Do you have a big tile job coming up soon? Can’t decide what the best tile saw option is? You might save a little money by renting if you manage to complete your job in one day.
However this normally would mean many long stressful hours of rushed work which can lead to mistakes and a lot of broken brick material.
If you think you may need more than one day to finish your project, buying a tile saw may be a better option than renting.
Buying Guide
There are a number of things you need to consider while shopping around for the best model. In order to properly cut brick you need to use a saw that is equipped with a diamond-edged carbide blade.
Unlike a blade you would use to cut wood with, these blade do not have teeth. There are couple types of tools you can use to cut brick.
Angle grinders can be equipped with carbide circular blades however using a tool like this will lead to uneven cuts and lots of broken brick.
Another option is a snap cutter which can cut tiles as large as 12”. The problem with snap cutters is that the breaks they cause can be unpredictable and also cut unevenly.
The best tool you will find for cutting material is a wet cutter. These tools utilize a pump which filters and circulates water in the cut which keeps the blade and the cool as it cuts.
Without water to lubricate and cool the blade and the brick they would likely get too hot and cause breakages. You can find wet types for both DIY work and professional work; here are a few of the best tools available today.
SKIL 3540-02
First is the SKIL 3540-02, which we feel is the best model for DIY projects. It’s a 7 inch model that features a 4.2 amp motor and a stainless steel table top for corrosion resistance.
It can cut 0 to 45 degree angles. The rip fence is adjustable and has a miter gauge allowing for accurate miter cuts. If you are doing the work yourself this is the best model for the money.
You really can’t go wrong with this saw that is priced under $100.
MK Diamond 158252 MK-145
The next option is the MK Diamond 158252 MK-145 which is another affordable option for the do-it-yourselfer. Its motor is rated at 0.5 horsepower.
The saw is capable of cutting 45 degree and 22 ½ degree miter cuts. Running on standard household power and weighing only 11lbs this saw is compact and versatile enough for any home improvement job.
Unlike many of the cheaper wet models the MK Diamond 158252 MK-145 comes with a 4 ½ inch blade. It is priced around $100-150.
DEWALT D24000
The DEWALT D24000 is another great choice with a 1.5 horsepower motor. This is a 10 inch wet model. It sits on a cantilevering rail cart system which allows for diagonal 18 inch cuts.
There is a 45 degree and 22.5 degree miter feature for quick angle cuts and a plunge cutting system makes it easy to do cutouts for electrical outlets.
A 5 gallon water reservoir allows you to cut for a long time before it needs to be refilled. You can also adjust the 2 water nozzles for optimal water placement on the blade.
Bosch TC10
The Bosch TC10 brings us to one of the real tools of the trade. It is a heavy duty professional tool that allows you to cut both 24 inch porcelain and stone material.
It’s made from durable cast aluminum with a 1.4 hp 4200 rpm motor sitting on a large rubberized sliding table. With this wet model will give you some of the smoothest cuts you could ever experience.
Lackmond WTS2000LN
Finally we come to the Lackmond WTS2000LN. The Lackmond is by far the best device we could recommend. It runs on a 15 amp, 2.4 horsepower motor allowing it to cut through the toughest tile like butter.
This thing allows for 24 inch rip and a 18 inch diagonal cuts featuring a laser guide and an integrated LED light to illuminate the large aluminum die-cast cutting table.
The tilting motor housing has stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees which will ensure you have accurate bevel cutting. While this device may be the most expensive it will prove its worth to anyone doing serious work.
Whichever you decide is the best device for you these are all great options. If you are just looking for something to do a simple job or two you will most likely go with the SKIL 3540-02 or the MK Diamond 158252, both of which are very capable.
However the final three suggestions we have made are professional tools which will hold their value and prove their worth time and time again no matter what tasks you put them through.
