Don't confuse a tile saw with a regular circular saw. A tile saw is specially designed for cutting a ceramic tile. It may look like a circular saw, but it is mounted on a sliding table and has a large water pan under it. The only similarity between a circular saw and a tile saw is that the latter has a head like the former.
Why do you need a Tile Saw?
The cutting blades of the best tile saw are the same as those used for concrete or stone, i.e., diamond blades. You can rapidly chip the material with the help of sharp blades. To ensure the rapid life of your tile saw, you can use a stream of water to keep it cool constantly. Water can also prevent the blades from dust and ensure that the blades remain sharp and effective. A regular circular saw does not come with these functionalities. Take a look at some more of its benefits:
Money-Saving
The foremost reason for using a tile saw is that it can save you a lot of money. If you have some small projects to finish at home, try to do them yourselves instead of calling a contractor. Contractors have astonishingly high fees, and you will also be charges percentage rates on all your tiles. If you further want to shape your tiles, then you will have to give some extra bucks. Invest once in a tile saw and save the money of investing in contractors over and over again.
Multipurpose
The functionalities of a tile saw are not only limited to cutting tiles. You can also use a tile saw to cut materials like marble, granite, stone etc., efficiently. Many people also use a tile saw to cut hard foods like peanut brittles etc. The functionalities of a tile saw don't just end here because you can also use it to cut wood, glass, and much more. Of course, you will need special blades for each purpose.
What are the Different Types of Tile Saws?
There are a variety of types of tile saws. These variations are essential because of user demand. If you want to cut through a variety of materials, then you will need a different tile saw. To choose the best tile saw, you don't just need to know the types of tile saw so that you can choose the one that is the best fit for your needs.
Table Top Wet Tile Saw
The most commonly used and widely preferred tile saw is the tabletop wet tile saw. As the name gives a hint, this tile saw has a water operation system to cool the blades. It is a very thoughtful and vital feature of a tile saw because the blades can get damaged by overheating. Furthermore, the blades are coated with diamond powder to enhance their performance.
As a tabletop saw, it comes with a stand on which you can push the material to cut through the diamond cutting wheels. These diamond cutting wheels are positioned just under the table, and as it cuts through the material, water is drenched onto it. The water helps in cooling the blades and prevents dust particles from entering and damaging the blades.
Handheld Wet Tile Saw
It is another type of wet tile saw, which also uses water to cool the blades and is diamond powder-coated. The thing that distinguishes the handheld tile saw from the tabletop tile is that the former is smaller in size and can be used as a portable device. It also does not need a standing table, and you can remove the water hose if you want to use the saw for dry cutting. However, it is best if you don't disable the water hose because many dust particles can enter the saw.
Overhead Motor Wet Tile Saw
Here is another wet tile saw that has a stand and a rail system. The material on the table goes through the cutting wheel, which is positioned on top of the table. As it is on the top, users get a better vie w of the cutting angles and make accurate ripping. You will need to have a little extra budget to buy overhead tile saws as they are expensive and heavy-duty. However, it is worth buying if you are looking for consistency and accuracy.
Rail or Snap Cutter Tile Saw
A rail or snap cutter tile saw is more like a cutter than a saw. It is a handheld, manual saw that does not run with electricity, a water pump, or a table stand. It is simple to work with it as it scores and then snaps the tile. All you need to do is place the tile on a cutting surface and then drag the blade across it. If you are looking for the most inexpensive tile saw, then you can opt for this type.
Tile Saw FAQ's
Q: What should you look at before buying a tile saw?
A: While buying the best tile saw, the blades are the most important thing to look for. You should make sure that your tile saw blades don't leave any sharp edges. The best type of blade that you can get is the powdered diam ond blade.
Q: Is a tile saw better than a cutting saw?
A: If you are looking for efficiency, then a tile saw is better than a cutting saw. A tile cutter might take a little extra time than cutting a saw, but it ensures the best results and requires fewer skills. For a cutting saw, you need to have more skills, but it will need less time.
Q: What should be the size of the tile saw?
A: If you are not buying a tile saw for the industrial or commercial level, it will be inefficient to buy a gigantic tile saw. The size of the tile saw depends on your needs, and for domestic and small projects, you can buy an appropriate size.