How to Cut Tile with a Dremel

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A Dremel tool makes cutting tile much easier than it looks. Whether you want to open a hole in tile that is already fixed to a wall or floor, or cut tiles to fit before you install them, a Dremel tool will make any tile cutting job easy. With minimal preparation and the correct diamond tile bit for your Dremel tool, you’ll be cutting tile in no time.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Opening Holes in Fixed Tile

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  1. Use a ruler to make straight lines or trace around something circular to make an even circle. Permanent marker works best to clearly mark the lines, especially on glossy tile [1]
    • Dremel tools can be used to cut any type of tile!
  2. Cutting tile will create a lot of dust. Cover any surrounding counters, appliances, or anything else you don’t want to get dusty to make cleanup easier.
    • You can use blue painter’s tape or masking tape to secure the plastic in place.
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  3. [2] Use the #562 tile bit for irregular cuts such as circles. Use the #545 diamond wheel blade to make straight cuts. [3]
    • Follow your Dremel rotary tool’s instruction manual to securely attach the Dremel bit.
    • Always turn off and unplug your Dremel tool before you install a new bit.
  4. Turn on the Dremel tool and plunge the bit into the tile with both hands. If you're using the #562 tile bit, plunge it into the tile at a 45-degree angle and gradually push it in until it is at a 90-degree angle. If you're using the #545 blade, plunge it into the tile at a 90-degree angle. [4]
    • Be sure to put on safety goggles and cover your mouth with a dust mask before you start cutting.
  5. Carefully push the Dremel tool with both hands along the first line to cut out the part of the tile you want to remove. Apply just enough pressure to move the tool forward, but let the Dremel do most of the work. [5]
    • You could wear out the bit prematurely if you push too hard.
    • If you accidentally crack a tile, you can repair the crack with a tile repair epoxy kit.
  6. Be careful not to cut past the line you drew. Pull out the Dremel when you complete a cut. Plunge the tool again and repeat the process if you need to make another cut. [6]
    • If you are cutting out a circle, you can either try to do the whole cut at once with the #562 bit, or you can cut an “X” in the middle first to cut out smaller sections at a time.
    • When you are done cutting, remove the plastic coverings you put down and wipe up any dust that they didn’t catch.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making Cuts in Loose Tile

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  1. Trace straight lines along a ruler. Use a circular object or another shape to trace around if you want to make any irregular cuts. [7]
    • If the tile you want to cut is not glossy, you could use a pencil to draw the lines instead of a permanent marker.
    • No matter what type of tile you want to cut, a Dremel tool can do the job.
  2. Place the tile flat with the part that you will be cutting hanging off the work bench. Secure it to the bench with at least 2 rubber clamps.
    • Rubber clamps help protect the tile. If you use a metal vice or clamps, you could easily crack the tile.
  3. Turn off and unplug your Dremel tool before you attach a new bit. Put in the #562 tile bit to make irregular cuts such as circles. Attach the #545 diamond wheel blade to make small straight cuts. [8]
    • Refer to the owner’s manual for your Dremel tool if you are not sure how to attach a bit.
    • You can use a Dremel Saw-Max with the larger SM540 tile cutting blade to make a large number of linear tile cuts more easily. [9]
  4. Start at one edge of the tile if you are cutting a whole piece of the tile. Plunge the Dremel tool into the tile if you are cutting out a piece from the center. [10]
    • Make sure to put on safety goggles and a protective mask for your mouth before you begin.
  5. Apply gentle pressure and let the power of the Dremel tool do the cutting for you. Make the cut using your drawn line as a guide to remove the excess tile. [11]
    • Don’t push too hard or you could wear out the cutting blade quickly.
  6. Push even slower when you are approaching the end of a line so you don’t cut past where you intended. Stop pushing when you reach the end of the line and carefully lift the Dremel tool up out of the tile. [12]
    • If you are cutting a whole end off a tile, then simply push through to the end of the line and let the excess piece fall away.
    • Repair any hairline cracks in tiles with a tile repair epoxy kit if you want to salvage the tile.
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The Takeaway: Cutting Tile with a Dremel

Mark the hole you want to cut out and cover the surrounding area with plastic to protect it. Plunge the Dremel bit into the tile and push it gently along the line you marked to make the cut. Stop cutting when you reach the end of the line and remove the tool.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What tool should I use to cut through tile?
    Art Fricke
    Tile Renovation Specialist
    Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.
    Art Fricke
    Tile Renovation Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Be sure you use a tool that hat has an abrasive diamond tip since it will slowly grind through your tile with less chance of breaking it.
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  • Question
    How do you cut tile around a toilet?
    Art Fricke
    Tile Renovation Specialist
    Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.
    Art Fricke
    Tile Renovation Specialist
    Expert Answer
    I recommend you use a Dremel tool with a diamond tile Dremel bit. The diamond tile bit is most suited for irregular cuts, such as circles.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Things You’ll Need

      Opening Holes in Fixed Tile

      • Dremel tool
      • Diamond tile Dremel bits
      • Plastic sheets
      • Permanent marker
      • Safety goggles and mask

      Making Cuts in Loose Tile

      • Dremel tool
      • Diamond tile Dremel bits
      • Rubber clamps
      • Work bench
      • Permanent marker
      • Safety goggles and mask

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      References

      1. ↑ https://sawdustgirl.com/how-to-cut-a-hole-in-a-tile-backsplash/
      2. ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=15
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=15
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=15
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=15
      7. ↑ https://sawdustgirl.com/how-to-cut-a-hole-in-a-tile-backsplash/
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=15
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=75
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=35
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=35
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yCv-cMFfY&feature=youtu.be&t=35

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