Do-it-yourself electric tile cutter with water cooling. How to properly make an electric tile cutter from a grinder. How to make a circular saw from a tile cutter
When laying tiles at home, sometimes it becomes necessary to cut off unnecessary pieces from it, which is simply impossible to do without special equipment. If you don't have one electrical appliance, then you can go to the store and buy it. But here one problem arises: the cost is too high, which imposes additional financial costs. Therefore, if you do not have specialized equipment, then you can make it yourself from an ordinary grinder.
Depending on design features, these devices are divided into 2 types:
- mechanical;
- electric.
Mechanical is a platform on which the tiles will be fixed and cut. Usually for this purpose they take a thick board with a flat surface. Guides and a cutting element are attached to it, which is usually a glass cutter and replace the cutting head with a blade. You can see a homemade mechanical tool in the figure below:
Electric The device has a more complex design, but it is more practical to use. The principle of its operation is similar to the functioning of an angle grinder. To make it, you will also need a flat platform on which, instead of a glass cutter, it is fixed electric tool. To ensure that the grinder does not vibrate during operation and cuts the tiles smoothly, you will need to attach it steel pipes. An electric glass cutter looks like the following picture:
It is worth noting that equipment for cutting tiles is available on sale. water cooled. Undoubtedly, such devices are the best, since they have greater productivity, but it is impossible to make them yourself at home. Therefore, this article will discuss the manufacturing process of an electrical device. It does not require large financial costs, and anyone can handle its production.
What is needed to make a homemade tool?
An electrical device is much more expensive to manufacture than a mechanical one, but it is more convenient to work with, and the quality of cutting tiles will be much higher. To make it you will need the following:
- table or workbench
- grinder with diamond blade;
- metal platform;
- two steel pipes;
- fasteners;
- clamps.
You can save on equipment if you buy a cheap cutting element, but this is not recommended, since the quality of the cut and productivity of work depend on it.
Manufacturing algorithm
If you have everything at hand necessary materials, then doing everything yourself will be quite simple. For fastening it is better to use workbench with large work surface. If one is not available, then it can be welded from metal. Two are perfect as a base. metal sheet, between which there will be a gutter.
If you have not done such work before, it is better to draw up drawings in advance. This will allow you to get the job done quickly and with better quality.
The production of the tool occurs in the following sequence.
- Fixed on the workbench special mount, with which the tool will be held.
- On work surface with the help metal corners metal plates are installed, leaving 1 centimeter between them.
- A movable limiter is installed on the side of the working surface. With its help, you will move the tiles along the work surface, and it will also not allow them to move to the side when cutting.
- Lastly, the angle grinder is installed, which is secured using a clamp and clamps.
To make it more convenient to work with the tool, the grinder can be mounted on mobile bracket. But this will be very difficult to implement because complex design, especially if you have no experience performing such work.
There is another manufacturing method, in which the grinder is attached under the table; it is simpler to implement, but the ease of use of the equipment is preserved. To make such a tool, you will need a table with a large working surface, in the middle of which a hole is cut. Its size should be enough for the disk to rotate freely. Next, the grinder is fastened with bolts. Two guides are fixed on the sides of it, along which the tile will move during the cutting process.
The following video clearly demonstrates the process of making a tool for cutting tiles at home with a bottom mount. Be sure to watch it and you will succeed:
A tile cutter from an angle grinder is an easy-to-use tool, but, as with any electrical equipment, the following safety rules should be followed when working with it.
- It is necessary to cut the tiles away from you, without creating too much pressure.
- It is recommended to start cutting from the outside of the tile.
- If you need to cut tiles, then it is better secure with special forceps. This will allow you to do the job better.
- It is strictly forbidden to operate the tool while intoxicated or after taking antihistamines, as this may cause injury.
- If you have never worked with such equipment before, then before you start cutting tiles, it is recommended to practice a little so as not to inadvertently spoil it.
- In order for the cutting line to be perfectly straight, you need to draw a straight line on the tile with a simple pencil.
- The tiles must be cut in safety glasses to prevent dust or small particles from getting into your eyes.
If you live with small children, then you need to store electric tools in a room to which they do not have access.
Installing ceramic tiles is difficult to do without any type of tile cutter. When choosing a tool, it is important to consider the amount of work that needs to be done. To veneer at home small area, enough with the tile cutter manual type. If you are a cladding master, then you need an electric version of the tool. It has good performance and cooling system.
Of course, such a device is very expensive, so we offer you an article that describes how to create a tile cutter with your own hands.
How to understand that you need a homemade tile cutter
If you realized that good cladding Even a small area cannot be done without an electric tile cutter, then after reading the information below, you will understand how to make such a tool yourself.
Even before you start creating the device, you need to critically evaluate your design and installation ability, since even the slightest mistake may cause serious injury.
If you understand that you cannot cope with this task, then it is better to use the services of a professional or rent a tool from a special store.
How to choose an engine
If you are confident in yourself, then we begin the process. To manufacture a tile cutter using an autonomous electric motor, you need to select and mount a gearbox that helps set the required movement of the disk. From the technical side, this solution is quite complex, so it is recommended to resort to another solution - to use a small grinder equipped with the option of manually adjusting the speed of the disk.
Making a power tool
First of all, it is necessary to determine how the grinder will be positioned when cutting tiles.
Option 1
The tiles are fed along a plank under a grinder strictly fixed under the table.
Advantages of a tile cutter made from a grinder:
- given technical solution the simplest, since it involves reliable fastening cutting disc from the bottom of the tabletop and installation of a guide rail (NR) with the possibility of its adjustment;
- You can place a bucket of water under the table, which will catch some dust and cool the disk.
Disadvantages of the tool:
- a lot of dust, since such a tile cutter cuts ceramics throughout its entire thickness and cannot make a small cut;
- inconvenient adjustment of the grinder due to its location under the tabletop.
Option 2
The fixed tiles are cut with a grinder, which is attached to the top of the tabletop to straight sled rails.
Advantages of the device:
- less dust is generated, since you can simply cut the ceramics and not perform through cutting;
- accessible adjustment by tool.
Disadvantages of the tool:
- it is very difficult to make such a tile cutter without certain skills;
- you need to additionally manually process the cut surface of the tile so that it is divided into parts.
If we compare these two tools, the first one will be easier to make at home. Therefore, next we will describe how to do it.
Making a tile cutting table
In order for the ceramics to flow smoothly under the disc, you need to make a smooth tabletop. In addition, it must be strong enough to securely fasten cutting tool. Therefore, experts advise using hard material to make the tabletop. steel frame from the corners. All parts must be connected by electric welding. Then under finished frame adjusting the tabletop. A sheet of steel 0.5-0.6 cm high is suitable for this. Make a slot on it for the saw blade with an excess of 0.2-0.3 cm.
Pay attention! To protect yourself when working, mount the angle grinder so that its disk does not protrude more than halfway from the slot.
Under the tabletop, in continuation of the gap or parallel to it, you need to weld a steel profile measuring 0.4 * 0.6 cm or a steel strip 0.4-0.5 cm thick. A grinder will be attached to them later.
On the fixture table, install the moving bar parallel to the grinder to directly feed the tiles under the disc. To do this, to the left of the grinder, perpendicular to it, make 2 parallel slits at a distance of the length of the bar between them. HP will move along them. Its ends will be secured with bolt-nuts through the gap.
Installing an angle grinder
You can attach the grinder to the bottom of the tabletop in different ways. Make sure that the fastening is rigid and strong. This is important because otherwise, when cutting tiles, the grinder may jam in the slots of the countertop. Also, when installing the saw, consider the possibility of:
- operate the on/off buttons;
- adjust the grinder rotation speed;
- change disk.
To prevent the bolt from turning out, a Grover spring washer is placed under its head.
Also, to this connection, the tile cutter is attached to the tabletop with clamps made of strip steel, made according to the table drawing. To lay between the “body” of the file and the table, wooden blocks are used. Grooves should be made in them according to the shape of the grinder.
How to cool a homemade tile cutter
Factory electric tile cutters have a water cooling system. Its design is influenced by the location of the grinder, that is, it can be above or below the table. Making an electric water-cooled tile cutter of this type at home is extremely difficult and pointless. To cool a diamond blade, a simple air blow is enough.
It is also important to remember that you cannot use an angle grinder if the humidity level is more than 85 percent. Based on this, it can be assumed that the file cannot be wetted.
How to make a homemade manual tile cutter
If you don't want or can't make an electric tile cutter, you can try making one hand tool. This mechanical design has undeniable advantages:
- simple and safe to use;
- light;
- mobile;
- compact;
- relatively inexpensive.
It is suitable for cutting floor and porcelain tiles at home.
Such a tile cutter is a platform on which the cable, HP and cutting element (RE) attached to the handle are fixed. When pressed against the ceramic, it draws a cut line. Next, the pressing platform presses on the tile, and it breaks into particles. The particles have smooth edges.
Manual tile cutters come in mechanical, roller and bearing types. You can create any kind of home. They differ from each other only in certain elements.
Step by step instructions
To make a tool you need certain metal parts and cutting element. For the latter, you can use a standard glass cutter. Before installation in the tile cutter, the glass cutter must be freed from the head. Also, creating a tool involves the use of bearing elements, so prepare them in advance.
First of all, we make the base of the tile cutter: a table top with a gutter and an HP in the middle. For this purpose a good one will do wide board. Hinge the welded metal strips onto it. Make indentations in the center of the inner side and drive bushings into them - they will ensure the sliding of the handle with the cutter and limit its stroke.
The cutter should be positioned so that when you press the handle, it touches the tile and draws a line on it. While pressing, the tile is fixed on the board, then we pull the RE handle and that’s it - the tile is cut.
As you can see, the scheme for creating and operating such a tile cutter is really very simple.
How to make a circular saw from a tile cutter
Few people know that a tile cutter can be used as a circular saw. It is good for cutting thin fiberboard tiles or wood.
If you decide to turn the tile cutter into a mini-circular, be sure to find out the number and speed of the blade. The permissible speed is 4 thousand. Also be sure to familiarize yourself with safety precautions before starting work. You can find out more detailed information from the video:
Bottom line
Tile cutter is very necessary thing for home improvement. If you doubt that you can do it yourself, it is better to rent the device or use the services of a specialist.
If you don’t want to spend extra money on buying expensive equipment for cutting tiles, you can make a tile cutter yourself. Even homemade device can greatly facilitate the work, especially when it comes to porcelain stoneware.
A special device simplifies the cladding process
Features of the tile cutter
- simplicity and safety in handling;
- light weight;
- mobility;
- relatively low cost;
- compactness.
Of course, manual models are inferior to electric ones in some respects, but for personal use this is enough.
The tile cutter is ideal for home use
Standard device manual tile cutter It is a platform for fixing tiles, guides and a cutting element mounted on a handle with a carriage. He presses himself against the tile and in one confident movement draws a break line. The platform then puts pressure on the material and it splits into two pieces with straight edges.
There are mechanical, roller and bearing manual tile cutters. Each of these types can be made, especially since they differ slightly.
How to make your own manual tile cutter
You will need a regular glass cutter. Remove the head from it, which contains a diamond blade or a sharp metal roller.
The homemade tool retains the principle of operation of the production model
In the manufacture of a tile cutter, you will also need bearing elements, look for suitable spare parts. First, construct the base of the fixture: a working platform with a channel in the middle and guides. For this purpose, take a board and fix the welded parts on it using a hinge element. metal strips. In the middle with inside Recesses must be machined, bushings must be driven into them, ensuring sliding and limiting the stroke of the second part - the handle with the cutter.
The blade is installed in such a way that when fixed, it reaches the tile and can freely draw a cutting line. When pressed, the tile will be fixed on the platform, then using the handle, pull the cutting element and remove the cut tile. Thus, the principle of operation of the production model is preserved.
Features of electric tile cutter
This is a more advanced and effective tool. The device is powered by a motor. The attachment resembles a grinder disc and works in the same way. The tiles are laid on the work surface and then gradually fed towards the rapidly rotating diamond disc.
To prevent the formation of large amounts of dust, the device is equipped with a water container. During operation, the disc is dipped into it, washing away dirt and cooling at the same time, which extends the service life of the tool.
An electric tile cutter has the following advantages:
- allows you to quickly process large volumes of material;
- cuts even durable porcelain tiles and stone;
- makes a smoother edge;
- wears out less compared to manual models.
Electric tools take up more space. Its cost is higher than mechanical.
To prevent dust formation, the device is equipped with a water container
DIY electric tile cutter
Such a tool can be constructed from a grinder. It is most convenient to make a stationary tile cutter. Use a table from a workshop or a homemade one, welding it from metal corners. For the platform, it is better to use a sheet of iron; it should consist of two halves; a groove is made in the middle, which allows the grinder disk to pass freely. It is along this line that you will be guided when cutting tiles.
To install the grinder, make a special mount above the platform, with which you will securely fix the tool in the desired position. To prevent the tiles from moving while cutting, install a movable stop on the side of the work surface.
The grinder is placed on a moving metal frame, but this option is more difficult to work out on your own, especially if you are a beginner.
In addition to the grinder, other devices are also used. For example, try making your own tile cutter from an electric motor. You will get a resemblance circular saw. The motor is mounted at the bottom of the working platform. A cut is made in the tabletop, sufficient for the disc to protrude a few centimeters outwards. From the electrical network, voltage is supplied to the motor, and it starts the disk. It is advisable to use a cutting element coated with diamond.
If you do everything correctly, any of the presented tools will work properly, and the cuts on the tiles will turn out smooth with minimal effort.
The manual tile cutter is made with a monorail guide for straight and diagonal cutting of porcelain tiles, tiles, clinker.
All yours I named the tile cutters Egorych(although this is immodest), they differ in functionality and designs.
Making a tile cutter with your own hands
In this article I want to tell you how make a tile cutter for porcelain stoneware yourself.
Given manual tile cutter made from profile pipe and is equipped with a 600 mm swivel. ruler made of textolite edged aluminum profile with adjustable two stops.
Despite the apparent simplicity of a manual tile cutter, the solutions of some technical points caused certain difficulties.
During the tests, structurally weak components were identified, which were modified and corrected. At the moment, my manual tile cutter is not inferior in functionality to similar models of tile cutters famous brands– it freely cuts Italian porcelain tiles 30*60, 60*60 with a thickness of 11.3 mm, Chinese porcelain tiles 60*60 with a thickness of 10mm, clinker tiles 325*325*16
Technical characteristics of the 66th tile cutter.
- Cutting length 660 mm.
- Diagonal cutting length 460x460 mm.
- Dimensions of the tile cutter: 850x230x190 mm (stowed)
- Tile cutter weight 10.2 kg.
Description of the tile cutter.
- Monorail guide for straight and diagonal cutting porcelain stoneware, tiles.
- Carriage with four ball bearings.
- Springy desktop.
Technical characteristics of the 90th tile cutter.
- Cutting length 900 mm.
- Diagonal cutting length 620x620 mm.
- Cutting height from 5 to 20mm. (at additional option from 3 to 23 mm)
- Dimensions of the tile cutter: 1075x270x210 mm (stowed)
- The weight of the tile cutter is 16.7 kg.
Description of the tile cutter.
- Monorail guide for straight and diagonal cutting of porcelain stoneware, clinker, tiles.
- Carriage with three ball bearings.
- Powerful, reinforced separator.
- Rotary centered 600 mm. ruler with digital scale.
- Cutting roller on a bearing 22mm. with titanium coating.
- Springy desktop.
- Additional support base for large format tiles.
For those craftsmen who are interested in my manual tile cutter, I can make similar tile cutters to order 66, 90, 112 or provide technical documentation(drawings-sketches) for a fee for self-made tile cutter (without the right to transfer drawings to third parties).
Current realities are such that porcelain tiles on the market most often have a size of 60x60 cm. Most factories simply no longer produce porcelain tiles of 30x30 cm - this is a response to the consumer’s request with his interest in larger forms. As a result, new catalogs of modern factories increasingly feature porcelain tiles measuring 75x75 cm, or even collections with 120 cm or more on one side. The most current collections of wall tiles have sizes of 40x80 and 30x90 cm.
And since the manufacturers ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles are moving towards increasing the size of their products, then we need to cut them.
Warning.
People appeared online offering to buy my tile cutters - Egorych or drawings from them.
Real, accurate Egorych tile cutters and drawings can only be purchased from me through the website.
Ceramic tiles are one of the most picky coatings. She is not afraid of moisture and sudden changes temperature conditions, easy to care and install. Is it true, installation work involve cutting tiles. To make the cuts look neat, you need to use special equipment called a tile cutter.
Types of tile cutters
Today, there are several options for machines on the market that are designed for cutting tiles. Conventionally, they can be divided into two groups: mechanical and electrical. The first ones are used if we are not talking about industrial scale work.
For example, to repair your apartment, it is enough to arm yourself with a mechanical tool. But if repair is professional activity, then it’s better to buy a good electric tool once.
When using mechanical tool no power source needed. All the work is carried out by a person, operating a simple mechanism. Such machines are not recommended for use if the thickness of the tiles is more than 1.5 cm. There are models designed to work with ceramic tiles whose length does not exceed 40 cm.
As a rule, such a tool can easily cope with wall tiles, the width of which is on average 8 mm. But the cuts are far from ideal. There are multifunctional machines with which you can not only cut tiles into pieces, but also cut out round holes.
Mechanical tile cutters, in turn, are divided into tabletop and manual. Tabletop machines Designed to make straight cuts. They can be fixed on a table and used as a stationary tool. The light weight of the equipment allows it to be used as a portable machine. Using a manual tile cutter you can make shaped cutouts.
It is advisable to use electric machines if you need to work with thick tiles or the work is not limited to cutting 10-20 tiles. Electric tile cutters are quite heavy, which makes them difficult to transport.
When choosing electrical equipment, you should pay attention to the presence of a water container. If you don’t have one, there will be a lot of dust when cutting ceramic tiles. Having a container of water partially solves this problem. In addition, such a tool will last longer.
Tile cutters have different pricing policies. This is a tool that you should not skimp on. Cheap machines will not last long. And the cut made on such machines does not look particularly aesthetically pleasing. If you don’t want to pay a tidy sum, then you can make a tile cutter with your own hands. Moreover, you can make both a mechanical machine and an electric one.
Making a mechanical tile cutter with your own hands
The manual tile cutter is a safe tool and does not require connection to electrical network. These two factors ensure the popularity of this model. In addition, due to its relatively light weight, such a tool is easy to transport and you don’t have to spend a lot of money on its production.
A manual tile cutter consists of a platform on which the ceramic tile itself must be placed, guides, a cutting element and a handle with which the entire mechanism is activated. The main structural element is the cutting element.
As the latter, it is advisable to use the most ordinary glass cutter. But, you must first remove the head from it, on which the cutting element is located directly.
In addition to the cutting element, you need to prepare:
- 2 bearings and a shaft for them;
- a steel tube, the diameter of which is identical to the diameter of the shaft;
- 2 steel corners, measuring 40X40 cm and 4 corners, measuring 20X20 cm (the length of each element should be on average 60 cm)
- material for making a working surface;
- rubber and glue.
Besides building materials we need to arm ourselves welding machine. Without it, you won’t be able to make a mechanical tile cutter yourself.
From 1 corner measuring 40X40 and 2 corners measuring 20X20, half is constructed required device. We take a larger corner and weld smaller corners to its ends on the outside. Similarly, you need to make the second part of the device.
The first and second parts of the tile cutter must be symmetrical in relation to each other. These elements are fixed to the platform. They need to be secured in such a way that the cutting part of the structure moves freely between them.
The platform can be regular board. But since wood is unstable to mechanical damage, metal strips must be installed on the working part of the platform. To install them, a hinge element is used. Since the cutting element will descend below the ceramic tile itself, there should be a recess in the middle of the platform. Otherwise, the platform will be damaged the first time you use it.
The last stage is the creation of a cutting structural element. TO steel tube it is necessary to weld a handle on one side, and a clamp for the cutting element on the other. By and large, this work is almost finished. When pressing the handle, the diamond blade should reach the ceramic tile.
Then, smoothly moving the movable part of the structure using the same handle, the diamond disk leaves an even cut on the tile. In order for the structure to move freely, the moving part must be equipped with bearings. To better fix the tiles on the working surface of the equipment, you can glue rubber strips along its edges.
Making an electric tile cutter
Do electric tile cutter DIY is much easier than it seems. You need to prepare metal and an electric cutting tool. As the latter, it is better to use an angle grinder. Work begins by making a working surface. The latter can be the most ordinary table.
You can weld the table yourself. In this case, the tabletop is made of sheet metal. Since the circle from the electrical device used will act as the cutting element, there should be a recess in the center of the working surface. It will allow the cutting element to move without damaging the platform. Such a tool will turn out to be stationary.
The grinder is installed on mounts that must first be installed on the platform. It would also be a good idea to install a limiter. It will prevent the ceramic tiles from moving during the cutting process. This is the simplest version of an electric tile cutter created independently. An alternative to an angle grinder is an electric motor.
The resulting equipment will resemble a circular floor. The electric motor is installed under the tile cutter platform. An incision is made in the working platform. After installing the disk, which acts as a cutting element, it should be several centimeters higher than the platform. After the equipment is connected to the electrical network, the disk begins to rotate, which makes an even cut on the surface of the ceramic tile.
Making a tool for cutting ceramic tiles yourself is quite simple. At the same time, its creation will require a minimum of funds. Buying factory equipment will cost a considerable amount. And the equipment wears out quite quickly.
