cutting ceramic tiles

[Stevev]

This may seem and odd question...but when I did a tiling training course, we were taught when cutting out say a piece to make a tile look like an "L" ie cutting block out of a corner, was to use a wet cutter to cut shortest cut and score the longest and use nippers to snap it off.

Due to getting tinnitus I want to use th wet cutter as little as possible....so, is it acceptable to score both cuts with manual cutter and use nippers to nip accros and down until I can snap the portions of....I cant say the finish is quiet as good but usually these cut would probably be siliconed over anyway or concealed under kitchen cupboards.

I guess I want to do it the old fashioned way. Is there a way of doing holes for pipes without drilling?

Is there a link to a youtube that can show me these techniques?

My tutor mentioned using parrot nippers but u still have to drill a hole?

Like I say I want to avoid using wet cutter and power tools as much as possible.

many thanks

 

[White Room]

You may be on a hiding to nowhere, are you just going to be using ceramic tiles for the rest of your tiling career.

If you start fixing porcelain, which with some will need just wet cutting believe me that can have a high pitch level, if noise is a problem buy yourself some ear defenders....try some clay shooters sound protectors which are electronic which stops any high pitched sounds but allows you to hear even if someones talking to you.

 

[Andy Allen]

With today's tiles cutting without power tools will be a nightmare. As mentioned get some ear protectors.

 

[p4ulo]

I did exactly this cut you describe recently, took a 10cm square corner out of a tile, scored and used nippers. (I'd already cleaned and put the wet cutter back in the garage so couldn't be arsed to get it out again!)
It was a very tense experience, but I managed it.....and the feeling of achievement at the end was immense!

I wouldn't want to do it all the time though, I'd get some ear defenders....!!!