FAQs

Which do you need: tile cutter, wet saw, or dry saw?

Tile cutters are manual tools used to cut tile for less frequent cutting needs. Tile cutters are smaller, easier to handle, cheaper, and more portable than tile saws. These tools score rather than cut through tile and are ideal for straight, simple cuts on tile up to 9/16” thick. Make sure the tile cutter’s horizontal and diagonal cutting lengths are sufficient for your job before you purchase one. A tile cutter is ideal for situations in which you are cutting fired clay ceramic tiles that are coated with porcelain.

Tile saws are available to meet any tile-cutting job requirements. Saws are capable of making a few straight cuts or detailed, curved cuts. Tile saws come in wet or dry versions, choosing wet or dry will depend on your specific preferences and job requirements. Dry saws are typically better for shorter, less frequent cutting jobs where dust is not a factor. Wet saws are best for longer, more frequent cutting jobs where space is not a factor. Wet saws are equipped with water tanks and hoses which take up more space than a typical dry saw. When cutting stone, fully vitrified porcelain tiles, or unglazed clay tiles, a tile saw is ideal to ensure straight, clean cuts.

What size tile saw do you need?

You should consider the size of your job, the frequency of jobs, and the size and type of tile you will be cutting with the saw. There are saws available to meet any job requirements. Every tile saw has a specific blade capacity (maximum size blade), maximum cutting depth, arbor size, diagonal cutting length, and blade speed. A larger blade capacity and higher blade speed indicates a saw that is capable of cutting thicker and harder tile materials. Make sure the tile saw you choose meets your requirements for maximum cutting depth and length. Also, it is important to check the dimensions and weight of the saw to ensure you have the space and capability to store and transport it; larger saws can weigh over 400 lbs.

What type of tile saw do you need? (continuous duty vs. light duty, belt drive vs. direct drive)

Continuous duty and light duty refer to a saw’s intended use. A continuous duty saw typically has more horsepower and a faster blade speed/rpm than a light duty saw which allows the saw to be capable of performing well on large tile projects. Light duty saws are meant for smaller projects where sawing will be less frequent and on a smaller scale; better for do-it-yourself projects.

A direct drive saw is typically more powerful than a belt drive saw. Blade slippage is more frequent with a belt drive saw. For larger projects where you will be sawing tile frequently, for long periods of time, a direct drive, continuous duty saw is best to ensure the saw is capable of maintaining high performance and completing the smooth, straight cuts you desire.

How much does the tile saw weigh?

Wet tile saws are typically heavier than dry because of water tank, hose, and pool attachments. Tile saws can range in weight from 100 lbs. to over 400 lbs.; check the product specifications to determine the exact weight of the saw you are considering.

What material will you be cutting?

A tile cutter is ideal for situations in which you are cutting fired clay ceramic tiles that are coated with porcelain. When cutting stone, fully vitrified porcelain tiles, or unglazed clay tiles, a tile saw is necessary to ensure straight, clean cuts.

Which do you need: a bullnose machine or bullnose bench?

Use bullnose benches or machines and a profile wheel to create rounded edges on bathroom walls, backsplashes and other tile borders. A bullnose bench clamps tile at a specified angle, but requires a tile grinder and polisher to finish the job. However, a bullnose machine is an all-in-one machine that clamps, runs, and edges tile at your specified angle. Consider the maximum bullnose length and shaping depth/radius before purchasing your bench or machine.

What kind of tile saw accessories do you need?

(blades, water pumps, etc) Tile saws may require some accessories to provide the optimal performance. Specifically, water pumps make moving water to your wet saw quick and easy. Most importantly, saw blades come in a variety of sizes, materials, and cutting capabilities. Choosing a blade will first depend on the type of saw you are using, wet or dry. Then depending on the material you plan to cut, various blades are available to provide the best performance for your cutting needs.

What other tile equipment do you need?

When preparing a surface for tile, applying grout, or drilling tile, you may want to consider purchasing a tile floor stripper, grout cleaning equipment, a grout mortar gun, or tile drill bits. Check out the applications and benefits of each below.



Glossary & Hints




Tile Equipment




Before starting a tile job, consider the necessary tools and equipment you may need.  Things you might need when starting include items as simple as buckets, trowels, and sponges, to higher-tech tools like tile saws and drivers.  Depending on the size of your job you may need tools to accommodate a small or large scale.  Do you need a wet or dry saw?  Could you benefit from using a grout mortar gun?  When might you use a tile cutter rather than a tile saw?

Tile Saws




Tile saws are available to meet any tile-cutting job requirements.  Saws are capable of making a few straight cuts or detailed, curved cuts.  Tile saws come in wet or dry versions, choosing wet or dry will depend on your specific preferences and job requirements.  Dry saws are typically better for shorter, less frequent cutting jobs where dust is not a factor.  Wet saws are best for longer, more frequent cutting jobs where space is not a factor.  Wet saws are equipped with water tanks and hoses which take up more space than a typical dry saw. 




Tile saws with more horsepower are capable of cutting through thicker and higher density tile materials.  It is important to consider the saw’s cutting capacities to ensure it matches with your specific job needs.  These capacities include: cutting depth, and horizontal and diagonal cutting length.  Saws with higher capacities are generally larger and less portable; make sure you purchase a saw that fits your portability needs by checking the saw’s weight.



Tile Floor Strippers

Floor strippers help scrape and clean floors to prepare them for new tile. Tile strippers can be used on cement and wood floors with vinyl, ceramic, and other floor coverings. Check the floor stripper’s stripping width, lineal feet per minute, blade speed, and/or strokes per minute before purchasing. Larger stripping widths and faster feet per minute, blade speeds, and strokes per minute, all translate to faster job completion time. All of these specifications can vary and will let you know how fast you can expect to complete a job and whether or not the stripper meets the needs of your job.

Grout Cleaning Equipment

Grout cleaning equipment includes cleaning kits, wash buckets, and electric sponge cleaning machines to make grout cleanup fast and easy. Electric sponge machines are ideal for large cleaning jobs. They are walk-behind machines that make passes along a tiled surface, cleaning grout with a large rotating sponge. Sponge machines are easily capable of covering 800 to 1500 sq. ft. per hour and a particular sponge may have a life of 1,600 to 10,000 sq. ft.

Grout Mortar Guns

Grout mortar guns to apply grout to mortar joints and other tight areas quickly and easily. Guns come in lightweight, portable models that can be used with standard and pre-mixed pointing mortars. Mortar guns can come with or without a built-in drill. Built-in models come will an electric drill attached which is perfect for someone who wants a mortar specific tool. Models that come without a drill attached can be easily mounted to a 3/8”, variable speed drill.

Tile Drilling Bits

Perfect hole kits and tile drill bits help create smooth, clean holes for pipes and screws without chipping or cracking the tile. Bits come in various versions made to cut through any type of tile material. Perfect hole kits include everything you need to drill a straight, smooth hole; bits, hole cutting guides in various sizes, and bottles of fine and medium diamond abrasive powder to help drill with ease.

Tile Cutters




Tile cutters are manual tools used to cut tile for less frequent cutting needs.  Tile cutters are smaller, easier to handle, cheaper, and more portable than tile saws.  These tools score rather than cut through tile and are ideal for straight, simple cuts on tile up to 9/16” thick.  Make sure the tile cutter’s horizontal and diagonal cutting lengths are sufficient for your job before you purchase one.