Operating Instructions
Note: Casters (4 each) and mounting screws are supplied in a heavy duty
paper bag in the carton with the cutter. When installing the casters,
do not excessively tighten the screws, as this could strip the threads
in the cutter base casting.
WARNING:
The handle has ‘spring tension return’ action. Keep your head away
from the travel path of the handle to avoid possible injury from a
‘free flying’ handle. There is no danger from this handle if kept under
control by your hand.
CAUTION:
This cutter has been designed to undercut the tile you are cutting.
This feature gives a perfect seam when you butt the cut tile up against
another tile. However, in order for this to occur, you must cut the tile
top side up. If you have the bottom side up when cutting, you will
leave an open seam when butting tiles together.
CAUTION:
This cutter cannot be used for wood block tile. Also never use this
cutter to cut metal.
Information Regarding Shear Angle
The upper movable blade on this cutter (including the blade holding bar) can be
adjusted to provide shear angle. The lower blade is stationary, and is not adjustable.
Shear angle is the relationship between the cutting edges of the upper and lower
blades. Zero shear angle is when these cutting edges are parallel.
Some types of tile can or should be cut with little or no shear angle. Other types,
that are harder to cut, need varying degrees of shear angle. Shear angle will be
discussed further in the instructions for cutting various types of tile. The cutter is set
at the factory with a slight degree of shear angle, which is proper for cutting .080"
Gauge Vinyl Composition Tile.
Adjusting shear angle is quick and easy. Loosen the hex lock nut on each of the
two bearing post thumb screws. If not in the closed position, pull the handle down
so that the tip of the handgrip bears on the cutter table.
To change to greater shear angle, turn the right side thumb screw down one-half turn.
The right side is the handle side. Then tighten the lock nut and proceed to make a
cut. If cutting is easy, you have sufficient shear angle. If cutting is still
a strain, then
repeat the above procedure.
IMPORTANT!
The right edge of the blade should always be lower than the left side
when setting shear angle. Also, the cutter is factory set for shearing type cutting
action, which means that the upper blade completely passes the lower blade in the
closed position. Some types of tile require a breaking type of cutting action. This is
achieved by adjusting the upper blade so that there is an opening between it and
the lower blade when the cutter is closed. This is done by raising the bearing post
thumb screws (as described above in setting shear angle). The types of tile requiring
breaking will be mentioned in the following section.
