New to stone and porcelain fabrication? These are the questions we hear most from fabricators just getting started. If you're building your first tool kit, start with our guide: The 10 Tools Every New Fabricator Needs.
What's the difference between the Proxxon LHW/A and LWB/A?
The LHW/A is a long-neck angle grinder designed for cutting, grinding, and surface work with standard grinder attachments. The LWB/A is a milling and drilling unit built for precision detail work — inlays, radius cuts, and engraving. They share the same 10.8V battery platform but serve different functions on the job site.
Can I use these tools dry, or do I need water?
It depends on the accessory. The DISTAR CoolPAD polishing pads are engineered for dry use — their involute diamond layer design manages heat without water. For cutting and milling with the LWB/A, the Distar Water Guard kit is recommended to control dust and extend blade life.
What materials can I cut with the Butterfly diamond blade?
The Butterfly 45–50mm blade is optimized for porcelain, ceramic, and glazed tile. It's not intended for natural stone, granite, or metal — for those materials, choose a blade rated for the specific substrate.
How many grit stages do I need for a polished edge?
A professional finish on porcelain typically requires 4 grit stages — from coarse stock removal through to a fine polish. The DISTAR CoolPAD 2" set covers all four stages. Skipping grits leaves visible scratches that show under light.
Is the Proxxon battery compatible across all their cordless tools?
Yes. The Proxxon Li/A2 10.8V 2.5Ah battery is shared across the LHW/A, LWB/A, and other tools in the Proxxon cordless platform. One rapid charger and two batteries covers most job-site workflows without downtime.
What's the advantage of a radius cutting system over a jigsaw?
A jigsaw generates significant vibration and heat in porcelain, which leads to micro-cracking and chipped edges. The CordSET Diamond Wire system uses a flexible diamond cord to trace curves with minimal material stress — producing cleaner, tighter radius cuts purpose-built for large-format porcelain.
Do I need all 10 tools to get started?
Not necessarily — but buying piecemeal adds up fast. The Proxxon-Distar Essentials Kit is the most efficient entry point: 18 pieces, pre-selected for compatibility, at $899 versus $1,109+ individually. It covers every workflow in this guide from day one.
Still have questions? Browse our How-To Guides or reach out directly.