help cutting tiles

Grade_A_Reject

weekendwarrior wrote: »

Here is the link again-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.org/videos/186/how-to-cut-a-square-hole-in-a-tile

I can see that site being renamed to www.unfortunatehandlessman.org :rotfl:

DirectDebacle

I find this method quick, easy, safe and accurate. You need a tile saw (wet cut table type e.g. Plasplugs.) Remove the blade guard and its mount from the tile cutter. Mark the face of the tile where you want the hole. Start the cutter and holding the tile face up lower it onto the cutter. As you can't see exactly where the cutter is going to be ensure you judge so that you are sure it will come through into the waste area of the cut. By slowly lowering the tile as it is cut you have a lot of control and will see the blade just start to come through the face. Now you know where the cutter is in relation to the cut line lift the tile off the cutter and adjust positioning as necessary. Make your cut. Practice with spare /waste tiles and you will be surprised how easy it is. I have cut holes for sockets to within 4-6mm of the edge of a tile using this method. If you have a hole that close to the edge ensure you have plenty of tile adhesive it on it to avoid it snapping as you fit the tile.

Tiling behind a radiator. If you are doing a refurb and going to be replacing existing fittings e.g a rad to ensure it goes back in exactly the same place do this. Drain the rad and remove it and its mounting brackets. Replace the bracket screws back into the holes. Tile the wall. When you get to where the rad was simply mark the position of the screws on the tiles and drill the holes in the tile. Fit the tile and then replace the screws to keep them safe. After you have grouted replace the rad. So much better than trying to tile without removing the rad or whatever. Whenever you drill a tile so you can mount an accessory, cupboard etc. use two drill bits. Use the appropriate bit for the size of plug/screw and drill through as normal. Use a slightly larger bit to drill the tile down to its' depth only. 5/6mm or however thick the tile is. Insert the rawlplug and then tap the plug into the wall so it is sits below the depth of the tile. When you tighten the screw the expanding plug will not then crack the tile.