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Tile Saw Purchase

workinhard | Posted in Tools for Home Building on February 10, 2004 10:45am

I’m looking to replace my old MK470 which has seen many good years of use and is on its last legs.  I was very happy with it, but now that it’s time to replace, I was looking at a couple options.  One is the home depot special QD or QP.  Has anyone used this machine?  I know it’s from home depot, but it has a 1 1/4 hp motor vs. the 1/2hp motor on the MK370.  It seems that MK isn’t marketing or manufacturing my old 470 anymore, replacing it with the 370 and 377.

The prices between the mk370 and the QP are comparable, so I’m really looking for someone who has used both and can give me some insight.

Thanks

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Replies

  1. Sancho | Feb 11, 2004 11:07pm | #1

    Check out the felker. I dont have one but I heard a lot of good things about them.

     

    Darkworksite4:

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

  2. HealeyBN7 | Feb 12, 2004 12:16am | #2

    I posted a similar question regarding Harbor Freight's $200 wet saw - didn't see any negative responses.  You may want to look at that saw as well.  For me - I haven't bought it yet - sale ends March 1.

    1. rjgogo | Feb 12, 2004 01:59am | #3

      If you are after straight cuts just say no to the Harbor Freight. 

      1. WorkshopJon | Feb 12, 2004 02:55am | #4

        "If you are after straight cuts just say no to the Harbor Freight." 

         

        RJ,

        Mine cuts to an accuracy of ~.005"- .010" to the foot.  Since when was tile work tool making?

        Jon.

        BTW, I only paid $179 I think for mine, plus $25 for the blade.

        1. rjgogo | Feb 12, 2004 04:33am | #6

          Jon,  My only experience with the Harbor freight was on a borrowed unit and it was off quite a bit more then your experience and it was noticable to the eye,  well if would have been had it not been covered by baseboard and shoe.  Harbor Freight has their place and I do own some of the stuff,  some has been good quality and some has been real crap.  Maybe the one I used was from a different chinese subcontractor then yours.  But nothing I could do would get it to cut straight. 

          I own a MK and much prefer the ease of use of that unit even at a $200 + premium. 

          1. WorkshopJon | Feb 12, 2004 05:17am | #11

            "Harbor Freight has their place"...... "nothing I could do would get it to cut straight."

            RJ,

            You are right about HF having their place.  Often however lots of those made in china tools have a great deal of built-in adjustment. A bump during shipping can send them totally out of wack.

            The HF tile saw is that way. I had to take mine apart to remove the slide guard, which was hopelessly warped, but as a DIY, not needed. In the process I can tell you that I discovered that the saw has LOTS OF built-in adjustment, and real easy to do with a square, and/or dial indicator if your anal.

            The biggest problem out of the box I had (beside the slide guide) is that a fresh blade harmonically vibrates causing chipping. After a while, once the square edges round a tad, and that problem went away.

      2. toolin63 | Feb 25, 2004 11:39pm | #24

        There is an adjustment screw. Mine cuts straight as an arrow.Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing!     Holmes Sr. Oliver Wendell

    2. toolin63 | Feb 25, 2004 11:34pm | #23

      Have the Habor freight 10". Love it for the price. Works great!!! For the price of the mk I can buy three.Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing!     Holmes Sr. Oliver Wendell

      1. HealeyBN7 | Feb 25, 2004 11:44pm | #25

        Yes  - I bought my 199.00 HF tile saw last weekend.  Works great.  Had to align the sliding bed, but that was to be expected.  Only difference between the HF tool and Mk saws that I had been renting, is the HF tool is cleaner!... and may be heavier.

        1. ahneedhelp | Feb 27, 2004 12:52am | #26

          Saw a MK100 at Lowes in the tile section.

          Tucked in on the bottom of the shelf of a cutting station and covered in dust.

          Smashed box.

          Priced at $479.

  3. CAGIV | Feb 12, 2004 04:12am | #5

    take it worth a grain of salt, since I've never used the QP

    I almost bought a re-con or floor model that was on clearence at home despot a few months back, talked to our tile guy first and he said to stay away from it.

    Team Logo

  4. ClaysWorld | Feb 12, 2004 04:50am | #7

    I just took a quick look and the model 470 is readily available. Let see if Ican copy this site for you.

     Clay

    http://www.protoolsexpress.com/catalog_i817468.html?catId=13310

    1. workinhard | Feb 12, 2004 04:52am | #8

      Thanks for tracking that down.  Since I need the saw real soon, I may have to break down and get the HD special.  I'll let everyone know just how crappy it is after I finish the job.

      1. ClaysWorld | Feb 12, 2004 08:09pm | #18

        Go to to the big box and buy a better saw instead of a throw a way. There will always be another tile job tommorow if youv'e got the saw.

         Chck the price at blows/ make Home desperate match and beat by 10% and open a new account/ or the wife / or a friend and get another 10% and you'll be printin money.

         Clay

        1. workinhard | Feb 13, 2004 12:37am | #19

          Thanks for all the tricks and tips.  I've just purchased a mk 770 from contractorstools.com.  They were the cheapest I found $477.  It looks like a great machine.  The head tilts to perform the miters.  3/4 HP.  Looks like the step up from my old 470.

          Was hard for me to part with an extra $177, but after tax at HD, only really $150 more.  Much better machine, should last a lot longer and I don't have to go to HD.  At least until tomorrow.

          1. Sancho | Feb 13, 2004 06:50pm | #20

            Like I said I got the 770 great saw, its light and easy. youll be happy with Im sure. i have cut everything including granite tile with it and no problems. but i do have to warn ya.. It is a loud saw.  

            Darkworksite4:

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

          2. ClaysWorld | Feb 13, 2004 08:49pm | #21

            Carry those E.A.R. Plugs in your watch pocket. That loud noise your refering to is natures way of saying your going to go deaf if you don't put em in.

             Clay

             PS Yea I know it's a pain but think of the bennefits, Huh Whatd you say.

          3. Sancho | Feb 13, 2004 11:24pm | #22

            huh? oooppppsss ttoooo llaattee 

            Darkworksite4:

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

  5. rez | Feb 12, 2004 04:56am | #9

    Check the online prices with free shipping.

    Just bought an mk and checked with the guys at lowes at their request. Said they couldn't come close and they were trying.

     

     

    1. workinhard | Feb 12, 2004 05:00am | #10

      I hear you, but even with free shipping it'll take a week to get here.  At least it has in the past.  I just don't have that kind of time.  If I did, I'd certainly do it mail order.  That seems to be the way to go for most items. 

      I'm going to get a Jet Cabinet saw by mail order, free shipping.  Now that's heavy.

      1. calvin | Feb 12, 2004 05:43am | #12

        workinhard,  just a friendly suggestion.  Try to plan a little more time on your tool purchases.  You've added up about 500 bucks in a couple of threads on quick purchase.  You're liable to miss out on the right tool, and at the worst some dinero's.  Don't get the wrong idea, I've made buys according to the job before, thankfully most of the time been satisfied with the results.  But believe me, a timed decision is often the better one.  Best of luck on the job.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

  6. FastEddie1 | Feb 12, 2004 06:55am | #13

    I am using a MK 370 now on a large tile job, and it works well.  I wish I had been able to afford one with a tilting head so I could cut bevels on the edges of tiles, but otherwise I am happy with it.

    Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

    The craftsman formerly known as elCid

    1. calvin | Feb 12, 2004 07:11am | #14

      On some of the saws I've used, the tray tips up and locks, you feed it through the stationary head.  Check and see if the tilt tray is an accessory for that saw.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

      Quittin' Time

      1. FastEddie1 | Feb 12, 2004 07:19am | #15

        Not for that model.  They do offer a jig that clamps to the table and holds the tile at 45* but I made one from a scrap of cedar 4x4 and it works well enough.Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

        The craftsman formerly known as elCid

        1. Sancho | Feb 12, 2004 06:34pm | #16

          I use my speed square with some stair gages attached. try it its the bomb. 

          Darkworksite4:

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

        2. Sancho | Feb 12, 2004 06:37pm | #17

          If you want a MK (even though Id go for the felker about 300 bucks and equal to the mk 660 and I own a MK 770) Id take a hard look at the MK 100 cost a little more but its a whole lotta saw for the $$$.

           if ya want to go cheap aient worried about clean/ dia cuts and its for tile 12x12 or less and for one job only with a few cuts..... check out (dont laugh guys it does work) the plas plug. 

          Darkworksite4:

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

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