Help Chosing a Tile Wet Saw

[oldtimehockey]

Hi GJers

I am looking to buy a tile wet saw for a back splash project. I don't want to rent because our local tool rental place is a huge rip-off joint. Also, I'm positive that this won't be my last tiling job. I am just a DIYer but I like quality tools. Can you help me choose a wet tile saw that is of good quality and won't break the bank...??? I'm guessing a 7 inch blade would be adequate for now...???
Thank you for your time.

 

[sreeb]

First question you need to answer is what is the largest tile you want to be able to rip on a diagonal in the future?

 

[ddurrett896]

I bout this...

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-25-hp-tilebrick-saw-69275.html

$290 - 20% off coupon = $230. Bought a nice Dewalt blade for like $60. Done (3) master bathrooms with shower, (2) 500+ sqft kitchen floors, (2) kitchen backsplashes and it's still kicking strong.

Ripped 36" tiles with ease. Can't beat it for the $$.

 

[mike93lx]

I bought a NIB ridgid on CL for $150. Even came with a store receipt for the warranty.

I would do the same again and look at what's for sale on CL, likely used.

 

[TexasShooter]

Doing this professionally, an old Target or Husqvarna TS250XL was the best saws out there. Cut true and built like a tank. These days its the DeWalt D24000S wet saw. You can plunge cut and 45 easily with this, and can make long rip cuts 48in or so if you know what your doing. Will push $1,000 most places.

Now doing this as just a DIY'er, I don't think you could go wrong doing a Rigid or Kobalt. The guys I know that do flooring everyday say they have gotten a max of 1-1.5yrs out of the Harbor Freight saws until they burn them up.

 

[oldtimehockey]

Thank you all very much for your recommendations. I should've mentioned right now 12 x 12 tiles are in my life but it would be nice to have more capability for the future honey-dos. I shy away from Harbor Freight. I saw the DeWalt D24000...impressive, but that is too expensive for me. The 7 inch Ridgid caught my eye and I think there may be an 8 inch model, too...??? I check CL everyday but no deals in my area at the moment.

 

[KenC]

I have a old 10" HF saw. It's done at least 20K sqft of floor over the last 20some years. I did replace the arbor bearings and pump once. Still cuts well. IMO, the key is keeping a good blade on them and don't force the cut.

 

[Kaizen]

I too hate renting tools. Rather pay a little more and have it forever. I also had a few tile jobs. I got a 12 inch snapper thing that scores it and then snaps it. For straight cuts its my go to.
I also got a similar to this https://www.homedepot.com/p/QEP-3-4-HP-Wet-Tile-Saw-with-7-in-Diamond-Blade-22650Q/202615612
Mine i think has like a 5 inch blade. only a few inches up but really? its tile. Its half inch thick. For a homeowner this will be fine. I did a stone backsplash and had to make a lot of nips and cuts and this worked out great.
Also used it for a bottle cutting diy project.
Its sitting in my shop on the shelf waiting for its next task.

 

[sreeb]

The guys I know that do flooring everyday say they have gotten a max of 1-1.5yrs out of the Harbor Freight saws until they burn them up.

Which would be a lifetime for this guy. I have had a couple of HF tile saws for personal use. They all worked fine and I only replaced them as fashion trends trended toward bigger and bigger tiles.

That said, I wish I had spent an extra $100 for a used Dewalt last time I bought one. Not because it would have worked any better but because of its excellent folding stand which would pack away better when I'm not using it.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have a 7" China wet table saw... was a pain in the **** ripping 4' tiles. Much easier using a handheld circular wet saw... on a nice sacrificial table... with a straight edge.

 

[oldtimehockey]

More details on the type of tile...A mosaic 12x12 with multiple rows of little individual 1-3/16 x 9/16 x 1/4 inch thick tiles, on a sheet, in a running bond pattern. Some of the little tiles are ceramic, some are glass and some appear to be some kind of stone. Now I don't know what blade is best to cut all of these different materials all at once. You can tell I'm a rookie so y'all can please stop laughing at me...LOL Thanks.

 

[PelicanPines]

Consider a glass spindle grinder if you are doing mosaics. They are a table top thing with a wet bed and grinding wheel. Look at a stained glass supply place... Amazon has em too...

 

[cstmg8]

The 10" harbor freight. I've used it for many jobs. You'll just wish you had bigger with the 7"ers

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[LXCam]

I was in your shoes last year. I read everything here and looked for deals on a quality saw everywhere. Reason being I had a bunch of glass tile to cut along with ceramic. I finally gave in and did something I would normally never do and bought the Chicago 10” unit. I also bought a top quality blade.

Well F me to tears if after a little learning curve and a minor modification if that damn thing didn’t do an excellent job. For the 2 bills it cost me and another hundy for a blade I was very happy with the end results. And like was just said, get a 10” unit, you won’t regret it.

 

[oldtimehockey]

Thank you so much to all of you for your experiences and recommendations...

 

[oldtimehockey]

A wise coworker once told me that the best time to find a new job is when you don't need one. I guess the best time to buy a new tool is when you don't need one...Thanks all...

 

[jdsac]

Look on craigslist tools for an mk101 saw ,, be patient you can find one at a decent price if you wait

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I’ve got a MK101 which I purchased used from HD tool rental. Works great on paving stone which I bought it for and anything up to about a foot long.
We used it on 24” plank but not exactly the best application. Mind you it can be done using a 2 cut method. Breakage is likely using this saw but you’ll likely need a few smaller pieces anyway.

 

[PelicanPines]

I will second the before mentioned thing...

BUY THE BEST BLADE YOU CAN. Don't SKIMP on the BLADE.

2nd... always start a tile job... with a new blade... YES they are disposable.

3rd... I'm serious about that stained glass spindle grinder... it allows you to noodle 1/72" off a corner... with ease. In mosaic work... kinda sorta required to do that sometimes.

 

[KenC]

Another comment on blades, size specifically. Given equal quality a 10" blade will far outlast a 7. And there's not a huge difference in price.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I will second the before mentioned thing...

BUY THE BEST BLADE YOU CAN. Don't SKIMP on the BLADE.

2nd... always start a tile job... with a new blade... YES they are disposable.

3rd... I'm serious about that stained glass spindle grinder... it allows you to noodle 1/72" off a corner... with ease. In mosaic work... kinda sorta required to do that sometimes.

Pines good point on the spindle grinder.

My wife does stained glass and I have to admit I have used the spindle grinder on more than one tiling project.

 

[engineer2]

A used Felker TM75 is a decent 8" saw and is very portable. I have an older Tilematic now, and the beast is not easy to haul around.

 

[oldtimehockey]

Thanks to all...
CL is still not coming up with any deals around Whidbey Island...I don't know how much longer I can procrastinate this job for my wife while I wait for a saw to pop up.

 

[TexasShooter]

While I do agree a you should get a very good 10" blade, I recommended the DIA10TT from Pearl, there is no need to change a blade after every job. There are dressing stone you can buy to use to bring the diamonds back to your blade as they will get hot and dull. Being in the business, I brought up the Dewalt as it is my go to, I was not recommending you get is as a DIY'er.

You may also try and look on that Facebook Market place thing where people sell items around you. I have sold quite a few thing off of my wifes Facebook.

 

[oldtimehockey]

Thanks for the tips, TexasShooter...I'll also look into a glass spindle grinder as you folks have recommended. All I have right now that would seem to be able to nibble away at glass is an old Dremel.

 

[engineer2]

On Seattle CL I'd be checking out the
Felker Tile Master Saw - $175 (Snohomish)
Ridgit (Ridgid) tile saw - $220 (Ferndale)

 

[oldtimehockey]

Thank you engineer2 but unfortunately I am not able to travel to those places.

 

[engineer2]

but unfortunately I am not able to travel to those places.

Same in our area. You see a great CL deal only to find it's 2 hours each way. :>{
I did drive an hour for my tile saw, but that's the upper limit.

 

[oldtimehockey]

I here ya...plus I have to tack on a roundtrip ferry fare...no thanks...!!!

 

[PelicanPines]

My travel limit is 20 minutes one way... if its more... I pay amazon to deliver a new one. My time has value...

 

[oldtimehockey]

You said it PelicanPines…!!!