• A tile "wet saw" is one tool for cutting tile.saw-blade image by sumos from Fotolia.com
  
  The prospect of cutting a straight line, a curve or a hole in tile might confound the uninitiated tile layer. Fortunately, a variety of hand and power tools exist to help tile installers fit tile around corners, pipes, wires or even toilets. Once armed with knowledge of the types of tile cutter tools, you can choose the correct tool to help you cut tile to fit around any obstacle.
  
  

Tile Cutter

• The tile cutter employs muscle power to score and snap tiles. This easily portable tile cutting tool features a flat, stable base on which tiles rest. The operator presses the tool's handle downward, lowering a carbide-coated disc onto the tile's surface. The tool's handle is attached to a rail and, as the operator pushes the handle downward and forward, the carbide disc creates a straight score across the tile's surface. Once scored, a separate feature of the handle allows the operator to press against and cleanly snap apart the tile. This type of cutter works well with ceramic and some porcelain tile.
  
  

Tile Saws

• Electric power saws spin abrasive, circular, tile-cutting blades. Tile cutting saws may be either "dry" or "wet." Wet saws circulate water over the cutting area to cool the blade and tile and encourage clean, smooth cuts. Dry saws employ a circular blade without the aid of water. Power tile saws appear in both handheld and table-mounted varieties, the former useful for portability and difficult situations and the latter efficient for quickly cutting large quantities of tile.
  
  

Tile Nippers

• Nippers are a dual-handled, hinged tool used to chip, or "nip" away at tiles. The appearance of this tool resembles channel-lock pliers. The tool features two, inwardly-curving blades placed around a tile. Pressing the tool's handles together forces the tooth toward one another and chips a chunk away from the tile.
  
  

Coping Saw

• The coping saw's appearance resembles a small hacksaw--a handle attached to a deep C- or U-shaped frame across the bottom of which runs a blade. These saws cut a variety of materials and, when equipped with an abrasive or carbide-coated blade, they are used to cut curves and unusual lines through tile.
  
  

Jig Saw

• The electric powered jig saw's motor drives a blade in a reciprocating motion; it saws back and forth. This tool, like the coping saw, is used for cutting multiple materials and, when equipped with an abrasive or carbide-coated blade, cuts curves and unusually shaped lines through tile.
  
  

Hole Saw

• This power drill attachment resembles a long cylinder with abrasive material or teeth at one end. Again, abrasive or carbide-coated hole saws are used for tile materials, while alternate types cut wood and metal. The hole saw is used to create precise holes through tile, such as those required for plumbing or electrical lines.