cutting cracked glaze tile

gbc · Post by **gbc** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:43 pm

Hi,
I've just finished putting in a new kitchen for my mother-in-law and I'm now at the tiling stage. The tiles she chose have a cracked glaze finish, and whichever way I try and cut them, I end up with chips out of the glaze where I've made the cut, at least one of which is too big to be disguised with grout.
I've tried everything up to an electric bench saw with diamond blade.
Is there a knack to cutting these tiles, or, considering the amount of cutting around sockets etc. involved, was it just a poor choice of tile.
My credibility is at stake here, so any help would be appreciated.

Beachcomber · Post by **Beachcomber** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:55 pm

You'll need a wet cutter - diamond blade without water will overheat and damage the tile when you cut.

You can get a decent cheap one at Wickes:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/450W-Tile-Cutti ... nvt/186878

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:08 pm

try a diamond resin blade, also as above wet saw cut nice an slow wear goggles.

gbc · Post by **gbc** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:46 am

thanks for that, but it is a water cooled saw.

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:02 pm

have you tried cutting with the glazed side down?

gbc · Post by **gbc** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:18 pm

Yes, tried that as well....it's actually worse as the problem, to my mind, is that the glaze isn't as well bonded to the tile as it should be. Fixing masking tape to the tile, something else I've tried, doesn't have any advantage either.
Thanks anyway.

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:31 pm

mmm.........can only suggest cutting slightly larger than you need to, then carefully filing back to size, sounds a PITA of a job

gbc · Post by **gbc** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:09 pm

Thanks, best suggestion yet.............. however, given the amount of cutting involved, 6 sockets and a light switch, I think I'll go to plan F... and take them back to Cosmo and exchange for something more practical.
Cheers.

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:18 pm

It would be interesting to see what the manufacturer recommends.

Are you cutting them face up or down.