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Tile saw—homeowner use

| Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 13, 2003 07:16am

Have a few projects to finish that require a tile saw. (And possibly afew more in the future which is why I am interested in buying a saw and non just renting one)

Which of the two saws below would you pick for my type of usage?

 

MK-170     7inch tile saw.      Amazon #  157222  ($149)

 

or Harbor Freight  10″   number  46225-2yza    (currently $199)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=102&pricetype=

            (yes I know HF,  but considering it won’t be used like a commercial saw, it might fit the bill)

 

Any input/experiences with the MK would be appreciated. I will be using it for ceramic fllor tiles as well as cutting an occasional granite fllor tile.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Stan

 


Edited 12/13/2003 11:22:23 AM ET by SMIJAL

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Replies

  1. brownbagg | Dec 13, 2003 08:21pm | #1

    HD and Lowes got some as cheap as $75. they are small but for tile, size is not needed. I have no answer, I just thing $199 is a mite high.

    The best employee you can have but you wouldn't want him as a neighbor " He the shifty type"

    1. FastEddie1 | Dec 14, 2003 12:27am | #3

      Brownie I have one of those $90 HD saws...looks like a mini-table saw.  Works ok.  The fence can be difficult to adjust (doesn't slide easily...actually binds badly) and the water bath resevoir fills with the slurry.  The table is a little small...works well for 4" tile, 6" is ok, bigger is a problem.  But the blade cuts nicely.Do it right, or do it twice.

  2. User avater
    deadmanmike | Dec 13, 2003 11:59pm | #2

    I'm pretty sure there was a thread a few months ago where somebody was raving about the HF saw.

    Search.

    Mike

    1. WorkshopJon | Dec 14, 2003 02:39am | #8

      "I'm pretty sure there was a thread a few months ago where somebody was raving about the HF saw."

      Mike,

      I think you are referring to me. So....(next post)

      Jon

  3. LarryG | Dec 14, 2003 12:29am | #4

    Stan a while back I tried my hand at tiles on my own home and I had the same thoughts as you get an inexpensive saw because of limited use. WRONG. The job came out so good I did about 30 jobs after that and each different cutting 45's off the corners cutting squares out of the centers on and on each different ,each a home run, My point I bought an MK370k (almost $300) and have gotten good use from it but I'm sorry I didn't get a better or larger unit > MK is fine and they have better units than the one I bought. Just keep that in the back of your head. You will do one job and they will haunt you for another.

  4. bchanson | Dec 14, 2003 01:20am | #5

    i have the mk-170 and it works great! i never got the knack for scoring and snapping. same thing, i got it for a couple of small jobs and now only wish i had a bigger model to cut bigger 45's. i will eventually get a bigger one, i am sure. doesn't matter what the tool, i can find a use for it eventually. it's a sickness as many of you know.

    1. Sancho | Dec 14, 2003 02:32am | #6

      I its only for a job or 2 have you considered about renting a good tile saw? If you lay the floor out well enough you might even be able to get away with just marking the cuts youll need on thhe tile and take them to the home depot. they'll cut them for ya for ab9out 25 cents a cut. Most of the time if its one or two cuts they wont charge you at all. I hate to see anyone waste good beer money like that :>) 

      Darkworksite4:

      Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN

  5. KARLSTER | Dec 14, 2003 02:35am | #7

    The biggest factor influencing cutting performance is having the proper blade for the material being cut. 

    Without going into tremendous detail you want a soft diamond bonding matrix for materials such as granite and porcelain, you want a hard diamond bonding matrix for materials such as brick, concrete, and soft tile, and you want a electroplated diamond blade for materials like limestone, marble and travertine.

    I think the specs from harbor freight are a bit vague but they have some great deals on diamond blades and such. 

    The main problem most people have is they try to cut granite or porcelain with a blade designed for softer more abrasive material.  After a few cuts the blade performance starts deteriorating more and more.  If your blade starts cutting poorly you should immediately grab a concrete brick or some other soft abrasive masonry material and make a few cuts to restore the blades efficiency.  If you run it dull too long this technique will be only marginally successful.

    If you get a granite blade (soft matrix) and use it to cut concrete or soft tile it will wear the blade out very rapidly. By wearing out, I mean the diamonds will be worn off of the blade and it will get smaller and smaller in diameter.

    Like I said, match the blade to the material being cut.  That way you wonlt have to worry so much about dressing the blade.

    I do so much freehand cutting with a small diamond bladed circular saw and an angle grinder with a diamond blade that I could forgo a large saw for anything except long straight cuts.  If you keep this in mind you will realize the actual saw you buy is nothing more than a way to get straighter cuts than going freehand.  I suspect MK is having most of their stuff made overseas so I suspect HF saws are not necessarily that inferior.  If you are a commercial user then you want to worry about motor longevity.

    Get some hearing protection while you are shopping for the saw.

    Karl

    1. smijal | Dec 14, 2003 02:50am | #9

      Karl,

      Thanks for the good information regarding blade types and applications.

      Everyone else,

      Thanks to all for their input. I was hoping for a simple answer, but as the years go by, I realize simple answers are few and far between. Being an advanced homeowner ( just finished a 840 sq foot addition to the home/garage where I did all but the trenching, block and flat cement--getin too old to abuse those muscles like that) I am always eager to bring home another tool, especially is I can justify getting future use out of it.

  6. WorkshopJon | Dec 14, 2003 03:01am | #10
     

    "Have a few projects to finish that require a tile saw. (And possibly few more in the future which is why I am interested in buying a saw and non just renting one)"

    Which of the two saws below would you pick for my type of usage? .....or Harbor Freight  10"   number  46225-2yza    (currently $199)"

    SMIJAL,

    I purchased that same saw ~year ago. For the money, I was quite impressed. There were 2 problems with it though. First the extruded aluminum sliding rail fence cover was hopelessly warped and basically needed to be removed, and the blade they (HF) sell had to "break in," ie. the edges had to round down a bit so it wouldn't harmonically vibrate like it did at first.

    For the money, it can't be beat. I heard HD was selling the same (diff. brand and paint) saw for $600.  BTW, I only paid $179 + $30 for the blade. One thing about HF, they make you hunt and fish for the lowest price. You need to know the right sku # and extension code to get the "best price."

    I just bought a 1,300lbs hoist from them for $149.00 (via a circular sent to me),   On the web, their site said $199.99.

    And the list goes on.

    Jon

  7. User avater
    JeffBuck | Dec 14, 2003 03:51am | #11

    snap cutter and a grinder.

    I do lotsa tile ... have a small wet saw ... most job's don't need it.

    Most "cuts" are hidden.

    Jeff

    Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

         Artistry in Carpentry                

    1. andybuildz | Dec 14, 2003 04:51am | #12

      I have the large Target saw...$1000 ten years ago and that things paid for itself many times over. Kinda expensive for this thread though..sorry.

      Be a $100 wet saw blade

                                        andyMy life is my practice!

      http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

      1. brownbagg | Dec 14, 2003 08:20am | #13

        last week well, thankgiving week HF had a wood bandsaw for $212. I try to purchase. they was out of stock but had some coming in the following week. So I check daily, Finally coming in couple days later. HF told me the sale was over the saw was now $399. I really think they never intended to sell that cheap but to get me in the door to buy other stuff. Oh they might had one or two at that price.

        The best employee you can have but you wouldn't want him as a neighbor " He the shifty type"

        1. smijal | Dec 14, 2003 05:37pm | #14

          Brownbag,

          Our newly opened Harbor Freight has the same problem of on sale merchandise being in short (or non-existant ) supply. The way I deal with this is to ask for a raincheck for the item. Once the sale is over the item will "magically" appear in stock, and you can purchase it.

           

           

          Stan

          1. billyg | Dec 14, 2003 09:30pm | #15

            I would spend a little bit more and get a real quality saw.  How about a Felker TM-75? It will make your tile job easier, and it will hold its value when you decide to resell it.  This place has it for $284:

            http://constructioncomplete.com/Tile-Saws-13in20in-Cutting/Felker-TM-75.html

            Check out the motor on this saw.  It does not use those tiny and very loud angle grinder motors that are often used on cheap saws.

            Billy

  8. wrick2003 | Dec 14, 2003 09:45pm | #16

         I just want to echo the grinder suggestion. I have used my 4" angle grinder with a diamond blade fir cutting tile for about 6 years. The cheap tile/table saw (about $100)I thought would be good really didn't do it's job well. It's more versatile; Ceramic, Limestone, Marble, Stucco, Metal, Concrete, it cut's everything.  

         The Yellow grinder was purchased reconditioned at about $70.00, the blades range from $15-$40.00. Keep a small collection of diamond blades, for different materials. You can also stack your blades to cut a specific kerf width.

         There are special tile/ glass drill bits also. They are teardrop shaped, and can make a 1/8" smooth hole 1/8" from the edge of most plain ceramic tile, just to illustrate the control you have with them.

         rg  

  9. alwaysoverbudget | Dec 14, 2003 10:44pm | #17

    i have that harbor frieght tile saw.this saw way surpasses any of the those saws out there that use a upside down angle grinder.i'm sure you could spend 1000 on a felker or m-k and get a better saw,but if your only going to lay tile 4-5 times a year this saw is a steal-they even pay shipping![some companys want 75 for shipping] mine arrived with a small dent the size of a marble on the motor cover so i  called them and in 10 days they had sent me a complete motor! i'd buy another one in a minute.larry

    1. rez | Dec 15, 2003 01:50am | #18

      So the MK100 1 1/2horse 10" with  cutting blade and diamond blade, with stand delivered for $569 would be  a decent price and considered a quality heavy duty mid range tool ?  

       

       

      1. Sancho | Dec 15, 2003 05:17am | #19

        569 for that mk 100 is a very good price. I paid 500 for my mk770 

        Darkworksite4:

        Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN

        1. rez | Dec 15, 2003 08:53am | #20

          Is a 2 hp motor instead of 1 1/2 and a covered guide rail worth an extra $230 dollars for the MK 101pro as opposed to the Mk100 which doesnt mention anything about a guide rail covered or otherwise.

           

           

  10. seeyou | Dec 15, 2003 04:30pm | #21

    I bought a HF saw similar to the one you're looking at 6-7 years ago. I have used it way more than I intended to and have had one problem. The water pump went out, so I grabbed an old aquarium pump I had and hooked that up. Still working great with the original blade. It sat outside for 2 winters, and I lend it out frequently. BTW, I paid a little more than $199 for it.

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