Tool Reviews

Before a box of tiles turns into wall or floor cladding, a lot of routine processes will go through. But even perfect masonry is easy to spoil with ugly cut patches.

Therefore, a quality tile cutting tool is the first thing to take care of before starting repairs.

How a tile cutter works

The algorithm of the tile cutter directly depends on its type. The mechanical version is considered the basic one, it also raises the greatest number of questions about correct operation.

The cutting process looks like this:

• A cut line mark is applied to the end of the ceramic tile.
• The tile is laid on the tool frame in such a way that the stiffener is exactly under the line.
• The tile cutter handle is set opposite the mark, the clarity of the line is fixed by lowering to the surface.
• Then you need to position the handle so that the roller is pressed against the tile at the very end.
• The handle is held along the rails to the opposite edge of the tile with a quick and hard movement with sufficient pressure. At the same time, a characteristic sound of cutting through the glaze is heard.

• Tiles with cut glaze are fixed by hand to prevent displacement.
• The handle is lifted so that the cross foot is on the edge of the tile. A sharp press on the end switch of the handle breaks off the required piece exactly along the cut line.

In electric models, sawing of the surface to the full depth is provided. The principle of operation is similar to the action of a grinder, but the process uses water for dust removal, and the usual cutting wheels replace diamond-coated discs.

The tile is cut entirely according to pre-made marks.

Types of tile cutters

Tile cutters are conditionally divided by type into mechanical and electrical models. Despite the common name, the difference in use and approach to cutting is huge. Only the result in the form of a cut tile is identical.

Manual (mechanical)

The tool is a frame with a protruding longitudinal stiffener in the center.

• Most often, the bed is covered with a soft material or rubberized, but there are also all-metal structures.
• Two round rails with a handle or a monorail are installed on top.
• A marking scale with a protractor for cutting tiles at a given angle is installed above the bed.
• A sharp roller and a transverse foot for pressing the cut tiles are fixed on the handle.

A glass cutter is often referred to as a manual tile cutter – a device equipped with a cutting roller that fits easily in the palm of your hand.

The tool requires developed fine motor skills, skill and selection of pressing force. The savings are completely offset by the number of hopelessly damaged tiles.

Before moving on to electric models, it is worth mentioning that confusion occurs with them. Classic stationary tile cutters are used in production – large units that are installed with fixation on the floor or special countertops.

Models for repair teams and domestic use that are not fixed to the surface are just portable. But it is they who are found under the name of stationary, if they are installed on a table or have a protective block in the form of a box.

And portable options are considered without a block, suitable for working on weight.

Electric portable

Portable models look like angle grinders or circular saws. But the discs for them come with diamond coating.

• The tool is mobile, small models are held on weight with one hand.
• Most often, compatibility with dedusting nozzles is provided.
• A portable tile cutter is convenient for processing slopes and other surfaces where cutting and fitting tiles in place is required.
• The angle of inclination and the setting of the cutting depth are set by the limiters from the kit or by a protective cover.

A portable tool is suitable for spot or one-time work, but it is inconvenient for laying tiles over large areas.

Electric stationary

It is considered a machine-type tile cutter. Models have differences in the location of the motor, on which the direction of the disc feed depends – top or bottom.

The tool looks like a box with a diamond disk built into it, it can be supplemented with a cutting platform. The water-cooled tile cutter is equipped with a special container.

Water is also used for other tasks:

• cooling of the cut line – chaotic cracking of the tile occurs from overheating;
• dust removal – with a full cut “dry”, dust and small abrasive particles enter the air in an amount sufficient to cover a medium-sized room with a thick fog.

Disc bottom feed involves the location of the sawing mechanism under the table top. The disk is recessed inside the container, 3-5 cm remains on the surface. The automatic lifter sets the angle at which the side is sawn.

The tool with the bottom disc feed is more compact than the top one.

Top disc feed means that the marked tiles are laid out on the surface of the platform. The marks are aligned with the opening of the platform, and the disk is lowered from above. The cut comes from the butt.

Differences in work between electric tile cutters with top and bottom feed are insignificant. But the first are considered a professional tool, and the second – a household one.

Characteristics of tile cutters

Basic characteristics: power, disc diameter refer only to power tools, since in manual models these indicators have nowhere to apply. But the length of the cut is a parameter comparable for both types of devices.

Power – the higher this parameter for the engine, the harder the material can be processed with a tool. Indicators for different types of tiles:

• tile – 750-1500 W;
• porcelain stoneware – 1-1.2 kW;
• marble – 2 kW and above.

Disc diameter – in low-power devices, circles with a size of 230-250 mm are used. A large or professional power tool requires the use of discs with a diameter of 350 mm.

Cutting length depends on the type of tool. In manual models, the limit is set by the size of the bed, more often it is possible to cut tiles no longer than 60 cm long. Electric models do not limit the master in the length of the cut or the dimensions of the tile.

Functions

The basic function of any tile cutter is to cut tiles evenly along a given line.

But when it comes to non-trivial tasks – laying tiles around pipes, installing a socket on the surface, filing edges or cutting tiles into a diagonal, additional functions are indispensable.

Hole milling

It is impossible to cut a circle in a tile by any of the presented types of tile cutters. For this work, an additional accessory is used, which, depending on the design and the need for electricity, is called a crown or a ballerina.

• Crown is a nozzle for a power tool (drill, screwdriver, puncher). Consists of a drill and a head of a certain diameter. There are variations with one or more interchangeable heads of different sizes.

The ends of the crowns are covered with the already familiar diamond coating.

• ballerina – a mechanical option that does not require a power tool. It is a drill or a sharp foot fixed on a leg. Perpendicular to them is an adjusting bar, on which one or two paws with a cutter are installed.

It is found as an independent accessory or as an addition to a manual tile cutter. There are options that are used as nozzles. The diameter of the desired hole is adjusted by a screw or a button on the ballerina’s leg.

If the crown cuts the tile only from the front side, then the ballerina involves two-sided work.

Angle cutting

It is considered that manual tile cutters are unsuitable for angled cutting. At the same time, anyone can saw off tiles on them using the built-in protractor at a given angle.

Nuances:

• These are obtuse corners or cuts that do not pass through the tip of the tile.
• It is possible to make a diagonal cut from corner to corner if a thin tile is used, the master feels the tool and has experience in such work.
• Otherwise, attempts lead to damage to the tile, so traditionally diagonal cuts and 45-degree angles are made using electric tile cutters.

Those who prefer manual tile cutters, for the sake of such tasks, supplement them with a grinder with a diamond blade.

Equipment

The scope of delivery depends on the type of instrument. In mechanical models, this is the tile cutter itself and packaging, sometimes they are supplemented with a ballerina, limiters or a replaceable cutting roller.

The electric tile cutter is completed with the following set:

• parallel and angular stops;
• sets of limiters, guides and adjusters;
• additional fixture;
• protective cover;
• legs adjustable in height;
• rulers, protractors and other auxiliary measuring tools;
• optionally, manufacturers add interchangeable nozzles and discs to the kit.

Crowns for round cuts are almost never found in basic sets.

Accessories

Accessories are built-in or attachable.

• Connecting a vacuum cleaner – this option is most often provided in portable electric models, but it is also found in stationary ones. Attaching a vacuum cleaner is necessary during dry cutting.

For connection, the tool has a hole with a twist or grooves for fixing. In most cases, a household vacuum cleaner will not work – the size of the hole and the shape of the mounts are adapted to the equipment of a particular manufacturer.

• Angle stop – allows you to cut tiles at a given angle without marking. A common option is adapted to an angle of 45 degrees, but in stationary models this range varies from 0 to 45 degrees.

• Side platform – creates additional support for wide tiles. It is most often found in electric stationary models, attached to the side. Without this accessory, the tile is unstable.

When you want to cut a thin piece, you have to support it with your hands for maximum fixation. With the platform, manual support is not needed.

Optional accessories: transport rollers, folding legs or carrying bags.

Peculiarities

Each type of tile cutter has features that you should pay attention to when choosing and subsequent operation.

Manual

In mechanical models, the rigidity of the rail and bed determines the quality of the cut and the breaking characteristics of the cut tiles.

• It is important to control the absence of deformations and distortions, otherwise you will have to break the tiles with improvised means.
• The permissible load on the frame is indicated by the manufacturers on the tool body.
• The ease of replacing the cutting wheel depends on the type of attachment. Expanding clamps are more convenient, but during operation, the roller often slips out of the groove.

Cushioning pads at the carriage indicate that the model maintains accurate work and cutting without unscheduled stops. It is because of them that incorrect fractures occur.

Electrical

The power tool has a number of its features that determine the performance and comfort during work:

• In machines with top feed, filtered water enters the working area by pumping.

The efficiency of waste water removal and the minimization of splashing speak in favor of the tool.

• With the bottom supply, water flows through the tank, and the replacement of the liquid occurs by emptying the container. It is believed that the larger the tank, the less often you need to add and change water.

But at the same time, the fact of ease of replacement is overlooked – small and medium containers win here.

Curly cutting is provided only in branded test models. This functionality has not yet found widespread use. Most masters pluck out curved lines on the tile with pliers – this is laborious, hands are erased to calluses.

Plucked fragments are polished with a diamond disc.

Advantages

We will consider the advantages without reference to mobility or stationarity, since the main difference lies in the type.

Manual

• does not require electricity or special conditions;
• there is no dust and noise;
• no special skills required;
• violations of the conditions of safe operation do not lead to serious injuries and do not pose a threat to life;
• increased speed of work;
• most often a manual tile cutter is a tool with low weight, it is easy to carry it from place to place;
• Suitable for outdoor use in adverse weather conditions.

Electric

• low percentage of scrap when breaking tiles;
• the possibility of grinding edges and setting edges at 45 degrees – for external corners without the use of trims;
• independence from the size of the tiles;
• suitable for processing porcelain stoneware and natural stone;
• versatility – suitable for cutting thin tiles and mosaics or stones of increased thickness;
• depending on the disc, the depth of the slot reaches 4 cm.

The benefits are sometimes insignificant if the tile cutter is used in inappropriate conditions, requires repetitive actions or special skills.

Problems

Each of the presented types of tools has disadvantages and negative features that can make it difficult to operate.

Manual

• the limitation on the length of the tile is set by the dimensions of the bed, not suitable for overall models;
• the quality of the cut depends on the wear of the roller, but it is inconvenient to control its condition;
• carriage play with a handle in budget models worsens the clarity of the cut;
• bends of the bed in the plane or soft manufacturing metal lead to cutting difficulties – up to the point that the glaze is only cut through in the device, and the tile itself breaks with improvised means;
• it is impossible to make curly cuts, only straight lines.

Despite the listed inconveniences, the mechanical option is safe, simple and does not cause difficulties for beginners.

Electric

• the tool is loud, in machine models the average noise level reaches 60 decibels;
• with a lack of water, the cuts are accompanied by an increased amount of dust, and with a normal amount, splashing occurs;
• low productivity due to low speed;
• stationary models are bulky and bulky, inconvenient for manual transportation;
• not suitable for work in conditions of high humidity, risk of electric shock;
• unsafe without protective pads and casings, and with them it is not always possible to correctly process tiles of non-standard shape or thickness;
• need for electricity.

If the tile is cut in large volumes or for professional purposes, it is difficult to do without an electric tile cutter.

How to choose a tile cutter

The choice of a tile cutter begins with determining the optimal type of device. To do this, you need to answer a few questions:

1. Will the tool be used at home or at an industrial facility?
2. Disposable or reusable process? For example, laying tiles in the bathroom and kitchen of your own apartment is a one-time job that does not require professional tools.
3. How many tiles are to be cut? What thickness? Lengths?

When there is certainty with the type of tool, the parameters characterizing the best device are checked. For mechanical and electric tile cutters, they are different.

Manual

• The bed or base should not sag under pressure from the hands. Check the plane of the platform by turning it perpendicular to the viewing angle. Roughness and bent corners, a slight shift with the propeller will complicate the work.
• Marking details (ruler, protractor) do not always show the correct divisions, the stops should be checked for perpendicularity to the frame. A misaligned stop can damage the tile.
• Cushioning pads – it is optimal that they be present on the frame, handle and under the carriage.

  The rubberized version is preferred, excluding slipping.

• The handle is a better reinforced version. When moving, there should be no play or horizontal displacements.
• Number of rails – for the two-rail version, pads are required to soften the carriage travel. The option with a monorail is more reliable, there are no specific requirements for it.

Electric

• Protective cover – check the tightness of its fit.
• Disk – to check the tool must be turned on. Backlash is not allowed. In the off state, the disc fasteners are checked – the system should be clear, the parts should fit snugly together.
• An overlay at the base of the wire will extend the life of the tool, it is desirable to have it.
• Platform – the correctness of the plane is checked, the absence of chips and notches.
• The number of revolutions and power – the maximum indicators correspond to a professional tool.

The smoothness of the ride, the evenness of the meters and the platform will help you choose the best device.

How to use a tile cutter

When using a tile cutter, follow standard safety precautions to avoid injury:

• Please read the instructions before first use.
• Use safety goggles, gloves and clothing.
• Place the tile cutter on a flat, hard surface.
• Carefully check the fixation of the tile.
• Check for foreign objects.

The above rules apply to all types of tile cutters.

Electric tile cutters require special handling. The noise level during operation of this type reaches 100 decibels in large models – it is necessary to use protective headphones.

• Do not use the tool in explosive environments.
• Keep away from moisture to avoid electric shock.
• Stop the tile cutter immediately if the blade is jammed or the wire is damaged.
• Do not overload the tile cutter – this reduces wear on the blade and increases its efficiency.

It should also be remembered that after each use of the machine, it is necessary to remove the cutting disc and clean it of dust. Store the tool in a safe and dry place.

Guarantee

The tile cutting tool comes with a 1 to 5 year warranty. Marriage or breakdown due to the fault of the manufacturer allows you to exchange the goods or get back the money spent.

• Mechanical damage, chips on the instrument were found.
• The problem was caused by the buyer.
• The tool is heavily soiled, careless operation.
• The item showed signs of self-repair.
• The tile cutter was used with consumables that were not designed to work with it.
• The tool was used with the motor overloaded.

If a marriage was found, you must contact the seller from whom the purchase was made. Some manufacturers provide free tool preventive maintenance (cleaning, rinsing, lubricating).

Faults and repairs

Malfunctions of tile cutters correspond to their type. Each has its own set of typical breakdowns.

mechanical type

Jammed handle or carriage – a malfunction indicates that a large abrasive has fallen under the protective pads or there is not enough lubrication. In most cases, lubricating the instrument and replacing the overlays with analogues completely eliminates the problem.

Bed arched – the problem indicates mechanical damage to the tile cutter or excessively soft metal of manufacture. In difficult cases, repair is impractical, it is easier to replace the tool.

With minor distortions, problematic parts are pointwise straightened mechanically.

If the cutting roller is broken or worn, it must be replaced, like any consumable. To do this, the fastener is twisted or the latch is pressed. A new similar roller is installed in place of the old one.

Professional manual tile cutters may require a hex screwdriver.

Electric tile cutter

Start button stuck – comes from contamination or when clogging with pieces of abrasives. Self-repair is possible. To do this, you need to de-energize the tool, remove the case and disassemble the push-button mechanism.

When disassembling, thoroughly clean with a soft brush, being careful not to damage the contacts. Lubricate for prevention and assemble back.

Often a complete replacement of a button with an analogue is required. The actions are the same as for cleaning, but in addition, the old contacts are called by the tester to check the correct operation.

If everything is in order, a new button is hooked to them.

Jammed disk – occurs due to pollution, a large amount of dust or lack of lubrication. It is possible to fix it yourself. To do this, disconnect the device from the network and unscrew the fixing nut.

Next, you need to remove the disk, clean it and the flange from dust or add grease. After that, insert everything back and make sure that the nuts are securely fastened, do not overtighten either.

Wire problems – basically the problem appears due to mechanical damage to the wire if it is pinched or incorrectly laid. Check the cable for breaks.

If the cable breaks at the base:

• de-energize the tool;
• remove the wires from the switch terminals;
• wring out the bracket holding the cable in the device;
• pull out the wire and remove the rubber protection from it;
• cut off the damaged area;
• remove the outer insulation and strip the wire a couple of centimeters, being careful not to damage it;
• put on the bend protection and insert the wires into the terminals, install the bracket and tighten the screws.

Now you can connect the tile cutter to the network and check the result of the work done.

More complex breakdowns and repairs of warranty equipment are carried out in service centers.

Tile cutter manufacturers

The list includes mainly German companies with manufacturing facilities located in China. The price category is average, there are budget options, but most are designed for serious work.

board

A German company producing goods for domestic and professional use. Electric tile cutters offer good value for money and come with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Bosch

German company, products are manufactured in different countries. It specializes in the production of tools for both professionals and amateurs, as well as household and garden equipment. They produce manual and electric tile cutters with a guarantee of up to 3 years.

DeWALT

The brand comes from the USA, the products of which are made in China. They specialize in the production of professional electric repair tools, including tile cutters. Product warranty – up to 3 years.

FIT

Canadian company supplying budget-class tools from China. The range includes a variety of repair tools. They make exclusively manual tile cutters. The warranty is only for electric tools – 1 year.

FUBAG

German company specializing in the manufacture of professional power tools. They produce electric tile cutters of high power (up to 4000 W) with water cooling. The guarantee is given for 2 years.

Husqvarna

The company from Sweden specializes in the production of garden equipment and tools for forestry work. They produce professional electric tile cutters with a powerful engine. Proprietary miter cutting technology. Warranty terms – 1 year.

Kraton

The company, whose factories are located in many countries of the world. Specializes in the manufacture of power tools, machine tools and welding equipment. Electric tile cutters are of good quality and power. Warranty – 3 years.

Prorab

Domestic brand that produces budget power tools, equipment and consumables for household work. Electric tile cutters are equipped with an energy efficient motor and come with a 1 year warranty.

Zubr

A young Russian company producing budget power equipment and tools. They make both electric and manual tile cutters with high strength. Manual tile cutters have a 2-year warranty, and electric tile cutters have a 5-year warranty.

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