Register of 'difficult to cut' porcelain

[David - Tradetiler]

I thought it would be a good point of reference to create a register of all the known types/makes of porcelain that will not cut well on manual tile cutters (veers off score line). You end up having to wet cut the lot, causing loss of earnings due the the increased time it takes.

I will start the list:

I remember one I did, Marlbrough tiles - Rex range Marlborough Tiles - Rex Aequa

[grumpygrouter]

I had trouble with these - PIETRE DI KEOPE

Ceramiche KEOPE, piastrelle in gres porcellanato, rivestimenti, pavimenti. Catalogo dei prodotti.

The heavy texture of the tile made the cuts unpredictable, getting a clean score was the problem. Some cut straight some didn't. I ended up buying a DW250 to finish the job.

[Dan]

I had trouble with these - PIETRE DI KEOPE

Ceramiche KEOPE, piastrelle in gres porcellanato, rivestimenti, pavimenti. Catalogo dei prodotti.

The heavy texture of the tile made the cuts unpredictable, getting a clean score was the problem. Some cut straight some didn't. I ended up buying a DW250 to finish the job.

No way, that brings back old memories, used to sell them at the big yellow tile shop. Love the tile, but you're right they're tough.

Used to shift loads fo their Negro and Grey (whatever that is, grigio is it?) and then beige and brown in checker pattern.

[BDS]

I`ve had a few of Topps zamora range that didn`t break very well (veered off)

[wetdec]

Generally speaking all porcelain should cut on a good cutter, its when you try breaking with a point break system you get problems, like shearing off to one side so i have found. This is why Rubi changed their breaker system after having only used the point break system for 10 20 30 years, they knew what they were doing.

If they hadnt changed Raimondi, Sigma, Montolit would of hammered their trade as their cutters are far better on porcelain. The Italians have the experience on this point not the Spanish i'm affraid........




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[David - Tradetiler]

No mater what manual tile cutter you have, some tiles will never break cleanly -

let's get a list together of those 'nightmare' tiles

[wetdec]

Go for it Dave.......sorry wandered a bit then

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[David - Tradetiler]

Need to get a list going. Like this:

Marlborough tiles - ‘Rex’ range
Topps - ‘Zamora’ range
Ceramiche Keope - ‘Pietre Di Keope’ range

[doug boardley]

villeroy & boch, fire and ice range
was taking me about a week to do 20sqm and had to do it for 3 months,-on price,
never again!
tx700n struggled, dw200lps with rubi cpc blade wouldn't touch 'em, eventually got a 22mm wheel off you Dave and that was ok although still got a lot of wasted tiles.

[whitebeam]

Last ones I did and a bugger to cut where "made in china" thats the only information I had

[doug boardley]

Last ones I did and a bugger to cut where "made in china" thats the only information I had

better try and avoid them then!!!

[penno]

Aldi floor tiles, porcelain. Impossible to cut on a manual, have to score them and knock them apart or wet cut them.
Next job i do with them will get the name.

[Rob Z]

I would add many of the Casa Dolce porcelains to this list. They are almost 1/2" thick and hard as steel.

They look nice once the job is finished.

[robbbin]

Just to let you guys know....... had a job recently outside steps, tiles where 600* 300 riven porcelain my t60 wouldn't touch em scored them tried to snap off like the old days . no good used a wet cutter for a day and dry angle grinder as well nightmare hardest tile ever bought a cheap heavy duty clinker from scewfix £95 fantastic even cut off 20mm slithers I reckon it will cut anything

hope this info helps

Rob

[doug boardley]

got a schedule through the other day, glass marfil 1000x400, I hope they aren't! (ok shouldn't register them yet Mr Neave, but if they are glass will need a wheel with tx1200n as well!)

[Grace'sDad]

Marlborough tiles - ‘Rex’ range - Agree

Topps - ‘Zamora’ range - Disagree, never had a problem and I fit loads of this in all the sizes. My Rubi 400 doesn't like them but the Big Clinker cuts them really nicely with clean breaks.

Ceramiche Keope - ‘Pietre Di Keope’ range - Sorry to disagree again. The texture makes them difficult to score evenly, but I find that a slow, even pressure and a quick sharp break works well. Again the Rubi is pants and the Big Clinker works a treat!

I can't really name any others (I don't retain names very well) but I tend to find that the "glassier" a porcelain is i.e. the cleaner the ringing sound when tapped - the more likely they are to break uncleanly.

[BDS]

regarding the zamora range i have rubi cutter too and it cuts other porcelains ok must be how i`m cutting them.

[chris.tiling]

Marlborough tiles - ‘Rex’ range - Agree

Topps - ‘Zamora’ range - Disagree, never had a problem and I fit loads of this in all the sizes. My Rubi 400 doesn't like them but the Big Clinker cuts them really nicely with clean breaks.

Ceramiche Keope - ‘Pietre Di Keope’ range - Sorry to disagree again. The texture makes them difficult to score evenly, but I find that a slow, even pressure and a quick sharp break works well. Again the Rubi is pants and the Big Clinker works a treat!

I can't really name any others (I don't retain names very well) but I tend to find that the "glassier" a porcelain is i.e. the cleaner the ringing sound when tapped - the more likely they are to break uncleanly.

My clinker wouldnt touch them and then they nearly did for my wet saw too. Some Keope's cut easily, but there are some fully vitrified beige ones with a slight grey / red rust like fleck that are an absolute nightmare and lucky old me I have 15 sq m to do in them next week!