Recommend Tile saw

[mayday0017]

What is a good tile saw? I am wanting to get a nice one since we will be building a house in the next couple years and I will be doing all of the tile work. I have used several over the years and like some more then others but I am curious what everyone else likes and why....

 

[cheechi]

Friend of mine was looking a few weeks back. He got a used one on CL but among new, I would go with the Ridgid based on the warranty. I'm sure there's nicer ones but the Ridgid would be at the top of my budget for an occasional/one time use tool.

 

[Conductor562]

Are you wanting a bigger saw with a sliding table? Or would you rather have a smaller one?

I like the Ridgid models. The R4030S is a 7" with a sliding table. It has a lot of capability for under $300.

I have the Ridgid R4020. It's a great compact saw for single room projects and easy to store on a shelf and throw in the truck when needed. It's been great, but if I'd known the amount of tile I'd be doing I'd have gotten the R4030S.

It really depends on what you want to spend. You're doing a whole house, so you want something bigger, but you're not doing it professionally, so no need to go all out on a saw that will sit forever when you're done. I think the R4030S fits nicely in that scenario. It comes with a stand and Lifetime Service Agreement as well.

If you want to go all out, the R4010 is Ridgid's big saw, but at $700 it's hard to justify if you aren't going to use it a lot.

 

[mayday0017]

I have used both the R4030 and the R4010 and they are both great saws. Based off my own experiance I was looking at these two. I also just for kicks read up on the Harborfreight saw and people seem to love it... Really curious about it the design looks good and less then $200 for a new one. Makes it tempting to try, if I was going to be using it hard right away I probably would because I could return it if it is junk. But since it will be sitting with only minor use until we build the house I really hate to toss down $200 and find out later it is junk and can't return it.

FYI I am talking about the "2.5hp" 10" model

 

[A_Pmech]

I bought a lightly used MK-101 off Craigslist for cheap when I was doing the tile in my house. It makes cutting tile and stone so easy. They're between $1,000 and $1,200 new, but regularly turn up on Craigslist for $200 -$500 in good condition.

 

[Conductor562]

I know some guys do it with satisfactory results, but I just can't bring myself to buy power tools from HF. I bought a 10" Compound Miter there once, and it was the biggest ************* I ever owned. The arm wobbled horribly causing it to miter at +/- 7 degrees and I was legitimately concerned the blade would fly off into my skull or at the very least, the teeth would fly off.

That was several years ago, and they may have gotten a lot better, but I learned my lesson.

 

[IlliniBone]

Second (maybe 3rd or 4th) the Ridgid tile saws.

 

[signcrafter]

I have an older ridgid tile saw I bought new about 8 or so years ago. Looks like the one in this link, http://www.miconstruguia.com/en/tile-tools-recommended-by-the-pros/. It has been a GREAT saw. I've installed a ton of tile with it, from ceramic to marble to granite and glass. Even did some 1" thick slabs of granite and it cut them good. The pump on it broke the last time I use it, the plastic ****** off the pump where the hose connects snapped but that was probably my fault for not cleaning it good and the hose sticking to it and me trying to pull the hose off. Other then that it has been great. The stand is really nice to use. The LED light and laser is nice to have also.

I can't comment on the current ridgid tile saws but the one I have I have been really happy with. One key to cutting tile is to make sure you have the right blade for the material you are cutting. I bought some MK "hotdog" blades and while they cut ceramic tile pretty good when I tried to cut thick granite it got really wobbly, as in the spinning blade was flexing over 1/2" as it spun. Scared the **** out of me! Emailed one of the tile tool supply places online and talked to them about the problem and they recommended a blade for what I was cutting. It worked great.

 

[Ign]

We have the HF with the sliding table and it's been surprisingly great. My wife has tiled numerous rooms with it at our house, one friend's house and the in-laws. She was working on a jobsite doing tile too and they had a new Ridgid which she said never cut straight; she said the only thing she liked about the Ridgid was the "drying rack" off to the side of the saw which I believe was an option with the factory stand.

Ridgids and MKs have come up on CL which I've told her we should consider but she prefers the HF and refuses to go look at others.

So I'd say if you're a homeowner doing your own place and this is likely the most you'll use the saw, the HF should be in your top 3 considerations.

 

[shoot summ]

I've owned several of the HF 7" bar type tile saws, used to be able to get them for $179, use them for a year, then sell them on Craigslist for $125, far better than renting a saw. With a little attention to setup they perform great, most are not square right out of the box. I don't like storing a tile saw between projects. That said the last saw I bought was an MK212 bar type saw on Craigslist, got a great deal on it, but I am getting tired of it sitting around in the way, it's a big honking beast, cuts thick stone, and has the power to run a profiling wheel for edging stone as well.

The real question back to the OP is what are you doing that you want a tile saw for? Most ceramic/porcelain installs do not require a tile saw much at all, a good score/break setup will do 99% of you cuts. Stone is a completely different discussion though as it doesn't scratch/break well at all. Then it comes to personal preference whether you want a moving table, or moving head, I prefer the moving head.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I bought my HF for under $200....I have cut a ton of travertine and brick pavers with it and it runs like a champ.......Get a good blade for it and you are good to go...

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-horsepower-10-industrial-tilebrick-saw-69275.html

 

[signcrafter]

We have the HF with the sliding table and it's been surprisingly great. My wife has tiled numerous rooms with it at our house, one friend's house and the in-laws. She was working on a jobsite doing tile too and they had a new Ridgid which she said never cut straight; she said the only thing she liked about the Ridgid was the "drying rack" off to the side of the saw which I believe was an option with the factory stand.

Ridgids and MKs have come up on CL which I've told her we should consider but she prefers the HF and refuses to go look at others.

So I'd say if you're a homeowner doing your own place and this is likely the most you'll use the saw, the HF should be in your top 3 considerations.

I'm curious what she meant by never cut straight? She couldn't get the table square to the blade? Or the blade wandered?

 

[Conductor562]

I've owned several of the HF 7" bar type tile saws, used to be able to get them for $179, use them for a year, then sell them on Craigslist for $125, far better than renting a saw. With a little attention to setup they perform great, most are not square right out of the box. I don't like storing a tile saw between projects. That said the last saw I bought was an MK212 bar type saw on Craigslist, got a great deal on it, but I am getting tired of it sitting around in the way, it's a big honking beast, cuts thick stone, and has the power to run a profiling wheel for edging stone as well.

The real question back to the OP is what are you doing that you want a tile saw for? Most ceramic/porcelain installs do not require a tile saw much at all, a good score/break setup will do 99% of you cuts. Stone is a completely different discussion though as it doesn't scratch/break well at all. Then it comes to personal preference whether you want a moving table, or moving head, I prefer the moving head.

I'm no pro, but I've done a good bit of tile work and I learned in 10 minutes that scorers were for the birds. I'm finishing up an approximately 1,000 sq. ft. install and if I'd had to use a scorer I'd have went with linoleum or wood.

 

[stage20]

I do tile for a living and prefer a bridge saw most of the time, but a quality one that cuts straight are big bucks. Sliding table saw works just as good for most projects. If you purchase a sliding table, make sure it can rip all the way through what you are cutting, or youll be turning the tile upside down to finish the cut if it hits the bar on the machine. Most advertise to cut an 18" tile, but will only rip 14" on the motor arm side of the saw. Rigids are good saws for the money. The newer harbor freight version looks similar to the Rigid, at half the cost.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Ive got two MK's, a 101, and a smaller unit, of which I cant remember the model number (its the real common one, the saw looks like a vertical 4.5 grinder..). Picked them both up used on craigs in "like new" condition. Paid a small fraction of new for both.

 

[amac70]

The smaller mk is the 770 or 777 good little saw, I have one of those and an imer 250 combi. another good saw in my opinion. If looking on craigslist i would be looking for target, mk,imer and felker all make profesional level saws that should last a lifetime.

 

[shoot summ]

I'm no pro, but I've done a good bit of tile work and I learned in 10 minutes that scorers were for the birds. I'm finishing up an approximately 1,000 sq. ft. install and if I'd had to use a scorer I'd have went with linoleum or wood.

Corners are easier on a saw, they are the small percentage that need them. Edge cuts are super easy and fast on a scorer. A quality scorer makes a difference as well. Tile was installed for a long time without tile saws, I used to think you had to have one to do tile, then I realized they are nice to have for the difficult cuts, but it goes way faster to use a scorer on the straight cuts.

It's all personal preference, and how much time you want to spend going back and forth to the saw.

 

[TiredDude]

Have used the **** out of a HF sliding table saw that I bought about 5 years ago. Still works great. I would estimate I have done over 1200 sf of tile/granite/marble/travertine in that time.

It is a huge unwieldy saw.

I think they have changed the saw since then though and I could never get it to cut accurate bevels, but that is not needed often.

 

[mayday0017]

It does look like there is two designs, can anyone chime in with which one they have used? I am going to assume if I decide to take a chance on it that I will be buying a new one and not a used one. I do get to test it out some on the back splash for the kitchen but that will most likely be my last time to use it before building the new house in a couple years.

New version

Old version

 

[Ign]

It does look like there is two designs, can anyone chime in with which one they have used? I am going to assume if I decide to take a chance on it that I will be buying a new one and not a used one. I do get to test it out some on the back splash for the kitchen but that will most likely be my last time to use it before building the new house in a couple years.

New version

Old version

I just noticed that too when I clicked on TampaGT's link in post #11. We have the OLD version and it's been great.

 

[Lightfoot]

I bought a used Felker off of craigslist a few years ago for 100 bucks. It paid for itself the first week i had it. Still going strong. A good cleanup after every use is key to making the unit last-especially the water pump.

 

[Random Hero]

New version

I have this saw. I haven't cut any tiles with it but I did a paver driveway and walkway with it. Worked great, just use it outdoors since it kicks water everywhere.

I have a couple tile and paver projects to do next year and then I'll probably just sell it.

 

[Random Hero]

Also, the HF saw doesn't come with a blade but I just grabbed their diamond blade off the shelf and its worked well. Cut ~30 4x8 pavers.

 

[gungatim]

It does look like there is two designs, can anyone chime in with which one they have used? I am going to assume if I decide to take a chance on it that I will be buying a new one and not a used one. I do get to test it out some on the back splash for the kitchen but that will most likely be my last time to use it before building the new house in a couple years.

New version

Old version

I have the old version with stand, used it for 10 yrs on my house and several others I loaned out to. Can't beat it for the price. Only thing is it doesn't come with a blade, and you'll want to buy a nice dewalt or something, not a cheapo HF blade. A good blade makes all the difference...

 

[the gypsy]

A good "scoring" tile cutter such as a Sigma or a Montolit will give you nicer straight cut edges. For complicated cuts such as an angles, the saw will come in handy. You can also do these cuts with an angle grinder and diamond wheel, although there will be more dust. The cuts on a tile saw are similar to cutting melamine on a saw without the right blade. Let me explain what I mean, there will be chips along the cut edge created on your tile by the back of the diamond blade. I hope you understand what I am trying to describe.

 

[the gypsy]

One thing you must consider if you buy a used tile scoring machine is to change the scoring/cutting wheel. The difference between a new scoring wheel and an old one is great. No need to go into details why, trust me.
Another thing, it is much faster to score and break and not to saw the tile.

 

[TiredDude]

A good "scoring" tile cutter such as a Sigma or a Montolit will give you nicer straight cut edges. For complicated cuts such as an angles, the saw will come in handy. You can also do these cuts with an angle grinder and diamond wheel, although there will be more dust. The cuts on a tile saw are similar to cutting melamine on a saw without the right blade. Let me explain what I mean, there will be chips along the cut edge created on your tile by the back of the diamond blade. I hope you understand what I am trying to describe.

I have used the scoring cutters before and they do work pretty good for cerimic tile as long as the wheel is new/replaced often.

The ones I used were not real high quality I guess, because I did have issues with getting square cuts at times.

I am not sure how they would work on marble/granite and travertine. My guess is not very well.

Also, I have not had the issue of chip out you are describing on my saw using the correct blade.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I'm late to the party.....but the only Yellow tool I own is the Dewalt Tile and it's awesome. Will do 24" to boot.

Next up, if I wanted a bigger beast would be a Target (currently Husqvarna) tile saw, but the Dewalt is more than enough to throw at.

Pair it up with a good zipper blade and you're in good hands. It's all bout having the right blade for the right material which makes up for 50% of the experience you will have with your tile saw !

 

[shocksandstrutz]

Ive used the old style HF and it worked fine, i then scored an almost new 10" Ridgid, I think its the TS2000 or something like that. That saw is awesome. Get a nice blade whatever you do and make sure you adjust your slide table so you cut square and you should be good to go.

 

[mypov]

buy one of these! I used a wet tile saw before (though it was just a cheap one) but it was messy as %$$$ and louder then laying beneath a train. Absolutely hated the thing, sure it cut nice, but I would rather lay down and have cows jump all over me then tile with a saw like that. Last job I did (a friends 10x15 entry way) I used one like the picture in the link. No mess, no noise, and nice straight cuts. The only draw back with this is you are not really able to do fancy cuts. I had to use a little 4" skill saw to cut a vent hole, that was a pain, but anyway - long story longer, buy one of these.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/20-...37457?ef_id=UiebxgAAAa9HLv6Y:20131107193709:s

 

[mobiledynamics]

Scoring / Snapping Cutters is all about speed/noise/portability. It will not make a *cleaner* straight cut than a wetsaw. If you want one of those, look at Rubi or Sigma.

 

[the gypsy]

no tile scoring machine do not work on marble, granite or travertine.

 

[PugetDude]

I own a 10 year old "Old Style" HF saw. Have installed over 2000ft2 of travertine, ceramic, porcelain, Did a brick paver driveway. I've loaned it out to a dozen friends and neighbors Cuts straight- recently split an entire pallet of 18 x18 travertine and the halves were very consistent - put them end to end to check for parallel cut. Haven't had any major issues-a neighbor replaced the belt about 5 years ago, and the coolant pump finally gave up after 9 years, bought a replacement pump for <$20, It's been a great saw for $200- and currently out on long term loan to another neighbor remodeling 3 bathrooms- (better than trying to find a place to store it)

As others have suggested, buy a decent blade.

I'd rather use a cheapo saw with a commercial quality blade than a commercial quality saw with a cheapo blade.

 

[johno]

I had one of the small MK saws.
Always worked great, I would recommend it highly.
Unless you are a professional tile man, it will do everything you need, and do it well.

 

[Ign]

I took a look at the new style HF saw today in the store. I gotta say it seems even better than V1.0. The table rolls on bearings where the old saw was friction pipe over pipe. The catch tray looks nice and easier to remove. Of course none of this means it actually performs well but it's promising

edit: in store it was priced at $360 and they had failed to post the $260 sale price I now see online
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-horsepower-10-industrial-tilebrick-saw-69275.html

if they let you use a 25% coupon on top of that (which they're not really supposed to do but some stores will as in our case today with a 10" slide miter saw which was already "on advertised sale") it'd be a helluva deal if it works worth a darn

 

[KenC]

I have one of the old HF saws. Bought it in '97 and have done over 5000sqft of tile with it. Wore out one pump and replaced the motor bearings after about 4k sqft of tile cuts. total repair cost was about $50 for the bearings and pump.

Can't beat it for the price!

 

[Ign]

I have one of the old HF saws. Bought it in '97 and have done over 5000sqft of tile with it. Wore out one pump and replaced the motor bearings after about 4k sqft of tile cuts. total repair cost was about $50 for the bearings and pump.

Can't beat it for the price!

Just for future reference, where'd you get the bearings?