Can you use a grinder to cut tiles?

Quick Answer

Yes, you can use a grinder to cut ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles. An angle grinder with a diamond blade designed for cutting tile is the most common power tool used for this purpose. Grinders allow you to make straight or curved cuts in tiles quickly and accurately.

Using a Grinder to Cut Tile

A grinder with a diamond blade is an efficient and effective way to cut tile for a variety of applications. Here are some key tips on using a grinder to cut tile:

Select the Right Grinder

Choose an angle grinder that is a minimum of 4.5 inches. Smaller grinders won’t be able to handle tile cutting. Opt for a model with a speed range of 5,000 to 10,000 RPMs for optimal cutting performance.

Get a Diamond Blade

You’ll need a diamond blade specifically designed for cutting tile. Continuous rim diamond blades work best. Make sure the blade is rated for the type of tile you are cutting – ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone.

Mark Your Cut Lines

Use a pencil or marker to draw lines where you need to make cuts. For curved cuts, you can trace a template. This helps guide the grinder.

Make Straight Cuts

For straight cuts, align the blade with your cut line before powering on the grinder. Cut slowly and steadily by gently pushing the grinder forward. Keep the blade fully immersed in the tile.

Cut Curves

For curved cuts, tilt the grinder and slowly cut along your marked line. Move the blade from the top of the tile downwards. Go slowly to maintain control.

Observe Safety Precautions

Wear eye protection, ear plugs, and a dust mask when cutting tile with a grinder. Keep the grinder’s guard in place. Never cut tile while it is sitting in your hand.

Grinder Tile Cutting Tips

Follow these tips when using an angle grinder to cut tile:

• Let the grinder do the work – don’t force it or apply too much pressure.
• Make several shallow passes when cutting thicker tile.
• Keep the blade wet when cutting porcelain or natural stone to minimize dust.
• Move the grinder in a straight line or curved path consistently.
• If cutting multiple tiles, stack and align them before making cuts.
• For holes, drill them before cutting with the grinder.
• Use a grinder stand or tile cutter jig for long cuts.
• Replace the blade immediately if it becomes dull.

Tile Materials the Grinder Can Cut

A grinder with a diamond blade can cut through:

• Ceramic tile – Glazed and unglazed
• Porcelain tile
• Mosaic tile
• Quarry tile
• Saltillo tile
• Natural stone tile – Marble, granite, slate, travertine, etc.
• Glass tile

Thicker tiles like natural stone may require several passes. A grinder generally won’t work on metal tiles.

Cutting Tile with a Grinder vs. Tile Cutter

Here is a comparison between using an angle grinder vs. a manual tile cutter:

Angle Grinder	Manual Tile Cutter
Makes straight, diagonal, L-shaped, curved cuts	Only straight cuts
Cuts thicker tiles	Better for thinner tiles
Faster cutting	Slower cutting
Diamond blade can dull over time	Cutting wheel lasts longer
Noisy and generates dust	Quiet and clean
Requires safety equipment	Minimal safety gear needed

In summary, a grinder allows you to make more types of cuts, but a tile cutter is quieter and easier to use for straight cuts. Many tile installers use both tools. The grinder handles tricky cuts, while the tile cutter deals with repetitive straight cuts.

Steps for Cutting Tile with a Grinder

Cutting tile with an angle grinder takes some practice. Follow these steps:

1. Put on safety glasses and a dust mask.
2. Select a continuous rim diamond blade made for cutting tile.
3. Install the cutting blade on the grinder based on the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Mark your cut lines on the tile with a marker or pencil.
5. Set the tile on a steady, secure surface. Never hold tile by hand when cutting.
6. Start the grinder and let it come to full speed.
7. Position the blade on your cut line before contacting the tile.
8. Slowly cut the tile by gently pushing the grinder forward in a straight or curved path.
9. Cut halfway through the tile, then flip it over and cut from the backside to complete the cut.
10. Turn off the grinder when finished and allow the blade to stop entirely before setting it down.
11. Check that your cut is complete and even. Repeat as needed to finish the cut.

Take your time and cut conservatively. Forcing the blade increases the risk of cracking tiles or damaging the blade.

Grinder Tile Cutting Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to crack, chip, or break tiles if you don’t use proper grinder cutting technique. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Starting the grinder while touching the tile – Build up to full speed first.
• Cutting curved pieces without a guide – Use a template and mark the line.
• Applying too much pressure – Let the blade do the work.
• Not cutting completely through the tile – Flip and cut from the backside.
• Cutting small pieces by hand – Always support tiles on a steady surface.
• Forcing the blade through tough materials – Take several shallow passes.
• Continuing to cut after the blade has dulled – Replace immediately.
• Dragging the grinder sideways off a straight cut – Lift and reposition instead.
• Operating the grinder too quickly – Follow the manufacturer’s RPM guidelines.

Rushing through tile cuts or using the wrong technique is a recipe for broken tiles and frustration. Take your time and let the grinder blade do the hard work.

How to Change Grinder Blades for Cutting Tile

With frequent use, the diamond blades on angle grinders will gradually wear down and become dull. Here are the steps for changing out a tile cutting blade:

1. Unplug the grinder from its power source.
2. Remove the outer flange nut that holds the blade in place. Use the wrench that came with your grinder.
3. Carefully slide the blade off the grinder arbor. Watch for sharp edges.
4. Inspect the arbor and clean off any debris, dirt, or residue.
5. Install the new diamond cutting blade, making sure it is positioned in the same direction it was cutting.
6. Replace the outer flange nut and tighten it down with the wrench.
7. Check that the blade rotates freely by spinning it by hand.

When removing an old blade, be careful of sharp edges and biohazards. Inspect new blades for cracks or damage before using. Refer to the grinder manual for detailed blade replacement instructions. Proper installation ensures safe cutting performance.

How to Cut Tile Around Outlets with a Grinder

Fitting tile around electrical boxes and outlets can be tricky. Here are some tips for using a grinder to neatly cut tile around outlets:

• Turn off the power to the outlet at the breaker before beginning.
• Use painters tape to cover the outlet edges – this prevents scratching.
• Mark your cutout shape on the tile – rectangle for outlets, circle for round boxes.
• Drill a hole in the tile inside the cutout area to insert the blade.
• Insert the grinder blade into the hole and make the full cutout.
• Make small finish cuts around screw holes or tight corners.
• Test fit the tile around the outlet and sand edges if needed.
• Remove the tape and turn power back on when complete.

Take your time fitting tile cutouts around outlets. Rushing increases the chance of cracking the tile.

Can You Use a Circular Saw to Cut Tile?

Standard circular saws are not designed to cut tile or stone materials. However, there are specialty tile cutting circular saws available.

These wet tile saws have a water-fed diamond blade that continually sprays water on the blade while cutting. The water prevents overheating and cools the diamond edge.

Wet tile saws allow you to cut ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles with similar accuracy as a angle grinder. They provide a few advantages over grinders:

• Make precision cuts more easily
• Generate less dust
• Operate more quietly
• No kickback since tile is stationary

Downsides of wet tile saws include:

• More expensive than grinders
• Not as portable
• Water containment required
• Slower than grinder for long cuts

For best results, many tilers use both a wet saw for straight cuts and a grinder for specialty curved, L-shaped, and notch cuts.

Grinder Tile Cutting Safety

Using a grinder to cut tile has inherent hazards. Follow these safety tips:

• Wear eye protection and a N95 respirator mask.
• Use a grinder equipped with the proper guard.
• Never cut tile while holding it in your hand.
• Avoid loose clothing that can get caught in the grinder.
• Keep proper footing and balance while operating the grinder.
• Turn water on when cutting natural stone to limit dust.
• Unplug the grinder when changing blades or servicing.
• Don’t apply too much pressure when cutting.
• Allow the blade to reach full speed before contacting tile.

Cut tile in a well-ventilated area to control dust hazards. Keep kids and pets away from your work area. Never cut tile while standing in water. Be cautious handling freshly cut tile edges as they can be razor sharp.

Conclusion

Angle grinders equipped with diamond blades are extremely effective at cutting tile made of ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone. A grinder allows you to make precise straight, diagonal, and curved cuts quickly. Use proper protective gear and cutting techniques to safely control an angle grinder when cutting tile. Combine a grinder with a manual tile cutter for handling high-volume tile jobs. With practice, a grinder enables high-quality custom tile cuts for flooring, walls, countertops, and backsplashes.