Cutting ceramic floor tiles

Older_but_not_wiser_2

I've just tiled my bathroom floor, and it's looking quite good (even though I do say so myself ).

However, I'm not quite finished, as for the life of me I can't cut out a bit of a tile to fit round the radiator pipe, which means I've got a nicetiled floor with a tile missing :mad:

I've tried
1. a ceramic blade on a jigsaw (was bout as much use as a plastic knife)

2. a tile saw (the blade snapped after about 1/8th of an inch in.)

3. Nipping it with tile nippers. (the tile just splits)

4. Nothing - I'm stuck, and we've got visitors from Australia coming on Tuesday so I need to get it done on Monday :eek:

Any ideas how I can get this tile cut ?

Does anywhere have a tile cutting service?

Thanks in advance.

Lorian

Cheapest is to score it nice and deep, both sides, all the way round the cut-out, with something like this:
http://www.tool-up.co.uk/shop/diy/VIT102075.html

(from any DIY)

Then nip it.

plumb1_2

Diamond wheel cutter.

irnbru_2

Older_but_not_wiser wrote:

3. Nipping it with tile nippers. (the tile just splits)

Make a template the size of the tile. Use that to get the best shape. Then, as advised, score away at the tile before nipping.

If the nipping still doesn't work, get some masking tape and cover the bit to be removed. With a masonary drill bit, start drilling it out - time consuming but wastes fewer tiles. Sanding it towards the score for a good finish.

sloth

if you have an angle grinder using a stone cutting disc is good. this is what i use for cutting floor tiles and if you are using it to cut a notch out for a pipe it automatically gives a rounded finish if done carefully

Mr_Proctalgia

Ceramic tiles are essentially glass and some of them are incredibly hard, I generally use a diamond hole drill, plasticine and water to make the hole, then use a wet diamond saw to cut the tile, if it is a square hole I will mark the cut on the underside and lower the tile onto the saw until it is almost through then score the top and give it a tap, but even then sometimes they break all over. Some of the newer porcelain tiles are a right so and so and you have to be very careful cutting them.

This is speaking as a DIYer who is learning BTW, but, wet cutters generally get the job done and I have found that the Plasplugs one is very good for the money even though it is plastic and chucks water all over your nether regions.

Older_but_not_wiser_2

Turns out that the angle grinder and stone cutting blade did the trick. My floor is finally finished ( apart from the grouting (maybe later tonight :think: ))

Thanks for all the replies folks.

And a word of advice - NEVER EVER tile a floor yourself (only kidding, it's not as difficult as you think if you have the right tools)

weekendwarrior

Sorry about the late reply but for other people that need to cut around pipes you can use these- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/tiling/diamond_coated_drill_bits.htm

Because there is no arbor you can drill interconecting holes!

These are about the only thing that will drill through tough porcelain with no effort at all!