My First Tiling Job

[smokindrew9]

Hi folks

I have just started my 2nd year in college diploma level 2 wall and floor tiling.

I will be doing my first job in two weeks time which is kitchen walls and floor. The wall tiles 200x100 ceramic and the floor tiles 300x300 Slate effect porcelain from topps tiles.

Could you please advise me as to what cutters would be best suited for the job.

I have been thinking of getting a rubi or sigma manual tile cutter which can cut both tiles (bit of an all rounder that will cover most jobs) and either a grinder or wet saw for L shapes that will cut porcelain and ceramic.

My budget for now is £400 so was thinking of getting a good manual cutter and grinder and then buying a good wet cutter after xmas when I get for pennies together.


Thanks

 

[Gazzer]

If I were you I would look around what is available 2nd hand. This way you would be able to get A wet cutter, dry cutter and an angle grinder and still leave some money for a decent wheel in the grinder.
As for what dry cutter it would depend on what you feel comfortable with but really needs to cut a 600mm tile.
The plasplugs/Vitrex wet cutters can be a very good buy but make sure the wheel runs true as this is the only real bad point that can spoil it.
A new grinder should set you back around £60, Makita is a favourite.

 

[area tiling]

I'd go for a sigma 3b , cuts tiles up to 600 and 20mm thick ! Diatech have them on offer for £199! Professional Bosch range grinder for me, with a montolit blade roughly £90 for both ! Plasiplugs wet saw , master tiler range from B&Q ! Is more than enough to get you going , you might even have enough left over for a pint or two if you shop around! Good luck

 

[smokindrew9]

I have been using the rubi ts 50 plus in college but I am a bit concerned that it will not handle the porcelain tile. Really like the sound of the sigma 3bm or the rubi tx700 n for the breaking power on porcelain and the push handle. Will the sigma 3bm cut porcelain and ceramic with the same wheel or do I need different wheels for different tiles like the rubi tx 700.

These makita grinders sound really good. So would I need just a standard grinder and then buy a good wheel for it.

Would the Plasiplugs wet saw master tiler handle porcelain and if so do I need a porcelain blade for the wet cutter.

 

[Gazzer]

The Sigma wheel will be fine for porcelain.
Makita 115mm grinder with decent wheel.
The plasplugs/Vitrex will cut porcelain but I wouldnt use it for every cut. The wheel you get with it will be adequate but can always be upgraded later.

 

[beanz]

Slate effect tiles are a pig to cut manually. In fact I find all textured porcelain a bit of a pain, but then, I'm not using a Sigma, so perhaps that would make a difference...?

 

[area tiling]

One wheel is all that's required for the sigma, great piece of machinery with a 1500kg of breaking pressure, to be honest I use my grinder most of the time so just get a montolit pro gres blade, and keep the standard wheel that's on the wet cutter! Unless your cutting a lot of polished porcelain and need a more finest finish !

 

[smokindrew9]

I know this might be a silly question but do the sigmas come with a carry case?? Think I am going for either the sigma 3bm max or the 3cm max. Grinder will be either the makita 115mm or the bosch 115mm with a marcrist ck850 blade.

I'm going to wait to get a wet saw because would prefer to get a good quality saw that can handle porcelain no probs. My budget just won't stretch that far at the moment and don't wanna buy a wet saw and then want to replace it for a better one.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[area tiling]

No, but you can buy them from dave at trade tiler , which fits up to the 75cm cut models!

 

[Stef]

Forget the case you won't need it with a Sigma.