How to Use a Jigsaw to Cut Ceramic Tile

How to Use a Jigsaw to Cut Ceramic Tile. The jigsaw is an ideal tool for cutting a variety of substances, including ceramic tile. Small and light weight, the jigsaw is easily handled regardless of your skill or strength. It allows the user to make quick, precise angled or curved cuts in ceramic tile and eliminates the need for a much larger and more complicated specialty saw.

Cut From an Outer Edge

1. Attach a carbide-grit ceramic blade to the jigsaw and tighten to secure. Grit-edged blades are toothless and use a grinding action to make the cut, thereby minimizing the chance of chipping or breaking the brittle ceramic tile.

2. Mark a cut line on the top of the ceramic tile so you know exactly where to guide the saw blade when making your cut.

3. Suspend the tile to be cut right-side up between two saw horses or two wooden blocks and clamp tightly.

4. Put on your protective eye goggles so your eyes are protected from any stray debris. Wear a face mask to prevent inhalation of the ceramic dust created by the cutting action.

5. Hold the saw so the jigsaw blade is straight. Turn the saw on and glide the blade into the tile at your chosen starting point.

6. Move the saw blade slowly along your cut line until the cut is complete.

Cut Without Breaching an Outer Edge

1. Use a drill with a glass-tile bit to punch a hole in the interior of the tile. If the cut requires sharp angles, punch holes at each corner of the design.

2. Insert the carbide-grit ceramic blade of the jigsaw into one of the holes punched by the drill. Turn the saw on.

3. Guide the jigsaw blade slowly along the cut line within the interior of the tile from one punched hole to the next. Use the holes to turn the blade for sharp angles.