How can I cut 1 inch X 1 inch porcelain tiles?

Question

Hi everyone! I need to cut 1 inch by 1 inch black porcelain tiles in half. It is impossible because they are so small! I’ve tried a regular tile cutter and a wet saw both make the tiles go flying. It is impossible to hold them down because they are so small. I know the job can be done with a tile nippers but that takes a great deal of time. Is there any other way to cut it? I’m tempted to try a glass cutter to score it but I’m not sure if that would work. Ideas anyone? Thanks!

I need to cut the 1X1 tiles in half for the edge of the room. I'm not trying to cut bigger tiles into 1X1 squares.

Answer 1

Emma,

With all due respect to you and others; the task is daunting at best; DANGEROUS at worst.

Again; and with no offense meant; why might a 1/2 inch cut be neccesary? Certainly planning might have prevented this. You can't use a glass cutter; scoring and snapping. If you choose nippers; hopefully you have a lot of 1 inch pieces to account for waste. If you manage by some miracle to stabilize 1 inch tile; a wet saw cut will be near 1/8 inch; giving you less than 1/2 total tile; and perhaps a piece of tile blinding you. OR perhaps removing finger tips. Then there is the issue of grout lines; even as small as 1/8.

Without strictly knowing the WHY; I suspect your layout left you with space at the perimeters you hadn't pre-planned. I'd probably "bite the bullet" not the tile; and use UNSANDED grout. If it happens that this is on a FLOOR; hopefully you removed cove base before laying tile; and replacing it will hide this OOPS. If it's a shower stall; or bathroom walls; BIG sigh.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

Porcelain Tile Cutter

Answer 3

Since you're dealing with tiny tile, every little bit of tile counts. If you are planning to have perfect halves, you may end up losing one side per tile; since the cutting action will take away from each tile(if your blade is 1/8th" it will pulverize at least that much of your tile). That means plenty of waste when all is said and done.
If you don't mind the waste, a wet saw would probably work faster as you can strategically line up several tiles at a time.
Use a large piece of sacrificial (scrap) tile to hold the smaller ones in place.(I would use 2 scrap tiles, to sandwich the little tiles in...kind of like making a template and then inserting the small tile). Push the scarp tile up against the smaller tile really snug... after making sure the small tile are properly aligned. You could even clamp down the large tile so you don't have to hold it in place.

If you don't mind using pieces a slightly less than 1/2 the size of your 1' tiles, you could center the tile so that the blade takes off equal amounts on each "half". That way you end up with equal pieces, no wastage and less (quicker) work.

Answer 4

Use a DREMEL with a diamond blade and a steady stream of water. Use a plastic bag to keep the water off the tool and a 1 inch C-clamp with a Cotton patch to hold the tile.
It is best to fasten the tool with a ring clamp used for hoses to a board and the tile to another board and push the tile rather than pull it through the blade. Make several shallow passes on the unglazed side and snap it apart so it does not chip.

Answer 5

You can tape down a tile and then score it with the cutting wheel on the back of a tile pinching pliers. When you have a good mark across the tile put it in the pliers with the scored side up and the back against the central ridge of the pliers. Then close the handle to snap the tile's back against that ridge. Easy fast cut.

That pincher is not the nipper that looks like a wire cutter. It is the specialized tile snapping tool that cracks it off along the scored line in one pinch.

Answer 6

No, a wet saw is the way to go. The trick is - set the fence, start the cut, but only cut half way. Then, flip the tile over and finish the cut. The chips only happen when you finish the cut without flipping. When you finish the cut in the field of the tile, rather than at the edge, you are not subjecting that edge to all the stress and vibration.

Answer 7

Fool proof method. Use a longer piece of tile in front of the piece you are trying to cut. On the wet saw .

Answer 8

Your going to have to find a way to stablize them and use the wet saw - even if you have to duct tape them down on each side to hold them in place - otherwise, I'm afraid the nippers are the only other option.

Answer 9

use a tile score. one of those tile cutters you scribe the tile and then break it in two.

Answer 10

why not just buy them? they sell 1 x 1 tiles,
in all colors.