting tile along the curve of a toilet base. It is best to nip away only a small bit at a time and work up to the perfect shape because once a piece is removed it is gone and if there is a mistake, you may need to use a whole new piece of tile. Glass cutters: These are a handy person’s best asset when it comes to cutting lines along tile in order to designate which area needs to be broken away. Using a straight edge, carefully mark the area that has to be cut and then lay the tile on a dowel rod with the marked section lining up with the rod. Now snap the tile along the line precisely. For a quicker method than the glass cutter and dowel routine, utilizing a snap cutter will speed up your process. This device holds the tile in place for you while scoring, and then simply snap the tile along the score marks. A snap cutter is perfect for small projects and creates straight cuts only. Wet saws can be rented from home improvement shops and they are quite a handy tool because they can make straight or curved cuts. The way that this piece of equipment functions by throwing water over the tiles as you work, in order to keep the tool and the tile from overheating. Tile nippers then can be put to use for nipping away the extra bits of tile to achieve the pre-planned shape. Hole Cutter Kits allow for various size holes to be cut into tile, such as to fit pipe through a section. Each of these pieces can be purchased individually, but a kit is comprised of various shaped cutters for the many variations that may be needed. The previously described wet saw can cut curved angles for creating circles in tile, but this should not be attempted by anyone who does not have extensive experience with wet saws because it requires the hands to be precariously close to the blade of the saw. Therefore, hole cutter kits are more beginner-friendly. To create a hole, choose the diameter that best corresponds with your project and then line it up vertically against the tile. Now work against the hole cutter with a hammer drill and downward pressure. These are some of the best tools for getting tiles into the correct shape for that new perfect kitchen or bathroom. When used in conjunction with one another, these tools can help to make home projects an efficient reality. It is recommended to have several extra tiles in case you need to either see how each tool works or if you simply make the wrong cut (which happens to everyone). Good luck and good cutting! Get more home improvement advice at our Denver tile installation website, just click through to the blog.