Tile Saw- Which One?

[karoc]

Guys for my 1000 sq ft home I may be putting tile down, plus I need to put little tile down around new shower in our present home. I am not on pro level just a DIYer who has laid tile in past but not looking to make living out of it. Once I get these projects done I won’t be looking for tile jobs. But I like tile saw that will do job but nothing huge. Again not on pro level. I did look at some on FB and there’s lot of them used but never know who dealing with so have to be cautious. I may buy new which would help with resale. What tile saw would you recommend for serious DIYer?

 

[cgrutt]

I had a pro level wet saw but sold it. It worked great but was too big and heavy to move around and store. I bought a cheap table top saw from Home Depot and have used it on many projects. At the time I believe it was about $100. Probably a bit more now. I also use a manual tile cutter, which I actually prefer for most straight cuts. It's a Marshaltown about $150 I believe. I have a smaller off brand version of same thing that works quite well and believe was about $30 but it won't support large (more than 12") tiles. I also use a diamond blade on 4" grinder. Between the three I can do most jobs.

 

[gizardlizard]

I just bought a cheapie 7” wet saw from Harbor Freight for 300 bones. I bought it, because it could rip 24” long format tiles on the long throw table. Used it this past weekend on some 1” thick marble that was 24” long. It worked fine. No complaints. It even bevels.

 

[karoc]

I just bought a cheapie 7” wet saw from Harbor Freight for 300 bones. I bought it, because it could rip 24” long format tiles on the long throw table. Used it this past weekend on some 1” thick marble that was 24” long. It worked fine. No complaints. It even bevels.

Didn’t think about HF, going check them out.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I use a MK101 which is actually a paving stone saw. The table is smaller but works well enough for tile with the proper blade. It can be a little tough when cutting the plank style tiles but will work. I purchased it from the HD rental. Actually this is my second used MK from HD. The first one I sold to the young fellow that helped me do my front driveway when he entered into the stone business.

 

[KnurledNut]

I burnt up a HF Diamondback 7”. Motor bearings went kaput. Pump had issues. Weak construction. Do not recommend. Poor quality components. Lasted one major bathroom remodel. HF did replace it, but I would have rather just got a refund.

 

[Dig Doug]

I bought a home depot rental tile saw. At the time, it was cheaper to buy it than rent it …

 

[no704]

I’d get a used one for home games. Look for one with a belt drive way quieter and nicer to use. You usually have to screw around with the table alignment if you want to use the back stop as a square guide, but I find it easier not to and just eyeball down a pencil mark. I usually use mine with out the water tray and just run a tube with a ball valve to it.
Should be able to sell it for no loss whatsoever when finished. Worst case you might have to spring for a fresh blade, but they usually last a long time.

 

[Dick]

Get a cheap one. If you know what you're doing, most of the cuts are going to get buried under the trim/base anyhow.

 

[cgrutt]

I use a MK101 which is actually a paving stone saw. The table is smaller but works well enough for tile with the proper blade. It can be a little tough when cutting the plank style tiles but will work. I purchased it from the HD rental. Actually this is my second used MK from HD. The first one I sold to the young fellow that helped me do my front driveway when he entered into the stone business.

That's the saw I used to have it's a beast!

 

[Firstram]

I just bought a cheapie 7” wet saw from Harbor Freight for 300 bones. I bought it, because it could rip 24” long format tiles on the long throw table. Used it this past weekend on some 1” thick marble that was 24” long. It worked fine. No complaints. It even bevels.

I have one of those HF bridge saws too. With some TLC it gets the job done just fine.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

That's the saw I used to have it's a beast!

I have a lot of stone work to do so I bought a couple of extra saws and plate tamper beside the MK. I probably would have easily paid more for rental than the actual purchase price. Since I have a wack of paving and Tyndall stone to cut it seemed like a no brainer to me.
These 2 are even more beast like.
The old timer on the very right has saved me a lot of time.
Wouldn’t recommend these for tile work.

 

[cgrutt]

I have a lot of stone work to do so I bought a couple of extra saws and plate tamper beside the MK. I probably would have easily paid more for rental than the actual purchase price. Since I have a wack of paving and Tyndall stone to cut it seemed like a no brainer to me.
These 2 are even more beast like.
The old timer on the very right has saved me a lot of time.
Wouldn’t recommend these for tile work.

Be careful with the dust on that Stilhl (if you run it dry). Stone dust nearly killed a good friend of mine who is a stone mason and ran those saws for years.

 

[mike93lx]

I did a couple projects with a little 7" ridgid fixed blade. Worked fine but I wouldn't want to use it for anything bigger than 12x12.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Had to walk the dog and went by the old beast so here is a better pic.

Be careful with the dust on that Stilhl (if you run it dry). Stone dust nearly killed a good friend of mine who is a stone mason and ran those saws for years.

I always cut with water. The mason I bought the above saw from said he just cut dry. Bought a small pump, tubing and it took me quite awhile to clear the water nozzles but it was worth the effort.

 

[tarmy]

We bought an MK saw when we bought 0ur first home…40 years ago. That saw has worked perfectly on 6 homes and many rentals we have had. Probably 40 bathroom, some kitchens and various other tile/granite counter tops. Get a good saw OP…it will serve you a lifetime.

 

[Southernbuild]

I bought the Ridgid tablesaw style tile saw, and have been happy with it through the few jobs I've used it on, especially for the price point. If nothing else, its easier to transport / store than the more common style with the motor / blade above the work surface.

Smaller water reservoir so you probably need to swap water more often. But, this style keeps about 40% of the blade submerged, which feels like it'd cool better than a spray mist. Plus, no pump to have issues.

 

[karoc]

Thanks for all suggestions, going to watch FB see if I can pick up one of better saws that’s not worn out.

 

[MushCreek]

I know this is Garage Journal, but I went cheap on a tile saw. It was probably about $50 at the time at HD, but it's about $80 now. I did a bathroom and a kitchen backsplash in FL. Then, in our SC house, I did two bathrooms (fully tiled shower, etc.) and a kitchen backsplash. Then, I did a bathroom for a buddy of mine with a huge all-tile shower. So far, it's still on the original blade. It's small, messy, and noisy, but it sure doesn't owe me anything!

 

[finn]

I bought my tabletop cheapie from a guy in the next neighborhood for $20. He bought it for one homeowner project.

Works fine for the four or so projects I have done with it. I don’t think there’s really a compelling reason to migrate to a pro, or even a pro wannabe saw unless you’re going to be laying thousands of square feet on a regular basis. The last project was a faux stone heat shield behind the wood stove in the great room.

The little tabletop saw stores easily in its original box that’s maybe 18 or 20” square x eight or 10” tall. Fits right on a shelf, out of the way.

I did my first tile installation using a manual scriber thirty years ago. It worked fine as well, but if I recommend one of those, I’ll probably be sent to to banned camp for not recommending a $3500 professional saw.

 

[rust in the eye]

Rent a good one. Those cheapie one time use jobs make a friggin' mess, the fence is a joke and you'll be stuck with a junky machine when you are done.

 

[karoc]

Rent a good one. Those cheapie one time use jobs make a friggin' mess, the fence is a joke and you'll be stuck with a junky machine when you are done.

I am giving rental some serious thought. My plan is to go as far as I can, up to point that I need make cuts. As someone else suggested, rent from HD then if I like that saw see if I can buy it. Need one for my 1000 sq ft retirement home