Tile saw recommendations

[Turdus]

Gotta install a new tile back splash. Wife wants diamond pattern, which means I'll be cutting lots of tiles in half to form triangles, etc.

Was going to look at Home Depot. Would like to keep it under $200. Anybody know a good one, or one I should avoid?

[cynic]

If you're just looking at a single job, I'd look into renting.

[mathman]

If you're just looking at a single job, I'd look into renting.

This. Unless you plan to take more than a day or two to complete the cutting. I rented one 10 years ago for $35 for 24 hours. Don't know the going rate. Some places will let you rent Sat afternoon at closing and bring in at Opening on Monday morning for a 24 hour rental cost.

[Turdus]

Thought about renting. But I will eventually have to do a few bathrooms as well. The kitchen will be 4" tiles.. bathrooms could be a foot or larger. With the potential for multiple tile sizes, and tons of diagonal cuts, I'd better put some thought into this.

[Lockbody]

I bought one of the cheaper tile saws from Lowes, but spent good coin on a much better blade, instead.

[zenmindbeginner]

Here's what you want to do:

1). Buy a tile breaker. It's an ingenious little tool that scores and then pops the tile where you scored it. I use them for ceramic tiles less than 12". Some 12" tiles can be cut with a tile breaker, but many cannot. The tile breaker will cut nice diagonal triangle pieces out of the 4" ceramic tile for the backsplash.

2). When laying the 12" tile. Lay all of your field tile first. The cuts should then be just on the edge or border. Measure and mark all of your "cut" tiles and set them aside.

3). Rent a wetsaw for a day. Since you measured and marked all of the tiles beforehand, you will just spend a day doing all of your cuts. Make sure that they wetsaw's water level remains full while you are cutting, wear safety goggles and try and get all of the cuts done in one day so you won't have to pay for another day of wetsaw rental.

4). Buy a tile file so that you can make small adjustments to the tiles in case you are having slight fit problems. They are cheap.

5). If you buy a heavy duty tile breaker, you might not need to even rent the wetsaw. I've cut 12" tile with a tile breaker before.

Tile breakers have around a 5% to 20% breakage rate. You will fuck up a few if not several tiles.

The advantage of the tile breaker is that you can take several days and not incur high rental fees. Plus, you'll own the tile breaker and can do jobs as long as it holds up which it will for at least several jobs.

I apprenticed under an amazing Australian tile setter who incidentally did Phil Collins' bathroom back in the day.

[Turdus]

Tile breakers have around a 5% to 20% breakage rate. You will fuck up a few if not several tiles.

I've used one of those before... a cheap one. I'd be more in the 20% range for broken tiles. Is this really easier than a saw for the novice?

[zenmindbeginner]

Tile breakers have around a 5% to 20% breakage rate. You will fuck up a few if not several tiles.

I've used one of those before... a cheap one. I'd be more in the 20% range for broken tiles. Is this really easier than a saw for the novice?

I'd say that it is... it's all about the scoring and less about the popping. I've cut tiles from just scoring alone. Repeated and gentle yet firm scoring will get your breakage down to around 10% which is good. Even wet saws have around a 5% breakage rate. If you've used a breaker before then you'll do even better with it now, which is great.

They're cheap.

I've done whole jobs with just tile breakers and nips.

[backinit]

I've done 3 tile jobs at my house and rented saws twice to do them. Layout the job, figure out what and where you need to cut and go get the saw. I did both of my bathrooms with a 24 hour rental A half decent saw is $200 easily and rentals here are about $30.

[Studio Custom]

Check Craigslist. Many people buy such items, use them once and have them sitting. I'd want to see it work before paying to ensure no surprises. You should be able to purchase a $500 retail saw for $125 if you keep an eye out. Best deals to be had are with widows or with situations where the guy took off.

[Rockola]

the HFC of tile forums

John Bridge Tile forum

I was able to get by with my brother-in-law's saw.... just barely. Rent or check those pawn shops while on Hamer patrol.

Steve

[jettster]

I've done two bathrooms, kitchen and an entry way with the cheap wet saw that they sell at Home Depot. It's a must for porcelain tile. My parents even borrowed it for their bathroom and shower tile project.

Works fine, lasts a long time, guaranteed not to rip, tear, bust or rust.

[Toadroller]

I got the $200 dollar jobbie at Lowes Depot and it's fine. But a stroll through the local pawn shop revealed to me that less $$ would have bought a lot more tile saw.

Go pawning and pick yourself up a hidden treasure guitar as well.

[Rocktuna]

I've laid a lot of tile and made a good bit of money doing it.

Go to harbor freight, they have a great saw for $249.00

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-horsepower...-saw-95385.html

Not a cheap table top model either, it has a sliding table and includes a diagonal jig too. Has a proper water pump so you don't get all wet. Also the plastic tray comes out easily for cleaning. I've cut all types of tile, slate marble and even brick with it. Lots of power.

I've had mine for almost 10 years and just this past summer burned out the pump. ($20.00 replacement)

Watch for a sale they usually go on for $199.00

[Turdus]

Ended up buying the $179 Kobalt saw from Lowes. This has kicked major ass. As a novice, I don't think I could have done this job without a saw. Almost all tile is up. I'll shoot some pics later in the week, after the grout goes up.