Struggling to cut porcelain tiles with Sigma 3D2 - TilersForums.com

[Stanman]

Hi all,

I've tried cutting my first porcelain floor tile with the sigma cutter - it failed miserably. I've got a bucket full of curved cuts from a single 600x600 porcelanosa VENIS tile. Maybe 2 cuts oout of the 10 I tried worked.

Before I go and hire a bridge saw for the weekend, have any of you sigma users got any advice or tips? I've tried light scoring, heavy scoring, double scoring etc.

In contrast, it cuts ceramic with ease. I could even ease the crack up the tiles. In contrast the porcelain tile has no give at all....

 

[White Room]

Is that the max one..

 

[Stanman]

It's the 3D2 model prior to the max one

 

[White Room]

Thats the pull one then?...if it is I can't get on with that handle and find that there's not enough pressure being applied.

 

[WetSaw]

Someone has to do it....... Should have bought a Rubi!!

Sorry I've nothing useful to add, never used a Sigma.

 

[lizzardtong]

It could be down to tile you're cutting. Did you try it on other porcelain tile?
Seen tread here couple months ago and it was down to strees in tiles.

 

[Sean Kelly]

Straight away we have to rule out it's the Sigma's fault!

Seriously, it is 95% down to the tile being so dense that it is virtually impossible to cut dry. It sound like you have tried all the different ways (hard, soft breaking, hard, soft scoring). The last time this happened to me I complained to the tile shop. They said 'Ahh yes, full bodied porcelain tiles.........you have to cut them on a wet cutter' Luckily for me the problem tiles were confined to a couple of boxes of tiles.

I even tried making sure I cut the tiles by making sure I only cut in the direction of the arrows or markings on the back, but that did not help!

 

[Andy Allen]

Bad workman blames his tools. .....unless its a rubi then its fully justified. ...:lol:

Sorry couldn't resist it..

 

[Rookery]

I think it might be down to your technique rather than the machine. Once you've scored the tile, give the handle a short, sharp thwack, see if that makes a difference. And if that don't work, buy a Rubi :lol:

 

[Andy Allen]

I have come across some tiles even the mighty sigma won't cut....made by the devil himself if you ask me....no choice but to wet cut..