10 Marvelous Tile Saw – For the Professional Handyman in 2022

Tiling is an essential part of home improvement. However, if you are like the rest of us, finding the right tool for the job can prove to be an audacious task. This is particularly true if you are a novice do-it-yourselfer.

But do you know that you can now improve the interior design of your home without enlisting the services of a professional craftsman?

Bear with us, because we are going to show you exactly how. We have compiled ten of the best tile saw reviews to help you find a tool that is not only efficient but also budget friendly.

What is a tile saw?

Just as the name suggests, a tile saw is a special tool used to cut tiles into size. In most cases, this saw is often confused for a miter saw thanks to their striking similarities.

The main difference, however, is that tile saws use diamond-coated blades or steel blades coupled with a water cooling system to cut tiles of different materials. They can cut ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and glass tiles.

Furthermore, they can also be used to cut other materials such as wood, metal, granite and marble, depending on the type of blade. Unlike other types of saw blades that have teeth (such as reciprocating saws), tile saws blades are relatively smooth. They grind through the tile rather than rip or tear the workpiece.

Features to consider when purchasing a tile saw

• Type

Tile saws come in different types. These include handheld saws, table-top saws and wet saws to dry saws. The type of saw that you want depends on your specific needs. If you are a hobbyist, you may go for simple, lightweight saws used for one-time projects. Professional handymen will require advanced benchtop saws for heavy-duty projects.

• Horsepower

For your saw to cut through various types of tile materials, it must have the necessary horsepower to complete the job. A powerful saw must be able to sustain continuous hours of activity without burning out. It should deliver smooth, accurate cuts without damaging the material.

• Protective features

Your safety is paramount, especially when using mechanical tools such as a tile saw. For this reason, the ideal tool should come with several protective features such as thermal protection, blade guards and automatic shutdown. Besides, these safety features also extend the life of the machine ensuring that it serves you for years to come. [/wpsm_box]

• Versatility

Versatility is an important point to consider when investing in mechanical tools. A good tile saw should be versatile enough to cut through various types of materials without causing damage. It should also allow you to make various cuts at different angles ranging from L-cuts to U-cuts.

• Cutting Capacity

The essence of acquiring a tile saw is to achieve distinct cuts at various angles. A perfect saw should have an unlimited cutting capacity for various workpieces. The saw should allow you to move your workpiece freely during operation without causing damage to the material.

• Accuracy

You should invest in a saw that promises a higher level of accuracy. An ideal tile saw should come with features such as a cut line indicator, a rip fence and a gauge for precise cuts. The cutting mechanism should allow for fine tuning at different depths, for more accurate cuts.

• Beveling Capacity

Always shop for a tile saw that is capable of delivering bevel cuts at different angles and degrees. The saw should be able to cut a variety of materials and shapes at various positive stops.

• Water splash and dust generation

Sawdust can be detrimental to your health, particularly when inhaled over time. For this reason, it is important that you acquire a tile saw that comes with a dust collection mechanism. This could be an inbuilt dust collector or a vacuum port attached to the saw.

The water splash system should be efficient enough to prevent the blade from heating up. You should consider acquiring a saw with a large capacity water reservoir to avoid frequent refills and enhance productivity.

• Availability of accessories

The availability of various saw accessories will determine if your saw can adapt to various tasks. Instead of buying multiple saws, you should consider buying a tile saw that comes with multiple blades. This not only costs less, but also gives you an edge when tackling demanding projects.

• Price

Just like most tools, a tile saw is a long-term investment. For this reason, you must make sure that you acquire a product that is not only affordable, but also offers good value for money. It must come with all the features that you want within your set budget. Do not be afraid to shop around until you find what you are looking for at a good price.

Tile saw parts

Tile saws consist of several vital parts. The most important parts include:

• Adjustable rip guide – A rip guide or fence allows you to make precise cuts along the line of cut. It is an essential part of any cutting, as it determines the overall accuracy of the saw.
• Tile saw motor blade – The blade performs all the cutting tasks. Tile saw blades come in various shapes and sizes. They are also made from a wide range of materials. Common motor blades include, tile saw diamond blade, tile saw steel blade, tile saw glass blade and tile saw blade for porcelain, among many other types.
• Tile saw water pump – Cutting jobs can be very demanding, leading to overheating of the tile blade. To prevent heating, water is often used. A tile saw water pump drives water from the pan to the blade to prevent overheating.
• Tile saw water reservoir – Usually found in wet tile saws, a water reservoir stores water to be used when cutting various types of materials. The water prevents overheating while cutting rocks with a saw at the same time minimizes on dust.
• Dust port – The right tile saw should come with a dust collection mechanism to prevent the accumulation of sawdust.
• Tile saw blade wrench/key – You may be required to replace or change your tile saw blade from time to time depending on the condition of the blade and the type of project you are working on. A tile saw blade wrench or key comes in handy when you want to make quick replacements.

Tile saw accessories

Some of the most popular tile saw accessories include:

• Blade kits

The right saw for the job should come with a complete kit that consists of several types of blades. This will eliminate the need to invest in multiple tools.

• Foldable tile saw stand

If you do not have a workbench, you should consider acquiring a tile saw that comes with a separate stand. This will ensure that you have somewhere to work on as you move from site to site.

• Tile saw foot switch

A tile saw foot switch is a safety accessory that allows you to power on and switch off your power tool accordingly.

• Grit dressing stone

The blade of your saw will certainly become blunt after weeks of frequent use. A grit dressing stone comes in handy to smooth out your blade and eliminate irregular edges.

• Dust bag with strap

Dust bags are designed to eliminate dust from your work area. They are tailored to work with specific types of tile saws and grinders that come with vacuum ports.

Tile saw blades

Tile saw blades come in a variety of sizes, determined by the diameter and thickness of the blade. Common sizes include:

• 1 inch
• 2 inch
• 3 inch
• 4 inch
• 5 inch
• 7 inch
• 8 inch
• 10 inch
• 24 inch

The size of the blade determines the type of task the saw can tackle. Typically, most saws come with a 7-inch diamond blade, which is ideal for most heavy-duty tasks.

How to use a tile saw

Whether you are a devoted do-it-yourselfer or a professional artisan, learning how to use a tile saw is essential if you are to tackle tiling projects effectively. This will also ensure that you achieve smooth, precise cuts without damaging the material or the machine. Below are steps on how to use a tile saw.

1. Set up the tile saw securely on a sturdy surface to avoid inaccurate cuts and prevent injury. Most people prefer tabletop tile saws as they come already secured.
2. When using a wet tile saw, fill the reservoir with clean water, making sure that the pump is submerged completely.
3. Position the tile on the workbench or cutting table while adjusting the fence accordingly. The blade should line up with the line of cut for enhanced accuracy.
4. Plug the saw into the power outlet and turn it on. Make sure that enough water is flowing to the blade before you start cutting the tile. The reason for spraying the blade is to avoid overheating and damage to the tile.
5. Feed the tile gently into the blade, ensuring that you guide it along the line of cut
6. Pull the cut pieces away and turn off the saw.
7. Clean up the saw and your work area after completing your project.

Bridge tile saw vs. Sliding table saw

Bridge tile saws are often preferred for home improvement projects that involve cutting large tile saws. This is because they are incredibly versatile and can deliver smooth, accurate cuts on larger formats. However, this saw is not ideal for cutting angle cuts and notches

Sliding table saws, on the other hand, are super accurate and do not cost as much as bridge tile saws. They can rip through various types of materials, but are mostly used for light tiling projects that require more precision.

Unlike bridge saws, sliding table saws can cut notches, cross cuts and angle cuts.

Wet tile saw vs. Dry tile saw

The main difference between a wet tile saw and a dry tile saw is that the former (wet saws) come with a blade attached to a water reservoir while dry saws do not require water to cut.

Wet tile saws are ideal for cutting tough materials considering the fact that the blade does not overheat during operation as it is the case with dry saws.

They also tend to be more durable as the existence of water minimizes friction, subsequently extending machine life.

Handheld tile saw vs. Table tile saw

Also known as masonry saws, handheld tile saws are operated by hand. They are perfect for small and medium tiling projects that require angled or odd shaped cuts. They can also be used to remove old tiles from a site that requires renovations.

The main advantage of handheld saws is that they are often lightweight, making them highly portable. Furthermore, no set up is required to use handheld saws.

As the name implies, table tile saws are mounted on top of a table. They are used to tackle heavy-duty projects that require a large work area. These saws work efficiently just like handheld saws, but they tend to be bulkier and less portable.

Weight and portability

Tiling project requires you to move from room to room or from one house to another. Bearing this in mind, it is important that you acquire a saw that is can easily be moved from site to site without causing any inconvenience.

A good saw should be light yet sturdy, to meet the demands of tiling projects. Luckily, most tile saws are highly portable and are easy to set up.

Noise

When buying a tile saw, always watch out for the noise levels, especially if you intend to use your tool around noise sensitive areas. Nevertheless, there is nothing much you can do if you want a tool that comes with a powerful motor as they tend to be the noisiest. Wear earplugs to protect your ears and avoid temporary hearing loss.

Safety tips

Whether you are a professional contractor or a DIY homeowner, using any power tool can be risky. Here are a few safety tips for using a tile saw.

• Check your saw comprehensively for any faults before turning it on
• Always wear safety goggles when using a tile saw
• Wear earplugs or a head plug to protect your ears
• Always have a first-aid kit in close proximity
• Run a test on a waste tile
• Break down your project into small manageable phases to avoid making mistakes
• Keep your tools sharp and clean

Care and maintenance

Just like any other investment, you need to take care of your saw for it to serve you diligently for years to come. Here are tile saw care and maintenance tips.

• Always use your tool with care and attention
• Always clean your tile saw after each working day
• Change the water in the pan before starting on a new project
• Clean and sharpen the cutting blade using a cleaning block
• Replace any damaged blade as soon as possible
• Lubricate all movable parts with recommended lubricants
• Store your saw in a clean, dry place
• Take your saw to a service center as soon as you notice any fault

Warranty

Warranty is an important factor to consider when shopping for a good tile saw. It gives you that extra reassurance that you can always go back to your supplier for a replacement or repair in case of anything. Most tile saws come with a warranty that ranges from 1 to 3 years.

FAQ

Conclusion

The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. Well, without wasting much of your time, our pick is none other than the DEWALT D24000S.

This saw comes with a powerful motor that offers a superior performance. Furthermore, it has a large cutting capacity suitable for both light and heavy-duty tiling projects. The fact that it is highly portable gives it a competitive edge over similar saws in its class.

The price might be an issue for individuals working on a tight budget. However, considering all the features that this tool offers, we can confidently state that the saw gives good value for money.

Backed by a three-year warranty, and one full year of free service, the DEWALT D24000S is the perfect saw for professional contractors and DIY homeowners.