What Do I Use to Cut a Circle?

The question-how to cut porcelain tile around the toilet flange? also comes with the question- what do I use to cut a circle? I know that it can be frustrating trying to make a cut around the toilet flange. You might not even have the proper tools to do this. There really is an easy way to do this and the tool we need to use is an angle grinder. We will also need a 4 1/2 inch diamond blade that needs to be installed on the angle grinder. This might sound expensive and even difficult to track down such a thing, but it’s not! Here in Minnesota there are several different tool stores that sell tools cheap.

They can also sell cheap tools. There is a difference. I have shopped at a place called Harbor Freight Tools to test out some of their tools. I put to test a heat gun and an angle grinder recently. I used both at work and for the cost of these tools I think it was a bargain but I did burn them out. I believe that for someone who isn’t going to use these tools everyday, most of them will work just fine. I just looked online and I seen one selling for $15.00.

Here is the grinder that I use and Highly Recommend    –DeWalt Angle Grinder

I don’t want you to go cheap on the diamond blade. I highly recommend using this blade made by DeWalt. (Diamond Cutting Wheel) Now I recommend this blade because it’s what I use everyday. It has worked well for me on all tile. It also works great when cutting porcelain tile. I will only recommend tools I have tried and tested.

How to Mark the Tile

The first step in how to cut porcelain tile is finding how big the piece should be. The key to all tile installations is the layout. I use a grid on the floor that really helps simplify the installation process. Two key areas that it helps with are –

1. Measuring tile for cuts
2. Installing the tile

I bring this up because it really works well with marking your tile correctly the first time and it takes out any guess work. Check out my Guide How to Layout Floor tile the Easy Way In Tile University. I will show you how I design a tile layout with a grid. Using this method will make your tile installation go so much easier. The easiest way I know how to explain how to mark the tile is to show you, so here you go.

How to Cut Porcelain Tile Using an Angle Grinder

Now that you have seen how easy it is to mark the flange on the tile, let’s move on and talk about cutting the tile. I just want to really beat this next statement with stick.

If you try to force the grinder to cut the tile, the tile will BREAK every time! Try to take light, even passes and all will be fine. If do break a tile, that’s okay, I do it too. Check out this video on how to cut porcelain tile using an angle grinder.

Other Uses for an Angle Grinder

I use an angle grinder quite a bit. Whenever I have L shaped cuts, vents, outlets and many other cuts like this. If you are really trying to get by cheap, you could use an angle grinder to cut everything. I do recommend not doing that, but you could. However, I think that anyone who is installing tile needs to have this in their tool arsenal.

It really comes in handy. If you are looking for more tips on how to cut porcelain tile and tiling in general, check out my blog . For exclusive tips and guides, sign up for the Project Planner. The form is in the side bar to your right.

Thanks,

Joe

The only way to the Father is through the Son, Jesus Christ