What cutters best for newbie to the trade

[Richyharvey]

Hi, I've recently completed a two week course at uk pro tiling. Loved it and really want to kick on and make it a career. I understand I need to start small and work my way up with the types of jobs I can take on. I already have two jobs lined up from family members , 1. a full bathroom and 2. a kitchen splash back. I have got most of the tools now by shopping around and reading lots of info on here. Now it's come to sorting some cutting gear out. Wet cutter wise the vitrex 750w looks like a decent starting point, would you agree? Then the manual side of things I think I'd like to go sigma but not sure what size and model would be best. Was thinking a smaller 2g then adding a bigger 600 or 700 cutter later on. Is this the way to go? I really don't want to waste time buying something that will only want to upgrade in a year. Thanks for your help. Richy

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Just go for the best you can afford.
Mine was a hand held contrite cutter after a hammer and chisel.

 

[LM]

Hi, I've recently completed a two week course at uk pro tiling. Loved it and really want to kick on and make it a career. I understand I need to start small and work my way up with the types of jobs I can take on. I already have two jobs lined up from family members , 1. a full bathroom and 2. a kitchen splash back. I have got most of the tools now by shopping around and reading lots of info on here. Now it's come to sorting some cutting gear out. Wet cutter wise the vitrex 750w looks like a decent starting point, would you agree? Then the manual side of things I think I'd like to go sigma but not sure what size and model would be best. Was thinking a smaller 2g then adding a bigger 600 or 700 cutter later on. Is this the way to go? I really don't want to waste time buying something that will only want to upgrade in a year. Thanks for your help. Richy

Get yourself a Signa 3C2K to start with, it'll cover most of the jobs that you'll be comfortable doing for a few years, after that get a larger Sigma for those bigger jobs. You'll find that the 3C2K will be your most used machine. These cutters will pay for themselves in no time. A 2G is an excellent cutter for the smaller sizes and a must have in a complete kit, but the majority of your tiles are likely to be 600mm.

 

[LM]

Hi, I've recently completed a two week course at uk pro tiling. Loved it and really want to kick on and make it a career. I understand I need to start small and work my way up with the types of jobs I can take on. I already have two jobs lined up from family members , 1. a full bathroom and 2. a kitchen splash back. I have got most of the tools now by shopping around and reading lots of info on here. Now it's come to sorting some cutting gear out. Wet cutter wise the vitrex 750w looks like a decent starting point, would you agree? Then the manual side of things I think I'd like to go sigma but not sure what size and model would be best. Was thinking a smaller 2g then adding a bigger 600 or 700 cutter later on. Is this the way to go? I really don't want to waste time buying something that will only want to upgrade in a year. Thanks for your help. Richy

The vitreous will be usefull also, but get yourself a 115mm grinder with a good blade, this is an invaluable piece of kit.

 

[Richyharvey]

Thanks for the help. Defo want to get decent tools for the job from the off. Sigma seem to be doing the business for a lot of people so makes sense for me to jump on the bandwagon even if it will be my first cutter.

 

[LM]

Thanks for the help. Defo want to get decent tools for the job from the off. Sigma seem to be doing the business for a lot of people so makes sense for me to jump on the bandwagon even if it will be my first cutter.

It'll be your best and possibly one of the most important decisions you make as a tiler, good luck and keep asking for advice

 

[Wishiwasatoptiler]

I have the 2g, mint little ctter for smaller tiles. Unreal how small a strip you can take off a porcelain tile once your used to using it in a reverse manner as in drag to you instead of push away.
Good luck fella.

 

[Richyharvey]

I haven't used a pull to score cutter yet. Is the 3c2k a pull to score or is there a option for both?
Thanks again for the help!

 

[LM]

I haven't used a pull to score cutter yet. Is the 3c2k a pull to score or is there a option for both?
Thanks again for the help!

It's a push cutter which you may find easier to use.

 

[PaulSmith]

There's a few used Sigma's on eBay. Won't set you back too much.

 

[Richyharvey]

looking at grinders and the Bosch gws 7-115 looks a decent price. Is this a good choice? Also i noticed they do a variable speed version, is it worth having for the extra money?

 

[LM]

looking at grinders and the Bosch gws 7-115 looks a decent price. Is this a good choice? Also i noticed they do a variable speed version, is it worth having for the extra money?

Yes and yes Richy, the variable speed version is extremely versatile

 

[Richyharvey]

Yes and yes Richy, the variable speed version is extremely versatile

cheers Lee, i will go with the variable version then.

 

[LM]

cheers Lee, i will go with the variable version then.

Money well spent

 

[Italy]

looking at grinders and the Bosch gws 7-115 looks a decent price. Is this a good choice? Also i noticed they do a variable speed version, is it worth having for the extra money?

I confirm. I have both variable speed, and normal.

 

[J Sid]

same, same

 

[Richyharvey]

Cheers guys, great help so far. Is there a decent blade to get me going you would recommend? I've read through some of the other threads but not sure on what's best or if there is such a thing as a do it all blade.

 

[Flintstone]

Ats diamond tools do some great blades at good prices.

 

[Mike ramsdale]

Trojan red for porce.

 

[Richyharvey]

Hope guys, cheers for the help so far. Little update, ive now purchased the sigma 2g and am ready to order a 3c2k. Also got the Bosch grinder and a ats turbo x blade to go with it. Now lastly I was going to purchase a vitrex wetsaw but a lot of people on here seem to rate the briccolina very highly so almost set on ordering one of these. I have a small bathroom to do (first real job) and I like the thought of being able to set it up with me instead of having to pop outside to do any cuts with the grinder.
Thanks again Richy

 

[smokie899]

I've been using the virtex one for years (domestic work only) and never had a problem.
For me it's all about the blade in it, CPC PRO blade in it now and has sailed through everything.
Considered the ruby nd200 buts its around £230 dearer and for me it was a case of don't change if it works.

 

[widler]

It's hard really, I hatred and still hate the virtex wet cutters , I find with a steady hand and a good blade a grinder will do a just as good if not better job .

 

[Wishiwasatoptiler]

6

 

[Wishiwasatoptiler]

These two work well and saves going out side with the grinder. I also use a cordless grinder to do small bits. Saves having shower every time you cut a tile

 

[smokie899]

Tried the grinder on the last job and find it slows me down and I'm just not keen on it.
Wet cutters next to me and with the grinder it's outside to cut or invest in a decent extraction system and I don't know if they are any good tbh.
Would consider getting a curved blade for shower quadrants mind I've mastered the art of doing them and can do it on the wet cutter in no time.
Think the OP is new to the trade, maybe best with a wet cutter as I think using a grinder it may be easier to run of line or chip tiles if doing it for the first time and you will probably be stressed enough lol you could buy a cheap grinder and decent blade as you will need it at some stage and a few old tiles/cuts and practise to see what suits you best

 

[Richyharvey]

Cheers guys. Will take it all onboard. I have a few boxes of old floor tiles in the garage that I plan on cutting up for practice. Not 100% sure what they are as not looked at them for years but should give me a bit of practice using a few different methods anyway.

 

[Tile Shop]

Tried the grinder on the last job and find it slows me down and I'm just not keen on it.
Wet cutters next to me and with the grinder it's outside to cut or invest in a decent extraction system and I don't know if they are any good tbh.
Would consider getting a curved blade for shower quadrants mind I've mastered the art of doing them and can do it on the wet cutter in no time.
Think the OP is new to the trade, maybe best with a wet cutter as I think using a grinder it may be easier to run of line or chip tiles if doing it for the first time and you will probably be stressed enough lol you could buy a cheap grinder and decent blade as you will need it at some stage and a few old tiles/cuts and practise to see what suits you best

Haven't done much tiling as still at the learning stage, but i have found that my grinder has been by far my most used form of cutting. Straight cuts, angled cuts, curves. My rig consists of a verrrrrry basic draper grinder and a cheapy porcelain wheel. Add a grinding cup to the mix for getting rid of old addy and still i've spent less than £45. But would have been very stuck without it.