Tile wet saw

T

twang120

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Mar 8, 2009
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I would like to hear if anyone has recommendations or had expeiences for a wet saw for cutting tile.  Specifically, I am looking for 24" rip capacity (18" diagonal).  I see that the models with 10" blades can also cut pavers.  Also want to hear if anyone has had experiences cutting pavers as well as large tiles.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
 
I used a contractor friends Dewalt 10" wet saw last winter & loved it. I was skeptical about it since Dewalt hasn't had the greatest reputation of late. It can do a 24" rip & 18" diagonal. The water trays are great. I always pump my water from a clean water source & don't recycle through the tray.

I also am good friends with a stone guy who does a lot of paver work & also tile as well. He uses the same saw and loves it for both!

My .02 for ya!

Bob
 
i use a rodia bridge saw that worked very well with 1/2" porcaline and granite. alot of it is to do with the correct blade for the job not the saw.
 
I have the Harbor "Fright" version:

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-horsepower-10-inch-industrial-tile-brick-saw-95385.html

I know their reputation for powertools is pathetic but for an occasional use tool it has far exceeded my expectations. I just use a good quality diamond blade which significantly improves the performance of an otherwise mediocre tool. Problem is it only has 18" rip capacity, 12"diagonal - so it probably will not work for you. I'm sure you have already thought of this but if this is just for a single job, have you considered a visit to your local tool rental? 
 
Thought about renting, but at my pace, probably would cost more over time.  Looking to do two kitchens with granite tile counters and tile floors over the next year or two.
 
Great to hear that the 10" saw works for pavers.  Not what I primarily wanted to do, but having the capability definitely weighs into the decision.  Woudl you use a segmented blade versus the continuous rim blade?

 
My understanding is the same as yours regarding blade selection. Continuous rim=tile, segmented=brick/paver. Since I have never actually cut brick or paver on mine, I'll defer to those on here who may have done so.
 
Sorry, I'll have to admit that I never read the manual for my tile saw. My advice was based on some past internet research I did when I was considering installing a paver patio at my moms place - if memory serves me , it suggested segmented blades for brick. I guess if your only option is a continuous blade then you could use a "turbo" blade since technically it has a continuous rim and should cut more aggressively than a standard continuous rim blade would.
 
I recently rented theDEWALT D24000 1.5-Horsepower 10-Inch Wet Tile Saw from Home depot to cut some 17.7" ceramic tiles.
While it says it can cut 18" tiles diagonally it is tight. The sliding table is ok, but it really could be a bit larger to handle that size tile.
Of the three relatively new looking ones that HD had to rent, one had extremely bad run out (couldn't cut to a line) which I think were worn bearings, another had a broken bevel adjustment handle and the table on the last one didn't move very smoothly. The best one was the one with the broken bevel adjustment handle, but dangerous as you couldn't tighten the saw blade in place without a wrench.
While I understand these are rental machines and take a fair amount of abuse I was still unimpressed with the overall build quality of these units given the price. There is plenty of power however, and you could probably make it through a couple kitchens without having trouble, but I am not sure they would stand up to constant use.
Tim
 
Can't go wrong with the MK-101.  I love my MK Diamond and have cut everything from glass, granite and ceramic tile to pavers and brick veneers.  Have yet to find anything it does not do well. 
 
Nobody's mentioned the fact that the Dewalt's greatest charm is the way it breaks down into very lightweight sections, none over 40lbs or so.  Plus, it's water and spray catching tables are second to none.

I'd have no hesitation setting it up in someones finished bedroom.

I've no doubt the MK101 is a better saw, but that sucker is HEAVY and a pain to store.

I've had a Dewalt I bought used and it's quite well thought out and very well designed.  No issues on mine in terms of durability either, I wouldn't judge it by some rental units at a low-rent Home Depot.

I'm assuming it's not that great of a HD as most around me keep up their rental equipment much better than that it seems the above poster found.

Around here they regularly sell off the rental equipment at much less than market value on a yearly basis.  I've bought generators, cement breakers, tile saws, sheet brake, etc. from their rental dept, all much nicer shape than typical used and at lower prices than they'd go for used on CL.

Julian
 
But my DW24000 has made cutting tile very pleasant.  I do a lot of remodels in furnished/occupied units and being able to set up quickly without lugging anything too heavy is great.

The water trays catch everything.  I use a standard 5 gal bucket under the drain and have not spilled a drop in the last two years.

Makes it feel like a Festool DC system  [tongue]

 
I have a MK-770EXP. It is a 7" saw, can cut 14" diagonally and i have used it on 1 3/4" pavers several times. It have been a good saw for 5 years but i have always regretted not getting the Dewalt.

My saw is much lighter than the MK 101 but about the same size. I hate moving it around, going through doorways or upstairs. It doesn't really fit well anywhere in my trailer because of the awkward size.

I have a good friend who is a very successful tile setter for many years. He once told me the Dewalt is his hands down favorite saw. He has used or owned half dozen different MK's and many other saws. I believe he even said he has cut bricks on the Dewalt.

To me MK saws seem outdated. Their designs have not been updated in a decade. Good saws, yes. But Dewalt and even the Ridgid have far surpassed them.
 
Julian Tracy said:
Nobody's mentioned the fact that the Dewalt's greatest charm is the way it breaks down into very lightweight sections, none over 40lbs or so.  Plus, it's water and spray catching tables are second to none.
Click to expand...
Agreed. It was one of the features I did like about it.

Julian Tracy said:
Plus, it's water and spray catching tables are second to none. I'd have no hesitation setting it up in someones finished bedroom.
Click to expand...

I must have been using mine incorrectly, (highly likely) as the ones I used sprayed water all over the tiles I had behind them.
If I had used it in a house there would have been spray on the wall for sure.

Julian Tracy said:
I've had a Dewalt I bought used and it's quite well thought out and very well designed.  No issues on mine in terms of durability either, I wouldn't judge it by some rental units at a low-rent Home Depot.
Click to expand...

Yes, agreed the DeWalt and the MultiQuip look eerily similar. I am not sure any tool would make it through some of the abuse those rentals have seen. My experience is the extreme end of the user scale.

Julian Tracy said:
I'm assuming it's not that great of a HD as most around me keep up their rental equipment much better than that it seems the above poster found.
Click to expand...

There's good HD's?  [big grin]

If I was doing this on a regular basis I don't plan to, and I certainly have a new found respect for those that do, I would look at Felker, Husqvarna Tilematic or Multiquip saws. While I have never used any one they are probably heavier than the MK.
The Husqvarna (if it's anything like other Husqvarna tools) TS 60 looks to be a great saw. They say it will cut 20” diagonal and 24” rip cuts and weighs 79lbs. Not sure if that is just the saw or with the stand and table.

Husqvarna TS60 Tile Saw 966610701
 
I own the Dewalt 10" wet saw and use it professionally. The Husqvarna hadn't been released and I couldn’t wait due to up coming jobs.  If I were to choose now I would go with the Husqvarna.....always been happy with there products and the new wet saw is well thought out.  Not Sure what the Price difference is between the two.

If you need more information on tiling and tile saws go to the following forum:

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php
 
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