How To Cut Tile Without A Wet Saw

Using a wet saw is an efficient way to cut tiles. It’s a powerful and precise tool that allows you to get the job done within seconds. However, a wet saw only excels in straight line cuts and it’s also very expensive.

This article discusses different tools to cut tiles without using a wet saw. Not only are these tools inexpensive but most of them will also allow you to cut tiles in different shapes.

How To Cut Tile Without A Wet Saw

There are a range of different tools available in the market that allow you to cut tiles without a wet tile saw. I have opted to use simple tools that are easy to use.

These include a scoring tool, tile nippers, tile cutters, an angle grinder, or a jigsaw. Pick which tool suits you best, and follow these instructions.

We also have a guide on cutting glass tile without a wet saw. The process is similar but a little more detailed than cutting porcelain or ceramic tile.

Step 1: Take Measurements

Place your tile on a flat and stable surface and mark the cut line using a washable marker, after taking measurements with measuring tape. Verify the line you marked to make sure it is accurate. 

Double checking will reduce material wastage and also save you a lot of time. Make straight lines with the help of a ruler or any other tool with a straight edge. 

Using a washable marker is also important so that you can easily erase the cut line with a damp cloth in case of wrong markings.

Step 2: Wear Safety Gear

Wearing safety goggles and a face mask is also important to prevent tiny pieces of tiles from making their way into your nose and eyes. 

Wearing a pair of cut-resistant gloves is also important, especially if you’re going to use any power tool. It’ll protect you from unwanted injuries while cutting your tiles.

Step 3: Start Cutting

Once you have marked the tile and ensured your safety, the next step is to start the cutting process. Use any of the following tools to complete this process efficiently.

Using Handheld Scoring Tools

There are several scoring tools such as a glass cutter, a tile scribe, and a score and snap wheel tile cutter that you can use to cut the tile without a wet saw. 

But, I recommend you use the score and snap wheel tile cutter because it doesn’t involve pressing the tile with your both hands, unlike the glass cutter and tile scribe.

Use the following steps to complete this process.

1. Apply machine oil to the cutting wheel of the score and snap cutter.
2. Place the cutting wheel on the tile and move it across the cut line to score the tile. If you’re cutting a hard tile like porcelain, use your free hand for increased pressure while scoring.
3. Place the jaws centered on one of the edges of the scored line and apply pressure by squeezing the handles to break the tile.

You can score and cut the tile in different shapes with this invaluable tool using the same technique. It’s an effective process but requires patience and a lot of effort. So, it might not be the best method if you want to cut tiles in bulk.

Using Tile Nippers

Tile nippers are commonly used to make curved cuts in tiles. It’s a labor-intensive process and you should only use it for smaller jobs. Wearing safety goggles is critical while using tile nippers because they can cause the small tile pieces to go flying.

1. Use a glass cutter or tile scribe to score the tile.
2. Use your tile nipper to start taking off small tile pieces from the outer side of the tile.
3. Continue nipping until the cut is complete.

Important Note: It’s possible to cut tiles with this tool without scoring. But you’ll need to spend a whole lot of time and effort to complete the cut and it also won’t generate the ideal results.

Using Manual Tile Cutter

If you don’t have a wet saw and you need to cut tiles in a straight line, using a manual tile cutter is your best bet. It’s a time-effective and easy process that can cut a tile within a matter of seconds. Use the following steps to complete this process.

1. Place the manual tile cutter perpendicular to you on a flat and stable surface and make sure its lever is facing you.
2. Put the cutter wheel of the tool in the start position by pulling the lever towards you.
3. Place the tile (glazed side up) on the rubber mat of the tile cutter and make sure the cut line is perfectly aligned with the cutter wheel.
4. Start pushing the hand lever slowly in the forward direction to score the glazed side of the tile. Continue pushing until the cutter wheel reaches the other end.
5. Push down on the hand level by slowly increasing the pressure to divide the tile into two pieces.

Make sure to use the best tile cutter with a sharp blade. A dull blade will lead to inaccurate cuts and potential mistakes.

Using Angle Grinder

An angle grinder is a powerful tool that can cut tiles quickly. High quality angle grinders have a multitude of uses, and allow you to cut cast iron pipe, pavers, and even asphalt.

Make sure that you wear the safety equipment mentioned above while using this tool because it involves a sharp cutter rotating at a very high speed and it also creates dust. Using an angle grinder to cut tiles involves the following steps.

1. Equip your angle grinder with a diamond-tipped blade and make sure it’s sharp. Never use a dull blade because it’ll increase the risks of breaking or chipping the tile.
2. Secure your tile on your work table using clamps so that it doesn’t move during the cutting process.
3. Make sure that the tool guard of the grinder is set properly.
4. Turn on the grinder and start cutting the tile on the cut line slowly.
5. If you want to cut tile in a straight line, use an angle grinder to cut halfway through and turn off the grinder.
6. Switch your tile’s side to 180 degrees and start cutting it again to complete the cut. This technique will minimize the chances of breaking or chipping the tile.

Never rush the process while using an angle grinder. Let the blade make the cut to avoid unwanted results. You can use this tool to cut tiles in different shapes like squares, circles, and curved cuts.

Using Jigsaw

A jigsaw is yet another powerful tool that you can use to cut tiles. Just like the angle grinder, you can use it to make angled cuts and notches. Don’t forget to ensure your safety while using this tool to cut the tile.

Check the quality of your jigsaw’s blade and replace it with the new one if needed. I recommend you use a carbide-grit ceramic blade as they’re toothless and minimize the risks of breaking or chipping the brittle tiles.

1. Secure the tile on a table or between two sawhorses with clamps so that it doesn’t move.
2. Hold the jigsaw in an upright position to make sure the blade is at 90 degrees angle to the tile.
3. Turn the jigsaw on and start cutting the tile slowly without rushing. Let the blade cut the tile.
4. Follow the marked line until the cut is complete.

Step 4: Smoothen Edges

Having rough tile edges is possible, especially if you use tile nippers or power tools to cut tiles. You can use a tile file to smooth out the rough edges of tiles before installing them. Never try to smooth out rough edges without wearing safety gloves.

Final Words

Cutting tiles without a wet saw doesn’t have to be a difficult task. You only need to make sure that you use the right tools and follow the steps discussed above. I hope this guide will help you cut tiles for your next project without needing to buy or rent a wet saw.