How to Cut Glazed Clay Pottery

Cut glazed pottery with a saw blade designed for use on glass or tile.

Glazed pottery items can be difficult to cut due to the hardness of the glaze and the fragility of the pottery. Glaze is very similar to glass, so it must be treated as such. A diamond-tipped glass-cutting saw blade or a tile cutting saw blade are ideal, as they have the ability to cut through the hard, fragile surface. For larger jobs, consider using a water cooling attachment for the saw. The water attachment mounts on the side of the saw and it's supplied by a hose that will cool the blade, thereby extending its lifespan.

Things You'll Need

• Masking tape
• Grease pencil
• Plywood board
• 2 cinder blocks
• Respirator
• Protective eyewear
• Ear plugs
• Work gloves
• Tile- or glass-cutting blade
• Circular saw or rail saw
• Degreaser spray
• Lint-free cloth

Instructions

1. Apply a few strips of masking tape to the area where you'll start making the cut. The tape will prevent the saw blade from slipping on the slick glazed surface.

2. Mark out the cutting line with a grease pencil.

3. Place the pottery item on top of a plywood board.

4. Wedge the pottery item between two cinder blocks or two other heavy objects to prevent movement during the sawing process.

5. Don a respirator, protective eyewear, ear plugs and work gloves.

6. Install a glass- or tile-cutting blade in the circular saw or rail saw. The blade installation method varies among models and saw types so consult the user's manual for directions.

7. Turn on the saw and cut the glazed pottery item. Continue cutting until the saw blade hits the wood.

8. Remove the masking tape from the pottery item's surface.

9. Spray the pottery item with degreaser and wipe it down with a lint-free cloth to remove traces of the grease pencil and dust.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using a water cooling attachment for the saw, attach the saw's water supply hose to a garden hose after completing Step 4.

• If cutting a bowl or a similar item, place it face down during the cutting process. It will be more stable.

• If you need to make a circular hole in the glazed pottery item, consider using a drill instead of a saw.

• Always wear a respiratory and eye protection when operating a saw.

• Keep your hands clear of the saw blade at all times.

• Do not put the pottery in a clamp or vice. The pressure will crack or break the pottery. Wedge it or ask a helper to don work gloves and hold it in place.

• Always wear ear plugs when operating loud tools.