How to manual cut porcelain tile to small thin piece?

Hi all

I have purchased a Sigma tile cutter which can cut tile length to 51 cm, I have 300X300 porcelain tile which is about 8mm thick and when I try to cut a small piece say 3cm off the tile I would break to whole tile. I can score a line and cut pieces that is larger then 8cm but any thinner piece I can not snap it off nicely on the scored line.

This is my first time so can any one help me if there are any trick to cutting thinner piece or is it not possible? I though the Sigma is the professional tool so it should be able to cut to any size.

Much appreciated for any advise.

JC

For such a small strip you may have to resort to a 100mm angle grinder with diamond blade or perhaps hire a tile cutting machine.

Do you have a Dremel?

If not good excuse to get one with the tile cutting attachment.

You should be able to cut 30mm strips with the Sigma. Where on the tile are you trying to snap it? You should be doing it in the top 1/3 of the tile.

Some porclein tho just has a mind of its own and has to be cut with a wet saw.

Cheers
Michael

I've come accross porcelain tiles that were so high fired that the tiler was having trouble cutting them in half with his Sigma tile cutter :eek: . It was a mates place and he wanted me to fit the door stoppers to the floor. I spent more than half an hour unsuccesfully trying to drill one hole in the floor before I gave up. Great looking tiles and they should wear really well, but an absolute nightmare to cut.

Mick

Have you tried to cut a 270mm piece off the tile instead?
It might be easier.

Al :p

As the farmer replied to the tourist who asked him directions to a certain place, "You can't get there from here." :( Porcelain can be quite finicky to work and snapping small strips will be almost impossible. You can try an angle grinder if you are steady of hand, but hiring a wet saw is your best option. Sorry.:(

I am not familiar with the Sigma, but I use a cheap Ryobi wet cutter, even on porcelain tiles with no problems at all. For the tap holes I use a 100mm/4" diamond blade in an equally cheap ($14.99) anglegrinder, from the back of the tile.

I did my bathroom in porcelain tiles and also have a sigma tile cutter. I could get down to about 30mm wide before getting problems. 80mm should be no problem at all.