Manual vs electric tile cutter

[wallygrout]

Hi everyone

I am "doing the bathroom" myself to save a bit of cash. I have a plasplugs electric wet cutter about 10 years old with a disc blade about 75mm across. I thought it was fantastic when I last used it compared to rubbishy old £3:50 plastic manual cutters; bit noisy and messy - but L shaped cuts wow!!

I need a new blade for this new project and the shops these days all seem to sell machines with bigger disc blades 100mm +.

I guess I could get a replacement from Plasplugs £8 or so but I wondered if a bigger bladed machine is worth getting while I have my credit card out?? Topps do one for about £35 or if a fabulous one was on offer I might stretch a little bit more I suppose

There is only about 4msq of floor tiling (450mm Porcelain), but about 12msq of wall tiling (bog standard ceramic wall tiles 200 x 300mm)

Would it be better to invest in a decent but small manual slide type cutter for all the straight cuts required for the wall tiles, and then do the tiddly amount of floor tiles with my Noddy electric, or should I go for a newer more beefy electric type to tackle the whole job?

I already know the answer really - it all depends:lol: but any thoughts on the two types compared would be very useful and also the blade size issue.

Thanks for any help

wally

 

[DHTiling]

Hi wally...

It would be easier to get a hand cutter....but one that will cope the the porcelain floor tiles...

One of these top of the range DIY ones will suit you..

TradeTiler.Ltd Rubi Star-N Plus Manual Tile Cutters (Top DIY)

and if needed dave @ tradetiler does the 100mm blades as well..

 

[wallygrout]

Thanks Dave - 2 minute reply, I had no idea it was a 24 hour emergency helpline!!! Much obliged to you. Might well have a look at that manual one, less messy indoors I guess so non trudging up and down between the garden and the bathroom for every wet cut.

 

[DHTiling]

Exactly and less stress on the legs and wetcutter... and they have a good re-sale value if you want to flog it after the bathroom..

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Wally - If you have not cut porcelain before on a manual hand cutter you may break more than the £35-00 the wet cutter would cost. And, at that stage, you may wish you'd spent the money on 1 machine that will do your angle/straight/'L' shape cuts.
However you may also find that the blade will only last for the 1 job - no problem for the walls but could be eaten up on the porcelain (you may want to try cutting the porcelain upside down to limit and chipping on the face of the tile).
So ther you go Wally - it all depends!

Timeless John.

 

[wallygrout]

Ooo that is bit alarming do you think the rubi will tackle the porcelain OK I have some spare tiles but not a lot! I have done a bit of porcelain tiling before but not using a manual.

Like the sound of quiet and quick manual cutting but not if the tiles get trashed in the process!!

BTW Would a new 100mm+ disc blade wet cutter be a lot better than my old 80mm (just measured it) 300Watt one would you say?

 

[DHTiling]

If it is a wet cutter you prefer then this one from Rubi and available at trade tiler as well is good..i have one...


Rubi ND180 Basic Line - Case 2 x Blade 240v


Rub's Basic Line wet saw

- Stainless steel tilting table for mitring
- 2 x general purpose blades
- Blade 180mm x 22.2mm bore
- 35mm cut thickness
- Simple guide to allow repetitive cutting
- Direct driven blade/motor system
- 550w motor
- Very rugged carry case included

Sorry only 240v available


Tradetiler Wet Tile Saws