Battery tile vibrator with 30 x 16 cm suction cup, Makita 18 V

Overview

Battery tile vibrator with 30 x 16 cm suction cup, Makita 18 V: an electric vacuum lifter with an oval suction pad (300 x 160 mm). Its stated load capacity is 250 kg, and it costs around €110. No brand name is given; the tool comes from Chinese series production.

Price and load capacity compared

Among the 265 oval gripsters in this comparison, it is priced slightly above the median of €71. Its load capacity matches the typical value for this design (260 kg) almost exactly. That works out at 227 kg of capacity per €100 spent; the median is 341 kg.

Drive and operation

A swappable battery powers the pump. With a second battery you can keep working without interruption. The battery comes from a power tool battery system and also fits other tools on that platform. LEDs signal whether the vacuum is holding.

Seal and applications

The sealing lip is rubber. On smooth surfaces such as glass, polished tiles and stone it seals very tightly and lasts a long time; on rough or textured surfaces it is at a disadvantage. It also has a vibration function for bedding tiles into the adhesive. According to the data sheet it is suitable for tiles and large-format tiles.