Tile Cutting Equipment

A few ideas for getting started... You will want to cover everything surrounding your tile cutting area with an old sheet or tablecloth. The pieces will be flying. Tape three flaps of a box together and cut the fourth off. This makes a "shield" to keep the flying pieces to a minimum and also keeps the unwanted pieces in one place for easy disposal. Styrofoam plates are good temporary holders for your tiles, and since they stack easily, they work nicely for those of us who like to cut several lots at a time.

Tile Cutters

Nippers Please see MBeex3's article on the main newsletter page for more information about choosing nippers. I personally prefer nippers that have a spring so that it is not necessary for me to pry them apart after each cut. Also, for tiles, versatile nippers that are capable of cutting curved tiles are a necessity. ~suze1970

Pliers and Scorers These tools are best used with glass and porcelain items. The top tool has a scoring wheel used for outlining the desired pieces. The piece is then broken between the two flat-surfaced "pliers." The bottom tool is simply a small scorer, great for working with mirrors and other glass pieces. (Note: When working with any of these potentially sharp objects, gloves are highly recommended.)

A Word About Safety

Safety goggles are an absolute MUST when cutting tiles. Flying pieces of pottery, porcelain, and glass can easily get into eyes if they are not protected. Earplugs can be necessary depending upon the type of material being cut. Breaking dishes can be quite loud. They also produce an enormous amount of dust which is why a mask can be helpful, especially if the cutter has allergies or other breathing related trouble. When cutting, gloves should be worn as well to protect the hands from the sharp and often pointed edges of the items being cut.

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