Tile vibrator with 260 mm suction cup for Makita 18 V

Overview

Tile vibrator with 260 mm suction cup for Makita 18 V: an electric vacuum gripper with an oval suction pad. For around €215, the manufacturer quotes a load capacity of 220 kg. No brand name is given; the tool comes from Chinese series production.

Price and load capacity compared

Among the 265 oval vacuum lifters in this comparison, it ranks in the most expensive quarter. At 220 kg, its load capacity is 40 kg below the typical value for this design (260 kg). That works out at 102 kg of capacity per €100 spent; the median is 341 kg.

Drive and operation

Power comes from a removable battery. When it runs flat, you simply insert a charged one and keep working without a charging break. 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.