The only easy way to cut ceramic tiles is with a diamond blade. Most bath tiles these days are fairly porous and not that hard to cut but the glaze surface is an altogether different matter and some glazes are very hard indeed. If you can score the pattern line with a really good glass cutter – the type that stained glass artists use – that will help when you are grinding to the line as it stops the glaze from chipping away into the good part of the tile.
Why not just get a budget wet saw from a big box store. They’re not the greatest saws in the world but they’ll make a 100x better cut than a scroll saw or saw zall. They shoot out more water than a pro wet saw but they cut nice.
To cut a tile up, you must choose a blade that has no teeth but still grinds out on the tile enough to cut through it. Trace out the path you want to take with your scroll saw on your tile with a permanent marker. Push your tile gently into the scroll saw blade until you have completed the cutting process.
If a tile chips, it is generally not a manufacturing fault but is the cause of one of the following accidents against the tile itself: Dropping a heavy or hard object onto the ceramic or porcelain tile. While all tiles can be cut on a wet saw, you’ll get the best results from using a wet saw on the following materials: stone tiles, such as marble or granite; porcelain tiles; glass tiles, when the wet saw has been outfitted with a glass cutting blade; and commercial grade ceramic floor tiles. If only a few ceramic tiles need to be cut, a glass cutter and a wire hanger can be used to get a clean, precise cut.
ceramic tile scroll saw Related Question:
What kind of saw is used to cut ceramic tile?
Before Cutting Tile With a Wet Saw A wet saw is a power tool that uses a water-cooled diamond blade to make quick work of cutting tile. The diamond blade does not have teeth, which makes it ideal for more delicate cutting needs. Wet saws can be used indoors, but are recommended for outdoor use.
Will a hacksaw cut ceramic tile?
You can also use a hacksaw with a tungsten carbide rod to cut ceramic tiles. Securely hold the tile on a workbench and gently cut along your marked line, pulling the saw backwards and forwards. Smooth off the edges with a tile file or fine sandpaper and wipe down with a damp cloth.
Can you cut tile with a oscillating tool?
For some DIYers, an oscillating tool is among the best tools for cutting tile. An oscillating multitool can replace a tile nipper (since it also works by cutting the tile edges to shape it) but cannot replace a manual tile cutter or a wet tile saw and other tile cutting tools.