Buying a manual tile cutter, Sigma or Montolit?

[Brodholm]

Hello! I am new here but I have been reading a lot about manual tile cutters on the forum. I am looking to get a quality tile cutter that will last a long time. I already have a wet saw and are looking for a manual tile cutter that can handle 400mm/16" tiles. My budget is around 350$.

I am far from a professional user but I enjoy working with good tools that I can grow and learn with. I like the "Buy Once, Cry Once" motto instead of buying something cheap you will end up being frustrated at every time you use it.

From what I can gather the two brands that seems to be coming up a lot is Sigma and Montolit. So I have looked at a few of those models. It seems that you "cant go wrong" with either but I still like to have your opinion before I decide.

I have a nearby store that sells the SIGMA 3C2 and the MONTOLIT MP 63P3 for the same price (320€ or 350$ or 290£) and I have been looking at those.

I went to the store last light but I only had 5 minutes to check them out before I had to go so I only got a quick look at the two versions. And the store is the kind of store that do not let you try them out...

My quick impressions were that both tools seemed to be quality tools with a little bit of a different design "flavor".
I got the impression that the Montolit had more features and special mechanisms that looked really good but maybe a bit over-engineered (simple is good). And that the Sigma had a bit fewer mechanisms/functions but seemed like more of a "no nonsense machine" that just do the things that you "actually need" really good.

After the few minutes I had to check them out I felt that Montolit was a bit better than the sigma. But since I could not try them out in the store I ended up doing some research here on the forum. And how the tool look like is not nearly as important as to how they feel and perform in real life scenarios. Therefore I am here, asking you guys that have first hand experience with the tools what you would buy if you would chose of these two. Or if you would chose a completely different make or model.

I saw some video of the MAX series also (

) With push and same type of "swing up tile splitter" with plastic on as the Montolit P3? The one I checked out at the store was the TRACTION pull variant and they did not seem to have the MAX-series.

I also saw this post about the Montolit having an issue with diagonal cutting but I did not quite understand this or if it has been fixed in a revision? If anyone could explain that would be very helpful. Montolit - Sigma vs Montolit - https://www.tilersforums.com/threads/sigma-vs-montolit.81271/post-834077

Which one would you get of the two? Or would you get another model or maybe another brand?

Thanks!

 

[GoneGuy]

I use montolit cutters, and there will be other members that only use sigma, my best advice would be is to go to the store and try bothering cutters with different type of tiles and see which you feel comfortable with.

 

[Brodholm]

I use montolit cutters, and there will be other members that only use sigma, my best advice would be is to go to the store and try bothering cutters with different type of tiles and see which you feel comfortable with.

Thanks for the advice! I will try and go tomorrow and see if I can get some hands on experience.


Do you know what the "issue" described in the thread I linked was? I did not really get what the described issue was. Something with 45deg cuts and measuring the length.

 

[Dumbo]

I use sigma, but one feature I really like on the monti is the flip up measuring stop .

 

[Brodholm]

I use sigma, but one feature I really like on the monti is the flip up measuring stop .

That seems to be the general consensus. That the monti have the good flip measuring stop but that the sigma have better flip outs that holds the tiles, and on both sides.

What made you go with Sigma instead of monti?

 

[Dumbo]

Went from rubi to sigma
Thought I would bite the bullet and just go for it .

 

[LM]

Simply put, Sigma ! ! !

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Rubi tile cutters every time!

 

[Tony_C]

I use a Sigma 3C3M which is the max version and push handle of the 3C2 you have mentioned, I can't fault it. I personally prefer the push over pull to score.

It's a hard one to answer for someone else as we all stick to what we know works and what we are used to, some like JCR have jumped ship so can perhaps give a better insight. I used a 1200 TX Rubi and wasn't a fan, but i wouldn't dismiss Rubi down to that or say they aren't good. I just didn't like how it worked and perhaps wasn't used to it. their TZ range looks far superior.

If i had to choose it would be the 3C3M i have or perhaps the Monti 😀

 

[Brodholm]

Rubi tile cutters every time!

I looked a bit online on those but it seems to be hard to get them here in sweden. Seems to be mostly Sigma and some Monti

I use a Sigma 3C3M which is the max version and push handle of the 3C2 you have mentioned, I can't fault it. I personally prefer the push over pull to score.

It's a hard one to answer for someone else as we all stick to what we know works and what we are used to, some like JCR have jumped ship so can perhaps give a better insight. I used a 1200 TX Rubi and wasn't a fan, but i wouldn't dismiss Rubi down to that or say they aren't good. I just didn't like how it worked and perhaps wasn't used to it. their TZ range looks far superior.

If i had to choose it would be the 3C3M i have or perhaps the Monti 😀

Cant seem to find a seller that have the 3C3M in stock here and I cant find Rubi what so ever here in sweden. So it would probably come down to the 3C2 or the 63P3.

Personal preference is probably the biggest factor here and it seems like I basically cant go wrong with either.

Simply put, Sigma ! ! !

Care to elaborate? 😀