A few years ago, I got an MK Diamond wet cut tile saw. Cost was ~$400. From day two the pump did not work the way it should. Generally got by if you kept smacking it and slapping it. Finally, we order a new pump because warranty is long gone and it crapped out altogether. Nobody local had them so we went directly to them, cost was about $45-50.
Put the new one in and it was not much better. Actually, I got the thing about six or seven months ago and didn’t use it right away. Now we call them and tell them the story. The customer service rep says they will only do something within 30-60 days – ignoring the 1 year warranty.
Icing on the cake, she says go to a local pet store and just get a big pump for a fish tank, because it will cost less than replacing theirs. Have you ever heard of such garbage masquerading as customer service?
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations – New Construction – Rentals
Replies
So you didn't come right back at them, posing as a lawyer, to get them to honor the warranty?<G>
The rep was right about the fish pond pumps. Less expensive and the local store will stand behind the product. Just don't let it sit on the shelf - test it.
You sure it was the pump? At times the sediment developed while cutting tile will build up in the lines, especially at the outlets by the blade. If the pump was lacking the little mesh filter I can see where a larger bit of crud could get into the lines and appear to be a pump problem.
The way around the sediment problem is to use a 5 gallon bucket of clean water to siphon from and just use the tray to collect the spray. Visit the fish store or HD and get a few extra feet of plastic tubing to make that work.
I buy my replacem,ent pumps from Lowes, in the garden dept. they have 6-8 different sizes (gpm), and all it takes is a little tubing adaptor to get them to fit.
I agree with ralph ... make sure the tube and the spray heads are not clogged.
"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
I didn't check the oriface, but when the pump actually works (intermittent), the water seems to spray fine, so that's not a problem most likely. The tubing is clear and I can watch to see if the water is moving up. I've even taken the pump out and sprayed it outside the system, tried plugging in to another outlet in case there was a bad wire on the motor for the saw. It's not an issue of a clog. I pretty much checked that right away. The pump is just a POS.
It irks me that I went through the trouble and expense to buy from an "American" company when their own rep says they won't honor the warranty and tells me to buy one from somebody else. (By the way, I noticed Saturday that Home Depot actuallly carries universal pumps now in their tile dept.)
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Actually a while back I noticed HD carried the pumps. I bought a second (pond pump)for my wet saw as well and it was about twenty five bucks and has lasted me years already. they had all different sizes. A pump is a pump. No big deal involved at all. I've also taken mine apart at times to clean it out and it worked good as new again.
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/at.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&guid=1D1338C5-DD25-44E5-9C9E-590936BC60EE&frames=no
Mine didn't work good from the first day I plugged it in. My problem, I was 270 miles from where I bought it.
W.W. Grainger solved that problem. A rise in my blood pressure was not worth the effort to get another POS pump from them.
Put your mind at ease. I bought an MK-100 in December. First used it a few weeks later for a floor job. From the get-go the pump was sporadic, requiring some 'mechanical persuation' to get going. I immediately contacted MK via e-mail. A reply stated to send saw serial number and they would replace the pump. I sent said number, and resent it, and resent it again. I assume customer service at MK is in name only, and the guy who replied to me was hacking their system, just leading me on, getting me to think I might get a replacement.
In the mean time, I bought a replacement pump ($50) from HD. I think I'll get an aquarium pump as a spare. Great idea, wish I had thought of it.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Nick - Thanks for the support.
Can we tell lots more people how much they suck??? (Not that I have any strong feelings about the subject.)
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
No big deal . As others have said .
All it is , is a circulating pump. The best ones are the ones that turn the water in those small ponds sold at depot and lowes. They are cheap. Walmart sells one for fish tanks but its not as big.
After you get done with this , put a nylon stocking over the pump and clean the dirty water every day.The rough particles you are cutting is sanding dust going through the pump. Be sure to give the pump a shake every now and then to lift the gunk from the nylon screen.
If you are set up out side you can run the pump from a clean 5 gallon bucket of clear water and fix a drain off the pan.
All that is the life of a pump.
Tim
even indoors I was always taught to let the pump only drink clear fresh water, and drain the nasty stuff out of the pan... I have run the same pump for about 75 hours without issue.. it was a mild PITA to extend the tube... had to find a brass male male connector to make it work.
Ya , just have to deal with where to put the dirty water. I dont like carrying fives of water but I will rather than let the pump run in dirty water.
Two times I didnt . One in a basement and one on the second floor . I used the stocking . That was dads trick as he got tired of replacing pumps .
Tim
Tim - You are correct that it's an easy fix. But my point is that I should not have to pay for a part that never worked right, and worse yet, pay for it twice. I noticed MK Diamond advertises in lots of places, including FH. Flashy ads - for expensive junk.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
How about a swamp cooler pump..they have huge impellers and wont clog easally.
Never heard of a Swamp cooler pump. We don't have many swamps here in NY. I guess if I can't ressurect one of these two, I'll do the aquarium thing.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
A swamp cooler is an evaportive cooler and heres the pumps for them;
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/searchresults.jsp?QueryString=evaporative+cooler&catindx2=Pumps&catindx1
Tim
getting back to your original post Don, I tend to agree that it's a shame that the original pump failed so soon. But given the grit that goes through, it's not surprising. I think you need to give a little credit to the service person at MK for telling you where to get a decent replacement ... she could have insisted that you buy a new pump from the factory.
"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
Hmm I ve never had a problem with mines.... but the pump did go out after about 2 years of use..
Went to blowes or home cheapo and got one for about 30 bucks.
BTW like everyone else said check and make sure the passage aient clogged.
But I dont like to run dirty water through mines. I bought a new long piece of tubing and fill a 5 gal bucket up and set the pump in that. I do recycle the water a few times letting the chips and sediment settle in the tray then drain the h20 back into the 5 gal bucket....r Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I just looked at the pump on my MK660 and it looks pretty heavy duty - I think it said little giant or something like that. ( I may be thinking of ladders though...)This pump is a lot beefier than any other tile saw pump I've ever seen - but that may be because I bought the saw as a HD rental and they might just put HD pumps on the saws when they get them.Picked up the saw ($600 retail) + 45 bevel fence + 45 cut fence + stand + GFCI pigtail + 50' 10 Gauge cord + extra nib blade for $288 + tax. The saw had recently had a new motor installed. Figured it was about $950 worth of stuff.JT
dude you made out pretty good on that oneBuck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Funny thing is, I had no plans to buy a tile saw that day...Just went and looked that they had a sign that said rental MK660's for $320. Started looking and he mentioned they had one with a new motor. Then he said he'd throw in a stand. Then he said he'd throw in the bevel gauge. Then he said - I'll throw in the GFCI pigtail.I was sold at that point.Then I asked what about a new blade as well. Then I asked hey, what about that 50' cord sitting next to it.Finally, I asked, hey, I don't mean to be rude, but... any chance we can work on the price just a bit to help me out on the tax thing.He even let me swich out the pump for a cleaner model from a diff unit.Got out the door for $305.28.It'll do 14" at 90 and 10" at 45 - wish it'd do a bit more at 45, but for the price, no problem. It's quite as can be when idling - loud as any other when cutting. Built like a tank and light enough to carry around easily.Same guy that let me walk out the door a few months ago with a 10' Van mark brake with a new stand and a $289 slitter attachment for $850 + tax.When you find these kind of Rental employees - you stop by every once and a while...JT
Lilttle Giant has been making dependable aquarium pumps since time began.Bruce
Between the mountains and the desert ...
That's what is it then - definitely not the same type of pump HD sells as a replacement tile saw pump - this thing must weigh a pound or so - feels like it's built like a tank.JT
Don,
Thought you might like to know, after reading this thread, I called MK and complained to a living person about the bad pump. She took the saw's serial number to verify it was within warranty, then sent a new pump. I received it in 2 days. Looks identical to the one that doesn't work, and I haven't tried it as yet, but it was nice to see MK come thru when their product failed.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I have the smaller MK saw. I think it has the 7" blade. I was in Walmart after reading your post. Out of curiosity I looked at the pond and fountain pumps. The exact same pump like my saw was selling as a fountain pump. $18.95.
As long as were talking wet saws and pumps, a while back I bought a 10" saw for doing accurate cuts in brick to do patio installs (only way my better half would be happy about the "investment"). Cuts a brick like soft butter, but I've noticed lately that I get a good bit of dry dust while cutting. I don't think it used to do that (I used it indoors for the first time about a week ago so noticed the dust -- maybe it always did that and I never noticed). I looked at the water flow closely and it hits the blade about a half-inch in from the bonded diamond area and kind of bounces off rather than hitting it and coating the blade with water. Any hints, like is it supposed to do that or should I play around with the water outlets to hit the blade in a better spot?
Thanks in advance.