What’s the Best Wet Tile Saw? We discuss and review a range of models to suit your needs and budget.
Any DIY home renovation enthusiast who has done tiling without the luxury of a wet tile saw will immediately become jealous watching the professionals working with one. Cutting tiles accurately without chipping or breaking them, takes some effort and having a good quality wet tile saw is the best way to get the job done.
Best Wet Tile Saw?
We’re going to start by reviewing the best wet tile saws. When I say best wet tile saws, I don’t mean the most expensive. Some are in the higher price range and one in particular (the Skil 3540-02) is cheap enough to make it a viable tool for the occasional user. So whether you’re looking for a top-notch wet tile saw for daily work or a more affordable option for homeowners wanting to take pride in their work, we have selected a short list of the best wet tile saws, making it easy for you to decide on which one is best for you.
Doing a tiling job perfectly gives anyone a great sense of pride. Though it’s easy for things to go horribly wrong and tiling is one of those tasks where having the best tools for the job will make the world of difference. After decades of DIY home improvement jobs, I can help shed some light on the topic. Having done it all, not always with the best tools, you can learn from an old dog at this game.
I’m going to start with a review of the best wet tile saws and then move on to many other topics related to these tools, cutting tiles and tiling in general. If you plan to renovate your kitchen or bathroom, this article is worth a read before you get started.
DEWALT D24000
10-Inch : Best Wet Tile Saw for professionals and homeowners.
Features:
- Cantilevering Rail/Cart system allows for 24″ ripping capacity – 18″ tile on diagonal
- Only 69 lbs – allows one person to transport and set up tile saw
- Stainless steel rail system is integrated into the tile saw frame, insuring accurate cuts
- Integrated 45/22.5° miter feature for quick angled cuts
- Plunge feature allows the user to make quick plunge cuts for electrical outlets and A/C registers
- Dual water nozzles can be adjusted for optimal water placement on blade in order to minimize over-spray and mist
- Rear and side water attachments can be placed on tile saw to contain water run-off and to catch
- blade spray-over-spray from large tile keeping the water in the pan
- Removable cutting cart for easy cleaning of tile saw
- Compact tile saw frame allows for easy transport and storage in vehicle – 34″ x 26″
3-1/8″ depth of cut allows for cutting of most V-cap and pavers - Three-year limited warranty, one-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the DeWalt D24000.
Overview
I’m going to state quite frankly that the DeWalt D24000 would be my first choice in this review of the best wet tile saws. First off, it’s a DeWalt and this is definitely one of my go-to brands when it comes quality power tools at a good price. DeWalt also think of everything possible to help you work easier, faster and achieve fantastic results without too much effort. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced 10” wet tile saw that is just about as great for the professional user as it is for the DIY homeowner, give some serious consideration to the DeWalt D24000.
A 10” wet tile saw is a fantastic size, the smaller machines can leave you limited, especially when making miter and bevel cuts, so that’s the first reason for choosing the DeWalt D24000. Because it uses a cantilevering rail/cart system, your reach is extended, making it possible to make rip cuts up to 24” and 18” for a 45° angle cut.
The rail system is stainless steel and is integrated into the frame. It also has a very handy edge guide that gives a perfect 90° cutting line parallel to the blade and a convenient 45° or 22.5° guide that you just flip into place at any time for miter cuts. Lining up the fence and locking it into position is easy and incredibly accurate. There’s a measurement guide to help you to work more accurately. Cutting into tiles for electrical outlets and other items attached to the walls or floors is made really easy with the plunge feature. The DeWalt D24000 has a 3⅛” cutting depth. This means you won’t have a problem cutting ridged roof tiles, V caps and even most pavers.
DeWalt has done a lot to prevent the splash and mess that is caused by using a wet tile saw. It has water trays that attach to the rear of the tile saw as well as the side and these catch any water runoff that occurs while you’re working. It also has rubber flaps around the saw head that contain the spray that comes from the blade. Basically, there’s very little chance that you’re going to be leaving the surrounding area covered in spray and runoff water. The dual water nozzles can be adjusted very easily to optimize your cutting whilst minimizing the spray.
If you intend carrying the DeWalt D24000 around, this isn’t going to be much of an issue as it weighs 69 LBS. So it’s quite a hefty tool to carry, but still manageable. If you think that is quite a powerful 1.5 HP wet tile cutter, it’s not all that heavy. The cutting cart is removable, making it really easy to clean and maintain. The DeWalt D24000 doesn’t come with a stand, this is available as an extra option. In true DeWalt fashion, they’ve given the DW24000 with a stand its own model number, by including an S. If you were wondering what the difference is between the DeWalt D24000 and the D24000S is, now you know. The DeWalt DW24000S includes a portable stand which is certainly going to make life a lot easier.
Great Value | The DeWalt DW24000S includes a stand
The DeWalt D24000 is a tough and easy to use wet tile saw. I wouldn’t go as far as to call this a heavy-duty wet tile saw, but it comes pretty close. It should hold up to medium-duty site work and is certainly the best for the home user. As with any DeWalt product, the D24000 comes with a fantastic warranty and dealership service. This means a 3-year warranty, 1-year free service plan, and a 90-day money back guarantee.
Tech Specs (DEWALT D24000):
- Amps : 15A
- Blade Diameter : 10″
- Diagonal Cut Capacity : 18″
- Tile in Edge Guide : 45/90°
- Horsepower : 1.5 Continuous Duty HP
- Integrated 22.5° Miter : Yes
- Integrated 45° Miter : Yes
- Max Depth of Cut : 3-1/8 in
- Max Length of Cut : 24″
- Max Rip Capacity : 24″
- Tile in Plunge Feature : Yes
- Tool Weight : 69 lbs
Lackmond BEAST10
10-Inch : Best wet tile saw for professionals who demand a lot from their power tools.
Features:
- The largest cutting capacity in its class and still accurate to within 1/32″ over a 24″ cut. The BEAST10 is capable of performing a diagonal cut on a 24″ x 24″ tile and can execute a 34″ Rip Cut (39″ Rip with plunge).
- Powerful 15 AMP direct drive motor rotates to ensure accurate 22.5⁰ and 45⁰ bevel cuts. The plunge cut feature makes it easy to execute V-Cap cuts, cut-outs for wall sockets, and much more.
- Durable steel pipe saw frame is constructed to withstand the toughest conditions. Tube steel provides excellent strength without adding excess weight.
- Dual-snake pipe water nozzle allows precise water control and placement
- Snake-pipe water system provides absolute control over the placement and volume of water hitting the blade. Additional segments and an optional “Y-fitting” will allow customization and multiple streams if our users desire
- 3-Year Warranty
- Largest rip/diagonal cut capacity in its class
- Powerful motor will cut hard materials such as porcelain, stone and thicker materials
- Heavy-duty rail system engineered for exceptionally straight and accurate cuts
- Motor tilts for 22.5º and 45º bevel cuts
- Removable extension table for use with larger format tiles
- Saw frame constructed of durable steel pipe
- Front access to water tray greatly simplifies cleaning and draining process
- Heavy-duty rip fence with positive stops at 0°, 22.5° and 45°
- Water supply line is externally mounted and easily accessible for cleaning or replacement
- Blade splash guard and black splash tray keeps work area dry and returns water to water tray
- Use Water pump in water tray or side bucket
- Divider in water tray filters slurry and extends pump life
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Lackmond Beast10.
Overview
Lackmond are leaders in the professional cutting equipment industry. This makes the Lackmond Beast10 the most heavy-duty wet tile saw in this review. That also makes it more expensive. If you’re looking for a professional grade machine that’s going hold up to harder working conditions than the others, you’ll understand why you’ll be paying more for this machine.
Like the DeWalt, this is also a 10” wet tile saw and as much as I love the DeWalt, the Lackmond Beast10 is a far superior machine. Though many occasional users might not want to pay the extra few hundred dollars for this high-end professional grade wet tile cutter. It has an amazing rail system that allows you to make rip cuts up to 34” (39” for rip plunge cuts) and will make a diagonal cut through an 18” X 18” tile – a diagonal cut of 24”.
With the blade set at a 90° angle, it has a cutting depth of 3⅜”, able to cut pavers, roof tiles, and V caps. The saw head is able to tilt for bevel cuts with stops for 45° and 22.5° angles. It also has a precision fence rail with fixed positions for 90°; 45° and 22.5° angles. The external water input is placed for quick and easy connection and the snake-pipe nozzles give exact positioning of where the water sprays onto the blade. This makes it possible to control the spray in the best possible way. It also has an optional side tray to catch excess water splash. The plunge cutting function enables you to make those difficult cutaways for things like electrical sockets easily and quickly.
The Lackmond Beast10 comes standard with a gravity stand and you get a Lackmond 10” diamond cutting blade with the machine. It has a powerful and very durable heavy-duty 15A electric motor. This machine definitely seems like the best option for site work, where it’s expected to work harder than it would in if used at home for the occasional tiling job.
The tube steel construction of the Lackmond Beast10 displays a level of industrial design that adds to the impression that this wet tile saw is intended for heavy-duty work. The water tray has a divider that separates the slurry from the clean water, this protects the pump and will increase the overall durability of the machine.
So while the DeWalt may be the best option for light to medium-duty work, the Lackmond Beast10 is certainly the best for those who need a machine that’s going to withstand the demands of the harder working environment. You’ll receive a 3-year warranty on the Lackmond Beast10 wet tile saw.
Tech Specs:
- Power Direct Drive : 1.75 hp (15 amps)
- Voltage : 120V
- RPM : 4,200
- Length of Cut :34 in / 39in w/ plunge
- Diagonal Length of Cut :24 in
- Arbor :5/8 in
- Blade Capacity :10 in
- Depth of Cut :3-3/8 in
- Depth of Cut at 45° : 1-7/8 in
- Saw Dimensions: 43″ x 19″ x 22″
- Shipping Dimensions (in box): 46.14″ x 26.5″ x 18.42″
- Weight : 84 lbs
MK Diamond MK-370EXP
7-inch : Best wet tile saw for professionals or serious do-it-yourself folks.
Features:
- Powerful high-torque motor
- Maintenance-free, self-lubricating pinion and gear-box assembly
- Tilting head allows for precise 45º miter cuts
- Variable height cutting head allows for plunge cutting
- Sliding aluminum die-cast cutting table rips 18″ tile
- Linear-bearing and chrome plated guide-bar assembly ensure precise cutting
- Single piece zinc-plated steel frame for rigidity, strength and durability
- Hinged blade guard for easy blade changes
- Heavy duty on/off switch
- Built-in water pump receptacle
- Removable thermoplastic water reservoir
- MK-Safeswitch prevents saw from being operated when locking key is removed
- 7″ diamond blade & submersible water pump included
- CSA Approved
- One-year limited warranty
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the MK Diamond MK-370EXP.
Overview
Among the high-end wet tile saws in this review, the MK Diamond MK-370EXP is the cheapest. This is mainly due to the fact that it’s a smaller 7” wet tile saw. MK as a brand, is highly rated amongst professionals and this is certainly not a cheap machine that’s going to give up when made to work hard.
As a smaller wet tile saw than the others that we’ve looked at, it has a much smaller 7.4A 1.25 HP electric motor. It’s also much lighter, weighing only 33 LBS. The MK Diamond MK-370EXP is designed to be a portable wet tile saw for both the professional and home user who aren’t going to be cutting particularly large tiles. It has a rip cutting capacity of 18” and 13” along the diagonal. The depth of cut is 2”. The cutting head is able to tilt for 45° bevel cuts and has variable height settings for plunge cuts.
Even though this is a small portable wet tile saw, it’s built to the best quality standards. The sliding cutting table is made from die-cast aluminum and the single piece steel frame is zinc coated. It’s a highly durable and rust-resistant wet tile saw. Your purchase includes a 7” diamond blade and a submersible pump but you won’t get a stand included.
For a heavy-duty wet tile saw of this size, the MK Diamond MK-370EXP is a fantastic machine for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. It has a very reasonable price tag but is somewhat limited in its abilities when compared to the larger 10” machines. The biggest benefit to this wet tile saw is its portability. For most standard wall and floor tiles, this is a fantastic option and it comes with a 1-year warranty.
VIDEO OVERVIEW | MK Diamond MK-370EXP
Tech Specs (MK Diamond MK-370EXP):
- Horse Power : 1-1/4 hp
- Amps : 7.4
- Motor RPM : 6,000
- Blade Capacity : 7″ (178mm)
- Arbor Size : 5/8″ (16mm)
- Depth of Cut : 2″ (51mm)
- Depth of Cut at : 45° 1-1/8″ (32mm)
- Length of Cut : 18″
- Diagonally Cuts : 13″ Tile
- Weight : 33 lbs. (15kg)
SKIL 3540-02
7-Inch : Best Wet Tile Saw for small projects and if you have a limited budget.
Features:
- Adjustable Rip Fence with Miter Gauge for Accurate Straight and Miter Cuts
- 0-45 Degree Bevel for a Wide Range of Cuts
- Blade Cooling Water Reservoir to Keep Blade Cool and Minimize Dust and Debris
- 7″ Diamond Blade for Fast and Smooth Cutting
- Corrosive resistant stainless steel top supports tiles up to 12 x 12-in.
- 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
- Bevel cuts tile from 0 to 45 degrees
- Cross Cut Capacity: 7.75-in. Diagonal Cut Capacity: 7.25-in.
Overview
I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of cheap tools and at first I was apprehensive about Skil as a brand, they just seem to be too cheap. Though over the years, I’ve tried out quite a few Skil products and I have to say, they’re great for their price. I’m going to have to explain myself here. I find Skil tools to be a bit rough around the edges, they’re not always that accurate and they have limited features. That being said, they’re tough machines and last for a long time.
I’d say that Skil tools will last as long (or at least almost as long) as the best of them. The Skil 3540-02 fits this description to a tee. If you’re looking for a professional grade wet tile saw, you will be seriously disappointed by this machine. But have to look at its price, it’s a 7” wet tile saw, like the MK Diamond MK-370EXP, but it’s less than a third of the price.
If you’re going to be buying a wet tile saw because you’ve decided to tile your bathroom, the Skil 3540-02 is, by far, your best option. Buying an expensive wet tile saw that’s going stand in the garage for years before you use it again, is probably going to seem like a waste of money. The Skil 3540-02 is way better than using an old-fashioned score and snap tile cutter and you’ll definitely appreciate the ease that comes from using a wet tile saw. There are a few tricks involved when using this guy, it’s not a sophisticated machine. If you’re going to be using the Skil 3540-02 for the first time, I suggest that you watch the video below before you start.
The Skil 3540-02 is as basic as it gets when we’re talking about wet tile saws. It doesn’t use a pump and nozzles to wet the blade. Instead, it uses a splash system. This means that the blade runs through the water trough at the bottom, collecting water as it passes through. As a result, you are going to get a lot of water spraying off the blade as it spins.
It has a 90° cutting depth of 1⅜” and the table tilts to allow for bevel cuts, giving you a cutting depth of 1” at 45° (it has a stop at 45° bevel cuts). The table has a length of 14”, it has a rated cutting length of 7¾” at 90° and 7¼” diagonal. This is not a sliding wet tile saw, so your tile can always be longer than the table. With a bit of skill and patience, you should be able to cut any length tile with the Skil.
The fence rail is incredibly basic with no miter angles. Personally, I’d get quite frustrated by the fence rail if I were doing a large tiling job. Though, for small jobs that only take a day (or possibly two), you’ll get used to it. You have to line the fence up, it doesn’t square itself like the expensive machines. I guess I’ve become spoiled over the years as I’ve bought better high-end equipment. Twenty years ago, I would have thought the Skil 3540-02 to be a fantastic machine. Today, I would go for the DeWalt and real professionals would probably want the Lackmond.
The 4.2A motor is perfectly adequate for the type of work that you’ll be doing with this wet tile saw. It will cut through even the thickest ceramic floor tiles without a problem. You get a 7” diamond blade with the machine and this makes its price incredibly reasonable. These cutting blades aren’t cheap. It weighs only 17.7 LBS, so it’s very portable
Out of the all the cheap wet tiles saws available, the Skil 3540-02 is the only one that I’d recommend. It’s by far the best in the low price range. I’m a tool snob and prefer the more expensive machines, but the average DIY guy who isn’t going to use the wet tile saw too often will definitely appreciate the value that he’ll get from the Skil. One of the big plus factors that Skil has over their cheap rivals is their durability and the 3-year warranty that you get on this wet tile saw is proof of that.
Tech Specs (SKIL 3540-02):
- Amperage : 4.2
- Arbor Size : 5/8″
- Bevel Angle Range : 0° to 45°
- Bevel Stops : 0°, 45°
- Blade Diameter : 7
- Cliplister ID Request Key : 3540
- Cut Material : Stone/Masonry
- Depth of Cut at 45 Deg .: 1″
- Depth of Cut at 90 Deg.: 1-3/8″
- Length : 14″
- Name : 3540 (F012354000)
- No Load RPM : 3,600
Having the Right Tools for the Job
The first time I decided to do my own tiling I said how difficult can it be? How many times has any DIY guy used that phrase? Truth is, tiling isn’t all that difficult, you just need work carefully and accurately – this is painstaking work. Because of the detail involved, it’s vitally important that you have the correct tools before you begin.
Your number one decision is the tile cutter. For a large area, you’re going to be cutting a lot of tiles and the wrong tools for the job can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Your cheapest option is a snap tile cutter. I’ve used these in the past and my attitude toward these tools now is: never again. Even the best snap tile cutter isn’t all that accurate. They work with a small blade that you pull back and forth several times to score the tile. You then press down on a lever that snaps the tile along the line that you’ve scored. You will chip the glazed surface of many of the tiles that you cut. Although these are quite small chips, they ruin the perfect look of the tile.
Snap tile cutters often crack the corner of the tile and you’ll have start over with a new tile and at least half the tiles will need to be finished off with an angle grinder to clean up uneven edges. A wet tile saw is the way to go. These are the best tile cutters and will save you hours, leaving you with a truly professional result.
You may think of renting a wet tile saw – but think carefully. If you’re doing a really small tiling job that’s going to take less than a day, then renting is maybe cheaper. Remember that tiling work always takes a lot longer than we anticipate. You may think that it’s only going to take a day or two and you end up spending a week on the job. After you’re done, you’ll see that renting a wet tile saw for a week ended up costing almost as much as buying the machine. If you’d bought a wet tile saw in the first place, it’s there for the next time you want it. You won’t constantly be spending money renting a wet tile saw every time you need it. I suppose it’s question of how serious you are about your DIY and tools in general.
A wet tile cutter isn’t the only tile cutting tool that you’ll need. An angle grinder with a diamond blade is always useful for making small cuts when you need to remove a portion of the tile for door frames, pedestals and the like. Diamond cutting blades are the best for cutting tiles, whether for an angle grinder or a wet tile saw. For cutting curves and small indents a tile snipper is a handy little device, they’re cheap and really easy to use.
You’ll also need a tiling trowel to spread the tile adhesive and a rubber mallet to tap the tiles when leveling them. A straight edge is necessary for ensuring that you get a straight line when lining your tiles both vertically and horizontally. A spirit level can work fine for this purpose. You’ll obviously need a tape measure and you’ll also need a grouting tool to apply the grout.
Using a Wet Tile Saw Safely
A wet tile saw is really a specialized cut-off saw. They’re designed specifically for tiles. The use of water helps cool the blade but also creates a slurry that enables you to make a perfectly smooth cut without chipping the tile. Small chips on the tile surface really don’t look cool and the only sure way of avoiding this is by using a wet tile saw. What scares most people when using a wet tile saw for the first time is the combination of water and electricity. You’ll be correct in this, using water and electricity together can be very dangerous and this means that you need to be extra cautious.
A tile saw that uses a pump will generate less spray and this makes them a little safer than cheaper models that don’t. Regardless of this, you need to take care when setting up the wet tile saw, to prevent water from posing a danger.
Never let your electric socket lie on the ground where it plugs into the extension cord. Place the socket on top of a box or anything that will elevate it. No matter how you work, water is going to collect on the ground around the area where you’re cutting. Create a drip loop in the electric cable of your wet tile saw. This means allowing it to loop a little below the box upon which your power socket is resting. This will cause the water that runs down the electric cord to drip from the loop onto the floor and not run into the electric socket.
VIDEO | How to Use A Wet Tile Saw
Make sure that the water tub below the blade remains full. You’ll need to fill it periodically. Some wet tile saws have a hose connection that let you run water continuously and these will need a bucket to catch the overflow water. If you’re using a wet tile saw that doesn’t use a pump, you need to make sure that the water trough always has enough water for the blade to pass through – these will need to be filled more often than wet tile saws that use a pump.
You don’t have dust flying into the air like you would with a regular cut-off saw. This may lead you into thinking that it’s not necessary to wear eye protection. This entirely wrong. The water that is flung from the cutting blade contains same particles that a dry cutting tool releases into the air. This is just as bad for your eyes when in the form of a slurry in the water – always wear eye protection.
Other than this, take the same precautions as using a regular cut-off saw. Your hands are working close to a blade that’s turning at thousands of RPM, so be careful of where place your fingers and it’s usually better to wear leather gloves when working with a wet tile saw. Though, I must say, that I find leather gloves to be a very cumbersome affair and prefer to work without them. One just needs to be very careful – we all prefer to keep our fingers.