Tile and Masonry Saws Buying Guide

The main difference between a power saw designed to cut wood and one designed for tile and masonry is the addition of a water cooling system. Without water to cool and lubricate it, any blade that cuts though stone or tile could quickly dull. Also, the heat from the friction of the blade can shatter the thin, brittle tiles.

The other main difference is in the type of saw blade used. Cutting wood means ripping through wood fibers. For that, a blade with teeth is the best one to use. When you are cutting through ceramic tile, stone, brick, or concrete, you are basically grinding your way through the material. For tile and stone, the best blade is one with diamond or sand encrusting the outer edges. For brick and concrete, a diamond blade or a notched blade will work.

Dust collection is less of an issue with tile and masonry saws, because the flow of water to the cut keeps the dust from flying around through the air. Instead, it runs off with the water into a tray beneath the cutting surface.

In general, you'll want to make sure that you get the most powerful saw within your budget. Look for the maximum horsepower (HP), since that helps determine how much power goes into turning the blade.

Depth capacity will determine how large a blade you can use. The larger the blade, the deeper you can cut. The depth capacity on a tile saw will range from about an inch to 3 3/4". Since a masonry saw is designed to cut through bricks, instead of tiles, it's going to have a depth capacity of about 5".

Along with depth capacity goes blade capacity. Check to see if the cutting head can adjust to variable heights. This will allow you to use various blade sizes, giving you more flexibility in the materials you can cut.

As in any power saw, you want to make sure that the blade guard slides back easily and springs back into place. Even though tile saw blades don't have teeth, they can still cause a lot of damage.

If you are buying a table tile saw, then check to see if the table or blade can be tilted for bevel cuts. Look to see if a miter guide is included with the saw, or if you have to purchase it separately. It's too handy an attachment to do without.

Some tables come equipped with laser guides. If you can afford one, it's a great thing to have. It will make your job much easier and help with the accuracy of your cuts.

Tile Cutters Tile cutters are going to be the least expensive option, but they are also extremely limited in what they do and may end up costing more in the long run.

A tile cutter works by scoring the top of a ceramic tile. "Scoring" means cutting a straight line partway through the tile. Once the score is made, the tile can be snapped into two. It will usually crack neatly along the score. But it doesn't always break evenly, which means wasting tiles. Also, it isn't effective when cutting through harder substances, like granite or marble.

If you are working on a simple project, such as retiling your bathroom, a tile cutter is a good option. But if you plan to tackle more involved projects, you might want to consider something stronger and more reliable.

Wet Tile Saws The most common type of tile saws come with a table and water tray. Most of them resemble a cross between a miter saw and a wood table saw, as the blade is suspended over the cut, rather than coming up underneath. Jets of water are directed at the blade as it cuts through the tile, lubricating and keeping it cool. The tray sits underneath the table and catches the water that runs off the blade. This water is then recycled through the system.

Having the table attached is a true convenience, because the back of the table provides a straight support for your tiles, making it easy to do a 90° cut. With a miter attachment (usually included), 45° degree cuts are just as easy. In addition, the tables are ruled and marked, making it very easy to cut precisely the area you need without having to measure and mark the tile beforehand. A table that tilts makes bevel cuts a breeze.

Circular Tile and Masonry Saws Circular tile saws are very similar to circular wood saws. The main difference is that the circular tile saw often includes a water cooling/lubrication system. This helps prevent wear on the blades, and keeps the cut smooth and straight.

These saws are much lighter and easier to carry than those with heavy tables and water trays attached. The obvious advantage is that you can use the saw in a variety of situations, even cutting the tile or bricks in place. Most of the circular saws designed specifically for tile (as opposed to concrete and brick) are smaller than the wet tile table saws. They will use smaller blades and consequently have less of a depth capacity. Many are cordless, adding to the ease of use.

One large disadvantage in using a circular tile is not having the table to help measure width or angles. If you use a small circular tile saw, you may find yourself lacking the depth capacity you need for very thick material.

Masonry Saws Masonry saws, like tile saws, are designed for cutting very specific material - mainly brick and concrete. That means the depth capacity needs to be much larger, as bricks are thicker than tile. The largest tile saw blade is 10". A masonry blade may be as large as 14".

The frame of the saw will be designed less for flexibility and more for a powerful straight slice. These machines are work horses. Many are available in either gas or electric-powered versions.

Blades One of the most expensive saw accessories is the blade. But, it's also the most important. It's worth spending the money to get a quality blade. When cutting tiles, you want to look for a "diamond" blade. This is a metal blade that has been dusted with diamond to make a textured surface that grinds through the stone. Notice that the blade doesn't have teeth, like a wood saw blade does.

For cutting brick and masonry, a notched blade may work better. Check with the manufacturers of the materials you are working with to determine the best type of blade to use for your particular project.

Lamp Attachment You can never have too much light when you are working. A lamp attachment comes with an adjustable neck and gives you the power to shine light wherever you need it most.

Laser Guide

A laser guide projects a strong beam of light onto the cutting surface. Because the beam is straight, it shows you exactly where to cut without having to mark the material beforehand.

Some tile saws come equipped with a laser guide. If not, there are laser guides that can be purchased separately and used to retro-fit your saw.

Stands A stand is very handy for holding a wet tile saw with a table, especially if you are cramped for bench space. Doing any kind of tile work means kneeling for long periods of time. Having your saw raised up will give your knees and your back a break. A rolling stand is even better, since wet tile saws are heavy. They can easily weigh over 100 lbs.

Under $100
If you are looking for a low-cost way to cut tiles, then you can easily find a manual tile cutter for under $50. There are some wet tile table saws available for less than $100, even a few under $50. These are going to have small cutting surfaces and will be very limited in what they can do. Still, a hobbyist should be able to find an acceptable tile saw in this price range.

$100-500
You'll be able to get some powerful, mid-range tile saws for under $500. The larger table sizes available allow cutting wider tiles, but not necessarily thicker ones. Check the depth and blade capacity to make sure you find a saw that meets your needs.

Also, check to see if the saw comes with attachments, such as miter guides and rip fences. It may be more cost-effective to buy a saw with these accessories included than to buy them afterwards.

$500-$1000
In this price range, you'll find a wide variety of professional tile and masonry saws. As always, compare important specifications, such as horsepower, blade capacity, and bevel and angle capacity. These attributes will have a great impact on the flexibility of the machine and the variety of materials it can handle.

Over $1000
Only the top-of-the-line machines are going to cost more than $1,000. For this price, you can expect a machine that is going to be powerful, flexible, and easy to work with.

DeWALT
Makita
MK Diamond
Northern Industrial Tools
Plasplugs
Q.E.P.
TD Industrial Inc.