Do You Need a Wet Saw
Joe, I need to know how to cut porcelain tile, should I use a wet saw? This is a question I am asked all the time. A wet saw is probably the most expensive tool that you can buy, at least one of the most expensive! The only other alternative is a tile cutter. These are also expensive and the price can add up quick!
I’m really not talking about a tile cutter that you can buy at a home improvement store. I’m talking about a good, high quality tile cutter. Although, Home Depot has finally stepped up their game and got rid of most of their junk cutters.
They now have Rubi tile cutters. These are a really good Brand of cutters. That’s the Brand I use. The price tag they have on them, well they are really good too. I would say they have done a good thing for the DIY’er looking to buy a tile cutter.
Don’t Buy a Tile Cutter, at least not yet
I love my tile cutter and it is what I use the most. But if you ask me how to cut porcelain tile I’m going to say use a wet saw.
There are a few reasons for this-
- A wet saw is easier to learn how to use
- You can cut any tile with the same blade
- A wet saw can be rented(ok, a tile can be rented too)
- NO DUST!
- cleaner cuts
- Less chipped and broken tiles while cutting
If you are installing ceramic tile, porcelain, glass or stone, you can use a wet saw without ever changing the blade. A tile cutter has many different types of cutting wheels. I have them all, because you never know which one is going to work. Sometimes none of them work!
That’s when I pull out my wet saw. The cutting wheels can be expensive. If you rent a tile cutter, it probably has a cutting wheel that should have been thrown away last year.
So I should use a wet saw
I believe that I need to point you in the right direction on how to cut porcelain tile or any tile. I would say a wet saw is the best tool for you to use. I do like my tile cutter because it’s faster, I can use it anywhere and it’s just more convenient.
But we are talking about the most user friendly cutting tool, so I choose a wet saw! I do want to say though, that not all wet saws are created equal. I have used some junk wet saws and it would be hard for me to tell you if the wet saw you are renting is worth renting or not.
I just want to say that if you have a big project that you are working on, you might want to consider buying a wet saw. The money you spend on renting might be close to what you would pay for one. Here is a link to a saw I think would be a great saw.
Wet Saw (click here)
I know it’s expensive! I’m really not telling you to buy it, if it doesn’t make sense. If you have a custom shower to install, chances are that it would be a minimum of $2000.00 just for installation. Let me be clear, I do not make any money from this link I am sharing. I have a Dewalt tile saw that costed me over a $1000.00. I really wanted to be able to recommend a saw that was more reasonable in price.
So I went to Home Depot and bought the saw that you see in the link above. I wanted to test it before I recommended it to you. I have used it for over a year now and it’s really a good saw!
What if you did buy it? You could sell it when you are done with it on Craigslist or Ebay. I’m sure you could get your money back. Okay enough on that let me show you why I like this saw.
You Can Make Multiple Types of Cuts with a Wet Saw
When you are wondering how to cut porcelain tile or any tile, what type of cuts are you thinking of?
- Straight cuts
- L cuts
- Outlets
- Diagonal cuts
- Circles
- All of the above
You can cut all of these types of cuts on a wet saw. It has to be able to plunge cut though. Take a look at this video and I’ll show you what I mean.
The wet saw is really the key when asking how to cut porcelain tile. I really do think a wet saw will save you a lot of frustration when installing ceramic tile, porcelain, glass and natural stones.
I hope this helps you with your installation. Any comments below would really help me out, so please leave one.
I also have another post that I wrote about how to cut porcelain tile. I show three more cutting methods. Here is a link to it (Click Here).
Thanks,
Joe Letendre
Faith is not believing that God can, it is knowing that God will
Joe,
Thanks for getting back to me so quick. Sorry to bother you with this again, but would you rather use a 7″ 9amp saw from the link on your page or a 8″ 12amp saw that Ridgid also offers for $200 more.
Thanks again for all your help,
James
Hey Joe
I appreciate all your info. I just want to make sure which saw your using. The link showed model 4030 for $297, you mentioned you payed $500. Are you using model 4040? Do you think it’s worth $200 more for the 4040?
I also apppreciate and agree with your faith in God statement.
Thanks again,
James
That is the saw! It has just come down in price since I shot that video. Thank you for your comments!
I much prefer using a wet saw for cutting tile than any other method. It is just so much easier, and that is all that really needs to be said. If you have a big project then rent a wet saw or get your own, you won’t regret it. However, I am curious about the blade. You said you don’t ever have to change it when cutting ceramic tile, porcelain, glass or stone. So, do most wet saws have diamond tipped blades?
I agree totally on the saw. Yes I do use a diamond blade. Honestly I usually toss the blade that would come with the saw. Dewalt has a blade that cuts most everything that I use and I highly recommend it.
Thanks Joe for the great info. Im still not sure though what is best way to ‘rip’ a 24×12 tile? can i do this with a basic table saw? my concern is there is not a lot of table surface in front of the blade and it seems difficult to get a straight cut trying to feed that 24″ tile thru. am i better off putting a diamond blade in my 71/2 circular saw?
also … if you have to taper the 24″ tile (for the last piece next to a wall)… ie take a long triangular ‘sliver’ off the 24″ side. not sure how to do that with a table saw?
You can rent a saw that will do all of those things. The saw I am using in the video will cut a 24″ tile and the head plunges and it can be tilted to cut a beveled edge. Home Depot probably rents a saw capable of that.
Joe
Great how to videos. I’m about to start a tile job (laundry room) and was worried about using a tile cutter on the porcelain tile. I have a lot of cross cuts.
I do have a wet saw (cheap one, but bought a good blade) and will use for the long cuts. tile is 6×24.
Particularly liked the grinder, I’ll have to get a small one
Great help from you. I like your explanations as it really ma keys it easy to understand for the diy’er.
Your instructions were very helpful. I watched your video on the angle grinder for the toilet flange. Not sure I’m ready for that! Do you have any advice for making a somewhat circle with the wet saw?
Just take your time. It would need to be a saw that can plunge cut.
Just what I needed to see. We have purchased porcelain tile after a disaster with marble that was free. I have many curved cuts around the flange and the bathtub as well and an angle grinder is what I will purchase. Good info and well presented.
Hi Joe,
Thank you so much for these detailed instructions and reviews. Would you be able to provide the name of the wet saw that you recommend? The link no longer works.
Kelly
The link is once again live!