What are Tile Nippers?
Tile nippers are hand held tools used for breaking and snipping tile. They are most often used when making circular cuts but can also be used for straight or angled cuts. Many people find it easier and more accurate to use a tile cutter to make straight cuts. This tool for cutting tile resembles a pair of pliers or wire cutters. It has contoured handles and jaws that are used for breaking off small pieces of tile one bite at a time. Unlike tile saws, the cut made from tile nippers is very rough, but it serves its purpose. Most circular cuts are made around pipes and will be covered either with faucets are knobs. Besides the basic offset tile nipper, there is also the wheeled version. This type is meant specifically for cutting narrow strips of tile, no larger than 0.44 inches (1 cm) wide. The blades are circular and cut the tile parallel to the tool instead of perpendicular. These are most often used for trimming off the edges of tile to fit a smaller area.
