Mosaic Tools

Mosaic is a great hobby because it has so few tools!  Once you've graduated from smashing tiles with a hammer you will need to invest in only 2 things...A tile nipper & dual wheeled nippers.

Tile nippers are used to crack tiles and are used more often for heavier materials (porcelain, ceramic) or where precision is not required.  You can also crack vitreous or mosaic glass tiles with them.  They are offset so when using them turn the angled or offset bit in toward your body (left if you are right-handed, reversed for left) and pu the material to be cut only half way into the nipper. If you stick it the whole way it will either shatter (if you are cutting glass) or it simply won't break at all (if you are using heavy materials like porcelain). Make sure to always hold the nippers at the bottom so that they are doing all of the work, not your forearm.  Tile nippers are also good for nibbling. If you've had a cut go wonky you can nibble off the wierd bit. You can also nibble shapes like circles & leaves with the nippers. Nippers are available at most hardware & tile stores, as well as all great mosaic shops for $15-20.

Dual wheels are different in that they actually cut the tiles using 2 non-rotating wheels. The wheels can be turned when dull so they will last a long time and they are replaceable so once you've bought the cutter you will keep it forever as opposed to tile nippers that just get chucked when dull.  Duals are very good for precision because you put them directly where you want the cut.  I cut glass, stained glass, mirror & smalti with my duals. I do cheat & cut heavier materials like porcelain or ceramic when I need a very precise cut (like a triangle) but just know that it dulls the wheels faster. Duals are a specialty tool that can be found at mosaic shops & stained glass stores and range from $30-50.

Did I miss anything? Let me know!

Comments

[Marc miles]

Where can i purchase mesh to make my own pebble tile sheets? Thanks Marc

[Tanya MacFarlane]

HI Mark,
We sell it online and at our store. Check it out. www.mosaicbeach.com/mosaictools.html

Cheers
Tanya