Tomecanic

[jwmezzanotte]

Yes I know, there are other threads!

Didn't find one that addresses my issues, so I came here for some professional help!


I ran into a few tile jobs using 24"x24" porcelain, so I bought a 39" tomecanic. Since then I have not touched a 24"x24", go figure.

My old cheapo cutter is toast. Gave it to the helper to add to his old and busted collection

I'm looking for something smaller. Probably 12" tile most of the time. I'm fairly happy with the tomecanic. Works great for the large tile. I've had no luck with it with small mosaic tile etc.
Is that because of the large size? Would it likely work better with the smaller?
Is there another cutter that works better with small mosaic etc than the tomecanic that would still be good with 12" tile?

Thinking maybe adding a 18" tomecanic to the collection would be good in one way, could order a bunch of spare parts (springs/cutters etc) that would be interchangeable. Or is this not really an issue? Havent changed any parts yet, should replace that one spring that fell off though..

I live at the end of the road in the middle of nowhere. I'm not likely to ever see one of these cutters until I order one myself, so kind of have to rely on advice from others.

Appreciate the help!

[jwmezzanotte]

Actually,

A distributor was in town last week and did have one of these on the truck. Didn't get a chance to play with it though.
Anyone that has used both, how does it compare to the tomecanic?

http://www.contractorsdirect.com/Til...ma-Tile-Cutter

I see it also offers this pad:
http://www.contractorsdirect.com/Til...ma-Mosakit-Pad
does it really help?

[dhagin]

Lotta sigma folks around here, but i've got the 18" tomecanic. It'll handle 18 down to

nippin the corners off 1x1 porcelain


& 1" glass with ease.

[jwmezzanotte]

Thanks Dana.

If you did that with a tomecanic then I'm sold. No pad?
I found that little tiles move around a bit. Maybe a pad would help?

Must be my technique, or lack of. I'll work on it.

[dhagin]

Yes, that's what I use for anything 18 & under. I hold the mosaic sheets with my left hand, score with the right. A rubberized pad over the springs might be nice - do they make pads for those things?

With those little tiles, just score a few time lightly & they break right off - no snapping. Sometimes they might need a little cleaning up with the nippers.

[jwmezzanotte]

I think the montolit pad would work with it.
Saw one up close last week, its pretty thin. But then again any flat piece of thin rubber mat should work should it not? I'll do some experimenting.

But still, I need a smaller one. Not fun trying to put a 39" cutter on a counter top or small bathroom floor.

[dhagin]

I got a big bin at lowe's as a case for that thing. It holds scraps of Kerdi, Ditra, Wedi, nippers, sponges, etc... too.

& I'll look into some rubber pads. Good idear.

[jwmezzanotte]

I just purchased a Sigma Art 5a cutter.
I haven't even seen the thing yet. I'm hoping it will work for my needs. My big Tomecanic is just too big for some jobs.
I think it needs a new wheel also, and a few new spring screws.

Anyone have experience with an Art 5a cutter? I don't even know if its a push or pull, but the price was right and from what I figure its hard to go wrong with a Sigma.