cutting ceramic floor tiles

[jazzactivist]

Hi all, I wonder if you can help me with this. I have tiled around my outdoor tap as lots of water was splashing back onto the wall whenever I used it. I would like to finish off the job by tidily cutting a circular hole in a tile and then fitting it around the tap base. The tiles that I have used were leftover ones from when I tiled my diningroom floor. They are square, ceramic floor tiles, and not too thick. I bought a carbide wheel and a diamond wheel cutter to fit onto my drill, plus a special drill bit, but none of these will cut the tile. Has anyone tried those small, manual saw frames with the blade that looks like a metal pipecleaner? Any other ideas?

[keepersdaughter]

Does your local B&Q or home centre have a tile cutter you can rent by the hour/morning?. The more heavy duty professional ones usually produce good results with less liklihood of the tiles breaking.

[jazzactivist]

Hi KD, nearby hardware stores do hire out tile cutters, but they only cut in straight lines and I want to cut a circle! I'll have one more try with one of those little saws, and then give up if it doesn't work. Thanks.

[sheddie]

My OH says yes use one of those saws, but he has found that you would get a better result if you cut the tile in half then cut two half circles, then put them back together as you fit them, this leaves a joint top and bottom of the hole but when grouted in it does look ok. hope this helps X

[jazzactivist]

Thanks Sheddie, that's a very useful tip. I'm off to buy a saw tomorrow as I have been held up in my outings due to the mumps!

[sheddie]

Do hope you're better now jazz X