Need some help cutting porcelain tiles

[RSWANNABE]

So I'm wrapping up the backsplash in my kitchen and I am struggling to cut the tiles for wall outlets. I break every one of them I try, no matter how many different videos and advice I follow.

Can any of you do this for me? or can you recommend a place or someone that can?

The tiles are porcelain, 8" x 8" and 1/2 inch thick.

Thanks in advance,
Jon

[WhiteHawk]

What are you using to cut? I had my best luck scoring them then just breaking them on an edge.

-Geoff

[mustangjoe87]

What type of saw? How old is the blade?

[AutoRoc]

I bought one of those stupid tile cutting devices with the little wheel on it that scores the top. I bent the hell out of the handle getting it to work right....

[RSWANNABE]

Joe, I bought a 4" diameter diamond blade for a cutoff tool. Tried plunging from the front and finishing on the back as YouTube shows.

Geoff, I Can't really score a rectangle in the middle of a tile and snap it out.

Yeah Denny, for the length I have a wet saw and it's cake. the score and snap tool I bought is crap.

[WhiteHawk]

I have a hand held tile cutter from harbour freight you can try. I used it for tear out in my bathroom.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-h...saw-62296.html

Not sure how it would work for cutting a hole in the middle of a tile - I almost think the problem is more related to how to support the tile than what to cut it with.

-Geoff

[RSWANNABE]

I have a hand held tile cutter from harbour freight you can try. I used it for tear out in my bathroom.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-h...saw-62296.html

Not sure how it would work for cutting a hole in the middle of a tile - I almost think the problem is more related to how to support the tile than what to cut it with.

-Geoff

Thanks much! but I bought that exact saw.

Essentially doing it this way, but it's porcelain...
I watched a different video of porcelain, i just didn't find it quickly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=esBwev6HyYE

[Beigg]

make sure the tile is held securely in place. Using a continuous edged diamond blade with a warm wet feed, start your plunge cut from the face side & do all four sides as close to the corners for each cut.
Flip the tile over & repeat the above to finish off the corners requiring cutting.
Do not wobble the tool. Try to keep it as steady as possible.


Sometimes it may be needed to predrill a divot or, if possible, a thru-hole at each corner before starting the cutting.

Last ditch effort, mark your tiles & take it over to a tile/stone shop that specializes in porcelain.
https://stclairstone.com/ 586-666-4382
https://www.bellacasatile.com 586-415-9200

[mustangjoe87]

It sounds like you are getting too much vibration in the tile when you are cutting it. Like mentioned before support it better or clamp to a surface and try it out. You could also try scoring the lines and then making your cut on that score.

[AutoRoc]

I did a lot of finish work with the tile nibbler plier looking things. I did some corner work with those and filled in the imperfections with grout! Basement..... Good luck! I hope you have extra tiles!