Ceramic tile cutter

Ceramic tile cutters are used to cut tiles to a required size or shape. They come in a number of different forms, from basic manual devices to complex attachments for power tools.^[1]

Hand tools

Mass-produced ceramic tiles of medium to soft grades are cut easily with hand tools.

Beam score cutters, cutter boards

First Tile Cutter Invented by Boada Brothers

The ceramic tile cutter works by first scratching a straight line across the surface of the tile with a hardened metal wheel and then applying pressure directly below the line and on each side of the line on top. Snapping pressure varies widely, some mass-produced models exerting over 750 kg.

The cutting wheel and breaking jig are combined in a carriage that travels along one or two beams to keep the carriage angled correctly and the cut straight. The beam(s) may be height adjustable to handle different thicknesses of tiles.

The base of the tool may have adjustable fences for angled cuts and square cuts and fence stops for multiple cuts of exactly the same size.

The scoring wheel is easily replaceable.

History

The tool invented in 1951 by the Boada brothers, originating in the town of Rubi (Barcelona) in Spain. From the beginning it was popularly known by the users with the nickname "the RUBI", for the birthplace of their inventors and later the Registered Trade Mark.

The first tile cutter was designed to facilitate the work and solve the problems that masons had when cutting hydraulic mosaic or encaustic cement tiles (a type of decorative tile with pigmented cement, highly used in 50s, due to the high strength needed because of the high hardness and thickness of these tiles).

Over the time the tool evolved, incorporating elements that made it more accurate and productive. The first cutter had an iron point to scratch the tiles. It was later replaced by the current tungsten carbide scratching wheel.

Another built-in device introduced in 1960 was the snapping element. It allowed users to snap the tiles easily and not with the bench, the cutter handle or hitting the tile with a knee as it was done before. This was a revolution in the cutting process of the ceramic world.

Tile nippers

Tile nippers are similar to small pairs of pincers, with part of the width of the tool removed so that they can be fit into small holes. They can be used to break off small edges of tiles that have been scored or nibble out small chips enlarging holes etc.

Glass cutter

A glass cutter

A simple hand held glass cutter is capable of scoring smooth surface glazes allowing the tile to be snapped.

Power tools

A grinder with a diamond blade for cutting tile.

The harder grades of ceramic tiles like fully vitrified porcelain tiles, stone tiles, and some clay tiles with textured surfaces have to be cut with a diamond blade. The diamond blades are mounted in:-

Angle grinders

A angle grinder can be used for short, sometimes curved cuts. It can also be used for "L" shaped cuts and for making holes. It can be used dry and, more rarely, wet.

Tile saws

A tile saw with a water-cooled diamond blade in use

Dedicated tile saws are designed to be used with water as a coolant for the diamond blade.
They are available in different sizes.
Adjustable fences for angled cuts and square cuts.
Fence stops for multiple cuts of exactly the same size.

Gallery

Simple glass cutter used to cut ceramic tile.
100 mm (4") angle grinder with diamond blade, with tiling snips being used to cut holes in tiles.

References

↑ Editors of Cool Springs Press (2013), HomeSkills: Ceramic Tile: How to Install Ceramic Tile for Your Floors, Walls, Backsplashes & Countertops, Cool Springs Press, pp. 30–, ISBN 978-1-59186-580-3

Hand tools

sawhorse toolbox workbench

adjustable spanner antique tools basin wrench block plane brace bradawl breaker bar card scraper cat's paw caulking gun clamp crowbar fish tape grease gun hammer hawk hex key impact driver jack locking pliers lug wrench mallet mitre box monkey wrench multi-tool nut driver paint roller paintbrush pincers pipe wrench pliers plumber wrench plumber's snake plunger podger spanner punch punch down tool putty knife scratch awl screwdriver sledgehammer socket wrench spike maul staple gun stitching awl strap wrench tactical light tire iron tongue-and-groove pliers torque wrench tweezers upholstery hammer wrench

Types of tools Cleaning Cutting and abrasive Forestry Garden Hand Machine and metalworking Measuring and alignment Power

Cutting and abrasive tools

abrasive saw axe blade bandsaw bolt cutter broach ceramic tile cutter chainsaw circular saw chisel coping saw countersink cutting tool diagonal pliers diamond blade diamond tool drawknife drill bit emery cloth file fretsaw froe glass cutter grater grinding wheel hacksaw hand saw hole saw incisor knife laser lawn mower machete meat slicer mezzaluna milling cutter miter saw nail clipper nibbler pipecutter pizza cutter plasma cutter plane pocket knife rasp razor reamer sandpaper saw scalpel scissors snips steel wool surform switchblade tool bit utility knife water jet cutter wire brush wire stripper

Types of tools Cleaning Cutting and abrasive Forestry Garden Hand Machine and metalworking Measuring and alignment Power

Stonemasonry

Types	Ashlar Rustication Carving Dry stone Masonry Monumental Rubble Sculpture Slipform

Materials	List of stone Artificial stone Brick Cast stone Decorative stones Dimension stone Fieldstone Flagstone Gabion Granite Marble Mortar Sandstone Slate

Tools	Angle grinder Bush hammer Ceramic tile cutter Chisel Diamond blade Lewis (lifting appliance) Non-explosive demolition agents Plug and feather Stonemason's hammer Straightedge

Techniques	Brickwork Flaming Flushwork Knapping Polygonal masonry Repointing Scabbling Tuckpointing

Products	Hardstone carving Headstone (Footstone) Mosaic Sculpture Stone wall

Organizations	International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland Mason Contractors Association of America Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association Worshipful Company of Masons

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.