Tile Saw

[Ibanezman]

I'm working on updating my kitchen, thinking of ripping out and starting again. It's a 1950's house with a 1990's kitchen, so it's not done badly but it's irritating the wife now, so it's bound to go!

Before I start on that, I've got to tile a small bathroom. It's a bit fiddly, so I'm wondering about investing in an electric tile saw. Are they any good and can you cut L shapes into the tiles, to save the score and snap method?

 

[vv2806]

Are they any good and can you cut L shapes into the tiles, to save the score and snap method?

Yes. My tile saw is from Wickes, no problems cutting ceramic tiles to whatever shape that consists of straight lines. Porcelan tiles are much harder and would require a better saw, although I did 2 cuts in a big porcelan tile with mine.

 

[Ibanezman]

Thank you. I wasn't sure if it would be one of those tools which sounds great, but you find that everybody in the trade uses the score and snap method. I'll give it a go. I imagine that if you got yours in Wickes, they're pretty easy to pick up in B&Q, etc?

 

[tpt]

electric tile saws are great for shapes but not so great for straight cuts. the manual score and snap is much quicker and cleaner for straight cuts

 

[Ibanezman]

So a wisely selected combination of both techniques seems to be the way forward then?!

 

[vv2806]

Yes, I have both an electrical and a hand tile cutter. The hand one was reasonably priced, I think about £12 from a discounted tiles shop. If there is a Toolstation or Screwfix store near you, check what they have before going to B&Q or the like. Much cheaper. You would need some hand tools as well - a file, pliers, trowels. I personally find this tool invaluable, somebody posted a link to it in one of the topics, and I am forever grateful to this nice person

http://www.screwfix.com/p/vitrex-grout-clean-up-polishing-kit/69180#

Read the sticky and search for other relevant topics on the tiling forum. I didn't have any previous experience in tiling but did the bathroom floor to ceiling, the floor itself, the floor of the downstairs toilet, the kitchen is next when I find time for it.

Good luck!

 

[Ibanezman]

Thank you very much, that is all really helpful info.

 

[alan333]

I have a cheap electric tile saw which I bought in B & Q a few years ago for general DIY use. It uses water to cool the blade. It's a bit messy to use with water splashing but it cuts a treat. So far it's been used to do 4 kitchens, 3 bathrooms, a cloakroom, and 2 floors. Each time I use it I think "the blade on that cheap thing must be about to give up" but no, it keeps on going. Not bad for the £25 or so I paid for it at the time.