Just picked up the MK Diamond 170 for a little job coming up. Up till now…..relied on a bit of the manual cutter and hand tools for small jobs and rentals for bigger.
Anyone know if I’m gonna like this thing? Didn’t know it existed till I saw it on the shelf……on sale.
Was just gonna get the disposable Plasplug table model for $100 to get me at least thru a job or two….and hope it didn’t burn up like the last three I’d heard about.
But…this one was $160…..so figgured can’t go wrong.
Little guy…7″ blade…weighs only 15 lbs……won’t be asked to do more than standard wall tile………at first. Picked it up then thought how nice it’d be on a third floor job! May soon get pushed to it’s limits…..
anyone know what it’s limits are? Ever use one?……..Tomorrows job could go without one…but it’ll get a basic run thru. Later, Jeff
* Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Replies
Jeff,
I have no information as I too have been renting them. Let me know what you thing. I have looked at them but been to chicken to buy one. Sure will be interested to hear. Thanks DanT
one thing I know for sure is the big ones I've been rented can't be replaced for less than like $750........nothing else has the capacity for diagonals on 12"er. This little one says rips 12's....and diagonals 10"ers. Thay have a real stout looking one ...with the same capacity...for over $500.
My theory.......go low cost till the big guy prices itself into the van. Will let ya know. Jeff * Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Looks like a decent cutter for the money. I used another small one, (I forget which), and I wouldn't give you a nickle for it. You might be able to beat it more with a better blade, but you should be able to save some rentals with the thing.
One more thing, for speed, you need to have a quality dry/hand cutter. I made the mistake of buying a cheapo and it didn't take long to break it. And the time before it broke was not fun.
Jeff For about another 150 bucks ( I think) you could of picked up a MK that is simular to the 770 but the sled is made of plastic. It does a pretty good job. I dont have much info on the one you bought but have you checked out MKs web site? Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
I've had the MK 270 for several years. Although the screaming angle grinder motor could wake the dead, the machine paid for itself in less than one job. I have used it on 16" tiles but you have to start the cut with the tile over the fence. 12" tile is as big as you can do corner to corner.
I would not recommend a plastic table. It WILL flex as you push the work through and cause the tile to break at the end of a cut. If that cut edge is to be exposed then you just wasted a tile.
You can always rent a 10" saw for those big tile jobs but the convenience of having a tool right there that you can carry under one arm can't be beat.
Don't forget to get the folding stand (or make one). Working low to the ground for even a small bath tile job is the pits.
I have had a wet saw for many years, and it is a great tool, but never underestimate the power and speed of a 4" grinder with a diamond blade. Our saw will handle 16" tiles, but it seem to be easier to use the grinder on large tiles.
Personally save your money for a big saw, and use a grinder in the meantime.
David
Jeff,
I`d say it all depends on how much tile you do. I bought a small wet saw at first, think it was the Felker "Bobcat". It got me through a couple small jobs, (4 x 4 ceramic wall tiles, a backsplash or two...) but the first "real" tile I tried to run through it caused the motor to over heat. I still use it for "punch list" items but I ended up buying a nice big Felker that ran me close to $900. It weighs a ton and is a bitch for those third floor baths, but worth every dime on 12 x 12 limestone. I beloeve th MK is #1 with tile guys though.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I hate to admit it, but I bought a Harbor Freight special (Central Machinery made in China) wet saw about 4 years ago for less than $400. I have used the hell out of it and lent it out several times and it still works great. Cut a lot of 2" thick marble. It has a good strong table and a miter gauge. My marble tiles were 12"x18" and I had no problem making any cuts I needed. I have also used it for terra cotta and concrete roof tiles. I haven't been able to bog it down. I figured if it got me thru the marble patio, it would be worth the price. Oh, I'm still using the diamond blade that came on it.
Well I used the hell outta the little saw today. Runs great. I didn't know what kinda tile the customer had picked out.......it was the thicker textured stuff. Lot thicker than standard wall tile. The saw didn't bog down no matter how hard I pushed it thru.
Nice having one at 15lbs. I can see this is gonna get used for everything except big diagonals. Only came with a straight fence.....but nothing a speed square won't fix for smaller diagonals.
One down side.......not for my small hands......but the overhanging blade and the small table make you keep the fence on the left of the blade........so your work piece has to go under the motor arm........I could fit my hand under.......but if you have big fat arms......you're gonna get stuck!
Thing is loud too.......even before the blade touches the tile.....but it's a wet saw......they're loud and messy anyway.........not too bad on the overspray....but the pump is plenty powerful.....just gotta refill the small 1 gallon tub more often.
Over all.......it's a great little saw. 2 thumbs up. And when compared with the $100 one I was gonna buy....that thing woulda been half cooked by this afternoon. This one I can see lasting for years.
Jeff * Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Jeff, i use a speed square for diagonals also but I clamp my stair guages on it and its about the same level as the fence on the TS Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
Well, I was under the same troubles of not knowing what to buy. Im a tool freak. Thats my down side. I was afraid a small one wouldnt hold up, and insurance was going to pay nicely so I went and bought the mk 100, with a 1 1/2 hp power motor. Just under the big two horse. It was 200 dollars cheaper. I bought it from Tool Crib. I just ordered it yesterday ,so I am waiting. Seemed to me it was the best buy for the dollar. Then I talked around here after I ordered the saw , and found that the pros use the small ones and a four inch dry diamond. They rent the big ones when they need them. I cant figgure that , but there must be something to it. I found out for one thing that they like the small saws weight and they fit nicely with the other tile tools in a med tool chest from walmart. That says quite a bit . Tool crib said I would have to help unload it when it got here. Some where over a hundred pounds.
I had to pay extra to get it here with some frieght company that has a lift on the back of their truck. Im thinking now that this will be the pits by myself to carrry around. Have to strap it to a dolly. Big down side, as I work alone most of the time.
Dad always said ;if your gonna be stupid , you better be tough .
Good luck with your saw , Im already jealous. Like to have all that money back . LOL
Tim Mooney
Ya, probably need a truck with a liftgate to handle a tile saw, lol. You will be just fine, and all the "pros" I know have big saws. The deal is most of the cuts you run across can be straight cut on a dry cutter, the odd cut can be handled with a smurf saw.
Tim most of the tile guys I know use the Mk101. I bought the 770 because its a lot lighter and Im not a pro. It doesnt have the capacity that a larger saw does. You'll be fine. I see guys with the big tiles saws out in the yards cutting away or driving around with them in the back of there trucks. Hey think positive you can save money by not going to the gym just start bidding on tile jobs. <G>. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
Well these are tools, and you know how that goes...
Ron, you know, you made all those cabinets with a skilsaw, right? ;-)
Err, nevermind, I am the biggest tool whore you'll ever meet.
Edited 4/19/2002 11:43:11 PM ET by Qtrmeg
Tim...don't sweat it.......the saw I'm gonna use for the next 3 weeks......working for the x-company...is the even bigger 101.....and I carried that thing aroung solo quite a few times. Matter of fact...looks like Tues.....it'll get from the driveway to the second floor via ME! Tool crib says it weight 110lbs....that has to be the delivery weight....all the packaging.......I'm guessing it really 70 or 80 lbs......my compressor weighs 70lbs...and it's close.....just more awkward.
If I specialized in tile...that's the one I'd have...till then......van space and money at a premium. Jeff
BTW...what the hell's a med tool chest from walmart? * Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman