Cutting Vitreous Tiles

18 years ago

Hi! I need some advice on cutting vitreous glass tiles. These are the 3/4 inch size, and I'm trying to cut them diagonally.

I did some searches here, and came up with some pointers - I learned that the wheeled cutters are recomended over the regular nippers - since the nippers tend to "crush" them - which I can absolutely confirm. :) And that it works better NOT to cut at the edge of the tile. I'm getting better cuts using this advice, but they aren't always perfect cuts.

Does anyone else have anything to share that might help me?

TIA!!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

haziemoon
18 years ago
I used those tiles for my mirror, and the wheeled nippers worked well for most of the cuts. Some pieces weren't perfect, and I had to take them over to the grinder to straighten them up a little. Hopefully someone else knows
how to do it a little better then me! I find them a little tough to work with.

Hazie
nicethyme
18 years ago
LOL, I've decided to appreciate triangles with one curved side! That solved all my problems! lol

basically I swore off vitreous a while back because of that and the rough surface staining by grout... made me nutz
Related Professionals
Frisco Tile and Stone Contractors · Wichita Falls Tile and Stone Contractors · Willmar Tile and Stone Contractors · Valdosta Furniture & Accessories · Annapolis Furniture & Accessories · Bangor Furniture & Accessories · Traverse City Furniture & Accessories · Alexandria Furniture & Accessories · Trenton Furniture & Accessories · Scranton Furniture & Accessories · Newburyport Interior Designers & Decorators · New York City Interior Designers & Decorators · Burlington Interior Designers & Decorators · Stockton Interior Designers & Decorators · Hobbs Interior Designers & Decorators
crackpotannie
18 years ago
Haven't had any of these Lynda but I get curves on glass with the wheeled cutters,I just can't master it at all.good Luck!
chickeemama
18 years ago
Usually I cut the square in half and then cut the triangles from these. Got to admit its not as easy as using the morton cutting system and stained glass but I do get it done. I have taken the tile and cut it from corner to corner to make to two triangles. You will get the feel for it as you keep going. I usually can get the cut I wont by cutting with the bottom facing up. Hope that helps you some!
haziemoon
18 years ago
Thanks for the tip Chickee! I never try to nip them upsidedown. Gotta give that a try.

Hazie
lyndalu
Original Author
18 years ago
Hazie, NT, Annie, Chickee, thanks so much for your replies. Glad to know that I'm not the only one that finds them a little hard to work with.

Hazie - on your mirror (beautiful, beautiful mirror), did you use the 3/4 inch tiles...or were yours bigger?

Chickee - thanks for that tip - that's one thing I haven't tried yet (upside down). I'm improving, and as you said, you get more of a feel for it as you go along.

NT, Annie - YES - some of my cuts are curved, too. Glad to hear it's not just me.

On the FAQ's - it says this when talking about the wheeled nippers - "If the nippers are not held at a right angle to the tile, a curved cut may result. " Right angle to the tile - how can you hold it at a right angle??...can you gals make sense of that?

Thanks again!
d3bbi
18 years ago
Lyndalu, I often have a curve to my cuts, some more than others. I have scored some tiles before to get a straight break but I don't do that for large projects because it's too much to do.

The right angle is in regard to the cutting wheel on the glass. Make sure the wheels on your cutters are tight too. If they are loose, you will get some ragged edges.

Also, what you will find is that it depends on the tiles. Even so they all say glass, I assume the difference is in the developing process. So some cut easier than others. I am no expert on which ones to buy and not to buy, because I have purchased many over the past few years. And I have not purchased the Bisazza (sp?) ones I'm dying to get my hands on but avoid due to the costs.