Cutting porcelain, visible edge needs to be good - TilersForums.com

[Paul Giovanni Raimondi]

I have realtively few cuts to make on 30x60 porcelain tiles that will be visible. Normally I would hire an overhead wet tile saw to do the whole job, but here in Italy, where I live anyway, I'm having trouble hiring one. The cuts need to be accurate as well as very clean as they are visible and the grout joints are only 1.5mm. What would be the best tool for the job? I have looked at the smaller more economical overhead tile saws from the big makes but they don't seem to get very good reviews.

 

[Italy]

I have realtively few cuts to make on 30x60 porcelain tiles that will be visible. Normally I would hire an overhead wet tile saw to do the whole job, but here in Italy, where I live anyway, I'm having trouble hiring one. The cuts need to be accurate as well as very clean as they are visible and the grout joints are only 1.5mm. What would be the best tool for the job? I have looked at the smaller more economical overhead tile saws from the big makes but they don't seem to get very good reviews.

qui in italia dove vivo?

 

[Flintstone]

A steady hand and a grinder with a good blade. What is the situation where the cuts are to be exposed ?

 

[Muff Tiler]

Maybe score with dry cutter first then grind with a decent blade?

 

[Paul Giovanni Raimondi]

Antonio. Langhe, Piemonte. Nato a Londra, qui dal 2012.

Localtiler. Strip approx. 110cm wide behind a sink and down to floor. It's in a R/H corner so L/H side edge is visible. Tiles are 30x60 laid raking stretcher bond. Only one 1.5mm grout joint so both edges need cutting well and L/H side that is visible needs clean edge. I dont want to use a profile to cover the edge.

Muff Tiler. Unfortunately, I have never bought a large manual tile cutter that would be suitable for 60cm porc. tiles. Now that I look it seems like a decent quality one would be over £200. Is it possible to get an edge as clean as factory cut edge by scoring and grinding? I'm not sure I would be able to.

I had some cut by water jet but there was nearly 1mm in the difference in widths.

 

[Flintstone]

If you truely want as close to factory as possible you will need to polish the edge with diamond pads or similar on a variable speed grinder after cutting it.

 

[Italy]

Antonio. Langhe, Piemonte. Nato a Londra, qui dal 2012.

Localtiler. Strip approx. 110cm wide behind a sink and down to floor. It's in a R/H corner so L/H side edge is visible. Tiles are 30x60 laid raking stretcher bond. Only one 1.5mm grout joint so both edges need cutting well and L/H side that is visible needs clean edge. I dont want to use a profile to cover the edge.

Muff Tiler. Unfortunately, I have never bought a large manual tile cutter that would be suitable for 60cm porc. tiles. Now that I look it seems like a decent quality one would be over £200. Is it possible to get an edge as clean as factory cut edge by scoring and grinding? I'm not sure I would be able to.

I had some cut by water jet but there was nearly 1mm in the difference in widths.

io bergamo

 

[jasper]

Have you though about taking the tiles to a kitchen worktop installer/maker. They could polish up a rough edge done with your grinder or manual cutter ( assuming there is one in your area)

 

[Paul Giovanni Raimondi]

I had some tiles cut by water jet where I have stonework done. The cut was very clean but there was up to 1mm difference in the widths. With a 1.5mm grout joint it's difficult to lose even 0.5mm. If I were to buy a manual cutter that would do 600mm porc. tiles well what would I buy? It isn't going to get that much use as a very poor back means I'll only lay tile for myself. In the UK I rarely touched porc. so I always hired a wet machine when I needed too. I was looking at the Rubi 62.

 

[jasper]

If you truely want as close to factory as possible you will need to polish the edge with diamond pads or similar on a variable speed grinder after cutting it.

I’ve used Rubi diamond polishing blocks before which are manual and take forever to create an edge on porcelain. I didn’t realise there were diamond ones for grinders. Any recommendations ?

 

[Spare Tool]

I’ve used Rubi diamond polishing blocks before which are manual and take forever to create an edge on porcelain. I didn’t realise there were diamond ones for grinders. Any recommendations ?

ATS diamond tools, order online

 

[acaciaguy]

Hi. Similar thing about pads has developed on my thread. Well worth a look

 

[Tony73]

Hi. Steady hand+ angle grinder+ polisher. I also recomend masking tape. I always use masking tape and pen ( not pencil) Masking tape stops tile edge from chipping 100%.

 

[Paul Giovanni Raimondi]

I assumed there would be lots of "best manual cutter threads" but having spent quite a long time reading I haven't been able to come to any conclusions.
Having bought my last manual cutter back in the 80s, and having always hired wet cutters when I needed them in the UK, I guess I am going to have to splash out on a decent manual cutter.
Is that too vague a question?
I need a good piece of kit that will give me a great cut on 60cm porc. with a good view of the disc to get accurate cuts. I don't want any fancy extras, just a good clean accurate cut.

 

[WetSaw]

Sigma 3C3M