Sigma 3B4M or older model?s

[PKH]

Hello tilers,

I'm new to this forum - I've been lurking for a couple of days now reading lots of reviews for wet and dry cutters. I haven't tiled in about 20 years, but have a small (but complicated) bathroom to do in the next few weeks. Lots of cuts, with a window reveal (I'd like to mitre the tiles rather than use a plastic strip), and one external corner (again - mitring the tiles if possible). An added complication is that I probably don't have any 90 degree angles between any wall, floor or ceiling! And my daughter's just bought a house, so I suspect there will be more tiling for me to do there in a few months' time. And our kitchen is looking a bit tired ...

I don't want to start a war, but I get the impression that Rubi and Sigma are the most popular manual cutters, with Sigma possibly having the edge when it comes to the tile-breaking mechanism. I had nearly decided on the Sigma 2G, until a few knowledgeable worthies claimed that the chassis had too much flex. I don't mind spending reasonable money on good tools, so I'm now thinking about a Series 3. As I am happy to limit myself to 600 mm, is the Sigma 3B4M the one to get? I can get other 3B models for slightly less, but I presume those are previous years' models, or ones that are not 'Max'.

Is there some new kid on the block from Rubi, Sigma, Vitrex, or whoever that blows the competition out of the water?

So should anyone here present know of any reason that a 3B4M and I should should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.

I have another question about mitring - will put it in another thread, as it will involve a wet cutter.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Dan]

Checkout these threads: Tiling Tools Forum - http://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tiling-tools-forum.28/?prefix_id=79

 

[Blunt Tool]

Hello tilers,

I'm new to this forum - I've been lurking for a couple of days now reading lots of reviews for wet and dry cutters. I haven't tiled in about 20 years, but have a small (but complicated) bathroom to do in the next few weeks. Lots of cuts, with a window reveal (I'd like to mitre the tiles rather than use a plastic strip), and one external corner (again - mitring the tiles if possible). An added complication is that I probably don't have any 90 degree angles between any wall, floor or ceiling! And my daughter's just bought a house, so I suspect there will be more tiling for me to do there in a few months' time. And our kitchen is looking a bit tired ...

I don't want to start a war, but I get the impression that Rubi and Sigma are the most popular manual cutters, with Sigma possibly having the edge when it comes to the tile-breaking mechanism. I had nearly decided on the Sigma 2G, until a few knowledgeable worthies claimed that the chassis had too much flex. I don't mind spending reasonable money on good tools, so I'm now thinking about a Series 3. As I am happy to limit myself to 600 mm, is the Sigma 3B4M the one to get? I can get other 3B models for slightly less, but I presume those are previous years' models, or ones that are not 'Max'.

Is there some new kid on the block from Rubi, Sigma, Vitrex, or whoever that blows the competition out of the water?

So should anyone here present know of any reason that a 3B4M and I should should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.

I have another question about mitring - will put it in another thread, as it will involve a wet cutter.

Cheers,

Paul

Welcome to the forum Paul, the guy you want to speak to about sigma is @LEE MAC. If you are wanting a good quality tile cutter that is pretty much bullet proof Sigma or Rubi are good 🙂

 

[Dan]

Why Lee Mac?

 

[Blunt Tool]

Why Lee Mac?

Not a thing that man doesn't know about Sigma cutters 🙂

 

[J Sid]

Why Lee Mac?

his in training to be the next Ireland Sigma Rep

 

[J Sid]

his in training to be the next Ireland Sigma Rep

or just after a freebie😉

 

[Dan]

Sooooo going back to helping the OP now then 😀

 

[J Sid]

ok 🙂
I us Rubi but have found that I use my 900 almost all the time now as its the only on which will reliably cut the tiles cleanly. so maybe time to try a sigma 🙁 which I now little about, so go for it @LEE MAC

 

[Flintstone]

Have a look on www.protilertools.co.uk at cutters

 

[PKH]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Very useful links, Dan and localtiler - should take the rest of the evening to sift through the information about Sigma machines.

I've got the specifications from the protilertools website about two current models:

Sigma 3B4 Series 3 Professional Tile Cutter 67cm 3B4 £207.99 (£249.59 inc VAT)
Sigma 3B4 Series 3 Professional Tile Cutter 67cm 3B4 | Buy Sigma Series 3 Tile Cutters Online from Pro Tiler Tools - http://www.protilertools.co.uk/sigma-series-3-tile-cutters/46560/sigma-3b4-series-3-professional-tile-cutter-67cm-3b4

and

Sigma 3B4M MAX Professional Tile Cutter 62.5cm £205.99 (£247.19 inc VAT)
http://www.protilertools.co.uk/sigma-series-3-max-tile-cutters/45818/sigma-3b4m-max-professional-tile-cutter-625cm

So, they are a near-identical price. Main differences seem to be 3B4 has 670 mm cutting length and 1050 kg breaker, and 3B4M has 625 mm cutting length, 1200 kg breaker - but additionally has Max hand grip which can cope with textured surfaces better.

For about the same price, there is a near-identical model on Amazon:

Sigma 3B42K KLICK KLOCK SERIES Tile Cutter - 64cm Cut Length (£259 inc. VAT)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-3B42K-KLICK-KLOCK-Cutter/dp/B01EG6VIJ0

What on earth is Klick Klock? Do I want it???

There are a few places still selling the 3B3M, but for about the same price as the 3B4M, so I presume there are no advantages to buying last year's model?

Is 67 cm that much of an advantage over 64 cm or 62 cm? Particularly as I'm tiling for me and my family, so can limit our choice of tiles to < 62 cm?

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Italy]

are all new models, there are no old models.
changes only the handle.

 

[Flintstone]

Klik klok is the handle, so is max. Different types of handle, have a look on YouTube see which you prefer.

 

[Blunt Tool]

Klik klok is the handle, so is max. Different types of handle, have a look on YouTube see which you prefer.

Does the klik klok give you even greater breaking pressure?

 

[Flintstone]

The max is the most powerful breaker, the klik klok is a bit less.

 

[Flintstone]

I have two max handle cutters and can't fault them.

 

[LM]

@PKH my advice would be to go for the slightly bigger 3C3M, the reason for this is that although you don't intend on fitting any formats larger than 600mm if you have any cuts to do on the rake etc the smaller machines limit this unless you adjust the guide bar. The 725mm cutting length of this machine allows you to quickly handle most raked cuts easily without having to adjust the guide bar, which is also longer and hence more practical. A Max series will cut tiles easier than any other range, but a bigger machine will also handle 600's easier than a smaller machine.
This is just my personal preference and for the sake of an extra £40 or so I think it's well worth it 🙂

 

[Italy]

Klikklock e max power breaking is same 1200kg
🙂

 

[PKH]

Many thanks, all. I've just ordered the 3C3M. It was actually the same price as the 3B4M, so other than taking up a bit more space, definitely the right thing to do. Will report back on how I get on with it.

Almost certainly overkill for DIY, but I like quality tools that allow a DIY person to achieve professional results - in my case, I work at about 10% of the speed, but find it very satisfying. I reckon it will last me a lifetime (I do about four tiling jobs a decade!).

So that's the straight cuts sorted. I have lots of mitres to do as well, and some L-shaped pieces with mitres on the inner edges (for windows reveal). I'll start another thread about a wet cutter.