Tile Saws - Reviews and Selection Tips

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The horsepower of the motor in your tile saw is a key concern. Higher horsepower motors will give the blade the spin that it needs to cut faster and smoother. A lower horsepower motor may bind up if it is asked to do too much. Keep this in mind when you consider a tile saw. If you will be cutting only tile and intend on using the saw for a small project, then a lower horsepower motor may suffice. For larger projects and anything involving harder materials, a tile saw with at least 1.5 HP should be considered.

If you intend to use the tile saw for multiple materials, the ease of blade changing is another factor to carefully consider. If changing the saw's blade is a time consuming and cumbersome task, then it's likely that you will become frustrated having to change the blade several times a day on a larger project. A saw that easily allows you to change blades will save you a great deal of frustration and time. Pay attention to the length of both diagonal and straight cuts listed in the saw's specifications. The length of cut will limit you in the size of the tile that you can work with.

When operating a tilesaw, be sure to follow the normal safety procedures.

Keep the work area clear and free of debris. Wear eye and ear protection while cutting, and do not force the blade. Allow the motor to do the work, and if it isn't cutting, then odds are the blade needs replacing. Diamond offers its MK-170 2 HP tile saw, a well received model. MK tile saws are very reliable and have received many positive reviews over the years.