Rather than hijack another thread and i know its been done to death im looking for a reasonably priced new wet cutter.

I noticed on the b and q website that they have a macallister 650w with water recirculation, extending table and a lazer line generator. At £60 and 20% off over xmas im wondering whether to to take a punt.

I havn't seen it in the flesh yet, my concerns would be whether the table is up to the abuse and reliability with the lazer and whether it is just a gimmick, although of course if it goes wrong its a doddle to get a replacement machine.

If anybody has seen it yet I would be interested in their thoughts.

My other option would probably be the vitrex 750w.

Andy.

if you decide to get the Mcallister machine then i would buy a decent blade for it!

I've seen many products in this price range that come with a laser, not just wet saws but chop saw etc. etc. and I haven't seen one that is calibrated to anywhere near straight! Buy the wet saw but all means but I wouldn't let the laser element of it influence your decision

Laser on my Dewalt combination saw is straight (cos I check)

Fast response, cheers.

I know what you mean about the laser. spent to many years fixing them on photocopiers, pita especially around dust so i have probably answered my own question.

Would it be safe to assume that most low end cutters would probably require a blade change, sooner rather than later.

A.

Originally Posted by diamondtiling

Laser on my Dewalt combination saw is straight (cos I check)

I guessing that wasn't £60 though mate

Depends on how often you use it and what you are cutting on it Andy.

What will its main use be? (don't say cutting tiles)

Hi Andy

I bought the wet cutter you are talking about last week as I'm on a low budget and needed it for a few cuts in my mates bathroom. The laser is just a gimmick IMO. The internal water tray works well but I would say investing in a new decent blade would be a must (I'm getting a decent blade after xmas)

Hope that helps

Colour republic, im just starting out having been at Diamond training for 4 weeks so for me a basic cutter will do untill I find my feet, so tiles of course, but not taking on anything to complicated just yet.
Mind you with the mother in law down for xmas I might get some practice with it!!
United thanks for the feedback, I assumed the laser would be an after thought and of course buying a decent blade brings the cost up towards the vitrex 750 so probably going to invest in one of those. How was the water circulation, did you stay dry or was it pixxxng out everywhere?

A.

When the blade cover is down most of the water stays off you, if you lift it a little then you get soaked. I try to cut outside and stand at the back of the cutter pulling the tile towards me that way I don't get wet.

I will invest in a better cutter in the future but like yourself I'm just starting out so the price and function of this one works well for me at the moment

If your just starting out I wouldn't spend too much until you can afford to make it pay for its self, then jump the mid range ones and go for the best you can.

I've wasted thousands over the years on mid-priced tools that just didn't cut it, in general they certainly weren't worth the money compared to the cheapies but once you can afford it then the top end tools are worth the money IMO

It has to be said its a minefield when trying to start up, weighing up the options of cost against quality. I think with the cutter, starting cheap perhaps with a decent blade will be the best option untill I can justify a more upmarket model.

A.

try ebay aswell if you are on a budget.

Also dont forget to check the forum sponsor trade tiler who sells start up kits and all sorts of dry and wet cutters,i will send a link.

Tradetiler Tilers Starter Tool List

Originally Posted by brian c

try ebay aswell if you are on a budget.

Also dont forget to check the forum sponsor trade tiler who sells start up kits and all sorts of dry and wet cutters,i will send a link.

Tradetiler Tilers Starter Tool List

Didn't Tradetiler do a bundled starter kit or did I imagine that?

yes Rob David does do the budle but im sure the chap can find that on his site..lol

Originally Posted by brian c

yes Rob David does do the budle but im sure the chap can find that on his site..lol

Yeah but I can't!!! I've just looked and I was wondering what it had in it!

I wish that Tradetiler would do the Brocolina, a great little cutter and would suit the newbies and would fit easily into the back of a boot of a car.

It's quiet and very little spray

When I completed my tiling course i bought a little cutter called a Brocolina (i think), it was superb for kitchens, very small and handy to carry round, also had a Clarke cutter, also very good but a bit heavy

Ive managed to obtain most of the gear I need, some I already had from previous diy. I have to admit to buying trowels, drycutter etc from some local tile shops just so I that can start building up a raport with the staff.
One store I found especially supportive was NC tiles, had a 40% discount from the off, the gear is made by genesis, certainly not top range but will do for now. I used their nicobond rapidflex for a splashback and although still a layman it seemed very good and the price to me quite reasonable with the discount.

Ive been looking for the bricolina on the net but apart from the states its proving to be quite ellusive.

As and when I start upgrading I will certainly order from trade tiler, if Dave was able to provide a 'new start' type of machine around the £60 mark it might prove quite popular.

A.

Originally Posted by ACS

Ive managed to obtain most of the gear I need, some I already had from previous diy. I have to admit to buying trowels, drycutter etc from some local tile shops just so I that can start building up a raport with the staff.
One store I found especially supportive was NC tiles, had a 40% discount from the off, the gear is made by genesis, certainly not top range but will do for now. I used their nicobond rapidflex for a splashback and although still a layman it seemed very good and the price to me quite reasonable with the discount.

Ive been looking for the bricolina on the net but apart from the states its proving to be quite ellusive.

As and when I start upgrading I will certainly order from trade tiler, if Dave was able to provide a 'new start' type of machine around the £60 mark it might prove quite popular.

A.

I;ve been using the vitrex 750 for over a year now and it's a cracking machine, very quiet compared to lower priced machines and a good sized disc which won't wear down quick. flies through ceramics and granite and ive cut through grade 5 porcelain ( found it a bit hard tho) cant go wrong at £100 in topps or £130 in screwfix. replacement discs are £19 in topps