Tips and Tricks for Cutting 1" Hex Tile? - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums

tomcandoit · 02-20-2005, 09:14 AM

Hi,
I am tiling my 1931 bathroom, using 1" hex tile from American Olean. I have bought a Felker FTS-50 tile saw. Can anyone help me with the technique for cutting 1" hex tiles. I have not used a tile saw before and could use some suggestions. Thanks so much!

Regards,
Tom

muskymike · 02-20-2005, 09:21 AM

Hi Tom, keep your fingers clear of the blade!!. I usually use nippers with those small tile, they are a PITA! If you use the saw just know where the blade is at all times.

Davy · 02-20-2005, 09:35 AM

Hi Tom, normally I cut the pieces one at a time or use nippers like Mike does. You can't hardly lay a sheet of tile on the saw and cut the pieces, the water will make the pieces come off the sheet. Doing it this way might have crossed your mind.

rookie_tiler_deb · 02-20-2005, 09:35 AM

I just did my shower in 1" square mosaic's. Hadn't used a tile saw before this project, but found that once I got into it it wan't that scary to have your fingers pretty close to the blade. I kept them on the sheets as much as possible, and would hold each tile hard to the sled so it didn't twist under the blade, as often times there was nothing supporting one side of it. I'm just a rookie, so I don't know if this is really the "right" thing to do - but it worked pretty good. And rumor has it that the blade won't actually cut soft tissue so well. I didn't test that theory - but it seems like it's probably true, since when you go through the rubber doots on your mosaic, it more gums them than cuts them.

Good luck
Deb

tomcandoit · 02-20-2005, 09:40 AM

Thanks for the tips. I was concerned about keeping all 10 fingers where they belong.

So the tile nippers will cut the tile with a clean edge? Any tips for that or do you just put the tile in the nippers and squeeze?

Thanks.

jdm · 02-20-2005, 09:53 AM

Put on saftey glasses before squeezing.

typ211 · 02-20-2005, 10:40 AM

With a water blade, I find it possible to touch the blade without incident. Just don't run your fingers into the FRONT of the blade and youre fine. Sometimes, as blades wear and cut, they tend to cut off a little, and in a quick instant, instead of re-squaring the saw, I give a side of the blade a little push with a finger to give perfect line guidance. Your finger doesnt even get warm!

I dont recommend EVERYONE do this, but I am quite accustomed to it, and still have all digits, without worry.

typ211 · 02-20-2005, 10:43 AM

Anyone try using a glass cutter on the little tiles, to score before snapping with the nippers?

Dang I hate little tiles.

Davy · 02-20-2005, 10:48 AM

On some small tiles you can use a tile cutter, score and snap type. Sometimes it will work if the tiles need to be cut in half. It would make a straighter line than a hand held glass cutter.

Mike2 · 02-20-2005, 11:33 AM

Tom, I tend to take the jig route when dealing with special needs like those small tiles present. A home made jig, one that provides zero clearance on both sides of the blade with a built in fence to hold the tile in place is what I'd try using.

I buy pieces of scrap polyethylene plastic (the ReSale store up there in Bellingham has goodies like this) for jigs. No need to worry about water causing plastic to swell as might be the case with plywood, but for a one time project, an exterior grade of ply would most likely work OK.

tomcandoit · 02-20-2005, 01:27 PM

Mike,
The jig idea sounds like a good one. I'm trying to imagine how it would look. Would you put half a hex cutout with a slit up the center for the blade?

Thanks,
Tom

Mike2 · 02-20-2005, 01:32 PM

I'll see if I can't come up with a little drawing, and post back.

Edit P.S.

Small tile cutting jig for wet saw might look something like this.

jdm · 02-20-2005, 06:11 PM

I once saw a rep from Plasplugs demoing a saw at HD. He would touch the cutting edge of the spinning blade to demonstrate how safe the saw was. While I would still take pains to avoid touching the blade, continuous rim diamond blades are much safer than toothed woodworking blades.

But now, as I think of it, I have to suspect that the MK-225 Hot Dog blade, with its little expansion cuts in the rim of the blade, is much more likely to cut fingers.

tomcandoit · 02-20-2005, 07:12 PM

Mike,
Thanks for the drawing! That really helps. I'll think I'll try that.

Cheers,
Tom

tomcandoit · 03-04-2005, 01:20 PM

Well I have begun cutting the hex tile. I did make a jig..works okay. However, I have found it easier to just use the fence that came with the wetsaw and use a little pusher stick to help guide the tile through the saw. I push the tile with my hand on one side and use a little push stick on the the other to keep even pressure. This seems to work pretty well.