Flexing and cutting tiles with the angle grinder - Here's how
Cutting tiles with a Flex is one of the fastest and easiest methods of all.
Issak Tiler Opinion: The angle grinder is the quick tool of choice if you just want to quickly cut a tile with the Flex.
The Flex, when paired with the appropriate 125mm diamond tile cutting disc, is the most adaptable machine when cutting tiles.
You work with a 115 mm or 125 mm cutting disc for tiles and fine stoneware.
Table of contents
- Areas of application when cutting tiles with a Flex
- Cutting Tile Flex - Can I cut any type of tile with an angle grinder?
- Recommended equipment for cutting tiles with the Flex
- Other guides on this topic:
- How do I get clean edges when cutting tiles freehand with the Flex?
- The various diamond discs for cutting tiles with the Flex
- Cutting fine stoneware tiles freehand with the angle grinder is no problem
- Cut tiles straight with Flex
- Cutting alternatives to tile flex
1. Areas of application when cutting tiles with a Flex
It's almost irrelevant what type of tile work you want to do. The angle grinder can be used so universally that we cannot list all areas of application.
Our tip: We recommend taking a tile that you no longer need and making a few test cuts. So you can already practice and not ruin any of your expensive tiles. It is also possible to use an extraction hood for cutting discs to prevent excessive dust exposure.
1.1 What are the most common tasks when flexing tiles?
- Miter tiles
- Cut tiles to size
- Make cutouts in tiles
- Cut laid tiles and tiles on the wall
- Cut hole in tiles / fine stoneware for e.g. pipes
- Cut tiles round
- Cut tile base
- Cutting large porcelain stoneware tiles
1.2 Cutting Tile Flex - Can I cut any type of tile with an angle grinder?
With the right diamond cutting disc for tiles & porcelain stoneware you can cut a number of different types of tiles with Flex.
From our experience we can tell you that you can flex these types of tiles without any problems:
- pottery
- Marble
- slate
- porcelain stoneware
- Glass
- Mosaic
1.3 Do I need additional equipment for flexing tiles?
As everywhere, safety cannot be neglected. We strongly recommend wearing the following protective equipment.
- Safety goggles to protect yourself from possible splinters of a tile
- Appropriate and non-slip footwear
- If possible gloves
Important: When buying a cutting disc for tiles , please make sure that it is designed for your desired material. The diameter should usually be selected with 115 mm or 125 mm.
2. Clean edges when cutting tiles with the Flex?
Quality is the key here. On the one hand, it will hardly be possible to cleanly cut low-quality tiles with good tools without fraying.
The reverse is exactly the same with an inferior diamond blade.
A corresponding material distance should be available and is required to sand the tile edges clean (guide).
You should also have clean hands.
An angle grinder creates vibrations that can cause slipping.
Tip: mark your cutting edge!
2.1 Sand down tile edges
The quickest, cheapest and most effective way to prepare tile edges is to use diamond grinding pads .
They will help you:
- Repairing sharp edges
- Sanding Unclean Edges
- Grind tiles to miter
2.2 Which type of diamond cutting disc is suitable for tiling?
Diamond cutting discs are usually designed for one or the other material-related group.
This means that you can notice noticeable differences through the choice of your diamond blade.
In order to achieve good results when cutting tiles with your angle grinder, you have to choose the right tile cutting disc.
We carry standard discs for soft tiles and premium tiles, cutting discs for hard tiles such as fine stoneware.
We also carry a tile disc that is specially designed for freehand cutting of tiles with an angle grinder .
2.3 Porcelain stoneware tiles Freehand cutting with the angle grinder is not a problem
Due to the hard nature of porcelain stoneware, it is advisable to pay attention to the thickness of your tile. It is almost impossible to cut porcelain stoneware slabs thicker than 20 mm without a wet cutting table.
The best thing to do here is to take a sample tile in which you can make a few test cuts.
The tile cutter is not an option for a hard material tile. Other tools such as a glass cutter are also out of the question.
For porcelain stoneware tiles, we can recommend one of our premium diamond discs for tiles, as they are only slightly more expensive than the standard version but perform much better. The Turbo variant is better for straight cutting, while the X-CUT tile disc is the all-round angle grinder for fine stoneware.
3. Cut tiles straight with Flex
With a little practice, cutting straight with a Flex on a tile is no problem at all. You mark your cutting edge (ideally with a 90 degree angle) and start cutting. Be careful not to apply too much pressure and stay straight.
The choice of your tile cutting wheel can also affect how well you can cut your tile straight. A tile flex disc with a turbo segment tends to cut the tile a little straighter (less wobbling).
TIP: It is best to take a section of your tiles that is no longer needed and practice cutting straight on it. Depending on the surface, each tile can behave slightly differently.
4. Are there alternatives to cutting tile flex?
Of course, there are many other efficient ways to cut tiles. This depends entirely on your requirements and the tools you have.
4.1 More tile cutting methods
- Tile cutter for cutting a tile - By hand
- Wet cutting machine for a large number of tiles
- Cuts efficiently, cleanly and dust-free - especially fine stoneware, marble, granite (hard tiles)
- Glass cutter for extra thin glass tiles
4.2 Tile cutting with the Flex summary
If you follow these steps, everything should work fine.
- Choosing the right Flex diamond blade for your material group
- Mark cutting line
- Set the recommended rotation speed (see product).
- Steady hand
- Read other guides for each application
5. Conclusion - Cutting tiles with the Flex is comparatively simple and effective.
Cutting a tile with the angle grinder with a tile cutting disc is simply outstanding. No other tool and machine combination can be used as universally, quickly and flexibly as the Flex. On top of that, it is the cheapest option. This application is popular with home and handymen alike!
More advice on how to flex tiles
- Cut recess in tiles
- Cutting holes in tiles with the Flex
- Flex wall or floor tiles that have already been laid
- Cutting tiles without a tile cutter
- Adjust the speed correctly when flexing tiles
6. Frequently asked questions about tiling
6.1 What types of tiles can I cut with a Flex and a suitable diamond cutting disc?
With a Flex and matching tile diamond cutting disc, you can cut different types of tiles such as ceramic , marble , slate, porcelain stoneware , glass and mosaic .
6.2 What protective equipment is recommended when cutting tiles with the Flex?
When cutting tiles with the Flex, it is recommended that you wear the following protective equipment: safety goggles, non-slip footwear and, if possible, gloves to protect against splinters and injury.
6.3 How do I get clean edges when cutting tiles freehand with the Flex?
To get clean edges when freehand cutting tiles with the Flex, the quality of the tool is crucial. Use high-quality tiles and a suitable diamond cutting disc. Mark the cutting edge beforehand and make the cut calmly and precisely. If necessary, you can rework the edges with a diamond sanding pad .
