A Tile Cutter for the Pros
This manual score-and-snap tile cutter gives near perfect cuts.
My work always presents a problem of finding a place to set up my tile saw. Usually, the saw is banished to a garage or back porch far from the project, so I decided to invest in a tile cutter that I could use where I was tiling. I settled on the Masterpiuma P3, a manual tile cutter by Montolit.
The Italian-made, pro-quality, score-and-snap tile cutter has some major upgrades over cheaper versions. The long handle and titanium wheel require very little pressure to score tile. A graduated T-square fence (0° to 50°) and a stop for repetitive cuts make setup a breeze. A flip-down rubber foot and a spring tile support give near-perfect cuts. I was able to snap porcelain down to 1⁄2-in. strips with little breakage. I also purchased the optional Mosakit ($75), which is a nonslip rubber pad to help when cutting porcelain, ceramic, and glass mosaics. I particularly like the Mosakit for it’s ability to keep the mosaic-tile backing from scrunching together when scored, allowing me cut and snap 1×1 glass mosaics one at a time. The unit is available in seven sizes with capacities ranging from 17 in. to 61 in. The major drawback is the price—my 29-in. version was a shade under $600—but to me, the time it saves makes it worth the cost.
Photo: Courtesy of RTC Products
