I needed a tile cutter to refurbish a main bathroom and install an en-suite WC/shower room - about 160 porcelain tiles, 300 x 600 x 9mm. I didn't want to pay for a top brand so wanted something good enough to cope with a heavy duty DIY job but within a budget - this fit the the bill for price and looked to be good construction, despite some negative reviews. I'm pleased to say I wasn't disappointed.
Out of the - rather battered - box it arrived in, everything looked OK. The cutter is assembled, except for the adjustable angle guide (of dubious practicality) and ready to cut.
In use - the tile cutter copes with 9mm tiles very well, both across tiles and lengthwise. There is a 'knack' or degree of dexterity in using this type of cutter effectively. Generally, one score should be adequate for short cuts or the main length of a cut, but I've found nicking the end parts of the cut with an extra small score helps to avoid the corners chipping. The side bars that hinge out to support tiles are useful when scoring, but I have found that they should NOT be used when breaking the tile. It seems that the edge support is unnecessary and actual contributes to the cut corner chipping because of the angle the tile is presented to the breaker. So my recommendation (YMMV): support when scoring but fold out of the way to allow an uninterrupted break.
With a little experience (say, 20-25 cuts) the cut edge is straight enough to be smoothed with a fine grit stone and used on a grout line. With some care, it's possible to cut a narrow strip down to 20mm - I wouldn't expect to score/break a 9mm tile less than this. You won't get the exact 90 degree smooth edge of a diamond disc, but this type of tile cutter produces no waste and if you don't see the tile edges, it's not an issue.
I'm really pleased with the performance and value - it's done the job and will be there for any future projects when needed. Seems to use a fairly standard 22mm cutting wheel so should be easy to refit in the unlikely situation it becomes worn.
| Manufacturer | QEP |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 10630 |
| Product Dimensions | 83.82 x 20.32 x 15.24 cm; 8.32 kg |
| Item model number | 10630 |
| Colour | Yellow |
| Style | 24-Inch Manual Tile Cutter |
| Material | Tungsten Carbide |
| Power Source | Hand Powered |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Included Components | Tile Cutter |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Item Weight | 8.32 kg |
