How to cut these floor tiles without any special tools?

[udaman]

Hi all

I've just picked up some old floor tiles and need to cut them down to smaller sizes. They are going to be used in the garden beneath squashes, to keep them off the wet soil, so the cut does not need to be perfect in any way whatsoever. I just need to make them smaller.

I thought I might be able to score them and then break them. I just tried that and it just broke into lots of pieces. Perhaps they cannot be cut like that? Or - FAR MORE LIKELY - I am too novice to have done it properly!

So I wondered if anyone could please explain whether it can be done and if so how?

Many thanks

Max

[ayjay]

If they will score and break neatly, the best way is to first score well using a straightedge and a tungsten tipped cutter, then, on a flat surface, put something no larger than a pencil (I use a matchstick on small tiles) under each side of the tile underneath the score line (and in line with it) and push down on both halves.

[udaman]

I'm not sure I have a tungsten tipped cutter unfortunately, unless it is part of something I have and I don't know what it is.

Is there anything I can use instead of that for the scoring? I've got a dremmel type tool if that would help any?

Thanks for the quick reply

[udaman]

Oops! Just realised I didn't add photos!

image1.JPG (133.37 KiB) Viewed 2390 times

image2.JPG (76.29 KiB) Viewed 2390 times

[ayjay]

I'm not sure I have a tungsten tipped cutter unfortunately, unless it is part of something I have and I don't know what it is.

Is there anything I can use instead of that for the scoring? I've got a dremmel type tool if that would help any?

Thanks for the quick reply

If you scored them with a tool intended for tiles then it's probably Tungsten tipped anyway.

A diamond bit in a Dremel might make a decent substitute, it's still best to use a straightedge with it.

[udaman]

If you scored them with a tool intended for tiles then it's probably Tungsten tipped anyway.

Errrm, I scored them (it) with a chisel, and a stanley blade, and a long screw! Not necessarily in that order though. Don't laugh - it's all I could find! OK then, laugh...

I'll have another look in the tool box tomorrow but if I'm going to use anything it will likely be something not designed for the job in hand. If anyone can think of a common tool that might do it, I'm all ears.

Many thanks

[wine~o]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/vitrex-manual ... 30mm/37944

FFS stop being a cheap arse.

Edit... OH b*llox I just re-read the post. just buy some hay/straw for rabbit/hamster/guinea pigs... that sorta thing.

That'll keep your squashes off the soil.