How to Make Inside Circle Cuts with Tile Saws

One of the biggest headaches for do-it-yourselfers in the bathroom is cutting ceramic tile to fit around pedestal sinks and around toilets without breaking the tile. The inside circle cut may seem intimidating, but it actually can be accomplished with a simple technique using a tile saw.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pencil
• Safety goggles
• Tile saw

1. Draw the circle or oblong shape on the edge of the tile you plan to cut.

2. Hold the tile at a 90-degree angle to the blade and start the tile saw. Cut a straight line into the tile, cutting down to the inside circle line. Keep the water running on the tile saw to keep the machine cool.

3. Make another straight cut into the tile next to your first cut, again going down to the line you drew.

4. Continue the process until you have completed the circuit of the inside circle. In some cases you will have some "teeth" protruding from the tile, but for the most part you will have cut away what you needed.

5. Snap off any remaining "teeth." You'll still have some rough edges.

6. Smooth off the rough edges in the circle by going back over it with the tile saw. Start from either the right or left side of the circle, and go back-and-forth over each rough edge to smooth it down to the inside circle line.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety goggles when cutting tile. The goggles will protect your eyes from any chips of tile that fly off.