Cutting Tools & Techniques
Wet saws, tile nippers, angle grinders, manual cutters, leveling systems, floats, and specialty tools.
- Select the correct cutting tool for each tile type and cut pattern
- Use tile leveling systems to control lippage
- Identify specialty tools and their applications in tile setting
Lesson 1
Wet Saws, Nippers & Grinders
Wet Saw
The wet saw is the primary cutting tool for tile setters. It uses a diamond blade cooled by a continuous water stream to make clean, precise cuts.
Wet Saw Uses
Straight cuts - the most common cut
Miter (bevel) cuts - 45-degree edge cuts
L-cuts and notches - with multiple passes
Porcelain and stone - requires wet saw
Wet Saw Tips
Keep water flowing - dry cutting chips and cracks tile
Feed slowly - forcing creates rough edges
Diamond blade - replace when cutting slows
Use porcelain blade for porcelain tile
Tile Nippers
Tile nippers are hand tools for removing small amounts of tile, especially for curved cuts around pipes and irregular shapes:
- Nibble small pieces at a time - never try to remove large sections
- Best for ceramic and soft tile
- Not effective on porcelain or stone (too hard)
- Used after scoring a line with a carbide scriber
Angle Grinder
An angle grinder with a diamond blade handles cuts that a wet saw cannot:
- Plunge cuts - cutting holes in the middle of a tile
- L-cuts - internal corner cuts
- Outlet cutouts - rectangular holes for electrical boxes
- On-site trimming - quick adjustments during installation
Safety
Angle grinders produce fine silica dust when cutting tile dry. Always wear a NIOSH-rated N95 or P100 respirator and safety glasses. Better yet, use a grinder with a dust shroud connected to a vacuum.
Manual Tile Cutter (Snap Cutter)
The manual tile cutter scores and snaps ceramic tile quickly:
- Fast for straight cuts on ceramic tile
- Not suitable for porcelain (too dense to snap cleanly)
- Score once with firm pressure, then snap
- Cannot make L-cuts or curves
Use a wet saw for straight cuts on all tile types (especially porcelain and stone). Use nippers for curved cuts on ceramic. Use an angle grinder for plunge cuts and cutouts. Always protect against silica dust with proper respiratory protection.