SKIL 3540-02 4.2-Amp 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw

As with any do it yourself project, the tools you need will be one of the first things you must consider as you plan the job.  And if a tiling job is in your near future, the ability to cut the tiles will be the number one challenge you will face.  The thought that many homeowners have when considering a tile job is that they can get by with a manual tile cutter since they are likely not doing a major project.  This is primarily driven by cost and believe me I understand how that can sometimes affect a decision.  Well, let me say, I have used many tile cutting utensils through the years, from the manual cutters through the best professional wet tile saws.  If you are like me, you may have had mixed results when renting tools or equipment.  Many rental items come with their own set of issues that can sometimes be the source of hours of frustration as you attempt to make them operate as they are designed to do.  However, some tools are so expensive or impractical to own that renting is the only viable solution.  But, when it comes to wet tile saws, that is not necessarily case.  If you rent a wet tile saw you are looking at $40 to $50 bucks a day, so after a couple of days use this saw will pay for itself. Also, having my own saw allows me to work at my own pace instead of rushing to save on rental fees.  I can tell you that the SKIL 3540-02 wet tile saw is a cost effective wet tile saw that will satisfy the needs of most any homeowner handyman.
 
The saw arrived well packaged and included the saw, a 7-inch diamond blade, blade guard, and blade wrenches.  This saw was easy to set up and it was assembled and ready for use in minutes.  As I expected, this is not a professional contractor tool by any means, but for the DIY homeowner it is a good value for the money, simple, and surprisingly capable.  Some specifics of this saw include a stainless steel table top that should make it resistant to corrosion, an adjustable rip fence with miter gauge allowing for accurate straight cuts, miter cuts, and bevel cuts from 0 to 45 degrees.  All this sits atop a water reservoir to keep the blade cool and to minimize dust and debris.

The blade is of pretty good quality. Since acquiring this saw, I've worked it pretty hard, cutting tile, stones, and glass and it just keeps going.  This saw can be used with about any size tile...you simply take the guide off and saw it free-hand. The limiting factor is how large a piece of tile can you hold steady and cut.  I would estimate I have made in excess of 200 cuts, using only the blade that came with the saw, and it has performed flawlessly.  It certainly is not the most powerful wet tile saw on the market but it's also not that expensive. Understand what you are purchasing and I think you will find this a simple electric tile saw for doing homeowner remodels. This is not meant for daily use or heavy duty construction projects.  If you intend to take on multiple projects, you should probable consider a wet saw with more power and speed.  It is definitely a better option than using the score and snap tools - even for the single job.

I have seen other reviews where people have struggled with the fence adjustment, complained about the small water reservoir, and were splashed by water while cutting tiles.  Keeping these issues in mind when I started, I was able to overcome them by first, setting up the rip fence with a square before using.  I made sure I had the fence aligned and screwed down very tight and thus did not see any movement as long as I had things very tight.  I kept a jug of water close at hand and refilled the reservoir after every three or four cuts and wore safety glasses and old clothes when cutting.  Also, reading the scale on the shiny stainless steel top is difficult to read but I never use it since I always mark the tile and use that mark as a reference for the cut. I found the saw fairly easy to clean up with a garden hose at the end of each cutting session.

When you first open the box, you might be a little concerned when you discover the saw is probably 90% plastic construction and the metal top seems a little too thin to last.  However, once you get it going and make a few cuts, I think you will be surprised, as I was, at how well everything works.  All in all the SKIL 3540-02 wet tile saw is one of the better tools (for the price) that I own.  I highly recommend this saw and feel it is definitely worth the money for a homeowner that is looking to save a ton of bucks by doing their own backsplash, floor or wall tile.

What You Should Know When Purchasing a Tile Saw

No one simple project can so thoroughly transform a room like the installation of tile.  Tile can be used on the floor, the walls, and in bathrooms, it is occasionally even used on the ceiling in many shower enclosures.  The installation of tile is a project that can be accomplished by the home handyman or handy woman with average skills.  But, like most other home renovation projects, the job goes much better with the proper tools.  Of course, nothing makes a tiling job go better than a tile saw equipped with the proper blade.

Now that you know you need one, the first question to address is whether you should rent a tile saw or purchase one.  Well, like any other tool, the answer will depend on the amount of tile you intend to install.  If you, like me, seldom do just one project in any niche, your decision will be to purchase your own so you can work in your own time frame.  Should you choose to rent, then rent from a reputable tool supplier and be sure to have the proper blade for the type tile you are installing. If your decision is to buy, then this article will supply you with some necessary knowledge to help you make an intelligent purchase. 

First, lets think a little bit about money.  If it your intent to purchase a tile saw for less than $100, you probably better rent one.  Yes, there may be a few that will get the job done, but you are likely to be disappointed with the way it operates.  However, like any tool, quality tools produce quality results.  Of course, on the other end of the spectrum, for the average homeowner, a seventeen hundred dollar commercial grade saw is likely extreme overkill.  So, to keep things simple and narrow the range, I find that a good price range for a homeowner to look in is between two and four hundred dollars.  This price range should provide for a good selection of saws with the features you will need to produce the desired results.  There are some exceptions to this rule however.  If you have the need to cut tiles on the diagonal that are 12 x 12 or larger, you are going to need a saw with a 10-inch blade.  While a 7-inch blade will cut the length of a 12 x12 tile, they usually max out at 10 x 10 inch tiles on a diagonal.  If you need a 10-inch blade, then the money you will spend increases.

Now lets cover the nuts and bolts.  The Internet provides us with a wealth of information today and some of the best of that information are the product reviews done by people that have used the model of tile saw you are interested in.  Read the reviews and look for comments such as the slides allowed the table to glide smoothly, the blade does not warble, and the water pump provides a constant flow of water across the blade.  If these items produce positive reviews then you will likely have a saw that will produce good results.

Finally, make sure you have a blade that is designed to cut the type of tile you are installing.  Most saws in this price range come with blades designed for cutting ceramic, travertine and slate tiles.  While this blade will cut porcelain tiles for a little while, it will quickly dull and start to break tiles before the cut is finished.  Thus, make sure you buy a high quality blade that is designed for the job you are doing.  If you take in to account the factors we have discussed, you should end up with a tile saw that you are happy with and one that will help you complete your tiling project in a way that produces quality results.

Tile Saw Blades and Accessories

DEWALT D24001 Tile Saw Stand

Like any good tool, sometimes it the accessories and upgrades that make the difference and a tile saw is no exception.  Below are some items you should use as upgrades or accessories you may want to add to your tile saw to make your tiling jobs go faster and smoother.

Technical Details

• Folds for easy transport
• Adjusts to four height positions for user customization
• Robust all-metal construction provides durability
• Lightweight body folds flat for easy transport and storage
• Backed by a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty

What People Are Saying About This Tile Saw Stand

Love it
Love it. works great, cleans easy, great features, light weight can move it myself. i have used many "top of the line" saws, but this one is my favorite. 


Essential add-on
If you own the DeWalt D2400 tile saw, you will want this sturdy stand... unless you already have a place to put a wet, gritty, electrically powered tool that needs a sturdy reliable base.

Nice product
What can I say, if you can't ace a tile saw stand for one of your own tile saws, well, that's bad. This stand does exactly what it's supposed to but I can't rave about it because an 8 yr. old should have done a good job designing it. It works, if you have the D24000 saw then you'll want this.

DEWALT DW4762 10-Inch Wet Cutting Continuous Rim Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor for Porcelain or Tile

Technical Details

• Extended performance diamond matrix provides long life and enhanced material cutting
• Continuous rim design provides chip free cutting in all types of tile
• XP2 and XP4 blades designed specifically for high power tile saws, allowing quick, free, low heat, and straight cutting
• XP2 and XP3 blades with laser cut expansion slots eliminate blade warping due to heat build-up
• Premium XP2 and XP4 cutting matrix means XP2 gives 2 x's the life of standard blades, XP4 gives 4x's the life of standard blades

What People Are Saying About This Saw Blade

Cuts through like bread, not butter
I have a 'cheap' (off-name) but powerful wet saw. The blade it came with was ok, but left some chipping. The new Dewalt blade has helped immensely. I've cut 12x12 3/8" granite tile in diagonals and 6x6 1/4" tiles with ease. There is still a small bit of chipping, but much less and less frequently; nothing that is unusable. Overall, I'm really pleased with the blade.


No Chip, Smooth, Clean Cut, Good Life
I purchased this blade for cutting 20" x 20" porcelain floor tiles. It cuts great with little chip out when new. Chip out became a problem after about 200 linear inches of use. This blade had cut about 400 inches (20 tiles) of porcelain before wearing out. This is a decent blade for the money. Overall this is a great blade. If your cutting anything other than porcelain I expect this blade would be all you need for a while.

Dewalt 10 inch Porcelain Blade Works Great
I have an inexpensive Wet Saw which I am using for cutting 20x20 Porcelain tiles with square edges, that is, no bevel. I wanted clean cuts, with no chipping, so I could use as much of each tile as possible. According to Dewalt, the DW4762 blade is designed specifically for porcelain so I decided to try it to get the clean cuts that I needed.

At first, the saw was not adjusted properly, and the trailing side of the blade was rubbing on one side of the kerf. This caused massive chipping on the tile surface. However, once I adjusted the saw to cut straight and the trailing saw edge did not rub either side of the kerf, the blade made very clean cuts. Both sides of the kerf are very straight with no chipping on the edges. In fact, unless inspected closely, it would be hard to tell which edges are original and which are cut edges.
I don't know how other blades would compare, if they would do the same quality job, but for what I needed, this worked very well.   

 

MK Diamond 158436 MK-225 Hot Dog 10-Inch Wet Cutting Continuous Rim Diamond Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor for Porcelain and Vitreous Tile

Technical Details

• 10-inch 5/8-inch arbor hot dog diamond blade ideal for wet cutting of porcelain, vitreous and ceramic tile
• Premium grade
• Continuous thin rim diamond blade
• 10-inch diameter; 5/8-inch arbor
• Limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty

What People Are Saying About This Saw Blade

Great Blade for Porcelain tile
I have a Felker FX-C blade that dulled using it too often on the harder porcelain tile. The thin kerf of this blade worked better than the Felker blade ever had, making quick easy cuts. Felker blade is great on ceramic tile, but i need to dress it now to get the diamonds back on the forward edge. I need to have an extra blade handy if time on the job does not allow me time to dress a blade.


Best blade i ever used
I have used a lot of different blades in 15 years of laying tile. This blade with out a doubt is the best. I mad very difficult cuts with it and they turned out perfect. clean edges. Someone said they had trouble cutting straight with it. Never had that problem and I install 50,000 sq ft a year or more. I alway mark my tiles though and cut them the proper way. This blade also lasts about twice as long as any other blade if not longer. It cuts faster and smoother. I just can't say enough good things about it. Love this blade. Buying another one right now for my new saw.

One Good Blade
Installing a thick porcelean tile floor. Destroyed a brand new high performance blade after cutting about 20 12 inch tiles. It would take 2-3 minutes to cut one tile. I could not find a porcelain wet saw blade at any of the retailers in my area. I ordered this blade and had it shipped overnight. Had it on the job by 11am the next day. Cut extremely dense porcelean tile like butter. Does not chip the tile I am cutting. Have not tried it on softer tile yet. Expensive but it will pay for itself in one job by saving time. 

MK Diamond 158434 MK-225 7-Inch Hot Dog Premium Thin-Rim Blade

Technical Details

• Cuts porcelain, vitreous tile, granite and ceramic tile
• Thin rim design and cooling slots keep blade running cool and true for precision cuts in very hard materials
• 7 millimeter rim height for long diamond blade life
• Not intended for use on metal, plastics, wood, or any other non-masonry materials
• Measures 7-by-0.05-by-5/8-inches (diameter x width x arbor)

What People Are Saying About This Saw Blade:

Never cheap out on the blade! Great for DIYers
I put this blade on my Husky tile saw and it did great on 4x4 and 12x12 travertine. 350sqft of 4x4 and 250sqft of 12x12 and this blade is still going. This translates to 2 bathrooms (showers and floors) laundry area floors, and a kitchen backsplash. I'm a big believer in buying a mid-range saw and putting on high-end blades. This is a great blade for weekend project and then some!

MK Diamond Hot Dog 7inch
Nice blade, maybe a bit overkill for a DIY on a small job. Worth it if you've got > 500sqft to do. I used it for 500sqft of Porcelain tile and another 250sqft of travertine. The porcelain as expected it cut through like butter, but it did just as good of job on the travertine w/ no chipping.

It was installed in a Husky 7" Wet saw w/ stand (THD-950)

MK Diamond Hot-Dog Porcelain cutting blade
Excellent, Exceptional, Great, Terrific.
This blade is absolutely wonderful.

I destroyed 5 carbide and 1 diamond scroll saw blades trying to cut a 9 inch cicle divided between 2 porcelain tiles.
Having run out of scroll saw blades, I cut many slots in the tiles, at different angles until I removed enough
of the tile to fit where it was needed.
I also cut about 200 porcelain tiles. the blade is showing signs of getting dull, but still cutting well.

If you've worked with ceramic but not porcelain tiles, you REALLY NEED this blade.
I would buy these blades again in a heartbeat.

I need to find out if they also make wood cutting blades.



 

Rockler LED Work Light with Magnifying Head

Get close -up visibility anywhere you need it with this magnifying LED light! 18 LED bulbs surround a 5-inch diameter, 5x magnifying glass so you can see every last detail. With a powerful magnetic base, a clamping metal sub-base and a flexible arm, the lamp anchors down on power tools, workbenches and more, then bends and flexes its way into perfect position while staying out of your way. Great for intricate cuts, miniature work, or whenever the naked eye simply won’t cut it.  

What People Are Saying About This Work Light:

Customer Rating:
This is the best such product on the market. The 5X lens is large enough to be able to look through it with both eyes, and the LEDS put out adequate illumination. The magnetic base is rock solid and the flex neck is long enough and stiff enough to make the system highly useable. In short, I love it. I find it indispensable for sharpening and examining edges on my cutting tools, but use it anytime I need to get a really good look at something in the workshop. If you are over 50, your eyes need this product. My only complaint is that I want more light-but I always do. The LEDs do put out enough light, I just like things brighter than most people. The LEDs put out the same amount of light on battery power as AC - unlike the competition.

Customer Rating:
This is a great product especially for the price. I got both the magnifying and spot light head, I only wish the magnifying head had more light spread to the overall work area. The heads inter change quickly and easily. The magnetic base is extremely strong and does not move even under the vibration of my mill when cutting hardened steel. I will be purchasing another for one of my other work benches. Over all a great buy for anyone.

Customer Rating:
The magnifying lens and LED lamps are just right. There is a "circle of darkness" at the center of the illumination area when the lens is very close to the work but it's not a serious problem. The neck is quite stiff and the magnifying lens stays where you position it with no "spring back." I mounted a steel angle plate to the side of my bench and use the magnetic base of the light. The magnet is very powerful and works great. I do wish that the neck was a little longer. As it is, it doesn't reach quite as far as I would like.
  

 

 

 

 

 

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.  
    

QEP 60083 7-Inch Professional Tile Saw with Water Cooling System

From the Manufacturer

The 60083 7-Inch Professional Tile Saw with laser cutting guide is designed as a portable saw to handle any professional or DIY project where space prohibits the use of a large wet saw. Users will be surprised by the strength of it's true 1 HP motor with automatic thermal overload protection to prevent overheating. The power of this motor allows cutting through ceramic, terracotta, granite, etc. The water catch system not only reduces water run off but it recycles the water back into the reservoir minimizing fill frequencies. This is a very powerful addition to your saw line up at a very economical price.

Technical Details

• Laser cutting guide projects accurate cutting path
• Water catch system reduces water run off and recycles water back into the reservoir minimizing fill frequencies
• Includes a 7-inch diamond blade
• Tilt-up cutting table for precision 15-, 30- and 45-degree cuts
• Adjustable rip and sliding angle guides for accurate production cuts

What People Are Saying About This Tile Saw:

Great wet tile saw
I bought this QEP 60083 1-horsepower tile saw from Amazon....ordered it saturday jun 5, 2010...and received it Tuesday jun 8, 2010...
I do art work......using 4x4 ceramic wall tiles I cut and shape pieces using a wet tile saw.... and make what I call mosaic art work....
I ordered this saw because I needed an up grade from the wet tile saw I had.... the workforce THD 550 which I bought at Home Depot..
I wanted one with more cutting power (1-horsepower) in order to make cleaner cuts...
this saw has thus far filled the bill it cuts fast and makes nice cuts..very little jagged edges...
The blade supplied with this saw is garbage....so I replaced it with a DeWalt diamond blade number 4760...
with the new blade the saw cuts really great....
this is a good saw for the diy person, and I highly recommend it...but be prepared to get a replacement blade

Fundamentally solid
I spent WAY too much time trying to figure out which saw to buy. Eventually, I was standing at Lowes and had no more time to debate. I was putting in a granite tile countertop for my first DIY tile project. I cut about 100 lin feet with the saw and a DeWalt blade. In the plus column. Results were good. I got very true and straight cuts with the saw. The fence is just good enough - easy enough to set up and stays in place. I used an adjustable square to ensure the fence and wheel where parallel and accurate. Depending on your accuracy requirements, the grid on the top of the saw is close enough that with a smaller tile you could just use the table references to get it close - the grid is actually parallel to the blade! Plenty of power -the motor never slowed. The whole thing packs up really nice and compact for transport - blades and accesories store in the water resevoir and the handle mades for pretty easy carry. And it is very quiet. On the downside - holy crap did the water go everywhere! I never attached the blade guard - maybe that would have helped, but I figure any good craftsmans' first duty is to defeat the safety measures. MAYBE the "blade guard" is a splash guard? In any case, I soaked a shirt. Sort of like standing in the rain running a sandblaster. I found the table to be adequate size for 95% of the cuts, but anything wider than 10inches requires you to cut the negative off to get your finished size. In short, a good tool. For the price I expect a few minor inconviences but the fundamentals are very good.

Not for working with large tile
Bought this item to cut 13 inch tiles for the shower and I must say that I'm not impressed. I spent two days just trying to figure out a system to make straight cuts using Porcelain tile but failed. Problems? The laser was off, cutting angles was a nightmare since the tile would always hangup on the guard or table top, and just making a straight cut could be a chore. I decided to stop wasting my time with this unit and returned it.

BAD SAW ESPECIALLY FOR LARGE TILE
We bought this QEP table tile saw to cut large porcelain tiles - 24 x 24 in half. The table isn't wide enough to use the fence to cut 24 x 24 tile in half so we spent an hour engineering something that would work as a table extension. The saw does not have a pump so that the blade and safety hood spews water all over your shirt, pants and shoes. It is difficult to monitor your cut because the water hits you in the face if you try to bend over and view the cut in progress. There was quite a bit of water collecting on the floor after just a couple of tiles. There is a metal guide sticking up behind the blade safety hood that is slightly thicker than the blade cut so that when you get half of a large tile cut it binds in this guide, freezing the blade and then breaks or chips the tile. This guide also makes it difficult to move the tile through the saw - we almost tipped the table saw over trying to move the tile along. Debris builds up on the table so that the next tile can't be cut until you wash and brush it off. We tried to cut several tiles with a brand new Dewalt porcelain blade purchased separately and every tile had chips or breaks. We gave up and returned the saw. Now we are out the money spent on the better blade. We just bought the QEP 60020 rail saw that is large enough for 24 x 24 tiles and are giving it a try - it was only $60 more and definitely looks more like a heavy duty pro-weekend warrior model.

Good but not great
I got this saw for a couple of bath remodels. Overall, the saw seems good, though I haven't used it extensively yet. But I do have a few problems with this saw.

1) The included blade was not only of poor quality, it was dangerous. The blade warbled so bad that the saw jerked and shook when cutting and it caused a few tiles to bind and crack. I was ready to return the saw when I tried a new blade and the problem was gone.

2) After less than an hour of use, the handle on the rip fence came off. The pin on which the locking handle pivots broke and fell out. I had to fabricate a new pin.

3) The rip fence is not self-aligning, meaning when you lock it, it isn't automatically adjusted to be parallel to the blade. It can be off by as much as a 1/4 inch front to back. This is annoying because you have to adjust the fence position both at the front and back of the table, then hold it securely in place as you lock the blade.

One other minor complaint is the location of the on/off switch.
It is right under the front table rail where it is not readily visible, but instead you have to feel for it. This is even more of a problem when the rip fence is positioned near the on/off switch as it partially blocks access to the switch.

The saw does have some nice features though, like a laser cut guide, a tilting table for bevel cuts, and a fence-sliding miter gauge.

In spite of the quality issues I experienced with this product, I still believe that this saw is better designed and has better features than cheaper models But it definitely lacks the quality to be anything more than a do-it-yourselfer tool.

Great little tile saw
I bought this saw to tile a very large shower, tub surround and floor. The saw is really excellent for the price. The only reason it did not get 5 stars is that the supplied blade needs to be replaced. If you buy this saw, purchase a premium blade and it will serve you well!      

Rubi TS-40 Tile Cutter

When facing a new tile project, one of the first questions that you need to answer is what tools will I need to complete the job.  No matter how simple or complicated the job will be, you will definitely need to cut some of the tiles.  Therefore, one of the most important tools, if not the most important, will be the tile cutter you choose.  There are two basic options you can choose to use: a wet tile saw or a manual tile cutter.  If the only cuts you need to make are simple straight cuts, then you could easily get by with a manual tile cutter.   If you are cutting tiles on the diagonal, the cut is much easier to make on a wet tile saw, but we are here to discuss the Rubi TS-40 tile cutter so let's stick to the plan.

Being the guy that does the occasional tile job around my house, or helping family or friends, I only have a wet tile saw and do not personally own this or any manual tile cutter for that matter.  Thus, I sought out some of my builder buddies and acquired the names of some of the tile installers they use and sought their input.  Before we get into what their opinions are, let's cover some of the specifics of this product.

The TS-40 features a built in separator, maximum cutting length of 17 inches and a 9/16-inch maximum separating capacity. This set includes standard scoring wheel punching tool, 45 degree mitering tool, and a double-walled anti-shock plastic case. All of this in a package that weighs only 18.2 pounds.  Now, let's talk price.  This is not an inexpensive tool as it typically sells in the $230 to $250 price range.  However, if you choose to go the manual tile cutter route, you definitely will want a quality tool and this one certainly fits that bill.  I personally prefer the electric wet saw, but I understand that some folks are not that comfortable with power tools and would rather have a less scary item.

Okay, since you are still reading to this point I will assume you are still interested in a good quality manual tile cutter so let's get to what some of the pro tile setters had to say.  As I mentioned above, I ran down some folks that make their living setting tiles and doing other masonry work and, of course, not all of them had experience with this tool.  However, I was able to locate two that have and still use this particular tile cutter.  Below is what they had to say.

Both had owned and used this tool in excess of ten years and are extremely happy with its performance.  There only negative comment was that the cutter does not work with some of the larger tiles that are popular today.  Anything tiles over 16 inches require a different tool.  Outside of that, they highly recommend this as a top of the line cutter.  Even after years of use, the Rubi TS-40 tile cutter still cuts straight.  The cutter has a really strong breaker that works extremely well on porcelain tiles.  This is a superior product that is easy to use and they felt that even a novice will be happy with the quality of the end results.  One said that he still uses this manual tile cutter more that he uses his wet saw.  While you can find cheaper tile cutters, they both said that when the time comes to replace their cutter, they will purchase a Rubi once again.

There you have it folks.  Nothing persuades me to purchase a particular tool more than the opinion of the people that use it to make their living.  If you are facing an upcoming tile project and have decided that a manual tile cutter is the way to go, it sounds as if the Rubi TS-40 is easy to use and will last you for many years to come.  One thing I know for sure.  You will never go wrong using what the pros use.  

  

Northern Industrial Wet Tile Saw — 7in. Blade Size

This Northern Industrial 7in. wet tile saw delivers ample power to cut a variety of wall and floor tile sizes. Can also cut granite tiles. All-metal saw is very sturdy. A great value for residential tile work.

Features + Benefits

• Height: 6.8in.
• Not for masonry
• 120 Volt, 60 Hz motor
• 1.4in. max. depth of cut @ 90°, 1in. @ 45°
• 15in. x 15 1/2in. table

 Product Link:  Northern Tool

What People Are Saying About This Tile Saw:

OK for small, occasional jobs

"This is a good home handyman tool, but has a couple of design flaws. It is difficult to empty the water tank at the conclusion of a project without spilling most of the contents. Also, the unit is slightly underpowered."

Not messy at all

"After reading some reviews,i put up drop cloths on the wall and had towels at the ready,but this was not necessary.the blade guard catches the splashes and the paper towels more than handled wiping off the tile after it was cut.cuts like a champ too.the fence is sturdy and easy to adjust.great for the DIYer.would highly recommend this saw."

As advertised

"If you are looking for a basic, inexpensive wet saw that works; I do recommend this item, I am a beginner, this is the first time I used this type of saw, and had no trouble at all, it was promptly shipped, no complaints"

Good 4 weekend warrior

"Works well for jobs where precision isn't absolutely necessary. otherwise, it gets the job done w/out much fuss."

Amazing little saw

"I bought this saw based on previously posted reviews. My project was to do a tile floor and shower in a bathroom remodel job. The floor used16" tiles and the shower used (mostly) 12" tiles plus a bunch of 3x6 accent pieces.

I've cut so many tiles with this saw that It has surpassed even my elevated expectations. The floor tile was installed at an angle (lots of cuts) and the shower involved many cuts as well. The saw still cuts cleanly and accurately although there is some getting used to cutting pieces without using the fence (which is required for larger tiles like the ones I used).

The only negative aspect of this saw (in my experience) is that the fence does not get as far from the blade as it could and that adjusting it is both a pain and an iterative process to actually get it square. Other than the fence, this saw is a little gem."

Great For D-I-Y Projects

"I bought this to remodel my two bathrooms. The first is complete and looks great, shower and floor has alot of custom cutting and this saw didn't hesitate to help me out, can't wait to start the next. This saw is an inexpensive way to get pro results. I would recommend this tile saw to anyone novice to pro. It is a must have for anyone planning on doing their own tile job."

Great Product

"Bought this a few months ago and finally getting around to using it. I've never cut or laid tile before, but this cutter makes it super easy! I made a couple practice cuts on an old tile to get the feel of it and then I was ready to go, I've completed one bathroom now and will soon start on the other, then the kitchen. Cut a variety of types of tile, and it was all very easy. I did find it easier to remove the guide and freehand it. Have made probably 75-100 cuts and the blade is still doing well. Only complaints are the packaging is VERY flimsy and the legs were bent a little upon receipt as a result but easily fixed, and the water reservoir is a little awkward to install/remove but I just refill it in place and only remove it for final cleanup. I shopped around a lot, and won't find a better one for the price!"

Tile Saw

"This is an inexpensive saw, but it is perfect for the homeowner or small contractor with a few tiling jobs. I used it on 12" x 12" porcelain tiles, and it worked great. The tiles were cut quickly and cleanly. Keep the blade guard down, or you will get wet! Be sure to wipe the saw down when finished, as it will rust. I wiped it down and sprayed it with WD40."

Good Wet Saw

"I purchased the saw because it was my first time tiling and I did not want to rent one. I wanted to take my time and not be rushed. I'm glad I bought the saw. It did a very good job. I was not messy, cutting was a breeze, and the saw has good power. The saw I purchased out of the store was better than the one pictured on the internet. This saw was a better quality. The deck is thicker, the knobs were better and the guide was solid. I would recommend this saw."

Butta

"Cut through 12 in ceramic with ease. A little messy so be careful when selecting your worksite. This was my first attempt at laying tile and I had great results. Neighbor already wants to borrow it ;) For the price, you can't go wrong. Great for the home handyman that refuses to pay the store for install.. Saved me well over $2k."