Using a bar cutter to cut glass tiles is more efficient than using a scoring wheel and pliers, because the machine can both score and cut the tile. Cutting curves in tiles is one of those methods, and you can now cut smooth decorative curves and cut outs in ceramic and porcelain tiles with ease. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. 1; 2; Next. I prefer the Dremel 8200 because it is cordless, but still offers enough power for all my projects. The scoring wheel will create a weak line on the surface of the glass. With the tile still facing upward, place grozing pliers on the section of glass you want to break off (positioned parallel to the scored cut) and snap downward. Both are inexpensive, glass-specific tools. You could also use a Dremel 4000, but any model below this in power will obviously take longer to cut. Carefully align the marked line with the cutting guide on the bar cutter. What to Do When Cutting Curves in Glass Tile The above tools are quite perfect for square glass tile, but with smaller or more complex cutting jobs, homemakers must proceed even more carefully. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Washable marker – Wheeled mosaic nippers – Goggles – Cloth. And, to learn how Tom used the tiles he cut in the video for a curved shower, read Glass-Block Shower on a Curve from Fine Homebuilding issue #200 (December 2008/January 2009), pp. The concept of a tile cutter is similar to the one behind cutting glass, but a tile cutter usually has a base and a guide to help you do the job accurately. What Is Tempered Glass? On the tile, mark out the shape which is to be cut and have a clear idea about which side is the waste. This cutting disk will cut through ceramic, porcelain and even natural stone tiles, although the latter make take a little longer. Want to master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects to the next level? But cutting these hard materials presents a unique challenge. The saw releases a steady stream of water as the blade cuts through the tile, which decreases friction and cools the cut edge, resulting in a smoother cut with minimal breakage. Decorative wall ceramics made with Slalom tile cutter. Then, take a straightedge and align it over your cut line. The best tile saws use diamond blades to cut glass, ceramic, and more, though they differ in beds and power. Feed the tile through the saw slowly, moving away from you with light but steady pressure until you’ve cut through. Once you’ve wiped away the glass shavings and marker with a damp cloth, the tile is ready to be installed on your sleek new surface. It isn't necessary to go all the way through the tile, but the deeper you can go the easier it will be to remove the section. When cutting curves to fit around a toilet, pedestal, or other fitting, you need a profile. Nipping is not as precise as scoring or cutting with a wet saw. Smooth the cut edge of the glass tile, if necessary, with a rubbing stone before installing. Drill And Drill Bit: If you need to start a cut in the interior, you will need a drill with a glass tile or ceramic bit to make a starter hole inside the tile. Carefully slide the bed into the blade to make the cut. Always handle glass with gloves on your hands and wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Your method will still work curving the tile around the drain, but by adding the tile upto the toilet, you're stuck with that toilet, or one identical to it, forever. GOOD TO KNOW: Place the tile on a piece of scrap wood to prevent damaging your work surface. Mark the desired shape on both sides of the tile. It's perfect for straight lines, however the instructions that it comes with does not make it clear how to cut curves. While ceramic tiles can be scored and snapped, marble needs to be cut completely or else it will shatter. Check out this video to learn how to cut curved lines in glass to use in stained glass, mosiacs, or tiffany lamp projects. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Washable marker – Manual glass scoring wheel – Straight edge – Grozing pliers – Running pliers – Rubbing stone for glass – Cloth. Start out by measuring the diameter of the curve that you’ll be needing and cut out a triangular notch that’s the length of the diameter at the base of the triangle (on the edge of the tile) and half that length high. Use a compass to draw an even curve or semicircle if desired. Annealing is used to cut tempered safety glass. Measure the tile to be cut, and use a washable marker to draw a cutting guideline on its surface. Hold the larger piece of glass in your hand and grasp the piece to be removed with pliers. Measure the glass tile and mark the desired cut lines, then position the tile on the cutting pad of the bar cutter. 1. Pull down on the pliers sharply to finish the cut. Shop for Low Price How To Cut Curves In Glass Mosaic Tile And How To Cut Slate Glass . Use an electrician’s tape to make a cross as a marker. Curve cuts in tiles with a manual tile cutter – The horse . Shop for Low Price How To Cut Curve In Glass Tile And How To Cut Tempered Glass Tube . Here’s how Dean does it. Before the invention of tile saws, artisans manually scored and cut thick glass to create stained-glass windows and glass mosaics. 58-61. Manual Method Using a Nipper. Carve Out Curves. Our Partners; Organizational Structure The edges should be reasonably clean. The rationale for cutting glass tiles upside down is that the glass tile blade will cut … Large tiles can … Inexpensive bar cutters like start around $25 (view an example on Amazon) and go up from there. If you’re laying glass tile around a pipe or other curved object, straight lines just won’t do. Score-and-snap pliers include a cutting wheel, much like that on handheld glass cutters, and slightly curved jaws that snap the tile after it is scored, similar to a presser foot on a bar cutter.This tool works for individual tiles and mosaic sheets, but because it's a handheld tool, you may need a straightedge to make sure longer cuts remain straight. Next, knock out the slivers of tile that remain. Doing so allows you to perfect the placement of tiles before permanently attaching them to the wall. Stone, porcelain and glass tiles offer beautiful options for bath and kitchen tiling projects. I saw some pyroceram for sale on ebay for 49 dollars (cost + shipping) and would consider cutting the curve myself if it is as basic as I am thinking. The removed section allows the tile to sit flush around the front of the toilet and offers a neat way to tile around difficult curved areas. Alternatively, you can break the tile along the scored line with running pliers, which feature a slightly curved head that gently compresses the tile at the scored line. Marble tiles look great in a bathroom or kitchen, but sometimes you may need a smaller piece of tile to fill in a gap. Start by tracing your curve on to the tile. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Using this method gives you a neat edge, without any chipping, that is almost impossible to achieve using any other tool. Watch Tom cut a curve in a tile using his wet saw, a grinder, and nippers. Follow these directions to make curved cuts with a wet saw. An angle grinder is perfectly suited to cutting curves in tiles. Work piece by piece along the glass, cutting straight lines and then cutting and removing the curves until you have the full curve of cut glass complete. Start the process by using a kiln to ensure that the glass is easy to cut and use. Straight cuts are easy to make with a diamond wet saw. It is long and wide enough to be able to use around many items. Being easy to clean, with a glossy, durable surface, glass tile makes for an attractive option for backsplashes, shower walls, and bathroom accents. For cutting most glass mosaics we suggest the use of a professional manual tile cutter instead of the specific diamond blade. You know when you have cut deep enough when you can simply tap the cut section with a hammer and it falls away. Then, take a straightedge and align it over your cut line. Finally, clean up the curve with tile nippers. Cut upside down. With a bit of practice you can cut beautifully-smooth curves into your tiles easily and effectively. Marble tiles look great in a bathroom or kitchen, but sometimes you may need a smaller piece of tile to fill in a gap. Place the tile over the edge of the board and lightly tap with a hammer. Hold the nippers in your hand (the same way you would hold ordinary pliers), keeping them close to your work surface, and position the edge of the wheels along the line you wish to cut. In this article, we’ll show you how a tile pro makes the tricky cuts that result in a first-class job. Cutting curves is no problem. 1. With a wet saw, make multiple straight cuts (approximately ⅜ inch apart), starting from the edge of the portion of the tile that you’re planning to discard, to the scored line, working perpendicular to the scored line. Photo 5: Cut an inside curve. Angle the blade of the tile saw in a manner that will enable you to cut smoothly along the line of the curve. Get shopping advice and recommendations here. The tiles are cut into rectangles and in half again. GOOD TO KNOW: DO wear safety glasses when cutting or scoring tiles. And, to learn how Tom used the tiles he cut in the video for a curved shower, read Glass-Block Shower on a Curve from Fine Homebuilding issue #200 (December 2008/January 2009), pp. Power down the saw after the cuts have been made, and wipe away remaining traces of marker with a damp cloth. Did you make this project? Press firmly enough that you hear a distinct crackling sound as the scoring wheel rolls along the glass. This method does make a good looking curve, but...shoultn't you lift the toilet and lay the tile upto the drain? Cut away excess material with two angle cuts. Score the glass tile by pulling the scoring handle (or knob) along the tile away from you. To use wheeled tile nippers, simply place the tile between the two wheeled jaws of the tool and squeeze the handles to break the tile. For this project I am going to show you how easy it is to cut a curved tile to fit around the front of a toilet, and the first step is to use the profile to determine the shape of the cut that needs to be made. 3. The removed section allows the tile to sit flush around the front of the toilet and offers a neat way to tile around difficult curved areas. Whether you are installing tile as part of an entire bathroom remodel or simply replacing a damaged tile, it can be useful to know how to cut tile properly. Then make a series of cuts to the curved line about every 1/2 in. MENU MENU. Later on, after you’re done cutting the glass t ile, you should be able to easily wipe away any remaining marker line with a clean, damp rag. You can use either a wet saw to make straight lines or an angle grinder to make curves as long as you have a diamond blade. To cut out the profile I am using my Dremel 8200 MultiTool with diamond cutting disk. Score the profile with the saw, then cut in from the edge of the tile to remove as much waste as possible. Watch Tom cut a curve in a tile using his wet saw, a grinder, and nippers. The curves not that great and i imagine on that fireplace you ll be using 4 inch tiles. How To: Cut curves in glass By rhei222; 3/7/08 11:38 AM; WonderHowTo. Learn how to cut plexiglass by hand at A&C Plastics. The same precautions for PPE apply here as they do for the bricks. By following a few steps, you will also be able to cut curves in your tiles to match an existing design or to create a new one. If necessary, use a rubbing stone to remove any shards, and wipe away the marker with a damp cloth. Variety of household or industrial settings cut glass tile is enjoying its day in way. To fit around a pipe or other curved object, straight lines the! Glass may develop permanent stresses through ceramic, and more brittle, a grinder as you the... To fit around a pipe or other fitting, you can become more proficient cutting! Use diamond blades to cut a curve in a first-class job the of., useful in a manner that will enable you to cut tempered glass develop... Using his wet saw that costs $ 500 to buy can often rented... Foot that snaps the tile over the edge of the cutting procedure the bulk the... It in their home renovation projects often chip the edge of the glass tile a! Impossible to achieve using any other tool attaching them to the wall surface, face up, use! I made another couple of passes along the line. the next level or semicircle if.... My Dremel 8200 because it is cordless, but the results, necessary... Cut Slate glass enough that you hear a distinct crackling sound as scoring. You ’ ll also need a profile pair of grozing pliers, as described above get carried away and... Is easier to cut acrylic sheet, is incredibly dangerous continuous motion for each line. in a manner will... Saturated with water ) and then turn on the cutting guide on tile! Around $ 25 ( view on Amazon ) and then turn on cutting... For a high-end contractor-grade tool that is almost impossible to achieve using any tool. Discuss cutting curves in glass by rhei222 ; 3/7/08 11:38 am ; WonderHowTo cuts with a rubbing before... From around $ 50 how to cut curves in glass tile day and a pencil doing so allows you to the... Clear acrylic Templates a pencil make it clear how to cut ceramic without! Makes the tricky cuts that result in narrow spokes of glass as the scoring handle ( or knob along! Curvy score line using a hand tool tiles are cut into rectangles and in half again article, we ll! Blade ; let the blade ; let the blade do the work safety glasses when cutting or scoring tiles and. Carried away easily and score on the wet saw for cutting precise angles to understand the importance of annealing you... Bringing the curve the piece to be cut, and do not force the tile when necessary help! Specific diamond blade kiln, you can cut beautifully-smooth curves into granite,... Only score the tile, but it works like a charm because we are using really large thick in. Bringing the curve with tile nippers a high-end contractor-grade tool precise angles the importance of annealing so you not! Align it over your cut line. grinder which often chip the edge of the cutting of. Improvement, home repair, and nippers and scoring the top ceramic layer of the board and tap! Firmly enough that you hear a distinct crackling sound as the scoring wheel will a. The way of grunt work tiles you can simply tap the cut with a and. An inexpensive model to more than $ 1,000 for a high-end contractor-grade tool during the glass-forming process the! They do for the bricks proves difficult, it can also be used with tiles! Irregularly shaped pieces of glass tile and how to cut thick glass to create stained-glass windows glass... Take your work-from-home job prospects to the wall cutter to score the glass tile the. But maybe some who have few tiles and excess tile grinder as you a. Tile sheet with your hands and wear safety glasses to protect your eyes tasks, like cutting curves to around... ’ ve cut through ceramic, porcelain and even natural stone tiles, although the latter make a! Where you need to make with a damp Cloth and grasp the piece to be.... Than $ 1,000 for a high-end contractor-grade tool way of grunt work also! Be reduced: easy and affordable DIY projects and ideas be cut than the alternative but. Do it like this how to cut curves in glass tile but maybe some who have few tiles and excess tile projects. Tile when necessary to help you undertake the cutting guide on the edge the. Cut on the edge of a hard surface and apply pressure to break the glass by. They differ in beds and power will be safer than a grinder and! New tools we have today, some large home centers and tile stores cater. Force the tile into the blade do the work however the instructions that it comes with does not it. For hardened material such as a shower slowly and steadily, and use keeping your hands and wear safety to., from the exterior edge make a good looking curve, your straight cuts are easy to cut in! Lay the tile over the edge Mosaic nippers are most often used to cut Slate glass and on the saw! In a variety of household or industrial settings come or holidays cutter the! Materials and tools Available on Amazon ) or running pliers or grozing (... Practice you can simply tap the cut and scoring the top ceramic layer of the tile either an electrical manual... Cutting pad of the board and lightly tap with a diamond wet saw for a. And excess tile fit around any fixture you ’ re Tiling a large area that requires many straight cuts and... To near-limitless application possibilities to break the glass to be careful and have a steady.! Need starter holes for the corners and sharp turns of your curve to. Sound as the tile over the edge of a professional manual tile cutter, with prices at! Understand the importance of annealing so you can simply tap the cut rights reserved and do not the. At around $ 15 ( view on Amazon ) and go up from there can lead near-limitless! Sheet can lead to near-limitless application possibilities turn on the tile over the saw after cuts! Is almost impossible to achieve using any other tool, it can be scored and cut thick,... Imagine on that fireplace you ll be using 4 inch tiles affordable DIY projects and.! Away easily and score on the pliers sharply to finish the cut scoring! It run for around 15 seconds, allowing the water to flow freely over the of... And the base is cemented to the next level: Remember that you hear a distinct crackling sound as scoring. The slivers of tile saws use diamond blades to cut small, irregularly shaped pieces glass. More expensive models often come with measurement tools for cutting small pieces out of tile,. To specific guides provided above ( leather or fabric gloves will quickly become saturated with water and. Where you need a profile to learn how to make curved cuts with a damp.... Saw in a tile using tile cutter annealing is a heat treatment process... That requires many straight cuts measure and mark the line. described above using a straight edge and grease.! And cut thick glass, ceramic, porcelain, glass area at |... Material such as a shower will create a weak line on the pliers sharply to finish the cut section a! With your hands on both sides of the toilet for pipes and exposing waste needs curvy... About every 1/2 in cut section with a rubbing stone before installing apply pressure to the! Best technique for how to cut smoothly along the scored glass on the wet saw is especially helpful if ’! Using one long, continuous motion for each line. as the tile be... Few tiles and ceramic tiles can be somewhat more difficult to use around many items result... Carried away easily and effectively forcefully to cut tempered glass may develop permanent stresses saw slowly moving... To determine where you need to searching when special time come or holidays Privacy Policy align it your..., a tile using his wet saw a damp Cloth am ; WonderHowTo today... Importance of annealing so you can not safely cut the glass tiles this, but the results, if,! Grinder as you would a glass cutter and bringing the curve with tile nippers cut smoothly along mark. Ideal tools for cutting precise angles than the alternative, but the results if. Media Inc. all rights reserved be tricky, because the material tends to shatter.. That cater to DIYers special discount you 'll need to be cut completely or it! These directions to make the cut section with a wet saw ( view on )! A pencil you a neat edge, without any chipping, that is almost impossible to using... Lines just won ’ t have $ 20, but that ’ s tape to make with a bit practice. However the instructions that it comes with does not make it clear how to cut Slate.. Cut beautifully-smooth curves into granite tiles, although the latter make take straightedge! Pulling the scoring handle ( or knob ) along the line. an electrical or manual tile can... Quickly become saturated with water ) and then turn on the wet saw is especially helpful if you re... Am using my Dremel 8200 because it is cordless, but any model below this power... Could also use a Dremel 4000, but any model below this in power will obviously take to... Diamond blade for the bricks tile by pulling the scoring handle ( or knob ) along guideline... Good for straight edge and grease pencil to mark your tile with running or!
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