Cutting modes

The Italian CIAK manual knife cutters are extremely versatile tools. Thanks to their easy portability, they can be used anywhere they can be placed on a flat surface. In a workshop, however, they can also be fixed to a workbench. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of the various mounting options? You can find out in our comparative test.

Freely Used on the Workbench

You can freely place the cutting ruler on the sheet to be cut on a completely flat surface.

Advantages:

• Easily transportable, movable
• Simple to position over the cutting location
• Requires no accessories
• Ideal for score-and-snap cutting of glass, mirror, and plexiglass
• Both flexible and rigid sheets can be cut this way

Disadvantages:

• The ruler must be held down manually
• A cutting mat must be placed under the sheet being cut (except when scoring)
• Without fixation, the precision and force of the cut will be lower

Used without fixation at the edge of the table

You can press the cutting ruler against the table edge by hand, without fixation, and cut the material with the blade along the edge of the table.

Advantages:

• No cutting mat is required

Disadvantages:

• Only rigid sheets can be cut this way
• It is difficult to align the unfixed ruler precisely with the edge of the table
• The ruler may shift during multi-pass cutting

Video: CIAK Professional manual cutting tool is used to cut various materials at the edge of the workbench.

Fixed to the edge of the Table

You can fix the cutting ruler to the edge of the table using a table clamp/fixture.

Advantages:

• Does not damage the table surface
• Cutting precision is maximized and less force is required for the cut

Disadvantages:

• Only rigid sheets can be cut this way
• The piece being cut off must be held manually

Required:

• CIAK Side lifters table clamps

You can create a permanent workbench setup by screwing down the table clamp/fixture.

By using a one-hand quick clamp, you can switch between fixed or portable cutting options as desired!

Fixed on a grooved table

The cutter can be fixed to the table, and the blade travels within a groove milled into the workbench.

Advantages:

• Both flexible and rigid sheets can be cut this way
• No cutting mat is required
• Cutting precision is maximized and less force is required

Disadvantages:

• A groove must be milled into the workbench

Required:

• CIAK Side lifters table clamps

On a CIAK worktop

A dedicated workbench is available for the 160 cm and larger CIAK Professional and CIAK Power rulers.

Advantages:

• Original Gielle manufactured grooved work surface, complete with fixtures/clamps.
• Can be equipped with CIAK Bomber accessories (square, stop, etc.).
• Can be upgraded to a motorized cutting machine.
• Both flexible and rigid sheets can be cut this way.
• No cutting mat is required.
• Cutting precision is maximized and less force is required.

Required:

• CIAK worktop

Can be made even better:

• Optional accessories

Video: A Forex sheet is being cut with a CIAK Power cutter fixed to the CIAK worktop..