Cutting tile with hacksaw

[Another Dave]

I need to cut one 3 inch square tile in a straight line. I don't have a proper tool as usual but I do have small and large hacksaws. I thought of scoring the tile (shiny side?) and snapping it.

Any advice?

Another Dave

[alan_m]

It depends on what kind of tile.

Glass cutter to score on the glaze side and then a couple of match sticks on the other side along the score line and snap it.

If it's a thick quarry tile - still score it on the top side and on the other side repeatedly hit it along the score line fairly gently with a light weight pin hammer. You will hear the tone of the ringing change when it's about to snap.

Angle grinder for some of the tough tiles

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[Brian]

You can get diamond coated blades which will cut tiles.

I’ve mounted a tile cutting disk in a circular saw and mounted the saw to make a crude tile cutting table before. If you cut a lot, the dust can get into the saw etc and possible damage the bearings but for a few…

Score and break is the traditional way but with thick tiles, it can be difficult.

[Another Dave]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't have a glass cutter. I was hoping scoring with a hacksaw would achieve the same effect. It's a normal glazed tile, not very thick and I've got plenty to practise on.

Ironically, a garage clearout earlier this year removed proper tile cutter, glass cutter and everything I'll shortly need.

Another Dave

[alan_m]

Try scoring with a nail. For a one off cut it may be sharp enough.

[Fredxx]

An angle grinder with a stone grit wheel, or diamond disc is pretty useful for those small modifications.

[Joe]

You can safely throw away half of what is in most garages (which should not, of course, ever be used for cars).

What you don't know, of course, is *which* half.

[John Rumm]

You can get grit edged blades for a hacksaw that will cut tile. However a carbide or tungsten point or wheel used to score and snap would probably be easier. It is unlikely that a hacksaw blade will scratch the tile glaze unless it is very soft.

[Tricky Dicky]

You can also get carbide edged blades for jig saws and multi tools. I have successfully used the jig saw type to make awkward cuts.

[Another Dave]

Success!

I used a sharp corner of a carborundum whetstone to score the glazed side of the tile. I then hacksawed a line on the opposite side. The tile then snapped cleanly.

Not a method for large scale jobs, but OK for a one-off.

Another Dave