PT Cutter

Alpha® introduces the PT Cutter blade which is designed to cut porcelain paver tiles, with the minimal chipping on the edge, using a gas-powered demolition saw. When the hardscaping contractor installs paver tiles for outdoor living areas, the installation technique is the same as other tiles. However, they install paver tiles for the walkways, pool and Jacuzzi areas, where there are many curved lines. The PT Cutter can improve productivity by letting them install the paver tiles to cover the desired area, then mark the cut line, score, cut and release for a fast and efficient project. Typically, tile installers are accustomed to cut each piece to size then install the piece. This is done repeatedly to complete the job and is fine for confined spaces such as inside of a house. Since these applications are outside in the yard, dust, noise and odor from exhaust may not be an issue for contractors, so the gas-powered demolition saw is the choice for most hardscape contractors. Alpha® has sintered a very special turbo rim diamond layer directly to the steel core instead of welding segments piece by piece. This is designed specifically for porcelain dry cutting. Blades made by this method offer less impact to the material, during the cutting application, which minimizes the chipping. The softer steel core allows you to cut the desired curved line, by step-cutting, for a continual cutting application.

Question : Is there a 16” diameter available for the gas-powered demolition saw?

Answer : No, we only make 12” and 14” diameters with a 1” straight arbor which is the most popular spindle size. We include 20mm and 7/8” adapters to fit on most demolition saws available on the market.

Question : Why is the scoring application necessary to cut the edge of the porcelain paver tile?

Answer : The scoring application creates a cutting path that will guide the blade during the hand-held cutting application. This is a good practice to avoid overheating of the cutting edge and breakage of tile.

Question : Sometimes the PT Cutter blade becomes wobbly during the operation. Could you tell me why?

Answer : In order to create a clean cut on a porcelain paver tile, Alpha® uses a slightly softer steel body to reduce the impact. Due to this softer body, you should always cut porcelain paver tiles at 3/4 of the maximum spindle speed, or a lower speed, which shows the least vibration from the demolition saw, and then maintain that speed during the entire cutting application. If wobbling occurs, you should let the blade free spin in the air to cool down to get the tension back on the blade, then restart the cutting.

Question : Can I cut other paver tiles by PT Cutter?

Answer : Yes you can cut other paver tiles using the PT Cutter but Alpha® doesn’t recommend altering the application since this is a specialty product designed for the most demanding application.

Question : Can I use a PT Cutter on a walk-behind floor cutter?

Answer : No you cannot. The PT Cutter doesn’t come with a pin hole so that it will not fit on the walk-behind floor cutter.

Question : How can I cut internal corners and box cut-outs using the PT Cutter?

Answer : If you need to make a small cut that PT Cutter is overkill by the diameter, you can use Alpha® Katana blade on either an angle grinder or a stone cutter. Alpha® also offers a Contour blade for curve cutting on porcelain material as well for the round opening and small radius.

Question : Can I use the 12” PT Cutter on 14” gas-powered demolition saw?

Answer : Yes, you can use a 12” blade on a 14” saw but make sure that you maintain 3/4 of the maximum spindle speed, or a lower speed, which shows the least vibration from the demolition saw. If wobbling occurs, you should let the blade free spin in the air to cool down to get the tension back on the blade, then restart the cutting.

Question : Can I use the 12” PT Cutter with an electric cut-off saw?

Answer : Yes, you can use the 12” PT Cutter with an electric cut-off saw.