here are some tool photos. you do not need the glass snapper AND the modified tile plier. the glass snapper does seem to make a cleaner break, but does not work on the smallest pieces. you will need a modified tile plier, however, if you want to cut very small pieces. so, you figure out what tool(s) you need. the glass snapper is very inexpensive, and the modified tile plier should not cost you more than $10 to put together.

i want to say again that my modified tile plier is the only tool that i know of that will break the smallest pieces. there may be some other tool out there. if you know of one, that is wonderful, and i would love to know about it, as well. in the absence of the right tool, i will share with you the tool that i have been using.

the first photo shows my modified tool, and a glass snapper. you can find this tool on the internet... just google glass snapper and several sources will come up.

to make your own modified tool, you will need the materials shown in the second photo: ceramic tile plier, 2" mending plates (there is a stanley brand that comes with 4 in a small bag, as shown), and some kind of tape... i have used masking tape, and also this red duct tape (not sure how you spell that). of course, you can use something other than the mending plates... they are just what i found that do the job. maybe you can come up with something better.

my next post will give the very simple instructions, with photos, for modifying the tile plier to break the small pieces.