Plasplugs tile cutter help please!!

babyangel10

Hi,

I have bought an electric tile cutter (Plasplugs Pro-Tiler Plus) for my 600x600 floor tiles and the instructions says it cuts any length/width and cuts up to 20mm thickness, which is just what I'm after.

I have had a practice with a few old tiles (having never used an electric cutter before...:eek: !) and whilst I can operate the cutter fine and have cut a few lines to get the hang of it, I can't figure out how to cut the whole 600mm length

On the test piece it got to about 150mm then the splash guard got in the way.

So, simple question (requiring a simple answer for a simpleton!!!) Can I remove the splash guard to cut the whole 600mm length? If not then how do I cut it?

I didn't want to remove bits without checking it was safe to do so. I presume with the splash guard off I'm gonna get pretty wet - but I got pretty wet with it on anyway!!!

Instructions IMO are useless - they don't tell or show you how to fit the guard or even the blade! Although it's easy, you'd think that because it's an electrical device with a sharp blade there would be a step by step guide for newbies to tile cutters, just so that we know we are getting it right.

Thanks for any tips or advice

littlesos

The splash guard should be loose at the back, allowing the rear of the guard to lift up over the thickness of the tile, whilst still protecting you.

Don't take the guard off, it's there for a reason, and it's not to keep you dry. It will offer some protection against you touching the wheel, and will help deflect any shards of tiles that chip off.

babyangel10

Hi, thanks for your advice.

I've just tried again and I'm wondering if I've put the guard on correctly cos it's very loose where it screws into the base of the machine itself. I don't mean the actual plastic guard itself, with the adjustable up/down bit, but the metal right angled part that slots into the plastic guard.

Even if I adjust the height of the guard to allow the tile through then the screw holding the right angled metal part is sticking up, preventing the tile from going through any further.

All I have is a screw and a black metal clip which I presume slides onto the right angled metal part then screws into the base? I have it assembled in like a reverse 'L' shape and screwed into the small oblong shaped hole.

Does that make any sense or shall I get the camera out?!!!

babyangel10

Scrap the last question - I think I've sussed it! I had the metal bit assembled from the top rather than up from underneath! :j

Doh - having a blonde day methinks!

weekendwarrior

There are a few videos here that might help, the one about cutting a square hole in the centre of a tile is useful.

http://www.ultimatehandyman.org/categories/tiling

babyangel10

That looks a good link warrior - thanks!

BTW - am I supposed to get as wet as I am doing with this machine?!!!

I've not anywhere near filled to the max (thank goodness!) and it seems to be persisting out! Started using it in the bathroom itself at first, but had to go outside with it, so it's gonna be a real pain traipsing up and down stairs with heavy porcelain tiles!

andrew-b

Be careful you don't break the little red clips on the yellow guide (which is what i did!). Also check before every cut that you have set the yellow guide at 90degrees to the front edge of the table of the tile cutter as it doesn't necessarily clip in at 90 degrees every time. I have the smaller version of that tile cutter and used it to cut 10cm wall tiles and 30cm floor tiles. To be honest it made more work for straight cuts than a mechanical tile cutter would have but for more complex cuts (like l-shaped tiles) it proved itself useful.

The safety guard/splashguard should be fitted so that it lifts up as you slide the tile your cutting under it and slides over the surface of the tile as you cut ...that way you won't get so wet. Also make sure that the metal bracket is parallel to the blade - i used a small metal rule to check. The bracket should slide into a slot on the table with the little metal clip going into the slot and the hole in the clip lined up with hole in the table.

If you do any cuts without the guard fully down you will get wet. Make sure you wear safety glasses too - guard down or not. Also wear suitable gloves.

I know what you mean about the traipsing back and forth. Better to mark out a few tiles and cut them all at once than one at a time!

Another tip, keep the table of the tile cutter clean. Wipe down with a rag after each cut and keep the reservoir topped upto max to keep the blade cool.

Hope that helps

Andy

ormus

yes you do get wet with this cutter. how do i know?
also when cutting large tiles, you cant use the guide bar. just use a pencil line and take your time.
i use the electric one and the old fashioned manual type. i use the manual one for most tiles. much quicker and cleaner.
(use the electric one outside. too messy for indoors).

babyangel10

Some useful tips guys - thanks!

I have always used the manual one before and never had a prob with it, but these tiles are just too big and thick so elec was the only option.

I have the goggles, thanks Andy - well worth mentioning anyway though :beer:

My bracket wasn't parallel to the blade at first (not to mention the fact that it was upside down! ) so that's why I couldn't figure out why the 600mm's wouldn't cut and were getting stopped by the bracket!!!

I'm gonna have a few more practice go's before cutting the ones I'm going to use - seems pretty easy, but as I have some pipes (and the loo :rolleyes:) to cut round I've got to master that art yet!!!

Good job my neighbour works at Wickes and gave me a load of broken tiles (the same as mine) to play with!

Thanks again