Is it possible to cut tiles with a jigsaw?

Cloths for ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware

Porcelain tiles are a derivative of ceramic tiles, but are manufactured using higher temperatures and pressures. For this reason, porcelain tiles are much denser and cannot be cut with carbide saws designed for ceramics. Conversely, diamond blades for porcelain stoneware can be used for ordinary materials.

A special feature of jigsaw files made from such materials is spraying. The harder the spraying, the higher the quality of the cut, and the cutting part will last longer. Spraying has such a parameter as grain size. The quality of edges and cutting speed directly depend on the grain size. The higher the indicator, the higher the quality of the edges and the lower the speed of work.

Important: the packaging of saw blades indicates the grain size, width of the blade, and the material from which it is made. If there is no information on the packaging other than the model designation, then the characteristics can be found on the manufacturer’s website.

For straight cutting of ceramics, it is better to use wide blades with carbide tips; for curved cutting, it is better to use blades with a minimum width. This rule applies to any materials that can be cut with an electric jigsaw.

Blades for specific tasks

Drywall and cement-containing materials quickly set any saw blade, with the exception of specially designed carbide-tipped blades, which also cut thermal insulation well.

The hole in the tile is cut with a ceramic saw without teeth coated with carbide. It is also suitable for working with glass fiber reinforced polymers.

The cutting part of the blades for cardboard, rubber and other soft materials is not made with teeth, but with polished waves or simply looks like a knife.

For sawing combined materials, special files are designed, one half of the blade of which is equipped with small teeth, and the other with large ones.

Advice. The length of the file is chosen based on the thickness of the material. To prevent the blade from tearing out or breaking, its end must extend out of the cutting line in any position of the jigsaw pendulum.

For household needs, a set of 5-10 files for various purposes is enough. Just starting to use a jigsaw, they purchase an inexpensive set, master the intricacies of working with different types of blades, and, based on their own experience, select the necessary files. Still, there are no strict recommendations; often one canvas copes well with tasks that are atypical for it. Here you can experiment, but think first.

When tiling walls or floors with ceramic tiles, you often have to cut them. Cutting tiles can be done with a tile jigsaw. When carrying out renovations in the bathroom and kitchen, tiles are an irreplaceable material. With its help, you can decorate walls or floors, since a wide range of design solutions allows you to achieve an attractive appearance of the premises in this way.

This material is durable, its shine remains for many years. Its laying can be done by the apartment owners themselves; even a novice master can handle this work. When laying outer elements or laying tiles in the form of a mosaic, you will definitely need to cut them. To do this, you can use various tools:

cutter;
grinder;
tile cutter;
jigsaw

A jigsaw is convenient for those craftsmen who do not lay tiles professionally, and therefore do not purchase professional tools for processing them. In this case, you only need to purchase special files that are suitable for this purpose. The peculiarity and main advantage of a jigsaw is that it can be used to cut almost any material if you choose the right files.

Cutting ceramic tiles using devices for straight cutting to size (a) and for cutting at an angle (b): 1 - cut tiles, 2 - ruler, 3 - cutter, 4 - square.

To process ceramic tiles, you must use files designed specifically for tiles. With their help, you can easily make straight or shaped cuts. When cutting tiles with a jigsaw, you need to wet the edges. This will help avoid chipping and the formation of excessive dust. It is especially important to take this into account when processing glazed material.

Ceramic tiles are cut using abrasive saws. With their help, you can not only cut off the required size piece from the tile, but also make the necessary holes in it, for example, for socket outlets. Other tools do not provide this option.

Do not use a jigsaw to cut tiles intended for laying on the floor. Floor tiles are much thicker. Cutting it with a jigsaw will quickly dull the file and render it unusable. It is best to cut this type of flooring with a grinder with a diamond blade or a tile cutter.

Jigsaw tiles

Using an electric jigsaw to cut porcelain stoneware is not the best or fastest way. Ceramic blades are necessary when you need to make curved cuts. When choosing, the main requirement is the presence of a hard alloy coating.

Fast cut

Certain wood construction jobs don't require much care, such as sawing lumber for sheathing or removing an old window frame. What is more important here is the speed provided by fast cutting blades with characteristic features:

Large teeth - up to 6 mm.
A fair amount of separation - about 1 mm.
Long blade - from 60 mm.
Width - up to 10 mm.

For thick workpieces, similar blades with large cutters are used, but without routing - they deviate less from the vertical. In principle, the thicker the file, the better it maintains perpendicularity.

We cut tiles with a jigsaw, starring master Sergei, cameraman Alexander

Advice. A blade with an oblique tooth is better suited for cutting along the grain, and a blade with a straight tooth is better suited for a cross cut.

Clean cut

An operation such as cutting furniture boards or parquet boards. Requires smooth and precise cutting. Such tasks are performed with less productivity, but with better quality, using blades for clean cutting that have:

Teeth less than 3 mm.
Minor divorce.

Most of the saw blades cut by retraction, so the material is placed with the reverse side. To mark and cut from the face, you need a blade with a reverse tooth. It is not very convenient for them to work - in addition to maintaining the direction of the cut, they have to overcome the force of pushing out the tool.

Advice. A specialized saw with two rows of teeth allows you to cut panels laminated on both sides almost without chipping.

How to cut thin and thick wood

The electric jigsaw was created for working with wood, so it is not surprising that most of the work is done with this material. And you might as well shorten:

Hardwood;
Lumber;
Pressed wood.

Depending on the thickness of the material, different blades are used. And they will vary not only in length, but also in the frequency and size of the teeth. The thinner the material, the smaller and denser the teeth should be. .

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To get a clean cut on thick wood, use saws with progressive teeth that gradually get smaller.

Can you cut tiles with a jigsaw?

Cutting tiles is a fragile task, and therefore it is worth choosing the right file and performing several important steps, thanks to which the cut will be smooth and neat.

At the same time, when cutting with a jigsaw, you can make not only an even cut on the tile, but also a figured cut. Such threads will be especially relevant when laying ceramic tiles in hard-to-reach places.

Can I use a jigsaw to cut ceramic tiles for flooring? This type of tile is quite thick, which means the file will quickly become unusable and dull. In this case, it is better to find a tool with more durable components.

How to choose a saw blade for cutting ceramics

A jigsaw file for ceramic tiles must be durable. Power tools have a fairly large selection of components, and the most popular are tile saws. They are practical, wear-resistant, and have an abrasive edge without teeth.

The grain size of the nozzle regulates the speed of cutting, as well as the quality of the cut. The lower the grain size, the less accurate the cut will be, but working with such a tool will be faster and vice versa.

In a hand tool for cutting tiles, a “string” is used, and it is this that allows you to make a shaped cut of any complexity. The tile is a fragile material and excess pressure from the tool can easily damage it, make the cut sloppy and deform it.

How to cut tiles with a jigsaw

To make the tile easier to cut, without chips, and less dust generated during work, it should be soaked in water for 1.5-2 hours before cutting. During work, if necessary, you can also moisten the cut with water.

Cutting ceramic tiles with a jigsaw

Cut the tiles with a jigsaw slowly. Place the material on the most flat, stable surface possible and press firmly. To prevent scratches on the tiles, the metal part of the jigsaw should be covered with cardboard or plastic, secured with double-sided tape.

to cut the tiles at low speeds, with the least pressure, then the cutting will be high-quality and accurate. Strong pressure or haste will lead to chips on the material or its damage.

Other tools for the procedure

Regardless of which tool will be used in the work, it is necessary to check its technical condition. Even professional knowledge of how to cut porcelain tiles at home will not help if the equipment is in poor condition. This is especially important if you plan to operate a device that has been in storage for a long time.

So, first of all, the integrity of the cutting organs is checked. These can be diamond rollers, saws, crowns and other abrasives. At the same time, the quality of their sharpening and the fixation system are checked, on which safety will directly depend. Next, the reliability of the housing fastenings and the position of the nuts and screws are assessed. If a power tool is used, it is necessary to check all contacts, and in some cases, the lubricant.

There are other means for sawing. Ceramic tiles can be cut using a glass cutter, tile cutter or grinder. These tools are usually used separately. However, some masters combine means to obtain a high-quality effect. So, using a jigsaw you can cut the product, and with a grinder you can sand the uneven parts.

One of the popular tools for work is a tile cutter. The tool is specifically designed to cut material. For home use, a manual model is used. It has a special lever with which you can divide the tiles into even parts. To do this, you need to mark a cutting line. Then fix the tile on a special surface.

Some craftsmen use electric tile cutter models. Thanks to them, you can complete the process quickly and efficiently. The design is equipped with a moving disk that makes an even cut. Just like when working with a jigsaw, to prevent the model from overheating, it must be wetted. Therefore, the electric tile cutter comes with a special bath. You need to add water to it. Thus, during operation, part of the cutting element will come into contact with water.

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Every builder or craftsman knows what a grinder is. However, not everyone uses this tool for cutting ceramic products. But to carry out such a procedure, it is enough to purchase a special diamond-coated disk. With its help you can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

To do this, you need to fix the tiles on a flat surface. This can be done with the help of another person or construction tape. Then the cutting element is drawn along the cut line. Movements must be precise and measured. Experts recommend making the cut the first time. If the process is repeated, chips and cracks may form on the tiles.

If it is difficult to make holes with a jigsaw, you can use special pliers. The tool is easy to use. Therefore, with its help you can make an even outline for the outlet.

Each tool must be selected depending on personal preferences and financial capabilities. We should not forget about the functional and technical characteristics of structures.

Cutting ceramic tiles using a grinder

It should be noted right away that working with an angle grinder, or as it is also called a cylindrical grinder, requires special care and the use of special protective equipment. The need to cut tiles using this power tool arises when there are no other means at hand to perform this operation or in cases of cutting the ends of the tile at an angle of 45º to join it with another tile.

The cutting tool in this case is a diamond wheel. The whole process follows a familiar algorithm, that is: marking the cut with a mowing line, securely fastening the tile and, in fact, the cut itself. To prevent dust from scattering throughout the room, you can use a household vacuum cleaner, which will collect dust and fragments of the enamel of the surface layer.

Please remember that ceramic shards are identical to glass shards that can get on your hands, face or eyes. Therefore, in addition to protective equipment, you need to follow one rule:

the disk should rotate counterclockwise (if you look at it from the nut side) and only in this case will the fragments fly away from you and onto the floor.

Cutting ceramic tiles with a tile cutter

How to cut ceramic tiles with a plywood cutter? The name of the device itself suggests that it is intended for cutting tiles. And, indeed, with the help of a tile cutter, ceramic tiles are cut easily and quickly. There is, of course, one small drawback in tile cutters: it is impossible to cut a narrow strip from the tile whose width is less than the width of the flat cutter. In this case, you need to apply the method described above, that is, use an angle grinder.

To ensure that the cutting line is straight and accurate, we first mark the tiles using a bench square (bowling alley). If the tile is dark and you only have a black felt-tip pen, you can only mark the end faces of the tile. After marking, we insert the ceramic tile into the tile cutter so that it fits tightly to the stop, which makes an angle of 90º with it. We position the other end of the tile (toward us) so that the markings coincide with the tubercle of the middle plank.

When everything is set, use a diamond roller away from you, pressing slightly, to make a cut. At the end of cutting, we set the presser foot (ballerina) and press it on the edge of the cut mowing line - the cut part of the tile can easily be separated. If you have to cut paving slabs or granite, you need to go through the diamond roller several times. The cut end of the tile can be easily cleaned with an ordinary metal spatula.

You only need to chip off the cut piece at the end of the tile, and not in the middle or anywhere else. Otherwise, both parts of the tile may split into several pieces.

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Cutting ceramic tiles with a glass cutter

If you don’t need to cut ceramic tiles often and a lot, you don’t have to buy a tile cutter, which costs about 1,500 rubles. It is enough to purchase a glass cutter for 120 rubles and successfully cope with the task.

Before starting to cut the size you need, we perform the same actions as described above when working with tile cutters. It is very important to fix your hand before cutting, providing it with support in the form of a wooden plank or in another possible way. When moving the glass cutter roller along the mark, you do not need to press hard on the ceramic tile, because the task is not to cut the tile with a glass cutter, but to efficiently remove the enamel layer from the surface of the tile. And one more thing: you can’t tear your hand off - it’s better to cut slowly, but evenly and without lifting your hand.

Then, to break off the cut part, there are several ways and the most popular of them is to break off along the hanging part of the tile from the edge of the table. Naturally, the cutting line in this case should coincide with the edge line of the table.

There is another way to easily cut ceramic tiles, used by craftsmen: they place an ordinary self-tapping screw under one end of the cutting line and achieve success with a sharp blow of the fist on one of the parts of the tile. However, in my opinion, this method requires some training. In addition to everything, it should be noted that the narrow runners of the cut part of the ceramic tile must be broken out carefully with pliers.

The cut end of the tile, as in the previous case, can be easily processed with a metal spatula.

Features of cutting porcelain stoneware

It should be noted that cutting very dense and hard porcelain tiles at home is sometimes even easier than in the case of ceramic tiles. Anyone who doesn’t believe it can try cutting overheated ceramics made on old Soviet or Chinese equipment at home. In comparison, cutting porcelain tiles does not look so problematic.

to cut porcelain stoneware without chipping, although some craftsmen claim that this is fundamentally impossible to achieve. If this were indeed the case, then most walls and steps covered with porcelain tiles would have wide joints, crooked and unattractive.

It's not even a matter of the hardness of porcelain stoneware. The technology for manufacturing artificial granite is such that as a result of pressing and deep firing, the material is obtained with virtually no internal stresses, and this is the key to high quality cutting line cutting.

In order to accurately and accurately cut porcelain stoneware at home, you only need to fulfill two conditions:

Select the correct cutting mode, ensure constant and uniform pressure with the cutting tool on the line for cutting porcelain stoneware;
Select the appropriate tool for the specific conditions of cutting the material.

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It is clear that at home, the possibilities of cutting the material are significantly limited, but even in an apartment it is quite possible to cut porcelain stoneware without a tile cutter, although the amount of dust generated when working with electrical machines is initially scary.

Features of work

Cutting ceramic tiles with a jigsaw is not difficult. This power tool is very convenient, you can learn how to use it in a matter of minutes.

It is important that you wear safety glasses, so that if the edge does come off the tile, it certainly won’t cause you any harm.

So, let's start figuring out the question of how to cut ceramic tiles with a jigsaw . The operating principle is as follows:

Secure the selected file into the groove;
On the tile, mark a notch line with a marker;
Place the tiles on a stable surface so that the file does not damage the surface itself;
Turn on the tool at medium speed;
Make a through cut along the contour.

After a few tiles, it is recommended to clean the file and check whether it has become worn down so that, if necessary, replace it.

Cutting tiles with a hand jigsaw is also not difficult. Here's how it works:

The above-mentioned file – “rope” – is inserted into the jigsaw mounts;
Along the marked mowing line, you begin to progressively move the file, cutting the tile along the contour.

Nothing complicated, however, it should be noted that it is quite difficult to “saw” for so long.

That's all, cutting tiles with a jigsaw and a regular, manual jigsaw is finished! Good luck with your results and correct calculations!

Let's look at different ways to cut ceramic tiles. When using a bathroom or kitchen decorated with ceramic tiles, sometimes situations arise when you need to replace cracked or chipped tiles in the corners or in the last row: in a word, in those places where the tiles need to be trimmed to the required size. Or maybe you decided to do the wall cladding with ceramic tiles yourself, where you can’t do without cutting. In all these situations, you do not need to immediately seek help from master tilers, because cutting ceramic tiles yourself is not such a complicated process as it seems at first glance.

At home this is done as follows:

Jigsaw

An electric saw, of course, is not a tool that every home craftsman has. However, if you have it, you don’t have to worry about cutting tiles!

The process of cutting tiles with a jigsaw

Features of work

When working with this tool, you must adhere to strict rules:

It is advisable that you wear safety glasses and clothing that prevents the jigsaw from being “grabbed” by the saw while working;
Look for a special headgear that will prevent your hair from getting into the tool’s working area;
Try not to overload the tool while working;
If you are finished working, not only turn off the instrument, but also unplug it;
If during operation you damage the cable, disconnect it without touching it directly with unprotected hands;
If the jigsaw is faulty, then working with such a tool is strictly prohibited;
It is not recommended to work with a jigsaw while holding the material in your hands;
You cannot disconnect a working jigsaw from the mains; first press the button;
If circular sparks appear on the surface when working, then working with a jigsaw is prohibited;
If lubricant leaks, stop working immediately;
If smoke appears, as well as the smell of burning rubber, immediately turn off the tool;
If the tool vibrates excessively during operation, or if cracks appear on the body, stop working immediately.

Well, we have become familiar with the safety precautions, now let’s move on to the main work.

Principle of operation

Cutting tiles with a jigsaw is quite simple, the only thing is that you should immediately stock up on the appropriate files, which can be purchased in specialized stores. So, the work looks like this:

The tiles that you plan to cut are laid on a flat, stable surface;
The jigsaw is brought in and installed in such a way that when turned on, the file does not immediately touch the cut site;
The engine turns on;
Smoothly, only guiding the tool, make the cut.

The disadvantage of this method is that the files often become dull and have to be replaced, but cutting tiles with a jigsaw would be a pleasure!

Well, let's move on to its manual counterpart.

Preparing the tiles

Let’s clarify right away - you can only prepare wall tiles, but to cut floor tiles with a jigsaw . The above files are simply not suitable for this, since floor tiles are a fairly durable finishing material. It is better to cut floor tiles with a tile cutter or grinder.

So, before starting work, it will be advisable for you to soak the tile itself for at least three hours. In this case, the cut will be of better quality, dust will not fly in all directions, and the file itself will not suffer as much wear as when cutting dry tiles with a jigsaw .

Some craftsmen wet the cutting line from time to time, however, in order not to stop, we still advise you to soak the tile itself.

Super nail file. We cut ceramics with a jigsaw. Jigsaw blade for cutting tiles

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Trimming flooring materials, porcelain tiles

Floor cladding can be made of ceramics, tiles and porcelain stoneware. How to cut tiles from tiles and ceramics has already been described above. A material such as porcelain stoneware is stronger than its analogues. To trim it, you need to use a grinder. Cutting floor tiles from this material follows the same principles as for tiles and ceramics. The main rule is compliance with safety precautions and preliminary marking for the future cut.

Also, cutting porcelain stoneware floor tiles can be done using a circular saw and a jigsaw. You can use an electric tile cutter. The use of a glass cutter for floor tiles made of this material is unacceptable.

Before cutting tiles with an electric tile cutter, fill the cooling tray with water. Carefully monitor its condition throughout the entire operation. Porcelain stoneware is a durable, wear-resistant material. To cut floor tiles from it, the blade of the disc will have to exert more effort, therefore timely cooling is especially important in this case. It is also necessary to hold the edges of the material being cut with your hands on both sides of the blade.

Before cutting floor tiles with a circular saw, you must change to a diamond blade for dry cutting. To avoid chipping, it is necessary to make smooth and confident movements when cutting edges.

Choosing a file

The usual version of the file will undoubtedly not work. You need a special blade, which is popularly called a “rope” - this is a small cable coated with tungsten carbide (if you decide to cut the tiles with just a jigsaw), and also - for power tools - it is better to immediately purchase inexpensive saws specifically for tiles.

These abrasive files are convenient because they make cutting ceramic tiles with a jigsaw much easier; in addition, it will be much easier for you to make shaped cuts without much effort.

Choosing the right tool

A few recommendations from experienced professionals will help you choose the right tool for the job.

For cutting at home, a household or semi-professional D-shaped jigsaw, which can be operated with one hand, is sufficient. The more power, the heavier the jigsaw, and it will be more difficult for it to cut smoothly.

A step speed controller, an electronic stabilizer and a pendulum stroke will greatly facilitate the cutting process. The presence of a plastic pad on the sole will allow you to securely secure the machine to the cutting blade. Useful features include built-in airflow and lighting.

It is worth paying attention to the fastening of the canvas. Some models have a restriction that does not allow the use of any file.

to cut boards with a jigsaw; there are circular saws and hacksaws for this. Although a powerful tool can cope with the task, it is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve a perfectly even cut.

Trimming tiles

How to cut tiles? First you need to choose the right tool. This could be a roller glass cutter or a tile cutter. These tools are great for cutting straight lines. Trimming the tiles with a jigsaw will help create curved edges.

Cutting tiles at home is a fairly simple process. If you do it using a roller glass cutter, then you need to draw the roller along a pre-designated line. In this case, the movements should be confident, without unnecessary pressure. After this, you need to lay the material on a wooden spackle and strike it with your palm so that it breaks along the cut line. Using a glass cutter requires some skill. Therefore, it is recommended to make several test options. In addition, for cutting large amounts of material, it is better to use an electric tile cutter.

How to cut tiles using a tile cutter? The principle of operation in this case is similar to that used when working with a roller glass cutter. The difference is that the material must be fixed using the “wings” of the tool. This must be done in such a way that the intended line coincides with the trimming roller. After cutting, you need to hit the handle of the tool so that the tile breaks off along the cut.

How to cut tiles using electric cutters? The material to be cut must be placed on the working platform. The diamond blade will make the cut evenly and quickly in the right place. The main thing is to follow safety precautions. Namely:

Safety glasses are required to prevent small particles and dust from getting into your eyes;
monitor the level and degree of contamination of the water in the tile cutter pan (it is necessary for cooling the cutting disc).

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Sawing process

In order to get started, it is necessary to carry out preliminary activities and prepare:

gloves;
protective glasses;
machine oil;
the material we will process;
clamps guiding the tape measure;
construction pencil;
the jigsaw itself.

The sawing process is carried out as follows:

Strengthening the source material. In our example, the starting material will be wood. The prepared sample of wood and the guide, the role of which can be played by an ordinary flat strip, must fit between two clamps. The sample is placed on some elevation so that the jigsaw cannot rest during the cutting process. After this, using a tape measure, you need to accurately measure the desired width of the product that should be obtained, and draw a cutting line with a pencil. Then lay the guide at the required distance from the mowing line and secure it with clamps. A jigsaw with a guide placed with a file in the direction of the marked mowing line is also secured with a clamp. You need to fasten well, but do not overdo it. The same is done on the other side.
Sawing Turn on the jigsaw and start working. Proper use of the device does not involve pressing it too hard, which can cause the product to quickly heat up and break. You should also not use the same file for a long time, since it becomes dull very quickly. If a very hard wood is chosen as the starting material, then you can pre-lubricate the surface with machine oil. The file will glide easier, the cut will become smoother, and the jigsaw will last longer.

How to cut ceramic tiles with a jigsaw

Ceramic tiles are one of the most difficult building materials, as they combine hardness and fragility. It is necessary to work with it with a special blade, which allows you to get an even cut without chips.

Use a jigsaw to cut ceramic tiles straight. Edge cutting and curly cutting will not give a good result, as the tile will begin to break.

You need to be very careful when cutting This is done in one smooth movement. No stops allowed. The pendulum motion of the canvas is turned off.

How to saw plastic

Soft artificial materials such as plastic, plexiglass, and foam are excellent for cutting with an electric jigsaw. Their properties are very similar to wood, and therefore the same consumables are used for sawing. The only note: they cut plastic at low speeds, since at high speeds the blade moves, the edges can melt.

Sources:

https://kladuplitkusam.ru/rezka-i-sverlenie/rezka-plitki-lobzikom.html https://morflot.su/mozhno-li-pilit-plitku-jelektrolobzikom/ https://sity-mebel.ru/iz -dereva/mozhno-li-elektrolobzikom-pilit-doski.html

Getting started: how to turn on the jigsaw and start cutting

Working with an electric jigsaw begins with a visual inspection. The tool and power cable must not have any visible damage .
The saw blade is then installed (it should always be removed before storing).
Before you start working with the mosaic, settings are made. First of all, the appropriate file speed is selected. If you want to trim the edge, you need to set the trim angle. This is easy to do on Dnepr-M electric jigsaws thanks to the inclined sole. If the task allows, the swinging movement , and the range of motion of the canvas is selected.
If necessary, a parallel stop or compass is installed to make holes in the workpiece.
If a lot of dust is generated during operation, connect a vacuum cleaner.

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