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How do I get good cuts with a wet tile saw, especially on porcelain?

I invested in a Ryobi wet tile saw to cut porcelain tiles for a kitchen splashback.

No matter which way up or how slowly I cut, the saw chips off the glaze along the edge of the cut. I was planning to do some decorative cuts that won't be hidden under silicone so it does matter to me.

Also at the end of each cut the tile brakes, leaving a notch out of the part of the tile to the left of the blade and a chip out of the part of the tile to the right of the blade

As recommended by the Bunnings tool expert I upgraded from the blade supplied by Ryobi to a Kango blade, but this has not made a difference.

Any tips please 😀

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EricL

Hello @margoburl

Thanks for sharing your question about your Ryobi tile saw. One possible reason why the end of your cut keeps splitting is because the cut part is not supported. Both sides of the tile must be supported so that when you reach the end of the cut the smaller portion will not exert any force on the the other side.

Another technique you can try is to score the surface of the tile using DTA Tile Scriber before you use the tile saw. Please note that the sides of the cut tile can be polished using a QEP Dual Grit Rubbing Stone.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Evening @margoburl

Ummmm I have never cut tiles.... 😲 I have gone through the steps loads of times and when I eventually do, I figure I would use a scribe and cut tile cutter and not a wet tile saw mainly because of all the videos ive watched on how to cut tiles seem to use a tile cutter 🙂

I agree with @EricL's thinking about reasons it could be chipping, I also wonder if the tile was glued down as in on a wall and you cut it, then the blade does what its supposed to do? If you are clamping a loose tile and trying to cut it, would the vibrations be what is chipping the surface?

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @margoburl typically the blades that come with DIY saws are less than average, so buying a high quality one from DTA or Kango as you have done is the right start.The thinner the blade the finer the cut. All saws cut from the underside up, which means they will leave the roughest finish on the top surface. so sometimes a good trick is to cut the tiles upside down, especially with highly glazed tiles.

Using a good quality painters tape on the cutting lines will also help reduce chipping.

Always start using the saw to make a small notch on the cutting line, then pull the tile back and begin the rest of the cut. This can take some stress out of the tile.

Another good tip is what @EricL has posted out which is to ensure the tile is supported flat on a clean surface.

and lastly some tiles are simply just cheaply manufactured and nothing you will do will prevent chipping.

Hope that helps.

Nailbag

MikeTNZ

Hi @margoburl,

Although I've only cut tiles a few times with a tile saw (hired), I do know that clamping the tile down is extremely important, so that it has nowhere to go during the cut.

I've had to do this where a conduit comes through a floor and the tiler wants to have nothing to do with it.

Plenty of water on the blade is a given, this keeps the cut cool and clears the material away as the cut is made.

To be fair, I have struck it where the tiler just spec'd really cheap tiles and you have to work with that, in that situation, all you can do is make the cut as slow as you can and watch the cut line, if it starts to chip, back the saw off and try again.

There are some very cheap tiles out there.

Cheers,

Mike T.

margoburl

Thanks for your help.

To clarify, I'm cutting new tiles on the bench saw type wet saw.

JacobZ

Hi @margoburl,

My suggestion is along the lines of what has already been said.

Try using painters' tape along your cut lines, take it very slow and try cutting them upside down.

You could also try cutting a small notch into one end, flipping the tile over and then cutting through the rest of the tile. As the chipping is happening right at the end of the cut, hopefully this reduces the occurrence of chipping.

It might come down to a bit of trial and error to find the best method or combination of methods for your specific tiles.

Please let us know how you go, I'd be happy to assist further if required.

Jacob

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