There are a lot of power tools out there that you can use to cut tiles. However, wet tile saws are specifically made to cut tiles. My choice is the SKIL 3550-02 because of its ease of use. Check it out at Amazon. Sure there are girders and angle grinders out there, but the thing about the wet tile saw is that it’s optimized.
SKIL 3550-02
- Hydro lock water containment system keeps water contained near the blade and reduce clean-up time
- Sliding side extension provides support for tiles up to 18 x 18-inch
- Aluminum table top is a durable, rust-resistant surface
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
SKIL makes some of the best wet tile saws on the market. That’s why there are two from the company on this list. Straight off, the best thing about the SKIL 3550-02 is that it has a great cleanup system. It’s a very durable model which means that it can last a long time in the toolbox.
The tool is designed specifically for beginners and contains very detailed and easy to understand instructions. The setup is very easy.
The tabletop is constructed from aluminum, so it won’t have any trouble withstanding a bit of weight. There is also a feature to adjust the rip fence so that the wet tile saw has a lot more flexibility.
With an easy cleanup mechanism and a lightweight and compact body, it’s a great deal for a wet tile saw under $300.
There are some cons with this model such as the circular blade setup. It takes much longer than the others on this list. Hence, you’ll have to pore over the manual to get it done right. The saw is also corded, so you may have trouble moving about if your workspace is large.
PORTER-CABLE PCE980
- Onboard miter square to help line up miter cuts and repeatable rip cuts
- Roll cage for easy carrying and protection of the cutting cart
- Splash guard keeps water from spraying the tool operator
- Stainless steel fixed deck holds up to water and jobsite abuse
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The best part of the PORTER-CABLE PCE980 wet tile saw is that it’s compact and lightweight. The entire tool saw weighs a total of 27 lbs, which means it’s ultra-portable. That includes a 7-inch wet tile saw with a miter square made out of porcelain. Along with that, it’s also really powerful. The high cutting capacity in this small package, along with its moderate price makes it a great deal.
Due to its lightweight and its small size, it’s a great tool for both enthusiasts and professionals. It has a 1.0 horsepower motor and can cut all types of stone and ceramic perfectly. The saw has just enough power so that it’ll cut the tile without chipping. However, you’ll have to have a little skill to operate it. Just enough so that you don’t send bits of chipped tile flying off.
For the water and the resultant mess that will be made, there is a drain plug that can dispose of it. The saw is cordless as well and needs charging after every few days.
Other positives about the saw include that it has a high cutting capacity and gives a decent finish. The only significant con is that there is only one 7-inch saw included. For various other sizes or modular attachments, you may have to do a little shopping.
LEEGOL ELECTRIC 7-INCH WET TILE SAW
- Bevel cuts tile from 0 to 45 degrees - flexibility for different cut types.
- Adjustable rip fence with miter gauge - for accurate straight and miter cuts.
- Blade cooling water reservoir - keeps blade cool and minimizes dust and debris.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This one, like the Leegol Electric wet tile saw, includes a 7-inch saw and a 7-inch blade. However, this blade is fortified with diamond. It also has an adjustable rip fence with miter gauge. It is fully portable, works wet.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of the saw of course. It just means that you don’t have to obsess over it after every single job. This is built for those on the go, and for those that are hobbyists instead of pros.
However, with every single wet tile saw under $300, there are some caveats. The ones with the Leegol Electric are significant enough that you have to take pause. The first is that it can only cut tiles that are up to one an inch thick. Hence, professionals won’t make much use of it. It also doesn’t cut porcelain well and the precision of the blade has been found wanting.
This is a hobbyist’s tool and should be treated as such.
SKIL 3540-02
- Corrosive resistant stainless steel top supports tiles up to 12 x 12-inch
- Adjustable rip fence with miter gauge for accurate straight and miter cuts
- Blade cooling water reservoir to keep blade cool while minimizing dust and debris
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The other offering from SKIL is a great option for someone on a budget. Now granted this entire list is about getting great saws for the money. However, this offering really maxes out the value for money ration. And it doesn’t make you suffer for paying cheap.
The durability and shelf-life of the SKIL 3540-02 are staggering for the price. Even if you use this baby regularly, you won’t put a dent in its design. Its stamina and durability are great, even if you compare it to other tile saws. That alone makes it one of the best tile saws for the price.
It’s got a bit of style as well because of the inclusion of the laser guides for precision. However, there are measurements on the sides as well, so there’s no need. Hence, the laser guides are a gimmick, but they serve a purpose as well.
However, since this is a budget model within a budget category, it does have some drawbacks. For instance, the water reservoir in this model is a bit smaller than the others. This is a big problem if you’re doing big cutting jobs. However, if you’re more of an enthusiast than a professional, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Why Use Wet Tile Saws?
Most of them contain diamond-coated blades so that they can cut the hardest and most abrasive materials. They also come in handy because they’re designed to prevent chipping, as well as to prevent damage to the surroundings. The water in the wet tile saws is to cool the blade and to lubricate it. The ceramics and the glass in the tiles usually make cutting very tricky.
Use this guide to find the best wet tile saws for your home or workplace.
