When it comes to saws and which type is best for you, it all depends on the application and usage you foresee yourself needing it for. We know many who prefer to purchase power tool combo kits to keep the essentials in their work shop, but what about some other specific tools that aren’t as common? Here is where tile saws come in, and if you’re here to check for the best, we found a few to keep in mind when shopping.
What is a tile saw?
A tile saw is a useful tool for carpentry and construction applications. It is specifically designed to perfectly cut goods such as bricks and (of course) tiles. The ability to offer refined cutting is a feature of each high quality tile saw in the market. They’re a lot tougher than circular saws or even table saws, and are often paired up with these tools to create the complete sawing arsenal. There are many types of tile saws that feature water cooling, diamond blades and energy-saving power to handle various cutting jobs. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
The tool itself can assist construction workers or homeowners who are going to perform DIY renovations to their own houses and other various projects they find themselves working on. It is able to cut cement materials in an accurate and effective way. They’re usually used with water and called “wet/dry tile saws”. Most tile saws you see today are powered with efficient energy that allows you to have low power consumption but better performance. Some are adjustable and allow users to cut multiple tiles of the same size repeatedly. This is definitely a tool you will want to keep on hand for your material cutting needs.
How to pick the best tile saw
- Price – The price can start to jump when you look at extremely high quality models; however, most of the best tile saws are relatively affordable.
- Wet, dry or a combo? Most popular models are “wet tile saws” — which means they’re paired up with water to not only help clean up debris and it also speeds up the process (especially if you have quite a few tile pieces to cut at once).
- Extra features – Adjustable rails, stainless steel build, special hydrolock systems and more. What fancy features are you looking for in your tile saw?
The best tile saws for the money
SKIL 3540-02
Here’s one of the best table saws in the market right now, based on not only the price-to-quality ratio it brings but also the highly rated reviews users have left on it. This tile saw is a stainless steel tool designed to tidy up tile cuttings. It features an adjustable rip fence that can cut accurately and the size can support 12 inch x 12 inch tiles.
As one of the best tile saws available, it is also equipped with a dust minimizer on the blade and it has a reservoir for cooling. It will keep the working environment free from debris and quickly enables you to tidy up any mess. On the bevel, it cuts the tile from 0 to 45 degrees. The electric tool enables homeowners to prepare and renovate their house on their own. This high quality, handy tile saw is within your budget and it is simple to use.
QEP 22650Q
This is another one of the best tile saws because it is perfect for demanding and heavy-duty jobs in the field. It is powered by a 3/4 horsepower motor that enables the tool to produce 3,600 rpm. For heavy-duty applications, this saw can cut tiles from porcelain to ceramic easily.
The material is durable and stable with rubber foot pads and a steel table. There is an extension that can be used when cutting larger sizes of tiles that can support the job. This helps to give unlimited movements on the diagonal cuttings. The wet tile saw keeps your work area dry and neat with less debris after cutting various tile materials. The table tilts can reach up to 22.5 degrees of angle. It’s around the same price as the previously mentioned model, so we’d say grab whichever one is cheaper at the moment.
DeWalt D24000
We’re sorry for the huge jump in price. The D24000 however is a beast. It carries a unique feature of 24 inch ripping capacity and weighs a beastly 69 pounds. It is a handy yet mobile tool to be carried around. Moreover, setting up the tile saw is fairly easy. It is enhanced with a 45/22.5 degree miter feature. It allows angled cuts and is powered by electrical outlets.
The nozzles are adjustable, allowing users to use water placement on the blade. Thus, it minimizes debris in the work area. The tool is designed to be a convenient size and very portable. It is easy to pack things up just by removing the cutting blade. Plus, its essential wet tile is guaranteed by the brand for 3 years. Definitely something worth the purchase price.
SKIL 3550-02
Here’s another SKIL model that’s a bit higher in price as well as quality than the previously mentioned tile saw. This wet tile saw has a hydrolock system — this means that it has guards specifically designed to keep water next to the blade. This also helps users to clean up the mess easily as it allows less debris. The tile cutter also has a sliding side extension that can support large tiles up to 18 inch square.
In terms of overall construction and build, there is a durable tabletop made from aluminum. It is rust resistant and enables users to perform with a neat work surface area. The rip fences are adjustable and it has accurate measurement when cutting. Bevel cut sizes are up to 45 degrees of angle cuts. This specification is surely good when trying to purchase a tile saw for neat working progress.
DeWalt DWC860W
This is a bit of a different spin than the previously four mentioned tile saw models. It is a dry masonry tool that is powered with a 12.5 amp motor. The cutting technology enables users to cut porcelain, granite, and many hard materials using this yellow colored tool. Enhanced with a diamond blade, the size is 4-3/8 inch – wide enough to cut materials up to the depth of 3 cm.
This tool can be used in dry or wet conditions. There is a 13 foot water line that will allow you to have a cleaner working environment with less debris. The bevel can be angled from 0 up to 45 degrees. Another great feature of this tile saw is the lock button that automatically allows the handy tool to perform the cutting while letting your arms rest awhile.