Shijing 3021 Manual Tile Cutter

The Shijing 3021 manual tile cutter belongs to the middle price bracket. Cutters of this type come in versions of different lengths:
Shijing 3021 – L = 800 mm – 5780 UAH;
Shijing 3022 – L = 800 mm – not available;
Shijing 3031 – L = 1000 mm – 6630 UAH;
Shijing 3032 – L = 1000 mm – not available;
Shijing 3051 – L = 1200 mm – 7565 UAH;
Shijing 3052 – L = 1200 mm – not available.

The basic difference between the Shijing 3021 and the Shijing 3022 (and the same goes for the rest) is that the 3021, 3031 and 3051 have a solid monorail rail 12 mm thick. The 3022, 3032 and 3052 have a rail made of thick-walled tube (3 mm), 16 mm thick. To my eye the tube is finished a little better, it is lighter and it comes with wheels. The monorail is more dependable and heavier.

This cutter has been in production a long time, and it has its fans and its critics. And they are all right.

Pluses:
– the main one – the side stop, which gives you accuracy on repeat cuts, skirting..and so on;
– the large number of adjustable bearings means no play and a good cut;
– the handle, with self-adjustment, makes cutting tile of different thicknesses comfortable;
– the big handle makes snapping the tile easy;
– the steel base with stiffening ribs gives the base decent rigidity;
– the red laser should in theory speed up setting up before the cut;
– the d22 mm scoring wheel is of good quality and lasts well.

Minuses:
– the rail (tube) is poorly finished and rusts easily;
– the bearings run along the rail at an angle, which wears the rail out faster;
– the snap only happens next to the ruler (the stop);
– the way the rail (tube) is fixed does not inspire confidence;
– everything is made, welded and painted in a backyard way, and it corrodes;
– the scoring wheel is 22 mm only and you cannot change it for another diameter.