wet saw recommendation

[Junk]

Need to get a wet saw - for some tile projects, then also for my kid's new rock-hound hobby. No rush, so recommend something good and I'll find one used. Just need to know what to look for.

Also, I assume the blade is what makes these right? So got a good rec on a blade too?

Thx and

 

[Joe_E]

My buddy always swore the MK diamond wet saws were the best if that helps. US made as well i believe.

 

[Trollhole]

I borrowed a wet saw from a buddy to do the tile in my bathroom. It was a cheap one from harbor freight. I abused the heck out of that thing and it still worked like a champ. It didn't have a sliding table or anything but it did what it needed to do and did a good job.

 

[-Spike-]

Bigger is better. MK is definitely the professional standard, but for some projects around the house I'd go cheap myself. Once the saw is trued, there isn't much that can go wrong, short term. Home Depot's RIDGID brand makes user-friendly tools, I'd look at them, and Harbor Freight for even cheaper. Do go for a good blade, it does make a difference. Go to a local tile supplier and ask around.

 

[Ebag333]

Get a sliding saw if you can afford it, not a table style saw. I used a table tile saw from HF (identical to the one Home Depot had), and wasn't impressed. It was with a pretty expensive blade too. You're right though, the blade makes a world of difference. I used a cheap blade to start, wasn't worth the money (TONS of chips in the tile).

HF has some that feel pretty nice (only played with them in store, haven't used them). They get solid reviews too.

 

[45Kevin]

I borrowed a wet saw from a buddy to do the tile in my bathroom. It was a cheap one from harbor freight. I abused the heck out of that thing and it still worked like a champ. It didn't have a sliding table or anything but it did what it needed to do and did a good job.

Ditto. I've had one for years and cut hundreds, maybe thousands of tiles on it.

 

[haystax]

Pearl Abrasives

 

[danxcsp]

I bought a QEP brand saw (on sale) many years ago and it's been great. I looked for a saw that could angle cut a 12" tile, so this is a pretty big unit but making the big angle cuts accurately really makes the job look professional. I've loaned this to several friends and everyone liked using it. It came with a premium blade and so far it still cuts fine. This saw has 2 things that have to be addressed with each use (after it's been in storage a few months). 1) the water pump has to be soaked in water and pampered for a while before it flows correctly, this is becasue I always to forget to purge it with clean water before I store it. 2) I always have to check the squareness before each job, especially if it was moved and rode in a truck bed, sometimes it's perfect and others I spend 30 minutes squareing it up.

Oh yeah, it cuts brick pavers great too and with the water there is no dust!