I recently moved and in doing so had to “sell” (i.e., give away) a bunch of tools I did not have space in the truck to move with me. Among those was my MK-100 tile saw. Now, I had done a lot of work with that MK, but it was getting a little temperamental for my taste. I had to replace the on/off switch, the moving cart was increasingly problematic, and it did not do well with large tiles. Also, it was heavy. Those things said, it was also pretty simple and bomber. I never thought it would just die, or have some little plastic piece break and grind the operation to a halt.
So I am now relocated and have couple of tiling jobs coming up.
I’m going to get a saw, and have been looking at the DeWalt, mainly for it’s light weight. I’m not sure about the direct drive motor, and all the plastic on it, however.
The other option I’m looking at the the MK-101 pro 24, for the capability of doing large tiles and because it’s an MK. I was also looking at the stand that attaches with big wheels-the ATS. After lugging my old MK around, the last thing I want to do is lug around an even bigger and heavier saw, so the stand with wheels seems like a good option. I use stands with wheels on my table saw and miter saw and those work out great on the jobsite-so I figure, why not with the tile saw? But the MK with ATS stand is super-pricey.
I’m conflicted. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks
Replies
how much tiling do you do?
I do remodeling and sub tile. Sometimes I'll tile for a month straight, sometimes won't tile for a month at all.
so ... I'm not using any tile saw every day for 8 hrs a day.
plus ... I shoot for snap / score as much as possible ... way faster.
I held out and waited till I could get the DeWalt reconditioned.
I love it. somewhere around 70lbs compared to over 100 for the MK's.
the MK's store smaller ... as the DeWalts tray, even broken down, is a huge footprint.
The way the DW's base is shaped ... big "D" shape ... I set it on the floor, roll it onto it's back with the "D" standing up .... then slip my left arm thru the D. The weight of the saw rests comfy on my left shoulder and my right hand supports the load. I could carry it for miles like that ... very easy to get up/ down stairs and thru doorways.
MK's hurt no matter how far U carry them.
DW has a fantastic plunge from the face feature. Absolutely fantastic feature.
plus ... the adjustable spray does wonders to keep the overspray down.
working on a new const job with gypcrete floor ... I didn't even put down tarps.
just a light mist covered the floor.
I'd confidently use it in a finished room with a canvas drop down first and new blue tarp over that. Forr's definitely don't get soaked ... and the huge tray catches everything but the fine mist.
I've started sub'ing with a FT professional tile setter ... he does lotsa commercial work and high end residential. He has an MK. He's got no complaints about my DW.
last job we worked together ... all stone ... he used his for straight cuts, and my DW for all the bevel cuts and plunges that he usually does with a grinder.
can't say how long it'll last ... but that last big job was 2 guys at about 60hrs a week for 4 weeks straight cutting all sorta stone tiles and porceline. It didn't flinch.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I held out and waited till I could get the DeWalt reconditioned.
Where did you buy it recond? I need one for three bathrooms in my house and I thought I'd buy one, use it, then sell.
Our tile guy at work has one and he says he likes it for the same reasons that you mentioned. He sets tile all day everyday so I figure his gets plenty of use and he likes it so thats good enough for me.
Doug
http://www.toolking.com/products/2200722.aspx?googlebase=D24000
they still have them.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Thanks
0ne thing it did do ...
has a gfci built into the cord.
kept blowing the arc fault breaks in the BR's.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Thanks Jeff. I've been light on tile work since I moved, but before I moved I laid a fair amount - nowhere near what a pro does day after day, but enough to know what I'm doing and to not want a POS tile saw. I really love tile work and the lasting beauty it creates when you do it right . . . I don't know what I'm going to do. There are some DeWalts on CL - I may have a look at those. But something keeps pulling me back to the belt-driven, cast aluminum MK. I just finished a job today with nothing on for tomorrow, so I'll probably head down to Portland to see what they've got in their tile shops.Tim
see if there any new reviews at John Bridges.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I just got back from Portland and spoke to some guys down there. One who was very informative will probably be selling me a MK-101 JCS for $925. That seems like a pretty good deal. Even though I won't be able to diagonal cut 18" tiles, it's super mobile which is a big positive to me. He said a lot of guys are finding that over time the DeWalt suffers from a blade wobble and they're thinking it's from a weak arbor? I don't know. I looked over a DeWalt and it looked really nice, but you're right, it's a huge footprint.He also said the DeWalt essentially uses a chop saw motor and has a much higher rpm than the belt driven tile saws. I don't know what that adds or subtracts to the issue. After really thinking about it, I need mobility and the fact that the JCS essentially folds up into a hand truck is a big positive.
I'm on my third MK, started small and upgraded. The current one was the display model at the local Lowes store, they put a new model on display and I got the old one for $50. Had to replace the power cord cuz it had been snipped off when it was put on display, but other than that it was perfect ... never had been used. Never used a Felker, but I have heard a lot good about them.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Check out the new MK TX-3. I don't know squat about it, but it looks like their new model to compete with the dewalt. Has the miter capabilities, and the spring assisted plunge cuts. It also looks like it might have the same type of motor as the dewalt, but that's just a guess looking at the picture. Also about 15 pounds heavier, but still lighter than the 100 was. They also talk about a misting cooling system, so no water everywhere.
What Buck said..........
I have two OLD Felkers, one is at least thirty years old.
Bought the DW recently, and it does a lot, and accurately to beat.
There are some design issues I do't appreciate and I'm just not sure that I am totally wowed.
I would look at the IMER 250a or it's bigger brother. It's a beam saw and from what I can see it's cutting capabilities are seemingly endless. It's around $1000.00 plus, maybe closer to 15.
I bought the DW recon from Tool King I believe for around $700.?
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