Cheapskate tile cutting

[SB4U]

Was just getting my tools out of the garage ready for tiling to start this weekend and I'm embarrassed to say that I've discovered my manual tile cutter isn't big enough to cut the 300x600 ceramic tiles I've got. I can't quite believe I've now got to go and spend even more money on this project, it's getting ridiculous now. Anyway, I need to get something big enough to cut them and also some 330mm floor tiles on the diagonal, but don't want to spend loads. Do you have any suggestions?

I saw a wet tile cutter on Amazon for £39.99 (Vitrex 103402 Diamond Blade Tile Cutting Saw) which is cheaper than some of the manual ones and has good reviews but doesn't say its maximum size.It looks tiny in the pics though.VITREX 103402 Diamond Blade Tile Cutting Saw: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Otherwise there's a manual one at Wickes for £49.99 that looks like it might do the job. Wickes Tile Cutter 600mm | Wickes.co.uk

Or a hand held manual contraption here. Vitrex 10 1500 Pro Series Heavy-duty Tile Cutter, VIT101500 at Tool Shop Direct I don't know whether that would do the job though of course.

Or perhaps to be on the super cheap I could just use a tile scribe and some matchsticks. Would that even work on a 600mm length?

What do you reckon? I want to not spend much money but also not have loads of fails on my tile breaks. My wife says I have Champagne tastes with beer money.

 

[Dan]

Hire one?

Save the cuts until last, then hire a good cutter for one day.

 

[White Room]

As above but one day you will have to get a larger cutter so well worth keeping an eye open for a bargain on your travels...

 

[Dougs Third Go]

or buy a half decent one, ie rubi, sigma etc, then flog it on ebay when the jobs done

 

[Dan]

There's a 725mm on our for sale section 230. Worth that on ebay all day long.

 

[Andy Allen]

Would of been cheaper to get a tiler in..lol

For 600 tiles you will need a decent cutter or your going to have loads of breakages.
As doug said get a rubi or sigma ...flog it on ebay after.....they always hold there money because there excellent cutters.

 

[SB4U]

Well that looks pretty unanimous. My cutter choices are obviously rubbish lol. I think I'd prefer to get a half decent one and sell it on ebay than hire one. I've never been that impressed when I've hired tools before.

@Andy Allen you're quite right, it would have been cheaper, easier, less stressful, etc etc to have got a tiler in but actually.... I'm enjoying it though. It's like a little hobby for me. I've got small children so hardly ever go out, I hate watching tv and I work in a pokey office tap tap tapping away at a computer all day long so this is a nice change. I actually feel like a real man for once. And if it goes well I'll feel like a hero.

If it goes badly I'll blame you guys for giving me terrible advice though.

 

[Alan.P]

Where in the matrix are you, you never know, someone may be able to lend you a cutter, I could / would if your in my area as my tools are itching for use

 

[SB4U]

@Alan.P Thanks for the generous offer mate. I'm in Brighton. Is that near you?

 

[Alan.P]

@Alan.P Thanks for the generous offer mate. I'm in Brighton. Is that near you?

Sorry mate, nowhere near I'm in Co. Cleveland ( N.E )

 

[SB4U]

Mind you.... with the price of some of these cutters it'd probably be cheaper to drive to you.

Many thanks for the offer all the same though.

 

[Alan.P]

Mind you.... with the price of some of these cutters it'd probably be cheaper to drive to you.

Many thanks for the offer all the same though.

No worries, and you get what you pay for, and as said, you'll save time money and grief, nothing worse than trying to cut tiles with inferior cutters.

 

[SB4U]

Do you think this looks ok? Rubi 12969 STAR60-N Tile Cutter in Kit Box | eBay

 

[Dan]

They're the low end cutter from Rubi. Not sure how they'd peform on porcelain but it might do the trick.

 

[Alan.P]

Do you think this looks ok? Rubi 12969 STAR60-N Tile Cutter in Kit Box | eBay

You'll struggle, you could always go for a big klinker, reasonably priced +/- £100 and a good resale I would have thought.

 

[SB4U]

Like this? Screwfix Big Clinker

 

[Alan.P]

That's the one.

 

[SB4U]

After procrastinating for a while and battling on with my old tools I finally bought the big clinker. I'm actually really amazed at how good it is!

When I posted the link last week it was 109.99 and I decided I didn't really want to pay that so battled on with my cheapskate cutting methods. But then yesterday I saw that it had been reduced to 79.99 so bit the bullet and went for it.

I'm most surprised at how little pressure you need to apply, both with scoring and with snapping. It's effortless and leaves a really crisp cut line. Up until yesterday I was scoring HARD multiple times with a scribe and then snapping with an old cheap cutter I had, trying to apply hard but controlled pressure until I could see the line appearing down the score. I only had one casualty but it was a right pain.

Anyway. Thanks for the recommendations. Amazing how much easier things are if you have the proper tools. Whoda thought it?

 

[Alan.P]

Pleased you saw the light.....................eventually happy days, and remember, without pictures, it never happened

 

[Dan]

^ tried to like that twice, ended up unliking it.

 

[White Room]

Blimey Dan get a grip

 

[Old Mod]

^ tried to like that twice, ended up unliking it.

Does it tell u u've been un liked? Haha
I'd be interested to know!

 

[White Room]

Just done it on you Marc, liked and then unliked.

 

[Old Mod]

Haha no nothing mate, did u change page in middle?
Guessing maybe has to register the like before getting un like!
*shrugs shoulders* haha

 

[White Room]

No just liked then unliked at the same time, I'll do it again then change page and come back