Cutting Tile

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East Lothian
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Am trying to cut a tile using manual tile cutters so that it fits into the area as shown in the picture below.

Width of tile at right hand side of shaver socket can't be more than 15mm.

Every time I try to cut the tile and get near the edge that leaves the 15mm, it just snaps all over the place. Any thoughts on how to proceed?



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Electric water cooled tile cutter is the only way to go, basic ones are cheap as chips cut the recess out first, two ends, then cut like a comb till the "teeth" can be snapped out then do the side cut.
 
Electric water cooled tile cutter is the only way to go, basic ones are cheap as chips cut the recess out first, two ends, then cut like a comb till the "teeth" can be snapped out then do the side cut.

So is it basically impossible with a manual tile cutter?

Do you have a link to one of the electric water cooled tile cutter you would recommend?
 
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The one I have was a Screwfix own brand bought many years ago, can't find any link to it now must be obsolete, but something like this should do the job :D

http://www.screwfix.com/p/vitrex-103402nde-torque-master-450w-tile-saw-240v/60888

Mine has been loaned out to all the family, well worth getting one sooo much easier than mucking about with tile saws!

Thanks, will pick one up.

Any tips on how to remove the tile immediately to the left of that gap and reinstalling it (having cut it properly with an electric tile cutter)?

Reason for removal is at the bottom left of the shaver socket, the tile is slightly chipped (happened when manually cutting the tile).
 
The safest way but a bit slow is to drill a row of holes close together horizontally across the middle of the tile then use a small screwdriver to join them up you can then do any prising from the middle with less chance of damage to the adjoining tiles.

Quickest way is to remove the socket (power off first of course :D ) and slip a screwdriver blade under the edge, waggle it (technical term) to and fro a bit and the tile should lift and crack across the centre. Eye protection is advised, if you hold a rag over the tile as you do it you should catch most of the sharp bits you will only find later in bare feet!

I notice it looks a bit like you have tiled flush to the shaver socket. Should you ever need to change it that will be a problem.

I usually bring the sockets forward a bit, you can get longer screws if needed and tuck the tile edges under the socket. Just be careful not to get adhesive in the fitting and of course be careful about damage, loosening of connections or strain to wires.
aferwards when grouting the grout will form a seal around the fitting to prevent moisture creeping down the back, but the thin strip of grout will not prevent the unit being changed if needed.

Of course if you prefer not to touch the fitting that's fine but you will need to spend some time cleaning out the grout before the sparks arrives with his big screwdriver to lever it out :D
 
The safest way but a bit slow is to drill a row of holes close together horizontally across the middle of the tile then use a small screwdriver to join them up you can then do any prising from the middle with less chance of damage to the adjoining tiles.

Quickest way is to remove the socket (power off first of course :D ) and slip a screwdriver blade under the edge, waggle it (technical term) to and fro a bit and the tile should lift and crack across the centre. Eye protection is advised, if you hold a rag over the tile as you do it you should catch most of the sharp bits you will only find later in bare feet!

I notice it looks a bit like you have tiled flush to the shaver socket. Should you ever need to change it that will be a problem.

I usually bring the sockets forward a bit, you can get longer screws if needed and tuck the tile edges under the socket. Just be careful not to get adhesive in the fitting and of course be careful about damage, loosening of connections or strain to wires.
aferwards when grouting the grout will form a seal around the fitting to prevent moisture creeping down the back, but the thin strip of grout will not prevent the unit being changed if needed.

Of course if you prefer not to touch the fitting that's fine but you will need to spend some time cleaning out the grout before the sparks arrives with his big screwdriver to lever it out :D

Is it worth scoring the grout around the tile with a stanley knife, or trying to chip that out a bit?
 
If you can remove some grout that will make tile removal a bit easier.
 
Is too thin of a cut to try with a hand cutter id cut it out with a 4" grinder and tile blade but why not take the cover plate off and tile upto the box then rix the plate back lookss much better and dont need to cut grout out to take the cover off next time
 
i could scribe the tile with the hand cutter and cut out the tow sides top and bottom then use the hand cutter to snap the back cut
 

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