porcelain tile cutting problems

[ducktape]

Hi guys - I need some help...

I've been a tiler for 15 years and I've never run across this problem before, I am installing 300 x 600 porcelain tiles and I simply can not cut them without them shattering, splintering or chipping. I started off using my rubi tx 900 because most cuts are simple straight cuts, but the tile doesn't follow the scribe line (I've even tried scoring the back which worked on one occasion), I 've tried scoring the line several times and have new scoring blade. I've tried scoring then dry cutting with brand new diamond blade but it chips (the tile chips so badly I can't rub out with a diamond pad) and I have tried wet cutting with and without a scoring line made first same problem as dry cutting chips too serve to rub out.

Any ideas or thoughts would be great on this problem

[Sir Ramic]

What tile is it that you are using ?

[ducktape]

300 x 600 porcelain tiles 10 mm thick

[Sir Ramic]

Yes but what name of tile ??

[Dave]

Hello and welcome..

Some more tile info would be great..

[ducktape]

The tile make is gres fine porcellanato

[Sir Ramic]

I think you will find that is the type of tile , not the name of the tile. I only ask because if you can tell us the name then someone else may have used the exact same tile and can be of more help. As it is that type of tile I use regularly and have no issues cutting at all.

[Perfect Tiling]

I have had similar problems with porcelain tiles not following the scribe line and chipping when you try to snap them using the head of the machine. I found a way around it by scribing on the cutter then leaving the tile in place on the cutter and breaking it with downward hand pressure or by hitting with a nylon hammer. I know it doesn't sound very professional...but if it works......

[Perfect Tiling]

....forgot to say...a more expensive but easier method is to buy a Dewalt D24000...like a knife through butter!!!!

[ducktape]

sorry the tile name is land fusion bianco, I referred to the type gres fine porcellanato as that may have been more help... I'd have a dewalt D24000 but I had all my tools nicked 3 months ago and it is not easy or financially possible to replace all tools in one go. So I borrowed a mates tables saw and put a new blade in it but still chips. I realise we've all had tiles not break right but this is consistent throughout the batch of tiles I have... I m even considering the is a problem with the tiles as in not fired correctly at manufacture they seem to be to brittle if that makes sense???

This is the first time I have encountered this problem, so I thought I would seek help..

[Sir Ramic]

Fair comment. Not a name I recognise though. I am sure someone else will know them though.

[paul damian]

What kind of quality diamond blade is it, is it a continuous rim, did you try a 4" grinder with a quality blade.

[CNC Ceramics]

When snapping tile on Rubi press down on tile really hard after scoring once. guys - I need some help...
I've been a tiler for 15 years and I've never run across this problem before, I am installing 300 x 600 porcelain tiles and I simply can not cut them without them shattering, splintering or chipping. I started off using my rubi tx 900 because most cuts are simple straight cuts, but the tile doesn't follow the scribe line (I've even tried scoring the back which worked on one occasion), I 've tried scoring the line several times and have new scoring blade. I've tried scoring then dry cutting with brand new diamond blade but it chips (the tile chips so badly I can't rub out with a diamond pad) and I have tried wet cutting with and without a scoring line made first same problem as dry cutting chips too serve to rub out.
Any ideas or thoughts would be great on this problem[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[ducktape]

I m using a Montolit pro-gres CG-115 diamond blade on the grinder and a Rubi - CPC2 continuous rim diamond wheel wet blade. are there better blades available?

[CNC Ceramics]

After scoring on Rubi hold down on tile really hard before snapping with breaker.

[paul damian]

It has to be the kind of porcelain that you are using cnc, is your blade in the rubi well used need replacing. Havent used that type of tile, but havent had problems with cutting porcelain either. Maybe somebody will answer your problem.

[ducktape]

It's a brand new blade and I've never come across this problem before either. I m thinking manufacturing issue in the batch.

[paul damian]

Sorry ducktape i was getting mixed up with your post and cnc s post, there has to be somebody on this forum that has used this particular porcelain to answer your question, soz mate.

[ducktape]

no worries buddy - I m at a loss as to the problem!!! always a first for everything but I could do without it... no what I mean

[hillhead]

I'v only ever came across one porcelain that doesn't snap on even my sigmas-
Leonardo Casia beige ( a pig in disguise).
I had two big floors last year of this porcelain and they even wrecked a 200 quid 300mm wet saw sigma blade.
I ended up doing all cuts with the 4.5" grinder with markrist blade.
I'm currently using and testing a blade from stonetools and it's truly amazing so far.

[enduro]

I'v only ever came across one porcelain that doesn't snap on even my sigmas-
Leonardo Casia beige ( a pig in disguise).
I had two big floors last year of this porcelain and they even wrecked a 200 quid 300mm wet saw sigma blade.
I ended up doing all cuts with the 4.5" grinder with markrist blade.
I'm currently using and testing a blade from stonetools and it's truly amazing so far.

Been driving past Stonetools a couple of times a week, didnt even know they were so close to me until a few weeks ago the put a sign on there unit and opened up a trade counter. Got some real good products.

[hillhead]

I bought a nice bit of stuff from them lately and i'm gonna order more in the next week or two.
The 4.5" blade i got from them is working a treat i kid you not.

[timeless john]

On that size tile we'd generally just use a Rubi with a new 6mm wheel. However mine is that old that the snapping mechanism is no more, so we just take the edge of a hammer to the back (down the scribed line) and tap! Works 99% of the time and the other 1% is because the son has done it!
But if the porcelain is of a textured face then you have to make sure the scribe is decent.

[doug boardley]

I had a similar problem with villeroy and boch tiles, I changed my scoring wheel to a rubi 22 (in my tx700) and that seemed to sort it.

[deanotile]

If you have a pin hammer you could try scoring the tile but before you snap it on your Rubi back edge the tile behind the score line with the pin hammer then snap it.

[ducktape]

just thought I'd update my progress, I've had a rep come round and demonstrate how to cut porcelain tiles...

After the lesson he's taking the tiles back as he believes they are faulty i.e. over fired causing them to be brittle...

many thanks for the suggests some I tried just to make sure before this guy came to ensure I wasn't at fault.

[bobbynz]

I've had a few occasions like this but just used a new wheel or made an adjustment to technique and had it sorted, But this is a new one for me anyway. Thanks for sharing the experience, would like to know if the manufacturer confirms the reps diagnosis, if you find out let us know ay Thanks

[ducktape]

I tried two new wheels one 8mm and one 18mm, 8mm was better, tried new blade in the grinder but chipped to badly even after scoring and the same happened with wet cutting... I was getting a 1 in 4 success result which I didn't feel was acceptable result (i understand and accept the odd tile not breaking right), the rep got worse results 1 in 6. So con seeded something was not right, the manufacturer has just got back and have been through batch management, they will replace all tiles with new batch...

whilst this has been a pain I m now a week behind schedule, I m happy with the outcome of replacement tiles.

cheers guys for the help

[pjc]

never had a tile yet that i couldn't cut all my tilers have rang me at some time with the same problem but always found some way of cutting them might just of been lucky in the last 30 years

[365drills]

On a similar (but slightly different) note have you had any trouble drilling them?

Let me know if you have any problems with either the old batch or the new batch.



IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS DRILLING THE PORCELAIN - LET ME KNOW