There are different reviews about how the tile snap cutter is and how to use this device. Homeowners who want to do their own tiling jobs can use two tools to cut tile: a wet tile saw or a tile cutter. If you want to get the job done cheaply and don't want to clutter up your workshop with another big single tool, a fast tile cutter is a way to go. rapid tile cutter, also known as an orbital tile cutter, is a hand tool for cutting straight lines in ceramic, glass, or stone tiles. A tile cutter is closer to a glass cutter than another tile cutting tool (a wet tile saw). Glass cutters have a carbide wheel that pulls slowly and hard on the glass to create a groove. After tracing, break the glass by hand or with a tool along the line. A fast tile cutter works much the same way. A tile is inserted into the tool. The rail-mounted cutting wheel is scratched once or twice by hand on the tile surface.
After the score is completed, the built-in tile snapper will move to a position above the score. Once the user pulls the lever back, the snapper presses the score until the tile breaks in half. Wet tile saws produce precise cuts suitable for visible work. Every tiling professional has one, and good models are expensive. Like a table saw for wood, a rotating circular blade cuts through tiles, with one exception: the blade is constantly immersed in water to cool the tiles and control debris. Wet tile saws produce clean, precise cuts. Tile cutters can usually produce an edge that, although straight, will have irregular parts. Professionals often use tile cutters and wet tile saws. Tile cutters help tilers make massive cuts on tiles. Additionally, they can make these cuts within the installation area, not to the side or outside (because a wet tile saw is best used outdoors).
Wet tile saws produce precise cuts suitable for visible work. Every tiling professional has one, and good models are expensive. Like a table saw for wood, a rotating circular blade cuts through tiles, with one exception: the blade is constantly immersed in water to cool the tiles and control debris. Wet tile saws produce clean, precise cuts. Tile cutters can usually produce an edge that, although straight, will have irregular parts. Professionals often use tile cutters and wet tile saws. Tile cutters help tilers make massive cuts on tiles. Additionally, they can make these cuts within the installation area, not to the side or outside (because a wet tile saw is best used outdoors).
- advantage
- Ideal for small projects like bathrooms.
- Tile borders can be covered with baseboards, moldings, or cabinetry.
- Ideal for tiles 1 square foot or less.
- In addition to capturing movement, fast tile cutters are mostly quiet.
- The fast tile cutter is dust-free and safe to use.
- Although tile cutters can cut glass or stone, they are best suited for ceramic or tile.
- Disadvantage
- Tile cutters are more difficult to use for larger projects, such as large basements or large kitchens.
- Although the lines are mostly straight, they are not perfect. There will be minor surface irregularities in this line, making the cut less than perfect.
- The fast tile cutter can only produce straight lines, not curves or holes.
Learn how to use it: Cutting tiles with a speed cutter is a three-part process. First, firmly pull the cutting wheel across the tile surface, making a deep scratch on the tile surface. Second, reposition the tile so that the tile cutter snap is above the tile. Third, press down on the cutter to catch the tile. Practice on inexpensive tiles: Practice on a few sheets of the cheapest tiles that are relatively the same shape and thickness as the ones you intend to use for the project. These are practice tiles that allow you to hone your mastery of the fast cutter. Pick up broken tiles in your tile shop or buy some. Insist on the first score: Score on the top surface of the tile with very forceful movements. But if you press too hard, you will break the tiles. At most, you can score a second time. But three or more scores usually result in a very erratic score that won't produce a clean break.
Hide Edges: Accept that snapping doesn't produce perfectly straight lines. In most cases, this will not matter as the uneven side will be placed against the wall and covered with baseboards. Rent a better model: Snap tile cutters are on sale for as little as $25 to $50. However, if you are planning on doing a large installation, you may want to hire one of the larger commercial models. Wear safety glasses: Although tile cutters won't produce the fast-moving tile shards that wet tile saws do, they can still throw tile shards in your direction. Always wear safety glasses when using the tile cutter. Nibblers or tile nippers: These are usually used with fast cutters. It is a plier-like device that can be used to bite down or clean up uneven edges left by fast-cutting knives.