Ceramic tiles are tough surfaces, which makes them ideal for floors and walls in the home and for commercial purposes. However, you will require strong ceramic tile cutting and drilling tools to install them properly. There are a variety of options available, depending on your project needs, so here is our tool guide for cutting and drilling ceramic tiles.

Ceramic Tile Cutting Tools

Manual Snap Cutters or Scribes

A manual snap cutter is one of the main power tools that can be used to cut a ceramic tile. This is an affordable option that does a great job for smaller projects. Manual tile cutters are also known as rail cutters, and work in a similar way as glass cutters do. It has a carbide wheel that is slowly pushed along the tile to score it and can come in handy when you need to make straight cuts. A tile scribe, on the other hand, is the cheapest and easiest tool you can use to make straight cuts on tiles. It has a hard tip, which scores the tile and helps it to break in a straight line.

Tile Nippers

For applications where you need to make irregular cuts along tile edges, rather than straight cuts, a tile nipper is the right tool. It is also known as the nibbling tool and can be used to make small half-inch or one-inch cuts from the edge by making scoring lines. The tool is usually used to make notches or tiny cut outs, and it is quite affordable (sold between $10 and $25, depending on their quality). The only set back of using tile nippers is that the cuts are not as clean as other cutting tools.

Wet Tile Saws

The other most common tool used for cutting tiles is a wet tile saw. These tool makes precise cuts and does not require a lot of talent or experience to operate effectively. Wet saws come in a variety of models and sizes, and you can rent or own them. They are available for around $60, but professional options cost around $500 or more. The benefit of wet tile saws is that they reduce friction and wear and tear on the machine by squirting water on a constant basis onto the sharp diamond blade. It is recommended to use this tool outdoors because of the dust and splatter that it produces.

Glass Cutters

Glass cutters, like tile nippers, are great for smaller tasks that don't involve curvy or complex cuts. They are affordable and easy to use.

Angle Grinder

Angle grinders use a stone blade and are great for making angled cuts. The cuts will not be as clean as those created by a wet tile saw, but they will be good enough to work with. You can easily make rough cuts around doorways and heater vents using an angle grinder. One thing to keep in mind is that you need to choose the right blade when cutting ceramic tiles and make sure that it fits tightly into the machine.

Rotary Cutting Tool

If you need to create a hole in the center of a tile or make cuts along the edge, a rotary cutting tool is perfect for the job. It has a blade that works similarly to a drill bit and moves quickly to cut through ceramic tile. It is not intended for cutting straight lines but can work like a tile nipper with ease. Rotary cutting tools are more expensive than tile nippers, but they can be used for many remodeling jobs.

Other Materials and Tools

It's also important to consider other materials and tools required for your tile cutting project. Some other product you should have on hand include eye protection, gloves, a pencil, and a square.

Ceramic Tile Drilling Tools

Power Drills

If you need to drill through ceramic tile, a power drill is the right tool for the job. They can make holes through a variety of materials; however, it is important never to use an old and worn out drill bit. They will not work as efficiently as a new one and you may risk damaging the surface of the tile. Regular drill bits will not work for ceramic tile because they are not strong enough to penetrate the surface. Therefore, you should choose a diamond tipped drill bit or carbide tipped masonry drill bit. These options may be more expensive, but they are extremely durable and can create holes in even the hardest tile surfaces, like porcelain.

Other Materials and Tools

There are other tools and materials that you will need to ensure that you have cleaned the tile surface, protected your eyes and hands, and drilled the right spot. You should bring masking tape, safety glasses or goggles, a jug of water, and a towel.

Get All the Equipment and Tools You Need at Centura Tools

Depending on your tiling project, you may require one or a few of these products mentioned above. If you’re looking for the right place to buy quality tile installation tools, visit Centura Tools.

We offer a variety of products including tile cutters, large format tile tools, in-floor heating products, Schluter products, tile leveling systems, flooring products, high-end tools, professional equipment for flooring and tile installers, and more.

We stand out from our competitors because we source our tile installation tools and products from around the world to ensure our customers are getting the best international brands. Products from Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. fill our shelves, and we pride ourselves on offering the best prices and products on the global market.

If you are looking for something you don’t see in our store, let us know and we can source the specific items you need. Contact us at (416) 785-3311 or visit our store to see our amazing products. Our professionals will be available to help you make the right decisions about your tiling project.