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Views: 71 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-04-25 Origin: Site
If you're considering a tiling project or repair, the idea of using this durable material may seem intimidating. After all, tile is tough and often expensive, so it's not for the faint-hearted. Equipping your kit with the best manual tile cutter will help simplify the job and achieve top-notch results.
The best manual tile cutters make cutting tiles a breeze - literally. They have hard metal wheels to score the surface of the tiles, a foot to apply pressure on each side of the score, and a lever to apply the force needed to jam the tiles. The result is a clean, straight cut.
The best manual tile cutters can save a lot of time compared to setting up a more expensive wet saw. They are easy to use and the end result can be flawless. However, not all manual tile cutters meet this requirement. This section will identify what to look for when choosing the best manual tile cutter for your project.
Cutter wheel material
The term 'tile cutter' is actually a little misleading. These hand tools do not necessarily cut tiles; it is more of a method of scribing and snapping lines. They have small, sharp wheels that go across the top of the tile, leaving a sharp scratch on the surface, which then becomes the perfect place for a clean fastener.
The material of the tool's wheel can affect its performance. While most wheels will make enough of a scratch on a tile to snap it, a tungsten carbide tipped wheel will last a little longer than a steel wheel. Even if you are only using your tile cutter on one project, it is important to achieve the same level of accuracy from start to finish with the same wheel.
Tile cutter beds
Another important part to consider is the bed of your tile cutter. While it may appear to be a simple, random part of the cutter, there are actually some specific features that can help improve the usability of your manual tile cutter.
The tile cutter features a straight ridge along the centre. On either side of this ridge, the best manual tile cutters have a foam or rubber material. This foam or rubber creates a non-slip surface that will keep the tiles in place when you are scribing or snapping, providing better accuracy and reducing waste when installing tiles.
The foam or rubber also supports the tiles while providing enough pressure to absorb the pressure you apply when snapping. Without this support you will have difficulty snapping and breaking the tiles cleanly.
The base of the tile cutter
When you're looking for the best manual tile cutter, you may not notice the features and nuances of the different models' bases. Features like rubber feet and folding edge strips can make a big difference, especially for larger tiles.
When you score larger tiles it can be difficult to apply consistent downward pressure. If the base of your manual tile cutter does not have rubber feet, it may slip on smoother surfaces. This can be frustrating and can scratch the surface.
Folding edge strips attached to the base help support wide tiles, but they also provide stability when scribing and snapping lines. If you cut wide tiles on one side or the other, the weight of the tiles can create uneven leverage. The side rails create a wider footprint, allowing you to make more accurate, less awkward cuts.
Many of the best manual tile cutters have built-in measuring tools to help speed up the cutting process, improve accuracy and promote consistency. You can often use these features to make repeat cuts without having to take measurements each time.
When it comes to trimming tiles to size, many of the best tile cutters have built-in leveling rulers. Some of these rulers slide to extend, allowing you to measure tiles that are suspended from the base.
The built-in angle guide is for convenience and consistency. Once you know the angle you need to cut at, you can position these adjustable guides and lock them in place. You can then register the tiles against the guides, providing a stable and accurate base to score and snap into place.
