Greetings –
In the market for a tile saw. I’ve bummed them enough times that I need to buy my own, but I don’t need a full on pro model since it will only get occasional use.
MK has a promo for the MK-100 that includes a 10″ blade and fence for $569.00, free shipping.
Felker has the FTS -150 with 10″ blade, miter gauge, and stand, $559.00 shipped free.
Any feedback on either or both? Thanks in advance.
Bruce
Between the mountains and the desert …
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Replies
Bruce - Somewhere on this board is another thread that I just ran about MK saws. They have poor pumps and absolutely no customer service. When I called to complain about the brand new pump that didn't work, their customer service rep said they didn't honor their one year warranty after 60 days; she also said I should buy a replacement pump at a pet store for an aquarium. Search the archives, it was there this afternoon.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Thanx Don.
Found your thread. Funny, the last saw I bummed off a friend was a smaller MK, and I ran muck through that pump for a coupla months, and it never missed a beat. But it's good to know about their service, or lack of same. I'll keep that in mind.Bruce
Between the mountains and the desert ...
I've got a Felker....10"....don't know the model # off hand. Cost about $800 maybe 5 years back. It sees occasional use...a few tile jobs a year. No complaints whatsoever.
If I'm being honest, its probably the one tool I own whose maintenance I neglect.
No probs with the pump or anything else.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I've used a number of different brands over the years, including MK, Felker and a few others.
Had a 7" MK for years that was finally stolen while on loan to another contractor.
Since he was going to replace it with anything I wanted I originally thought I would ask for a 10" MK. However, while leafing through a Harbor Freight mailer I saw their 10" saw ($399) on sale for $199.
What the heck. It looks remarkably like the red saw, the blue saw and the yellow saw.
Bought that saw. It comes with a money back although time limited guarantee.
Works just like the high priced boys and comes with square and miter stops and wrenches and the pump hasn't burped once. The frame is substantial, the motor is quiet, the blade runs true and the table rides smoothly. Best of all, the table is just as stable as all the others and glides smoothly through every cut. Even better than the MK it replaced.
My pet peave with wet saws is the flexibility of the table. It shouldn't flex because when it does each and every tile will snap off before you reach the end of your cut.
Now that's an interesting thought; I see right now they have both that saw and a bridge type saw both on sale for $199. Don't have to get through many jobs to make it pay at that price. I've never used the bridge type, but I like the idea of laying a 24"x24" tile on it. You could put down a floor real fast.
I've gone the "off brand" route before, and came out OK. What's the outfit that rolls into town with a coupla semi's full of tools and folds up and moves on two days later? Bought a compressor from them; turns out it was a De Vilbiss that had a pinhole in the tank, so it was returned and welded up. They painted the original label over and sold it to me, and it's been going great for 5 years.
Bruce
Between the mountains and the desert ...
Edited 2/22/2006 12:05 am by Bruce
Edited 2/22/2006 7:42 pm by Bruce
I have a Felker FTS-150 and it's an excellent saw. It's probably more than I need; I could have gotten by with the FTS-75. One of the nice things about Felker is their powerful honkin' motors that are much stronger and quieter than the angle grinder motors used on many tile saws. The other nice think about Felker is they are right here in the U.S. and their customer service is great. I needed some bolts and tray rollers and they sent them to me for free.
Go over to http://www.johnbridge.com and ask them about tile saws. Good prices on Felkers over there too...
Billy
Yeah, John Bridge is where I saw the Felker for that price. Sounds like a real maybe ...Bruce
Between the mountains and the desert ...
I have a Felker 150.
VERY nice.
I just finished s shower where every friggin piece of tile had to be cut. And I mean that. There is not a single uncut piece in this 5' by 8' walk-in.
Walls, ceiling, I'll be tiling the floor tomorrow.
The Felker does a nice job. Easy to get repetitive cuts.
I'd buy it again.