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.

Hand tools

Mass-produced ceramic tiles of medium to soft grades are cut easily with hand tools.
The glazed surface of the tile is first scored with a tool that carries a hardened metal wheel. Then with a support directly under the score pressure is applied to either side of the cut and the tile snaps along the score. Snapping pressurehttp://www.tilecuttersandmore.co.uk/rubi-ts-40-plus-tile-cutter-105-p.asp vary widely, some mass-produced models exerting over 750 kg.

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

Beam score cutters, cutter boards

The twin beam and single beam cutter boards have the following features:-

• They simplify the scoring and the breaking functions.
• Adjustable fences for angled cuts and square cuts.
• Fence stops for multiple cuts of exactly the same size.
• The beam(s) are height adjustable to handle different thicknesses of tiles.
• The scoring wheel is easily replaceable.
• They come in various sizes to accommodate tile sizes.

Power tools

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

Tile saws

• 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.

See also

• Hand tool
  Hand tool
  A hand tool is a device for performing work on a material or a physical system using only hands. The hand tools can be manually used employing force, or electrically powered, using electrical current...
  
  
• Power tool
  Power tool
  A power tool is a tool that is actuated by an additional power source and mechanism other than the solely manual labour used with hand tools. The most common types of power tools use electric motors. Internal combustion engines and compressed air are also commonly used...
  
  
• Diamond tool
• Encaustic tile
  Encaustic tile
  Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles in which the pattern or figure on the surface is not a product of the glaze but of different colors of clay. They are usually of two colors but a tile may be composed of as many as six. The pattern is inlaid into the body of the tile, so that the design remains as...
  
  
• Porcelain tile
  Porcelain tile
  Porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent that are used to cover floors and walls. They can either be unglazed or glazed....
  
  
• Dimension stone
  Dimension stone
  Dimension stone is natural stone or rock that has been selected and fabricated to specific sizes or shapes. Color, texture and pattern, and surface finish of the stone are also normal requirements...
  
  
• Glass tiles
  Glass tiles
  Glass tiles are pieces of glass formed into consistent shapes. Glass was used in mosaics as early as 2500 BC, but it took until the 3rd Century BC before innovative artisans in Greece, Persia and India created glass tiles....
  
  
• Quarry tile
  Quarry tile
  Quarry tile is a building construction material, usually 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick, made by the extrusion process from natural clay or shales. - Sizes and shapes :...