Trimming tile help!

Info_man

Anybody know best way to take 1cm off the bottom of tiles. I started off doing it with tile saw but taking ages and going in a straight line is impossible. My bottom row of tiles i cut before i put flooring down, yeah i know duh!

Kiran

It depends, what size tiles are you using?

Correct option to get it right would be an electric tile cutter but there is obviosly a cost involved if you don't already have one.

If you are using tile in the 300x200mm range or bigger then using a scribe and snap manual cutter can sometimes be a bit tricky and cause the tile to break along random lines.

DirectDebacle

If you havn't much in the way of tools easiest and cheapest way is to buy a tile nibbler (£8 ish for a half decent one) and an aluminium oxide tile file £2 ish.

Score the tile and nibble away the waste. You might have to do this twice. A rough 5mm first and then on the score line. Smooth the rough edge with the tile file. Lay the file on a flat surface and rub the cut edge along it. The file I am referring to is thin and flat about 100mm x 50mm.

As mentioned quick proper job is with an electric cutter around £30.00 for a DIY quality. Also good for 'L' cuts and cutting out rectangular holes in the centre of a tile for switch boxes etc. You can always sell it if you have no further use for it.

ormus

as above. for small cut offs/trimming a tile file is great.
otherwise use an electric tile saw. you can borrow mine if you live nr manchester/bolton.

Info_man

Thanks everyone, i've took all your advice. Pity i stay in scotland. Thanks anyway!

vaio

or an angle grinder if you have a steady hand

Forgetful

ormus wrote: »

as above. for small cut offs/trimming a tile file is great.
otherwise use an electric tile saw. you can borrow mine if you live nr manchester/bolton.

so what type of electric cutter do i need for cutting tile?? will one of the black and decker ones do or is it a specialised one?? thanks

jay1976

hi i have done several tile jobs in my house, i used a electric tile cutter from wickes very easy to use. Ive used this to cut wall and floor tiles it even cut through slate tiles.
hope this helps :beer:

cyclonebri1

The wickes ones are quite servicable, a bit fiddly to adjust but absolutely fine for diy, Also plenty of reputable brands on ebay.

Alan_M_2

Alternatively just rent a cheap electric tile saw from a local hire firm, ie not HSS as they charge silly money.

ormus

Forgetful wrote: »

so what type of electric cutter do i need for cutting tile?? will one of the black and decker ones do or is it a specialised one?? thanks

for normal wall tiles any one of them will do the job ok.
if doing the large thick floor tiles make sure the machine can handle them. some of the cheap ones cannot do it or have a problem with them.

re hiring a machine? i doubt that makes any sense. these items are dirt cheap these days, far better to buy em.
weve had machines like this for yrs and all the family use em. they are well used every year.