Tips on how to choose a glass cutter for your home

Glass cutter manufacturers

When selecting a tool, many experts often pay attention to the brand under which it was released. The reputation of the manufacturing company can say a lot about the quality of the product. The rating shows the products of the following brands:

• Zubr is a Russian company founded in 2002. Manufactures garden equipment and power tools. The company's products are distributed even outside the CIS due to their high quality.
• Sparta is a manufacturer that produces quality tools for glaziers and more.
• Ugo Loks is a brand of branded hand tools designed for effective construction/repair work.
• Hammer is a German manufacturer of gardening, measuring, power equipment and power tools. Since the 1980s, it has been producing goods for construction and carpentry work.
• Sturm ! – the company produces goods for builders and glaziers, and has proven itself well over many years.
• Harden is a Taiwanese company that provides industries and individuals with advanced tools at an optimal price/quality ratio. The brand’s specialists develop innovative solutions that significantly simplify work.
• Fit is the official dealer of the Canadian company Finch Industrial Tools Canada Inc. in Russia, offering customers a wide variety of high-quality tools for use in various fields.
• Stanley is an American manufacturer of hand-held power tools that dates back to 1843. At the beginning of the 20th century, he launched the production of advanced joinery solutions, into which new innovations were introduced over time.
• Stayer is a trademark owned by the German company Kraftool. The products manufactured under it appeared in Russia in 1999, quickly gaining recognition among specialists.

Rating of glass cutters

The presented instruments were chosen from a variety of nominees. When selecting candidates, VyborExpert specialists took into account reviews from real users who had already worked with the devices and had a complete understanding of them. The opinions of carpenters, builders, and ordinary users were taken into account. The comparison took into account the following indicators:

• Cutting quality;
• Convenience;
• Average service life;
• Extensive use.

Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, several good glass cutters for glass were identified that have a good price-quality ratio.

The best pliers

The best diamond glass cutters

All products were divided into several categories. This section shows models with diamond tips. Among 7 nominees, only 3 were selected. This type of instrument is distinguished by its simplicity of design and is considered a common option for the home.

Bison Expert 3362

The tool is of the diamond type. It is designed for cutting glass with a maximum thickness of up to 12 millimeters. Its design includes grooves for secure grip of glass. The tool handle is made of plastic. The model is equipped with a technical diamond suitable for this type of work. The glass cutter has a resource of 6,000 meters.

Advantages

• Convenient design;
• High efficiency when working with large types of glass;
• Large working resource;
• High reliability.

Flaws

• The plastic handle can slip in sweaty palms.

The model can be effectively used in carpentry work at both amateur and higher class levels. It has a convenient structure, is durable, and will not break at a crucial moment. It is better to work with gloves to avoid slipping in your hands.

Sparta 872405

The main cutting element of the tool is high quality artificial diamond. The head of the glass cutter is made in an unusual shape. This design solution is convenient during operation. The handle is made of wood and varnished, which increases its strength and allows it to be preserved for a long time. The design of the tool has 4 grooves measuring 2, 3, 2, 4 millimeters. They are needed for gripping when breaking narrow glass edges.

Advantages

• Light weight – 350 g;
• Ergonomic structure;
• High strength of working elements;
• Low price.

Flaws

• Not suitable for thick glass.

Reviews say that the model is useful for infrequent use. It has a convenient structure, which makes it easy to interact with glass. There are several different grooves with different thicknesses, which allows you to effectively use the tool with different types of thin glass.

Ugo Loks

Reliable diamond glass cutter for processing glass up to 4 mm thick. Consists of durable materials, which ensures long service life. Industrial diamond is used as the main cutting element. The glass cutter head is equipped with two special grooves, up to 4 millimeters in size. They are used to securely grip glass when it breaks. The cutting thickness is 2 millimeters. The instrument has a length of 58 millimeters and weighs 100 g.

Advantages

• Ease;
• Compactness;
• Reliability and durability;
• High quality glass cutting.

Flaws

• The model is not designed for fast, rough cutting.

The compact, lightweight device is designed for professional work with complex structures. Allows you to cut thin glass with high precision. Suitable for careful work with fragile materials.

The convenient structure creates comfort when cutting, and the use of durable materials ensures reliability even after use for many years.

Nuances and recommendations of the masters

• The functionality of the tongs and the glass cutter-roller is combined with the tile cutter-tongs. It is suitable for processing the most difficult types of tiles.
• An oil tile cutter requires filling the container no more than a third full. To cut a limited number of ceramic products, simply dip the roller into a container of lubricant.
• Tiles intended for sawing must be free of dust and dirt. This will help maintain the trajectory of the glass cutter.
• If it was not possible to cut through the tile the first time, you need to return 2-3 mm from the place of separation and continue to draw the line.
• At the beginning and end of the outlined cutting line, use the glass cutter with less pressure to avoid splitting.
• Beginners should use lightweight glass cutters with wooden handles.

Using a glass cutter to cut tiles is justified at home. The method is considered acceptable only for thin wall tiles. To work with more durable materials, it would be advisable to use a power tool.

The best roller oil glass cutters

From reviews of oil-based glass cutters, you can understand that they are capable of not only cutting even the thinnest/thickest glass very efficiently, but also serving for a long time. It is used in handmade production areas. Below are the best options that can serve the user for many hours.

Hammer 601-028

High quality standard roller oil glass cutter. The case is completely made of metal, which ensures the safety of the device for many years. The length of the tool is 175 millimeters, due to which you can pour a lot of oil into it. It is equipped with 1 roller, the cutting element has a sharpening angle of 135 degrees. Suitable for processing glass with a maximum thickness of up to 8 millimeters.

Advantages

• Convenient design;
• High build quality;
• Good cutting element strength;
• Versatility.

Flaws

• The body can slide in your hand.

The model has a huge working life thanks to constant oil addition. The system improves cutting quality, which helps when working with extremely fragile, thin glass. At the same time, the tool is suitable for working with thick panels.

Sturm! 1077-OL-01

The tool is equipped with 1 roller made of a special alloy VK8, which ensures extremely fast cutting of glass. With the help of oil, the cutter moves not only quickly, but also smoothly, which makes it easy to process glass and give it even the most complex shapes. The handle is made of impact-resistant plastic with an anti-slip surface. The device weighs 83 g.

Advantages

• Convenient body;
• Good strength;
• High working resource;
• Comfortable, quick to work.

Flaws

• Not designed for thick glass.

The device works well in making slits on the glass surface. Durable rollers paired with oil ensure long-term use of the tool in any working conditions. At the same time, the user can work quickly and comfortably.

The best cable cutters

Harden 570351

Professional oil model with a body whose length is 175 millimeters. The cutting wheel is made of YG8 tungsten carbide. Lubrication is supplied automatically. The reservoir holds enough oil for fairly long use. The body is made of high-strength transparent plastic. This provides convenient control of the current lubricant level. The delivery kit includes a pipette designed for convenient oil filling. Suitable for cutting glass with a thickness of 2 to 12 millimeters.

Advantages

• Ease of use;
• Durable working elements;
• Build quality;
• Low price.

Flaws

• During prolonged use, the device may slip in your hand due to sweat.

The model performs well when used in any area, as it has a convenient structure, as well as durable, efficient working elements. Suitable for processing thick and thin glass. Thanks to the efficient oil supply system, you can work for a long time, it is better to wear gloves to avoid slipping in your hand.

Other methods of cutting tiles

Using a glass cutter is not the only way to cut tiles. You can use a whole series of tools that can handle the processing.

Bulgarian

The angle grinder is suitable for both straight and complex cutting of tiles. It can give tiles a specific silhouette, make oval, round and rectangular cuts, and cut at an angle of 45°. The best attachments for processing tiles are diamond-coated steel discs, combination wheels, segmented and solid dry cutters.

But first you need to study the markings of the disc and make sure that it is suitable for working with this type of ceramic. Due to their design features, solid dry cutters require thermal unloading - cooling with water. And they can work continuously for no longer than 15 seconds.

Segmented models are a better option; moreover, they can be used to cut thick tiles – floor tiles and porcelain tiles.

Drill

A drill and a hammer drill are suitable not only for cutting ceramics, but for making holes of different diameters and shapes. The main thing in working with this device is choosing the correct nozzle in terms of configuration and diameter:

• “ballerina”;
• full-bodied with notches;
• in the shape of a peak;
• cylindrical;
• crowns for drilling holes for wiring communications.

All nozzles must be made of carbide metal and coated with a layer of diamond coating. The most convenient way is to get a set of attachments for different tasks.

After securing the nozzle to the body, check that there is no play and begin drilling at the intended point. On a glazed surface, the nozzle may slide; masking tape glued to the smooth side will help increase the friction force.

Hacksaw

A hacksaw is an alternative option for cutting tiles with a glass cutter. Sawing is carried out only with carbide blades or coated strings.

Budget accessories for a hacksaw are suitable only in cases where you need to cut a small amount of tile.

Marking and preparation are carried out according to the standard algorithm - soak the tiles in water and mark the cutting lines with a marker. A unit of tile is laid on a clean, level base (countertop), leaving an overhanging part marked for the cut. The tiles are fixed by hand and a precise and even cut is made with a string.

A circular cutout for a pipe for a hacksaw is also not particularly difficult. Using a pencil, draw a circle for the tube and drill a hole in the center. A sawing string is threaded through it without a frame, and then the hacksaw is assembled into a single structure. All that remains is to saw off the intended area and remove excess segments.

Jigsaw

Electric jigsaws are equipped with a wide variety of attachments, including those suitable for cutting tiles. The edge of the nozzles is made of hard material with diamond or tungsten carbide coating, which ensures its increased strength.

How the tool works:

1. Perform markings on the surface of the tile.
2. Fix the nozzle and check the reliability of the connection.
3. Bring the device to the tile, starting cutting strictly at a right angle. To prevent the tile or instrument from deteriorating, move carefully, without jerking, jolting or additional effort.

The best roller glass cutters

Such models are the most common because they are extremely easy to use and also have a fairly low price. They will be the best choice for short-term work at home. Below are the best glass cutters of this type.

FIT 16927

Used to work with glass whose thickness does not exceed 10 millimeters. It is of the roller type, as it has 3 cutting rollers. They don't wear out quickly and have a comfortable shape. At the same time, several grooves are provided; they can be used to conveniently grip the glass when breaking it. The handle is made of high quality plastic and has a length of 140 millimeters.

Advantages

• Compactness;
• Good strength;
• Affordable price;
• Versatility.

Flaws

• The complex structure may be unusual at the beginning of use.

FIT 16927 is intended for professional processing of glass of different thicknesses. It is multifunctional: in the hands of a professional, the tool can work very quickly and efficiently with complex structures. Thanks to the use of high-quality materials in production, it ensures a fairly long service life.

Stanley 0-14-040

A tool with a classic design, designed for use in almost any environment. It is equipped with 6 rollers for glass processing, making cutting as high quality and fast as possible. They are made of steel with increased strength. The body is made of wood. A special varnish coating is provided, which increases the strength and service life of the product. The design of the device contains grooves that provide a rigid grip on the glass during processing.

Advantages

• Fast, high-quality cutting;
• Easy to use;
• High-quality assembly;
• Affordable price.

Flaws

• Not suitable for thin glass.

An excellent option for household needs. It has an attractive price and is very easy to use. The tool can actively serve for many years.

It performs well when cutting glass with a thickness of 4 to 10 millimeters. However, it is not recommended to use it for processing thin glass.

Stayer MASTER 33613_z01

It is a high-quality roller-type version for working with thin glass, the thickness of which does not exceed 5 millimeters. Equipped with convenient grooves to effectively hold thin glass when cutting. The handle is made of wood with a varnish coating that provides protection from mechanical damage. The design includes 3 high-quality rollers, the total working life of which is 3000 meters.

Advantages

• Low price;
• Convenient building;
• High efficiency of glass processing;
• Great working resource.

Flaws

• Not suitable for cutting thick glass.

In general, the tool is one of the most affordable models for professional processing of thin glass. It has a convenient shape and durable working elements. The large working resource allows it to be used effectively for an extremely long period of time.

For which tiles is the glass cutter not suitable?

The use of a glass cutter is justified only for glazed varieties of tiles, the surface of which resembles glass in structure and appearance. Restrictions also apply to the thickness of the tile product - its maximum values ​​should not exceed 5 mm.

It is impossible to process mirror tiles with a glass cutter. Its dimensions and laying pattern are selected in such a way that solid elements are used.

Gypsum tiles are not recommended for processing - their rough coating will be difficult to cut, crumble and delaminate. Porcelain tiles with a high wear resistance class (two or higher) would not be the best option. These are durable and rigid types of materials such as porcelain tiles and floor tiles.

Although, as for porcelain stoneware, its suitability for cutting will be determined by the brand. For example, Chinese tiles can be processed well with diamond and oil glass cutters.

Which glass cutter is better

Before buying a professional glass cutter, it is recommended to first pay attention to the conditions in which the tool will be used. Based on this, you can choose the best option for achieving specific goals. Each of the presented models has high quality and convenience, so for the right choice it will be enough to take into account only this aspect. More details about each glass cutter:

• Bison Expert 3362 is a reliable, universal tool for professional/amateur carpentry work.
• Sparta 872405 is a model for home use with extremely flexible functionality.
• Ugo LOKS is a compact professional tool that can be effectively used to work with complex structures.
• Hammer 601-028 is a device for use in a professional environment with a long working life.
• Sturm! 1077-OL-01 – the tool allows you to quickly apply special scratches to the glass, with the help of which you can carry out controlled breaking of the glass.
• Harden 570351 is a multifunctional, durable model for working with thick and thin glass.
• FIT 16927 – glass cutter for professional processing of glass with various characteristics.
• Stanley 0-14-040 is an affordable, simple option for home use.
• Stayer MASTER 33613_z01 is a universal model for non-professional processing of any glass.

The rating presents glass cutters for any needs: everyone can easily choose the best option for themselves.