If you had to choose between a cheap (like the $100 jobbie) wet tile saw or the $100 scribe and split tool (sorry, can’t remember the name…) for cutting some tiles for installation, which would it be? Seems like the wet saw is most universal…although slower to set up and such.
Nibblers are a must far as I can tell.
I think the “biggest” cutting job I have it cutting 13″ tiles on 45 angles.
I seem to buy everything else…not sure why I just don’t get both. I’m fairly certain I won’t be doing more tile in the future…the sliding compound saw, now, that’ll be used all the time…
And no, I don’t like to rent. Interferes with my working during the wee hours schedule.
Thanks again!
Replies
I've got a $60.00 sliding scribe and break tool, that works just fine. straight cuts are easy, simply scribe and break. It's cutting a U or an L shape that will give you grey hair, and is easier on a wet cut tile saw, BUT! there is a better way. Just recently there was an artical in FH about cutting tile and the guy was using a makita angle grinder with a dry cut diamond blade. He said it was great. Sooo...
I was right in the middle of a tile job at the time, the next day I went out and got the exact same set up, I think the grinder is about $100, and the blade is $25.00
I can't imagine ever working with tile again without one. That set up makes even the hardest cuts simple. With the grinder and a score and break tool, I don't think you need a wet saw at all. Not unless you're laying really thick tile.
There is my two cents worth. Good Luck.
Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
This may be incorrect, but I dont think the $100 wet saw is going to be able to cut 13" tile on the 45degree angle. Not that its not strong enough, just dont think the tile will fit on saw. I could be wrong, but the $800 wet saw I own takes some adjusting to cut large tiles on angles. Lemme know how you make out.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I think those $100 wet saws are junk personally. For cutting big tile, especially on an angle, you'll need a big wet saw, because the little ones don't have enough power or a big enough table. You can always rent the big wetsaws, I think HD charged me somewhere around $60 a day the last time I needed one. Also, many tile shops will let you borrow or very cheaply rent a good quality bar cutter if you buy the tile from them.
I agree that the diamond blade in an angle grinder is a great tool. However, it leaves a rough edge which might be unattractive depending on the location of the cut tile. Also they make a tremendous amount of noise and dust, and it is very difficult to cut little tiles or cut off less than 3/4" or so of the tile without the tile cracking because of the heat. But they're indespensible for making strange cuts. Especially if you'd use the tool for other things I'd pick one of those up. Also get a good quality set of biters and a rubbing stone for smoothing over rough edges.
Without a doubt, the $100 wet saws are junk...and I hate to buy junk...but I also know I won't be doing much tile in my lifetime...
I had the same question whether they can even cut 13" tiles on a 45...that's 13*1.41", which is a hike...and looks like the holding jigs won't even come close.
Can you easily use the rail-scribe and brake cutters for diagonals?
I should ask at the tile house...I have given them about $650 or so for tile...thinset and such to come. I hate to rent just because of my odd hours and lack of real known dedicate time for completion.
I already have the angle grinder...sounds like I should pick up a blade...and without a doubt the dust/heat problem must be considerable.
And a good pair of nibblers...and a good sanding stone.
Thanks again!
Two ways to help that might be of use, lay all the whole tiles, very careful layout required, then rent the big wet saw for one day to make all the cuts at once, laying them later after saw is back at the store. Jusst don't break any, or you are back to the grinder. YOu can also make your diagnol cuts half way, then switch the tile and try to line up. Worked for me pretty well on a big saw with 16 inch limestone. But you cannot try to hurry to much or bad things can happen. Good luck!! I have also seen diamond blade used on wormdrive saw for a few cuts.
Dan
Bruce,
Some people badmouth them but I think the cheap little wet saws are great. It's true you can't cut 13"tile on a diagonal with the tile cutter,but I tweaked the water deflector on my Plasplugs saw and cut them fine.It's not meant to do that but so what.I don't like renting tools either,and I wish I could justify buying a table saw,but just can't.Mine cut through half inch granite like it was butter.I even put a brick front on my house and used the wet saw to make all the cuts.I got pretty quick at rotating them across the blade,scoring them a quarter inch,and then whacking them with a hammer and chisel,cuts perfectly.I have a diamond blade for my grinder for cutting in boxes in block, but, that really is way too much dust,even with tile.
The worst thing about them is they throw water like a bitch , so work from the opposite side and pull the tile to you.I paid about a hundred for mine but I've seen on eBay one of the "stores" selling them for $49,same one at HD for $99.
Edited 11/9/2002 1:08:07 AM ET by IBEW Barry
I agree the water is horrendous. I used the 6 to 800 dollar diamond saw MD as a borrowed tool from work last weekend. Really hard to figure out how it could go better with the exception of the water spray. That sucker put up quite a roostertail of water and slurry from the cut. One simple bit of advice while you are cutting outside is have the event happen down wind from you. My hair was crusty from bits of tile dust after the water evaporated.
The cheapies are generally made like table saws aren't they? You could cut any size tile with that. This one was similar to a radial arm saw with a sliding table that advanced the tile into the blade. 12 inchers worked fine in my setup but larger would have been hard.
Last thought. There is a carbide rod saw I also used. Put it in a coping saw frame and it cuts pretty well. The top (finished) surface is a bit chipped, but it won't matter much to the wax ring that will see the cut."The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships-- and sealing wax--Of cabbages-- and kings, and why the sea is boiling hot-- and whether pigs have wings"
buy the slicer and dicer, if your tile supplier doesn't offer a loaner.
however, they will cut your premarked tile on their wet saw for a minimal or no cost.
brian
Look for a used wet saw on Ebay, a good one. Not much can go wrong with them. A decent blade is between $75 and $100 but lasts a pretty long time,Once you have a really good tool I'm CERTAIN you'll be motivated to do more tile work. Think of it that way.
Be well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
If it is less than a couple of dozen floor tiles to cut and you can't bring the marked ones to a tile shop to cut, you can use a cheap $3 7" masonary blade in a cheap old circular saw. I've had good results setting the blade shallow and making many many repeat passes over the cut line. Noisy, dusty, slow, and wear goggles to keep tile chips out of your eyes. Did I say dusty? Clamp the tile down on a bench top outside. You can do curves most of the time. A "V" or an "L" shaped inside notch is pretty hard. I've got a cheap $100 wetsaw, but it is even slower than the masonary blade on floor tiles. I only use it to cut out the very points of a "V" or inside "L" notch to keep the cut from cracking and running right through the tile.
Dusty n Lefty
good call too.
i picked up a factory reconditioned MK Diamond wet saw for $75, complete with blade. the seller didn't mention that it had been used since reconditioning (they weren't the user and made no guarantee - which is why it sold for so little). had to have a brush set replaced, then i was food to go for under a $100.
current auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2072398953 comes with 2 blades. (this is a reputable seller on eBay)
brian
Edited 11/20/2002 12:31:40 AM ET by brian smith
hey bruce. i own one of the cheap $100 tile saws and it works great. i wouldn't use it for a pro installation but it's good for doing your own stuff. i cut a bunch of 12" granite with it and aside from the water spraying everywhere, it did the job fine. my neighbor borrowed it and did an entire tub enclosure in 4" and had no complaints. it works like table saw so you can cut just about any size and angle if you have the patience and set up the miter-slider correctly. good luck.
Everyone sure has their own opinion on cutting tile. I've been installing tile for a couple of years. I started with a grinder: it takes time, a lot of dust , noisy and you have to clamp all your work pieces. The score and break tool is great, however, on 45's it is very tricky and I tend to break off the very tip because of the way the tiles break, and no you can't cut U's or L's. I bought a Plasplug $90 saw and it works great for a while, with all the tile I do, I have worn out the first and had to buy another. They are much easier to use than my large MK (for sale). I did a job with 13" tiles on 45 and you need to go slowly and before you reach the end of your cut, turn the tile around and cut from the other end. They do throw a lot of water!
Last month a bought the new Plasplug wet saw, $200, and it is really nice. It has a bigger table, a better designed guide bar, a larger blade, a bigger motor, and it doesn't throw half as much water as the old one. You can take the guard off and make plunge cuts and even radius cuts. You won'tt do that with a score and break tool.
Good Luck
Well, I tiled most of my first room the other night...64 12" tiles. It came out nice...straight and square. I did buy one of those $90 Plasplug saws...but haven't used it yet.
I found yet another job I can add to my list of "It took longer than I thought"....LOL. Got the hang of it though as I was getting near the end. But that's why I started in the utility room and the bathrooms are next! I'll save the entry ways for the very end!
Thanks to all.
All the tile guys around here seem to use a grinder and diamond blade unless the job is real big
One word of advice please use the wet saw outside lol, last summer the guy I was working with was doing a massive remodel to a 80-100 year old house, the plaster work was finishded before the tile setter came in, so the tile setter sets his wet saw up in the bedroom attached to bath hes working in, we come in the next day the cieling below is shot, the wall behind the saw was shot and the floor is soaked. needless to say he didnt get to finish his job.