Cut a very small amount off tiles...

[Bonae]

As usual, it's difficult to determine which subject the question falls under. My issue arose after the upper cabinets in the kitchen ended up just a little too low to fit exactly four tiles in height between the countertop and the upper cabinets. The consequence is, of course, that a bunch of tiles need to be cut, and the problem - as I see it - is that so very little needs to be cut off, maybe 3-5 mm, that it's difficult to use a regular tile cutter to snap them off. How on earth do you do it best, preferably without working yourself to death?? One thought could be to cut both the top and bottom tiles roughly in half. However, I would like to avoid this, partly because it would double the number of tiles that need to be cut and partly because it simply wouldn't look as nice.

 

[meckis]

a wet saw with a stop? won't be a problem when you have control of the stop. otherwise, you will have to cut more and finish with a cover strip at the top

 

[Larsa]

Otherwise, an angle grinder with a diamond blade works. You can stand outside and cut since it creates a lot of dust.

 

[Bonae]

An angle grinder is a scary machine that at least I have trouble operating with any degree of precision. A table saw, of course, becomes a more expensive affair since I don't own or can't borrow one. Maybe I should look into whether there's one available for rent!

 

[myrstack]

If you're going to hide the edge with a soft joint or something similar against the cabinet, a wet saw is probably the best option. If it will be visible and you require perfection, then handwork and a diamond block are essentially the only things that will give a perfect result. Unfortunately, wet saws do cause some chipping.

 

[MathiasS]

600 kronor at Biltema for a tile cutter solves the problem. Set the cut upwards and use whole tiles from the countertop and upwards.

 

[AG A]

I agree that the wet saw from Biltema/Jula is the best.

But an alternative is to remove about 5 cm from each tile and place a tile trim on top instead.

 

[Bonae]

Yes, saw that Biltema had a really cheap thing, so maybe that'll be the solution in this case. I'll just have to tolerate that it won't be a perfect cut. They are against the overhead cabinets anyway and will hardly be visible! Since it's about five meters of tiles over a decimeter, it would be a bit too much work to do it by hand with something like a hacksaw.

 

[MathiasS]

The cuts are just as good on Biltema's as on any other saw....

 

[Bonae]

I am convinced that Biltemagrejjer will do just fine for this one-time job. I was thinking more along the lines of what "myrstack" wrote about handiwork to achieve perfection.

 

[myrstack]

If there are upper cabinets, the våtkapen will do just fine. Go for it! Biltema works well and all the budget brands essentially produce the same machines.

If you're going to cut a lot with exactly the same size, it's probably time to either make a jig or check the stop.

 

[PNO]

Score the tile in the tile cutter as usual, but break away the parts that need removing with tile pliers instead of snapping the tile. Much faster than wet cutting, but with equally good results.

 

[MathiasS]

It easily creates a bad atmosphere when you give tips that don't involve buying a new machine....

 

[Klakorp]

Trim a bit more off the top row and add a list like http://www.bauhaus.se/kakellist-lackad-metall-1550x55x16-mm.html

 

[PNO]

It easily creates a bad atmosphere when you provide tips that don't involve buying a new machine....

As I see it, I have a few life assignments here on byggahus - helping people in threads about fire protection - bringing know-it-alls down to earth regarding electricity - help people renovating old houses with practical tips as opposed to the dreams of building conservators, and finally being annoying to everyone who buys too many machines by giving tips on how things can be done with simpler tools.