New Big Clinker cracking tiles

[Bathfix Bob]

Some of you may remember I was looking for a manual tile cutter and after much pondering I bought a big clinker, I used it for the first time today and was very happy with it but it did crack 2 or 3 tiles upon 'breaking'.

The tiles were nothing big just ceramic of roughly A4 size, they all cracked while cutting on the longer length and I was just scoring once and pulling down gently.

Does anyone know why this happend? I had loads of successful cuts though from it.

 

[DHTiling]

You are breaking to close to the tile edge.. pull it forwards to about 50mm in and try again..

 

[White Room]

So many different variables, if it was just a couple of tiles I would'nt be to concerned, if it was 50% then I would be concerned.

 

[Bathfix Bob]

Thanks I'll try moving it up tomorrow, I wouldn't care but every crack was on the half I wanted!

It does save loads of time over the machine cutter though.

 

[aph257]

Welcome, as Dave says, your trying to break the tile too close to it's edge.

 

[Bathfix Bob]

I may be wrong but I don't think this machine allows you to break further down, the wheel gets in the way.

I've left it at the job so I cant check.

 

[DHTiling]

I may be wrong but I don't think this machine allows you to break further down, the wheel gets in the way.

I've left it at the job so I cant check.

Ahh right, then try not to apply to much pressure on the break.. just a light tap..

 

[Slowly Learning]

I had the exact same problem last week. Always cracked on the left hand side of the tile so just measured up so the piece I wanted was on the right hand side of the cutting line. Never done it before and hasnt done it since, may need a new cutting wheel to ensure good clean cut as they dont last as long as a rubi wheel. Dont rush out and buy a new cutter just keep an eye on it and see what occurs mate.

 

[tfs]

I tiled an adapted wetroom with cheap ceramics and many of the tiles broke so scored with big clinker and snapped over my knee or over edge or thin dowel. I never experienced this on any other tiles so put it down to the tile. A few weeks after this I was speaking with a tiler down at the tile shop who had the same experience with the tiles that I had fitted.

the wheel has three settings that allow you adjust the depth so hopefully shoudn't get it in the way unless the tiles are very thick e.g. 20mm

 

[Bathfix Bob]

Correct TFS!, I checked the instructions before I logged on and you're right I can adjust the wheel height to allow a mid break

You were right all along Dave!