MK Diamond 157222 MK-170 1/3-Horsepower 7-Inch Bench Wet Tile Saw

From the Manufacturer

Versatile and compact for tabletop use by do-it-yourselfers. High-torque, universal motor. High-impact thermoplastic water reservoir will not rust or peel, and can be removed for easy cleaning. Safe-switch prevents saw from being operated when locking key is removed. 15-1/2-inch-by-14-1/2-inch-by-12-1/2-inch. Standard equipment: mk-170 tile saw, 7-inch mk-100 wet cutting diamond blade, submersible water pump, and adjustable rip guide. Specifications: 115-volt, 50/60 hz universal motor, 5,500 rpm. 7-inch blade capacity, 5/8-inch arbor, 2-inch depth of cut (10-inch blade), 12-inch length of cut (300 mm).   Designed for the "do-it-yourselfer", this versatile and compact tabletop tile saw features a high torque, 1/3 hp universal motor that spins the blade at 5500 rpm. This saw zips through tile 12 inches long, and 2 inches thick. Its high-impact thermoplastic water reservoir will not rust or peel and can be removed for easy cleaning. Weighing just 15 pounds this tool offers optimal portability. For safety’s sake, this saw has a special Safeswitch locking key and cannot be operated without it. Your purchase includes a 7" wet-cutting diamond blade, submersible water pump, and adjustable rip guide.

Technical Details

• 7-inch bench wet tile saw
• 1/3-horsepower engine for high torque (5500 rpm) and power
• High-impact thermoplastic water reservoir will not rust or peel
• Includes saw, 7-inch diamond blade, submersible water pump, adjustable rip guide
• 15 pounds; 1-year warranty

What People Are Saying About This Tile Saw:

Nice compact saw for small projects
Very good quality as expected from MK. Very light & compact. Seems to have plenty of power for the size of motor. I am using this saw to trim natural stone. I wanted something small to use on scaffolding & this saw is perfect for that. 


Screws Stripped
Saw arrived with stripped screw holes where saw attaches to base. Saw is held to base with 4 screws that thread into plastic ONLY. Returned.

Works well but could be better
It works well, mine doesn't run true so creates a slightly wider cut than it needs but it is only slightly so I'm not concerned. The only other thing is the plastic measuring bar which is difficult to set properly and you end up wasting a lot of time measuring and remeasuring from the front and back end of the measuring guide. Apart from that it has actually performed very well once you set it all up, if I purchased another I would consider this again however, I'd probably look for one that has a sliding table instead if I could find one at the same price.

Good saw, but not perfect
I have a fairly large size tiling project to tackle, so, after much research and reading lots of reviews, I decided to donate the portable 4" tile saw I picked up at Harbor Freight for $45 and invest in an MK-170. The MK-170 comes 85% assembled by the manufacturer and sets up quickly out of the box. The 7" continuous rim blade attaches easily to the motor with the provided tools. The deck is made of metal and not plastic, so you can expect it to last for many years. While I haven't used the MK-170 to cut tile yet, I can see where the raised bumps on the deck might pose a problem with making staight cuts. The bumps are quite large and don't appear to serve any useful purpose. I'll update this review after I've used the saw to cut tile. I turned the power on to test the motor. Some reviewers reported it as being 'loud', but it's quieter than my 4" Harbor Freight saw, which screams like a Banshee. The water tray is made of thick plastic and seems durable. The bottom of the tray is smooth, so I expect the saw may slide during use if not somehow braced. My Harbor Freight saw has 2 plastic elbows/brackets mounted to the front housing that latch onto a bench top to prevent sliding backwards during use. I plan to fabricate something similar for my MK-170. The on/off toggle switch is easy to operate. As other reviewers reported, there is no guide included for making angle cuts. Fotunately, I still have the angle guide that came w/ my Harbor Freight saw. If you don't have an angle guide, one can easily be fabricated out of 1/4" aluminum or PVC, but a guide should probably be included with the MK-170. Also, the included rip guide is plastic and seems flimsy, requiring a bit of finagling to lock down wing nuts on both ends to hold the rip guide in place. The locking mechanism on the rip guide could definitely be improved. The rip guide on my Harbor Freight saw is also plastic, but it clamps into position on both ends, similar to the attachment for a rip guide on a table saw. The MK-170 could also benefit from a ruler attached to the front and back of the deck, which would mean less time wasted fumbling around with a tape measure. Again, I haven't used the MK-170 to cut tile, but based on a side-by-side comparison of the MK-170 with an inexpensive Harbor Freight saw, I can see several areas on the MK-170 in need of improvement. After I put another $15-$20 and some quality time into my MK-170 tile saw, it'll be great, however, given that MK Diamond manufacturers professional-grade saws costing $1,000+, I don't believe to should be necessary for the consumer to have to find ways to fix obvious design flaws.

MK-170 7" Tile Saw
Do not BUY this saw. Yes, it does cut tile but there are serious problems with its design:
1. The Rip Fence is sooooo cheesy and in combo with the dimpled table surface becomes problematic for setting it straight.
2. The dimpled table is not only annoying but can be difficult when trying to move tiles smoothly while cutting.
3. There's NO 45 degree jig for such cuts that are frequently needed in most tile jobs.

No wonder MK Diamond stopped making this saw! 


Defective - Crooked blade
Judging from the reviews so far I think I might have had a defective product. As I took it out of the box and put everything together I thought it was decent but after wasting a couple of expensive tiles I realized it was the blade causing issues, not the fence or operator error. The blade was off 1/4" from one end to the other. The motor assembly mount of the holding bracket looks to be welded crooked. I would give this another try but I don't have time to return this and wait for a new one.

Just make sure to check that the blade is straight before you get into a tile project!

Home Hobbyist
This is a great little saw for the "Do It Yourselfer". I give it 4 stars. I bought it for my bathroom and kitchen ceramic tile installation. It's ready to go right out of the box. Just install the supplied blade and connect the water pump supply tube. I suggest you buy a quality blade with your purchase. The supplied blade cuts well but after about 25 cuts it began chipping the edge of the tile. Free hand cuts are a breeze but I did not find the rip fence user friendly at all. It needs to be re-designed. I'm satisfied with the purchase and I would recommend it.

The Pro's
- It's a great price
- Well built
- Very portable and easy to use
- Compact and powerful

The Con's
- The guide fence is useless.  
    

MK Diamond 158252 MK-145 1/2-Horsepower 4-1/2-Inch Wet Tile Saw

From the Manufacturer

The MK-145 4-1/2-inch wet tile saw cuts ceramic tile like a champ with a 155-volt 4 amp direct drive 1/2-horsepower motor. This lightweight 11-pound saw gives heavyweight performance with a 4-1/2-inch tile blade that cuts 45- and 22-degree miters.

Technical Details

• Powerful 115-voly, 4-amp direct drive motor is rated at 1/2-horsepower
• Capable of cutting 45-degree and 22-1/2-degree miters
• Runs off of standard household current
• Includes 4-1/2-inch tile blade
• Lightweight at 11-pounds with a compact and versatile design

What People Are Saying About This Tile Saw:

Great for the do it yourselfer
Easy to use, strong enough for cutting thicker tile. Not contractor par but for in home projects it suffices more than you'd expect.

piece of junk
I have use this saw only 3 times now, and I dont even want to look at it again. what can i say it was a complete waste of money.
heres why: the entire thing is made of cheap plastic, its extremely difficult to get the guide straight (when you move it on one side you have to move it again on the other side- it doesnt just slide together). The guide is to tight that after a few times adjusting it, it cracked. oh did i mention that you must wear a rain coat when using this saw!
do your self a favor, spend some money and get something worth it weight in plastic. like I always say: you get what you pay for. dont be fooled by the MK name

Great wet tile saw for small jobs
I would recommend this saw for anyone doing small jobs, or even larger jobs if time is not a factor. I used this saw to cut 18" tile and most cuts were without the guide in place. I had to make 2 cuts going into a doorway that were 4" inch rips, with 3/4" inch legs of 3" on the left and right sides of the door. This saw performs very well. I am not a tile setter, this was my second time doing tile at home. I'm sure that I would have spent more money to rent a saw than what I paid for this one and I hope that my wife doesn't see this review and get any more ideas!

Good value; good performance
I bought this tile saw to use for several DIY projects. I ended up making about 40 cuts in 12x12 porcelain tiles, and the saw worked very well. It has a decent design, although the all-plastic construction is off-putting at first. The saw worked great, however, and I couldn't be happier with it, especially considering its price. Yes, it's messy to use (although I discovered, duh, that if you put the blade guard down all the way it will spray hardly any water on your pants). The water needs to be replenished about every two to three cuts on a 12x12. The fence works fine, especially for repetitive cuts like mine were. I filed down some of the plastic on the ends of the fence, and that made it easier to move around, especially when there was lots of debris on the saw. The blade held up just fine (I bought an extra but didn't need to use it.). This is a very good choice if you are not a professional tile-setter and just need an inexpensive saw for DIY projects. I'm looking forward to using it again. Overall, seems reliable, cuts well and accurately, inexpensive, and durable. Would buy it again in a minute.

Perfect for the DIY
I found the plastic fence was a bit difficult to move and adjust due to the tile debris. Other than that it was awesome. I even cut and beveled my own corner shelves out of 12 inch tiles. You can do curved cuts, 45's and bevel edges with some practice. I was also able to cut 18 inch floor tiles with it. I pretty much wore out the blade on my bathroom project. It was certainly cheaper than renting a big wet saw and I can easily store it until I find another tile project in the future.

great little saw
This little saw works great. Power is great. Stability is good. The rail is a little flimsy and can be sticky to move around, but other than that it performs well. Cleanability and water-tightness is very good. The only thing is that 4 1/2" blades are not readily available (at least not at my Home Depot). But the 4" blades work okay. Thanks for a great product!

Brittle plastic parts won't last
While this is a functional basic wet-saw, it has a number of drawbacks:
1. The fence is poorly designed and manufactured - the tabs broke off in the first week of use. Cheap Chinese crap plastic and poor industrial design.
2. The blade will only cut "soft" clay tile - don't even try to cut porcelain.
3. Limited to cuts under 8" because of the way the fence is attached.
4. Hard to find this size of replacement blade,

Next time I would pay more and buy a 7" wet saw with the motor and blade above a sliding table.        

MK Diamond 159943 MK-370K 1-1/4-Horsepower 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw with 160131 Stand

From the Manufacturer

A durable saw that combines the simplicity of design and professional engineering, this tile saw from MK is perfect for the do-it-yourselfer or the discriminating craftsman. A chrome guide bar and linear bearing assembly ensures precise alignment during cutting operations with a hinged blade guard for easy blade changes and maintenance inspections. The removable thermoplastic water reservoir will not rust or bend out of shape, and the fully submersible thermally protected water pump is capable of delivering 95 gallons of water per hour. Compact and lightweight with carrying handles for easy transportation, the 370EXP also features a rugged maintenance-free self-lubricating pinion and gearbox assembly, and a single-piece zinc-plated steel frame.

Technical Details

• 7-inch portable wet tile saw; 18-inch rip, 13-inch diagonal, 2-inch depth of cut
• 1-1/4-horsepower engine for high torque (5500 rpm) and power
• High-impact thermoplastic water reservoir will not rust or peel; chrome guide bar; zinc-plated steel frame
• Includes saw, blade, submersible water pump, adjustable rip guide & Model no. 160131 Stand
• 27-pounds; 1-year warranty

What People Are Saying About this Tile Saw:

Nice wet saw for your DIYers
I purchased this saw to lay ceramic tile on the kitchen floor and backsplash. I also used it to cut marble for two bathroom floors and showers. The blade that came with the saw worked for the kitchen floor only. After that, I bought a high quality DeWalt blade. Talk about a difference. Anyway, the saw works really well. My biggest complaint would be the water pump. Really cheap...but it does do the job. I ended up using a five gallon bucket of clean unused water that was siphoned out by the water pump to cut. This way, the pump never clogged with dirty water.

If you're working on a large job or several small jobs where renting a wet saw doesn't make sense, I would suggest this saw...but be aware that you will need to replace the blade quite quickly...so get a high quality blade...it will make a world of a difference. And be sure to use clean water out of a separate bucket...that way your pump won't clog.


End Product: A Beautiful Floor
I needed a wet saw, and have other projects coming up soon that warrant having my own saw, rather than renting one. On the verge of installing my first marble floor, I read with concern some of the reviews for this product. I noted what was available from the likes of Home Depot, e.g., their own brand, and opted for the MK "name" brand. In the overall, I was happy with this purchase. Not ecstatic, mind you, but happy.
The saw is noisy, and ear protection is essential. It is well packed and was received in great shape. The optional stand and cutting kit (a freebie online) were most helpful. The saw was able to cut 12" marble on a diagonal, in nice, neat cuts with the provided Hot Dog blade. I had a problem, however, if I had to cut, say, 2" off the center line of a diagonal tile. Perhaps it was the way I had the saw set up, but I was forced to turn the tile over 2/3 of the way through the cut. Perhaps that is to be expected; not having much tile cutting experience, I wouldn't know. I managed just fine, however, eyeballing the line of the cut to match up with it starting from the other end. One review stated the saw did not make straight cuts. I have to agree. I found it necessary to concentrate, as the cut line had a slight tendency to wander a bit... it might have been off by 1/16". I found the water pump to be a bit small, but it worked the first time, and for the duration of my cutting (a full day), providing an ample water supply until the last few cuts. An odd thing, pointed out in other reviews, is that the plastic water basin has no drain in it. It would have been easier to clean and replace the circulating water during the cutting process if there were a drain hole in it, rather than tipping the entire saw to spill out the dirty water.
The end result was that the saw did for me what I hoped it would: enable me to lay down a marble floor that looks great, imho, and one which included some rather difficult cuts. Would another saw have done it better? Maybe. In this price range? Maybe not. I look forward to my next tile job with it.

Great for novices.
I'm not exactly what you would consider "handy," but my wife and I decided to tile our master bath anyway. We tried renting a wet saw, but found that put too much pressure on us to get the job done quickly--not a possibility with my skill level. The MK-370 was a perfect choice for purchasing. It was easy to use and cut through our porcelain ceramic tile like butter. And owning this saw allowed us to work at our own comfortable pace. To our surprise, our project turned out better than expected and I can say that this saw was a major reason why.   

MK Diamond 157222 MK-170 1/3-Horsepower 7-Inch Bench Wet Tile Saw

From the Manufacturer

Versatile and compact for tabletop use by do-it-yourselfers. High-torque, universal motor. High-impact thermoplastic water reservoir will not rust or peel, and can be removed for easy cleaning. Safe-switch prevents saw from being operated when locking key is removed. 15-1/2-inch-by-14-1/2-inch-by-12-1/2-inch. Standard equipment: mk-170 tile saw, 7-inch mk-100 wet cutting diamond blade, submersible water pump, and adjustable rip guide. Specifications: 115-volt, 50/60 hz universal motor, 5,500 rpm. 7-inch blade capacity, 5/8-inch arbor, 2-inch depth of cut (10-inch blade), 12-inch length of cut (300 mm).

What people are saying about the MK Diamond 157222 MK-170 1/3-Horsepower 7-Inch Bench Wet Tile Saw:

Good saw, but not perfect., May 19, 2010
I have a fairly large size tiling project to tackle, so, after much research and reading lots of reviews, I decided to donate the portable 4" tile saw I picked up at Harbor Freight for $45 and invest in an MK-170. The MK-170 comes 85% assembled by the manufacturer and sets up quickly out of the box. The 7" continuous rim blade attaches easily to the motor with the provided tools. The deck is made of metal and not plastic, so you can expect it to last for many years. While I haven't used the MK-170 to cut tile yet, I can see where the raised bumps on the deck might pose a problem with making staight cuts. The bumps are quite large and don't appear to serve any useful purpose. I'll update this review after I've used the saw to cut tile. I turned the power on to test the motor. Some reviewers reported it as being 'loud', but it's quieter than my 4" Harbor Freight saw, which screams like a Banshee. The water tray is made of thick plastic and seems durable. The bottom of the tray is smooth, so I expect the saw may slide during use if not somehow braced. My Harbor Freight saw has 2 plastic elbows/brackets mounted to the front housing that latch onto a bench top to prevent sliding backwards during use. I plan to fabricate something similar for my MK-170. The on/off toggle switch is easy to operate. As other reviewers reported, there is no guide included for making angle cuts. Fotunately, I still have the angle guide that came w/ my Harbor Freight saw. If you don't have an angle guide, one can easily be fabricated out of 1/4" aluminum or PVC, but a guide should probably be included with the MK-170. Also, the included rip guide is plastic and seems flimsy, requiring a bit of finagling to lock down wing nuts on both ends to hold the rip guide in place. The locking mechanism on the rip guide could definitely be improved. The rip guide on my Harbor Freight saw is also plastic, but it clamps into position on both ends, similar to the attachment for a rip guide on a table saw. The MK-170 could also benefit from a ruler attached to the front and back of the deck, which would mean less time wasted fumbling around with a tape measure. Again, I haven't used the MK-170 to cut tile, but based on a side-by-side comparison of the MK-170 with an inexpensive Harbor Freight saw, I can see several areas on the MK-170 in need of improvement. After I put another $15-$20 and some quality time into my MK-170 tile saw, it'll be great, however, given that MK Diamond manufacturers professional-grade saws costing $1,000+, I don't believe to should be necessary for the consumer to have to find ways to fix obvious design flaws.




MK-170 good DIY saw, August 30, 2009 
I bought this tile saw to replace my 120sqft kitchen floor with 12in ceramic tiles. The saw arrived quickly and in good condition. Assembly was not difficult, although the instructions for attaching the tubing to the pump were not clear and I struggled a bit to get the tubing on. Otherwise, the saw easily cut all the tile I needed. The plastic fence is flimsy, but it works well enough. As the directions state, you need to make sure the fence is parallel to the blade. I only needed to do this once at the initial setup. When moving the fence, be sure to lock down the front end of the fence while the back side is loose, and tighten the back side second. This helped keep the fence square. As with all wet saws, water went everywhere. However, I thought this saw was particularly bad at containing the water. I had to refill once every third tile, which seemed a hassle IMHO. There was not enough margin between the required minimum and maximum levels when you're losing water at such a high rate. It didn't help that it was also a little difficult to determine the water level (difficult to see if the pump was covered). One other small issue was that the saw would move in the tray during the cutting process and press the fence against the back of the tray. I had to shift the saw away from the back of the tray to move the fence. In summary, I am very happy with the saw. I am a tiling novice, but my floor came out fantastic with the help of this saw. I have other tiling projects planned (bathroom and laundry), so it made sense for me to buy a saw instead of renting.