Favorite small-scale tile cutting tools?

[JackOfDiamonds]

I'm putting up a little 2x6 backsplash of subway tile. I'm planning on putting the tile right on existing painted drywall.

I will need to cut some tiles around an electrical box and possibly cut some in half. For cutting them in half, I know you can score and break them, but what's a good scoring tool?

For cutting around the electrical box, what's the best approach? I have a Dremel, a 1/4" die grinder, a compact router, a sawzall, a vibrating multitool, and hacksaws.

 

[65ranchero]

For around the elec. box Get your self a diamond dust coping blade and a coping saw.
or rent a small tile wet saw and make small repeat cuts to the area such as scarfing wood for a notch

they make manual tile cutters which most tile places will either lend you or at little cost.
I have also used as small metal cutoff tool to cut into tile

 

[ace10]

Ceramic? Porcelain? Glass? Metal?

It matters.

 

[tyyost]

I’d make my cuts with an angle grinder and the appropriate diamond blade. Of course make the cuts outside so you are not cleaning up a ton. As said above, all different types of tile dictate the methods. I have a felker scoring tool but buying today I’d buy a rubi.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

Cheap ceramic

 

[signcrafter]

For a little backsplash I would either just use an angle grinder and diamond blade for ceramics or go buy one of the little table saw style tile wet saws. Think you can get one for under 100 bucks. I've done a fair amount of tile and I do almost all my cutting with a rubi snap cutter and a grinder. Doing a full bathroom shower and floor right now and the only thing I pulled my wet saw out for is the shower floor mosaics because they picked out marble tiles. For backsplashes it's rare I pull out my wet saw, only if the material won't do good on a snap cutter.

Are you going to have to make any cuts the length of the tile up by the upper cabinets? If so you may want a tile saw vs just using a grinder. Also make sure you wall is fairly flat otherwise if the wall has a bow you will be fighting the tiles the whole time trying to get them to sit flush. If the wall is flat you can slap up all the tiles real quick. Other thing to check for is counter is level, especially if you have more then one counter like on both sides of the stove or something.

 

[Forgottonia]

I have a decent wet saw for ceramic tiles. It works great for straight cuts, but it's hard to make odd shapes cuts with it. So I bought the cheapest little compound miter saw I could find and keep a diamond blade in it for cutting ceramic tiles. It works pretty good. (The ceramic dust gets into the saw and makes a mess. That's why I didn't want to use my 12" Bosch compound mitre saw.)

Since you're cutting into the top of the tile it's easier to get a precise shape for tiling around drains or around odd shapes corners, etc.

 

[mike93lx]

I bought a small ridgid 7" fixed blade wet saw on CL and have used it for a few projects now. I also have a snap cutter (that's a POS but it is easier and less messy on long, straight cuts), but the wet saw has been invaluable and I'm very glad to have it. I'd consider renting or buying one.

 

[duneslider]

If you are only doing one job and don't plan to ever do tile again, or for a really long time, just rent a tile saw for the job.

If you are only going to do a little tile here and there then your best bang for the buck is a little wet saw. I hate the little table saw style saws but for a home owner and occasional usage they are great. I used to have one that I would set up on the tailgate of the truck for repair work when I just needed to make 1-2 cuts. Works fine, just sprays water all over you. Not a big deal in the summer but ***** in the winter.

A good tile breaker is just to speed up production, it will never be as good as a wet saw. I love my breaker but just because it saves me from getting up and walking out to the saw.

I can cut almost anything with a grinder and a diamond blade. I have done whole houses with nothing but a breaker and a grinder. It is messy and the cuts aren't as nice as a wet saw. Again, the grinder is mostly to speed production. I can cut anything on the saw that I can cut on the grinder, just not always as fast.

On many jobs I would do as much of the job as I could without setting up the saw and then set up the saw on the last day and knock out everything that needed to be done with the wet saw.

 

[Robinson1]

Continuous rim diamond blade on a grinder