How to cut a tile with a grinder. Safety regulations

No ceramic tile renovation is complete without the need to trim or beautifully work around corners. With the help of angle grinders, smooth parts are made in the absence of a tile cutter, holes of various shapes and diameters are milled, two or more fragments are joined.

How to cut tiles with a grinder without chips

Only an angle grinder is capable of such work. The main thing is to choose the right disc and follow the basic rules and safety precautions.

Finishers often use a tile cutter. But it has a number of disadvantages in relation to the grinder.

LBM has the following advantages:

• processes surfaces of any size;
• is able to carry out shaped cutting with clearly defined parameters;
• convenient and easy to use.

In addition, different cutting discs are selected for the grinder. This allows you to select the appropriate one for a specific type and thickness of material.

Is it possible to cut a tile with angle grinder

We answer this question in the affirmative. In some difficult cases, you cannot do without a grinder at all. It is irreplaceable if you have to divide the tile into thin strips or cut a round, rectangular hole in the tile.

The tile cutter is much more limited in functionality than the grinder. He does not have the ability to work on large planes and does not know how to cut shaped holes. Therefore, experienced craftsmen often prefer angle grinders when working with ceramics and tiles for wall and floor decoration.

What attachments to use

There are two main types of discs - solid and segmented in various modifications. For thin ceramic tiles, the first option is more suitable, since it accurately makes a cut, practically without creating dust and chips. The second nozzle is less reliable and often leaves defects.

You shouldn't skimp on equipment and buy cheap components. Low-quality consumables lead to damage to the finishing material.

Stone nozzles are practically not used for tiles. They leave a lot of dust, make the cut less accurate and deeper. At the same time, they wear out quickly, which is not economical. Metal rims are much more suitable. Diamond plating protects against rapid wear and ensures a fine, precise cut.

The main rules of work

In addition to ceramic tiles, there are porcelain stoneware and natural stone. They require careful handling and a reliable diamond-coated bit that can handle tough materials.

The tile cutter can only make a straight edge, while the grinder has the ability to make curly cuts.

Straight cut

Only in this case it is more convenient to work with a tile cutter. Since it is supported, it is not necessary to hold the instrument suspended. But if it is not at hand, you can get by with a grinder.

The tile is placed with a pencil, clamped in a vice and begin to cut with a machine exactly along the line. Please note that the disc does not need to be passed through, it is enough to make a depression of 1–1.5 mm. Do not deviate from the specified trajectory, following the straight line forward. Next, break the tiles and sand the edges if necessary.

Curly cutting

Here you can not do without angle grinders. This is a complex kind of work. It is carried out for decorative purposes to bypass pipes of communications or various elements of the furniture.

The scheme of action is as follows:

• we mark the edges of the future hole with a pencil;
• we lay and fix the work area;
• create short serifs with a grinder.

When finished, rough edges are abraded.

Cutting rectangular holes

A drill equipped with a drill with a diameter of 5 mm is attracted to the rescue. We mark the tiles with a pencil, lay them out and clamp them so that they do not move during the process. Use a drill to make four holes in the corners. Next, we begin to work with the angle grinder, sawing through the lines between the points. It remains only to remove the central part and process with an abrasive nozzle.

Hole cutting

You will need the help of a compass and a drill. A 3-4 mm drill diameter is sufficient. We put a point, outline the contours of the future hole, drill a hole in the middle. Using the angle grinder, we make through cuts from the inner part of the circle. We finish by checking with sandpaper.

Cutting at an angle of 45 degrees

One of the most difficult operations in the processing of ceramic tiles. Armed with a metal circle, preferably supplemented with diamond dusting, we proceed to the action:

• mark the place of the cut with a marker or pencil;
• lay out the tile with the outside side down, fix it;
• remove the back of the workpiece at an angle using an angle grinder;
• we carry out a repeated pass over the intended field.

If necessary, adjust the cut point and process with an abrasive.

Safety engineering

The grinder is a traumatic type of tool. The operator must be as focused and accurate as possible. All actions are performed strictly in accordance with the rules:

1. Work is carried out exclusively in special clothing, shoes, gloves, a respirator and glasses.
2. It is impossible to upgrade the corps of angle grinders, remove the casing.
3. Place the power cord away from the tool or operator's hands.
4. The unit is held firmly and cuts are made exclusively from themselves.
5. Do not immerse the saw blade deeper than 1/3 of the width.
6. Avoid working on the edge, with minimum or maximum disc rotation rates.
7. Eliminate the ingress of liquids to the place of cutting and into the body of the grinder.

Also, remember that the dust generated when working with angle grinders is explosive. Ensure safety by high-quality ventilation of the room when turning on the machine.