Sigma Tile Cutter Series Max - “New series with Max hand-grip” The scoring wheel on ball bearings is vibration-damped so as to score thicker tiles or ones with relief surfaces with minimum effort. Sigma Tiler Cutter Max 3AM 50cm Sigma Tiler Cutter Max 3BM 60cm Sigma Tiler Cutter Max 3CM 72cm Sigma Tiler Cutter Max 3DM 90cm Sigma Tiler Cutter Max 3EM 128cm Sigma Tiler Cutter Max 3FM 151cm The change from scoring to breaking position is achieved by a small vertical movement of the hand-grip. Broad tile support table, with the added advantage of measurement conveniently close to the operator. Double registration for regulation of cutting thickness. The swivelling measurement bar supporting the tile rotates through 45° in both directions and is pivoted at the centre of the cutting line, allowing the real measurement of the piece to be cut to be obtained. A 45° a second measurement scale gives the length of the diagonal. Measurements are in centimetres, or inches on request. The rapid positioning button makes the main angles normally used immediately available. Easy to dismantle to ensure compact dimensions for easy transport. Cuttings system by pushing Extremely strong, allows particularly thick or difficult materials to be easily cut, with the added advantage of measurement conveniently close to the operator. Precision, practical use and low weight are the main characteristics of Sigma tile cutters. Suitable for cutting all types of commercially available tiles. Made with structure in high-resistance aluminium alloy and steel in a wide range of models, also with accessories for diagonal cuts. The special shape of the grip allows tiles to be cut at any point. Movement on bearings, registration for recovery of wear on sides, plastic fitting to prevent marks beneath breaking feet. The lever grip is used to score the tile with a tungsten carbide wheel. The tile is then snapped by pressing with the breaking feet near the edge of the tile. Product Datasheet / Product Datasheet
(Sorry if this is long winded and wordy!) I’ve long been a Montolit user. I like Montolit due to the solid no-frills construction and strength of break. I’ve used Rubis before now (old and new) but never really got along with them. I do like that using a Rubi you can see the score line clearly but they’ve always felt – and perhaps more so now with the bigger versions – a bit “spongey” and delicate. And no matter what people may argue – I just don’t buy the concept of “needing” different size cutting wheels. Adjustments in pressure should be done with the handle surely, not the wheel diameter? Anyways, I’ve long been teased about getting a “real” cutter (meaning Sigma apparently!) So, I find myself fixing more and more meter plus tiles and I’ve had chance to use a big Sigma 3EK Max. First observations when it arrived “it’s big!” this is the 128cm version. Laid on my dining table and I couldn’t get it all in the frame with my head on the ceiling! Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image Two extendable and sprung side support arms and one large arm on the right. ( I believe you can order a second one if required) The measurement bar travels fastened neatly into the hole of the “g” on the Sigma logo so transportation is easier. Getting it set up is a doddle – undo the measurement bar and fasten it in at the top of the cutter. The picture below shows the spring-loaded lug which is a lovely simple design – just push down on this self-locating lug and tighten the lock to get a 100% accurate angle. You can adjust outside the fixed points too, but for speed this is nice and easy. Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image The big difference I noticed straight away over my Montolits is the handle is the wrong way round! My Montys cut toward the measurement bar, this cuts away from it. You can’t escape this apparent weirdness! On a Sigma this is how the handles face. Some variants you pull the handle toward the bar, on this one you push away which suited me better really. Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image The other difference is the simple handle design. There is NO adjustment on the handle for the breakage height. Instead this is done by winding the main cutting rail up or down. Now at first this seemed a strange idea but having used it now, I can see that it makes sense and in fact gives a greater range of adjustment and fewer things to get dirty and need cleaning and lubricating. You can see the black winding wheel (one at each end) in the picture below – they are sprung and very easy to adjust. I think in day to day use you’re not likely to alter these much anyway. Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image Next photo shows the breaking foot. What a dainty little thing it is too. Surprised it doesn’t come with a ballet shoe on! Simply lift the arm and the foot drops, something a Montolit user would be used to, except on Montys that action is really reserved for mosaics, not splitting 20mm porcelain. Looks aside, the breaking foot is solid with nylon “shoes” to prevent marking the tile face. Also - MAJOR point this: You see the spring in the center of the picture - just peeking out of the housing? (Not the wire spring which just flips the breaker up and down) There are two springs - one on each side and they provide suspension for the cutting wheel. Yup - frikkin' suspension! Better than sharks with frikkin' laser beams! And it actually works. Cutting any rough textured tiles feels noticeably smoother and the breaks are consequently much cleaner. Example is the awful Q-Rock from Topps. Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image Next photo shows an area which concerned me before using the cutter. You can see the join in the body. I wondered if this would be a weakness or cause flex when breaking tiles. Reassuringly, it’s very solidly fastened together, although I can’t deny there is a touch of flex when breaking thick porcelain. I suspect though that even with a one-piece construction (which would be massively expensive) it would still flex the same small amount due to the strength of the cutting rail, and that rail looks like it's been "borrowed" from a railway line! The very slight flex certainly doesn’t impair the performance or feel of the cutter though. Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image Ok, so first cut then. I was using Porcelanosa’s Crystal Dark. These are a ceramic with a glass glaze. I’ve struggled a bit with these before. The last time I had to plan the room to avoid long cuts. The one long cut I had to make was not very pretty. I had to use my bridge saw and even with a great blade and steady cut, I still managed to chip the glaze on these brittle monkeys. So I was completely unconcerned about cutting and breaking - these are lovely soft biscuits – but the quality of the cut was my main interest here. The pictures below speak for themselves! The sharpness of cut was incredible. I could never get such a good edge on my Monty even with a new titanium wheel. Quite why it’s so good I don’t honestly know. I guess it must be down to the wheel edge. And this wasn’t even Sigma’s “premium” wheel. Just the standard one. Also there was no “dinking” of the biscuit – in other words, the entire tile body split cleanly every single time. No need to nibble away a corner of the biscuit which seems to be a problem I get with my Monty occasionally. Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image Reduced: 68% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image So far, I am very very impressed with this cutter. I used it last week on some 800x400x12 polished full bodied porcelain, and again the cut was dead clean and the break was laughably easy. I’m cutting some 1200mm porcelain “planks” from Porcelanosa next week (a real test) and the Rubi TX 1200 which I borrowed last time struggled a bit. Admittedly I didn’t do a lot with it, but to me it still felt spongey and uncertain. I didn’t get that immediate sense of confidence which the Sigma gives me. I’ll update this review once I’ve tackled the planks. Somehow, I don’t think I’m going to be disappointed! *** I forgot to add that Dave at http://www.tilingsupplies.co.uk/ arranged for me to trial this cutter as I was nervous about forking out for something I've not used before - Thanks Dave!
Update - The sample model above was a wee bit flexy but the one sat in my garage now isn't. Maybe the bolts needed a tweak? 1200mm Porcelain planks with wood grain texture - it laughed at them! 800x800 polished porcelain - unbelievably easy to cut and break.
They are not that expensive. Ask Lee for a price i'm also putting some stock aside just for the forum and the Sigma T-Shirts are on their way. If anyone wants a t-shirt that is.
Without wanting to sound like a brown nose , the Sigma tees are the best freebie tees I've ever worn! They fit really well and they're not the usual cheap XXL cack.
I'v been trying for a sigma tee shirt for years now Derek. I'd even pay, lol. Please put my name down and as an ardent sigma user I'll certainly check your stock when set aside.
Mark, Great review. Just one point on the handle being push or pull. I learned from Derek the other day that it can be either. I have always pulled on my 3EK but as you recall, I came up against a devil. After trying the pull scribe, Derek prompted me totry a push scribe which suited the little buggers better, giving me a better scribe and nicer cut. that said, on the Crystal Dark - or any of those soft glazed ceramics from Porcelanosa, I''d prefer the pull action as it's gentler on the glaze. ps the t-shirts are very chic as to be expected from our Italian friends but my L size is also an Italian L...... I'd be closer to an XL in their sizes. ....... Next time you are passing Derek!
Can't afford Greggs what with the hike in VAT on hot pasties and suppliers teasing us with their latest tools!!!
Andrew, you're just heavy hoofed! I'm just used to push cutters so that's what I opted for, plus I have the touch of a fairy. I think it's excellent that you can swap the handles round for what seems a very reasonable price too. (damn! I just dropped a bogey on my keyboard and it's stuck)
