Replies

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jul 29, 2003 05:26am | #1

   I don't know what the QEP is like...

   but I do know what most MK's are like...

   and so do most other tile guys...and most rental shops.

   Even without seeing the QEP ....I can safely guess that the MK would be the better machine.

   For porcelain you'll want as little vibration as possible......smooth is the word....

   and even the beat up MK's are still pretty smooth.....many, many years later.

   And get a good blade too.

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

1. 
   MonitorMix | Jul 29, 2003 05:33am | #2

   Thanks! That's kind of what I figured. It was such a good deal, I couldn't really pass it up.

2. 
   CAGIV | Jul 29, 2003 06:59am | #4

   No personal experience with the QEP, but I can tell you what I was told by a tile pro.

   HD had there display model on clearence, it was a QEP 10" roughly 580 new, for sale at around 200 bucks.

   We recently had our MK turn up missing, so I asked the boss if I should pick it up for the company to replace the old one. He told me to call our tile guy and ask him about it,

   The tile guy said that even 200 bucks, the QEP really isn't worth it, from what he said they are not as sturdy or well built as others in the same price range.

   And if it matters to you, I believe they are made in china, though I'm not sureNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

1. 
   Tark | Jul 29, 2003 07:15am | #5

   Good Evening All,

   I was at HD yesterday and saw a really inexpensive 7" tile saw ($88.00). The brand name was Workforce. I'm a DIY'er for home projects and only have use for a tile saw only a couple of times a year, but the thought of purchasing a tile saw for the cost I would pay to rent one on my next project seemed enticing.

   At the least, I thought I could try it and if it really sucked, just return it. My next project would entail cutting polished porcelain tiles. Any thoughts? Should I give it a try or stick to renting.

   Thanks,

   Tark

1. 
   Sancho | Jul 29, 2003 07:45am | #6

   Ya get what ya pay for in tools.  There is a good saw thats a little cheaper than the MK its a Felker. I dont have one personally but Ive heard alot of good things about it from the guys at the John Bridge forum. I would look into one of those if I were you. 

   Darkworks:  No Guns No Butter squilla and the bling bling.

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Jul 30, 2003 06:09am | #8

   tark, I have that saw, or the clone from Lowes.  It's ok.  Don't get in a hurry, don't expect immaculate results, but it works.  I justified the purchase by figuring that I would do about one bathroom every 6 mos, and I could keep the saw on hand as much as needed without rental charges.

   Do it right, or do it twice.

3. 
   stonebm | Jul 31, 2003 08:21pm | #10

   I borrowed a saw from a relative to install ceramic in my bathroom.  I wasn't impressed.  Of course, the tiles were 12x12 and laid at a 45 and the saw table just wasn't big enough.  I've rented the 10" (I think) MK saws from rental places on about 6 or 8 occasions now (lots of tile in our house) and, even at $50 per rental, I'd never recommend one of those cheap tile saws to anyone.  You're better off renting a contractor-grade saw than owning a cheap one.  A lot of the tile I installed was so expensive that I wouldn't have wanted to risk screwing up cuts with an inferior quality saw.  Porcelain is also a lot harder to cut than ceramic and the cheaper saws just don't have the power to get through them.

1. 
   shake_n_stir | Jul 31, 2003 10:56pm | #12

   I have done a little tile work myself and have found the porcelain to be much harder than ceramic. 

   Does anyone think the porcelain is a superior product?  If you were buying tile for your personal home would the porcelain vs ceramic be part of the decsion or just color and texture?

2. 
   MGMaxwell | Aug 01, 2003 02:30am | #13

   Check the archives at johnbridge.com for comments on tile saws. Most of the pros recommend the Felker. Porcelain is ceramic but it is denser and fired hotter. It is harder to cut. It absorbs less moisture and is therefore superior when exposed out  of doors. Also  it doesn't have a glaze on the surface that when broken or chipped  shows an unsightly contrasting light color.

2. 
   JeffBuck | Jul 30, 2003 05:55am | #7

   man, I woulda even thought about jumping on that deal...

   good thinking on calling the tile guru.

   I'm still holding out for a killer deal on a big MK......100 or 101(prefered)...

   still get by with my little MK ..forget what model number.....little tiny guy.....and my Rubi snap cutter. I do about 90% of the cuts on the Rubi board .....quicker and cleaner.

   anything else goes thru the little MK or one of the grinders.

   JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

1. 
   CAGIV | Jul 30, 2003 06:10am | #9

   Oh, I forgot to mention the display model was used and apperently re-built, it was the one they used for their demo's, stores only been open for about a month, guess it broke, they fixed, but needed one while it was getting so fixed so they opened another box....

   I thought about it for myself, being so cheap, but I don't do enough tile work to warrant it, the grinder does me fine, and I used the company saw before it came up "missing" by some a-hole ex-employee.Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

2. 
   FrankB89 | Jul 29, 2003 06:01am | #3

   I ditto Jeff.  Home I'm just finishing; HO had a relative come in to do the tile; had a couple of those Italian saws that ride an overhead rail...a 7" and a 10"....both saws brand new.  Spent more time repairing and aligning the saws than cutting tile.

   My MK is a tank but has never let me down.

   Buy a good blade!

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/28/2003 11:02:31 PM ET by Notchman

3. 
   shake_n_stir | Jul 31, 2003 10:49pm | #11

   Curious, why porcelian over ceramic?